About Us
“There is nothing more truly artistic than to love people”
Vincent Van Gogh
Art Start Studio Australia is centred around the belief that creativity is something that can be nurtured and explored in all people.
Established in 2018, Art Start Studio is a space that allows young people the opportunity to explore, learn, enjoy, grow and connect through creative processes.
The studio offers a skills-based curriculum that provides a range of art-making experiences. Students engage with a variety of media, materials and applications in order to develop a stronger understanding and appreciation of technical and conceptual visual arts practices.
Whether through weekly classes, holiday workshops or online lessons, our students keenly develop their design and art making skills to create their own artworks. Students are carefully guided and championed by professionally trained, highly experienced and capably specialised visual arts educators.
Our classes and workshops are filled with laughter, fun, friendship, genuine encouragement and a safe space for students to experiment, make mistakes and know that they belong.
We hope that you are encouraged to join the Art Start Studio family.
Thanks for stopping by!
Mel.
Meet Mel
Mel Tomlin is the founder and director of Art Start Studio Australia and has been an art educator in schools for over 15 years. Graduating from the College of Fine Arts (now known as UNSW Art & Design) with a Bachelor of Art Education, majoring in drawing and painting and minoring in Textile Design, Ceramics and Printmaking, Mel is a highly dedicated, experienced and relational educator.
Mel is passionate about seeing young people bring their creative ideas, concepts and interests to life. She loves to embrace and promote the connection to people, that visual art enables.
She is married to Matt, who is also an experienced and creative educator, and together they are raising 4 amazing girls – their most wonderful creations of all!
What people are saying…
“I like all the lessons in art class especially the sketching we do! Mel lets us have lots of fun.”
— Milo (9 years)
“I really enjoyed the skateboard art class. I made some new friends and best of all I get to hang my artwork on my wall!”
— Liam (9 Years)
“I like that at art class we do lots of different things and I really enjoyed the class where we tie-dyed t-shirts! Mel is very helpful and kind and she helps me achieve what I am trying to do.”
— Poppy (11 years)