Painter, artist and tutor, Karen Iredale Lucas has opened an additional art class at the Langdon Down Centre after another art tutor decided not to run the class.

Lucas had a "flood" of students after the tutor decided four weeks ago to stop the class.

She said: "I had someone phone me yesterday saying, 'I thought I was going to have to give up art!'"

Running two classes on a Thursday at the Langdon, she structures them based on exercises that she has taken from viewing exhibitions in and around London or any art galleries that she has have visited on her travels.

Lucas said: "In the art classes I can help a student develop skills of old, once thought to be lost, and help beginners express themselves in a new language.

"These creative skills never leave an individual, they lay dormant and are easy to encourage back to the surface with the right teaching."

Even during Lockdown, Lucas managed to continue her Art classes throughout: meeting up outside or in the studio at Langdon Park when it was possible. Otherwise, Lucas learned how to use Zoom and taught her students online when it was necessary.

"I have learnt that Art classes can give adults a new direction or help lift people's moods," Lucas added.

Many of her ex-students are now professional artists and/or sell their work, Lucas said. Her own work features in personal collections in France, Japan, Sydney, New York and London.

Landscape painting. (Photo: Karen Iredale Lucas)

Lucas has an MA and a P.G.C.E and 38 years' experience teaching adults of all ages from Sixth Form through to degree level. Eight of those years have been at the Langdon Down Centre.

Not only a devoted art teacher, Lucas has exhibited throughout her life. From places as far away as Royal Art Society Sydney, Australia to more locally in London Galleries such as the Bankside Gallery, Southbank, RK Burt Gallery and Petworth House, Sussex. She was also selected to exhibit in the 'Lines of Investigation' show at the Stanley Picker Gallery, Kingston.

If you are keen on art, especially painting or drawing, the new class starts on Wednesday 13 September from 10am - 1pm.

The new Wednesday class is held at: Langdon Down Centre & Normansfield theatre, 2a Langdon Park, Teddington, TW11 9PS.

Parking is free and the 281& 285 buses drop you right outside the building. 

She offers three terms of 11 sessions a year which develop and build on students' skills. For 11 weeks the cost is £280.00. Students are asked to supply their own materials. 

All information is on www.kareniredalelucas.com