 An active member of the arts community on the South Coast for more than 20 years, Leonie specialises in a range of classes for children, adults and those with disabilities.
Her skills include painting, photography, graphics, ceramics, sculpture, painting and recycled art.
Leonie, who says she was raised as an artist – both her mother and father were artists in their own right – operates Leonie’s Art 4 All from her seaside home and revels in the relaxation her work brings and in being able to help many others get peace of mind and to relax.
Her talent has helped to beautify many public areas in Kiama, Shellharbour and the Shoalhaven and it can be readily seen at the old fire station and Hindmarsh Park at Kiama, Albion Park Rail and Flinders Community Centres.
She conducts classes for children after school Monday to Thursday, a home schoolers class on Tuesday mornings and an adult class on Thursday mornings, as well as an adult art class at Shell Cove Community Centre on Tuesday evenings.
Then, of course, there are her disability classes on Thursdays which she says are an inspiration and a joy for those who attend.
Leonie says people attending these classes are extremely grateful for the chance to relax and try and do something positive with their time.
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And the children really love the classes. “It’s like a big family at class times and it’s wonderful to see so many of them developing their social skills,” she says.
She is also busy facilitating a ceramic mural project with the local Aboriginal community at Bombaderry Creek National Park.
But without doubt she rates time spent on a trip to the Antarctic where she was an artist in residence as a highlight of her career. It was a time for utter meditation and appreciation of the new world around her.
Leonie has a Diploma of Fine Arts from TAFE and was highly recommended for a photograph she entered in an art competition at the Sydney Opera House.
Both her daughters are naturally “arty”, the elder undertaking an architectural degree at Newcastle and the younger who is in Year 12, looking to be a fashion designer.
Leonie’s Art 4 All also holds arts parties and workshops at weekends and if you are interested in attending one of her classes give her a call on 4237 6731 or 0439 103548.
I can assure you a visit to Leonie’s studios is worth the drive for the sheer beauty of the view from her back room and adjacent yard will simply blow you away.
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