After over a decade of of teaching art to children in different settings, Natasha brings her vision, passion and commitment for education & creativity to this art school she built. Her background in graphic design, visual arts, corporate digital arts and multimedia, technical marketing, photography, and public school work, all serve as a foundation of program planning and best teaching practices. Natasha holds a teaching designation degree from the Ontario College of Teachers. She passionately attends art workshops around the world and continues to work on her personal art exhibition collection.

Yasmeen is a graduate of Toronto Metropolitan University, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Creative Industries. She discovered her passion for visual arts at a young age and has dedicated herself to developing and refining her artistic skills ever since. With over five years of teaching experience at Richmond Hill Art School, Yasmeen provides high-quality art education in an engaging and creative manner. She strives to inspire her students by integrating their interests into their work and offering them opportunities for self-expression through art. In addition to her teaching role, Yasmeen has over five years of experience as a freelance graphic designer and commission artist. Her notable collaborations include projects with LA-based music duo RM47, The Beauty Haus, ART BISH, and many others.

Andrew Cheddie Sookrah is a teacher whose sharing of his knowledge is informed by his in-depth experience in working with teams both in his fine art and his advertising and design careers. His teaching takes a holistic approach to problem solving which encourages his students to constantly look for effective solutions in order to realize their vision. His experience in working with multiple media coupled with his strong design skills allows him to connect and communicate with a wide variety of students working at different levels of experience. While continuing to paint and carve out his artistic existence, Sookrah involved himself in advertising and opened Engine Room Creative Inc., a successful design development studio and advertising & marketing agency in Toronto. Today he conducts workshops and teaches painting techniques in oil, acrylic and watercolour at various institutions including Loyalist College, Richmond Hill Art School and The Lodge on Amherst Island. An active member of the Arts & Letters Club of Toronto for twenty-four years, Sookrah served many terms on the Club’s Art Committee as convenor. Sookrah’s work is in Government, Corporate and Private Collections in Canada and the US. (photo credit to David Leyes)
https://www.sookrah.ca/

Sasha Sutherland is a York University graduate with a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a Bachelor of Education Degree. She is also a certified teacher in Ontario. She has had an interest in visual arts since young and has a passion to educate others about the arts. She has experience teaching art and other subjects to children at the elementary and secondary levels. As an artist, Sasha has received awards for the quality of her work. She has won the Willowdale Award for her paintings, where she was offered a solo exhibition at York University. Sasha also participated in the Toronto Outdoor Art Fair (TOAF) in 2022 and was given the Best of Painting Award for her futuristic city series. As an artist and educator, Sasha aspires to create an inclusive and welcoming class environment where her students can explore and learn about their creativity and passion in the visual arts.

Rachel Mah is currently pursuing a Master of Teaching at University of Toronto, her teaching specialty being Visual Arts. She also has a Bachelor of Fine Arts, with a major in Art History, Studio Art, and a minor in Art Education. In addition to being an art educator, she is a practicing artist focusing on acrylic realistic painting and drawing. She strives to teach students a variety of artmaking types and methods to allow them to convey their creative perceptions and ideas. Equally prioritizing process and product, learners engage and enjoy the design process (decision making, creating compositions, skill development) that is showcased in their final works.

Andrew Presutto is a freelance illustrator and graphic designer who creates imagery for: personal and commercial branding; packaging; editorial articles; and young adult novels. He graduated from Sheridan college with honours where he studied illustration. He has since merged his artistic ambition with his passion for education by hosting illustration workshops in secondary schools, and is striving toward becoming a certified teacher as he completes his Bachelor of Education at York University. His goals as an arts educator is practise from a position that: inspires creativity, experimentation, and critical thinking; instills mutual respect through constructive criticism; and advocates for inclusivity and equity. Andrew’s illustrative style has been influenced by mid-century and contemporary artistry. He regularly juxtaposes graphic shapes with energetic textures and is passionate about bridging traditional and digital media. His work can be viewed at https://www.andrewpresutto.com/

Stephen Marrello is a freelance Illustrator and Designer who forms visual narratives through abstract forms, vibrant colours and beauty found in oddity. Currently, in their final year of pursuing a B.DES through the Illustration program at OCAD University, alongside a minor in On-Screen Media, Stephen utilizes the art and design knowledge garnered through his years of studies to bestow on his students. Specializations in poster artwork, screen-printed apparel, and digital art applications have developed from youth, with intrigue and exploration into utilizing different mediums for artistic expression. Stephen strives to foster an inclusive classroom environment where all are accepted and welcome to learn, explore, and express themselves freely.

Celia is a graduate of OCAD U (Ontario College of Art and Design University) with a major in illustration and a minor in drawing and painting. Her passion and persistence led her to pursue professional work in the art industry. A former student of RHAS, Celia now teaches several classes, combining her passion for art with her love of teaching. She aspires to create an exciting and inspiring learning environment for all her students, with hands on demonstrations to fuel their passion through art.