Our Instructors
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Owner, Director, Instructor and Artist
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Artist & Instructor ~ Ashley Moore (she/her)
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Ashley is a passionate Elementary and Middle School Teacher who grew up in Bella Coola, a breathtaking valley located on Nuxalk territory where the mountains, ocean, family, friends, and community nurtured an inspiration for art making. Ashley has a dedicated personal art practice. She enjoys tapestry weaving, gouache, print-making, photography, digital illustration and experimentation with new mediums.
After completing a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Bachelor of Education, Ashley transitioned from working in the school system as an Education Assistant to her new role as a classroom Teacher. In this new role she uses art to nurture problem solving, positive risk-taking, fine-motor skills, patience, expression and identity exploration. Ashley describes working with young people as a gift that reminds her that art can exist without the pressure of a narrowly specific outcome; that being a successful artist can be measured by the joy experienced in the process and what is learned along the way. |
Artist & Instructor ~ Ana Eligio (she/her)
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My name is Ana and I am a self-taught artist born and raised in Mexico, I’ve been doing art ever since I can recall, always having a creative outlet for myself since it is something that brings me comfort and happiness. I am always learning something new and I’ve delved into all kinds of artsy activities such as mural-ism, resin art, embroidery, clay sculpting, jewelry making, animation, graphic design,and more! Plus, I specially enjoy painting and drawing.
This passion for art led me to study digital design and in 2021 I graduated with honors from Vancouver Film school, specializing in motion design. I worked in digital design and animation for a while before moving to Canada, and now I’m currently getting a bachelor of arts in professional communications. I strongly believe that anyone can be a great artist, the key to achieving this is staying motivated and enjoying the process! |
Artist & Instructor Vida Akef (she/her)
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My name is Vida, and I am from Iran, where every corner has a sign of art. I
grew up loving painting and this love led me to the University of Fine Arts. I got a bachelor's degree in graphics and a master' degree in illustration, during which I gained different and valuable artistic experiences such as painting, sculpting, bas-relief, tile work, handprints, and book illustration. I first started with colored pencils, then I experienced oil, acrylic, charcoal, and watercolour. After graduating from the master's degree, I was accepted into the Ph.D. course in Philosophy of Art at Tehran University. At the same time, I was hired to teach at the University of Art, where I was teaching art for about 7 years until I came to Canada in 2018. I enjoy teaching people of all ages and look forward to sharing my vast knowledge of art with new students at The Paint Box. |
Artist & Instructor Marnie (she/her)
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My name is Marnie Augello. I was brought up in Montreal and come from a strong Italian family raised in traditional ways. Presently enrolled in the Master's of Art Education program at UofVic, I have a Master's in Sociology and a degree in Education. Having lived abroad and raising my family for the last 10 years overseas, I have an open-mind and believe in the power of patience.
In some ways my art reflects my family heritage and my own experiences which emerged in the magical unknown within the natural world. I play within the translucent boundaries watercolor and alcohol ink have to offer, with a particular emphasis on using the archival black indian ink with fountain pens. I am eager to share the teaching principles developed as an International teacher and as a studio art instructor here in Victoria. |