The interior is finished, the walls have been adorned with art work, and paint brushes are sitting in their pots. Atelier Art School has opened up in Shunyi, the second school for founder and Director Marianne Daquet. Atelier offers unique and creative workshops, for students of all ages and backgrounds. A large range of courses and workshops are delivered by fully qualified and experienced teachers. Their new space is bright, light, and ready to welcome students. For those looking to develop their artistic skills, to try something for the first time, or to reconnect with your creative side, Atelier provides individualized tutoring in small class sizes.
The Shunyi art school will hold regular courses and holiday workshops, for kids, teens, and adults. The courses for younger kids aged 4-7 years include visual arts, and Chinese arts. Classes are one hour long and RMB 2,400 for the ten week course. Pre-Teens of 8-12 years old can sign up for visual arts, drawing and painting, and get crafty. For teens aged 12-15 years, there are courses in visual arts, bustling paper, oil painting, drawing and painting, and upcycling. Each class is two hours and RMB 3,300. For older teens and adults, there is watercolor, drawing and painting, oil painting, upcycling, and sculpture and modelling.
One of the most popular courses is visual arts. This course aims to push students out of their comfort zone, and to work on topics that will help them to question their surroundings, and themselves. Students will learn about the main trends that have shaped the history of art, whilst being introduced to new techniques. The visual arts course for the youngest kids enables them to explore shapes, colors, and textures. This course will guide the children in their creativity, so they learn to create more independently. Another popular course is drawing and painting, where students are taught the basic techniques of drawing, watercolor, and acrylic. This course gives a solid foundation on which to build more sophisticated creative projects. Monthly workshops include photography, which makes use of Atelier’s own dark room, graphic design, and screen printing.
Atelier also run holiday workshops. A Mayan themed workshop took place during spring break, at the Sanlitun school. The kids got to explore the subject in detail and went on to create wonderful pieces of art, all of which followed this theme. Summer holiday workshops will also be themed, and will take place the weeks of June 15, 22, 29, July 6 and 13. After a summer break, workshops and courses will resume in mid-August. For group classes, a minimum of four students are required. Classes are held in English, French, and Chinese, depending on which class, and take place throughout the day, after school, during evenings, and weekends. If you’re looking for an arty Birthday party, Atelier is the perfect place. Children can choose a theme and for two hours take part in art and craft activities to fit that theme. Maximum number of children is 8, for a three hour party RMB 2,800.
Atelier Art School
204-205, Building 2, Central Park, 16 Yufeng Road, Shunyi District (5686 4243, shunyi@atelier.cn.com) www.atelier.cn.com 北京市顺义区裕丰路16号院会展誉景2号楼204-205（商铺A入口2楼）
beijingkids Shunyi Correspondent Sally Wilson moved to Beijing in 2010 from the UK with her husband and son. Her daughter was born here in 2011 and both her kids keep her happily busy. In her spare time, Sally loves to stroll through Beijing’s hutongs and parks. She is a (most of the time) keen runner and loves reading: books, magazines, news, and celeb websites – anything really. Sally is also a bit of a foodie and loves trying out new restaurants.
Photos: courtesy of Atelier, Sally Wilson
