Lucy Tonyan, Studio Owner; Artist & Instructor
Lucy opened The Studio in the summer of 2008 with the dream of providing quality fine art instruction to students of all ages. She plans and instructs art classes at The Studio and manages it's daily operations.
Lucy is co-author of the “Art Works” curriculum and c.e.o. of Creative Curricula, Inc.
"Art Works" is an elementary art program for kindergarten through eighth grade that is currently in use in classrooms across the United States from California to Rhode Island, New York to Texas and almost every state between. "Art Works" has received the highest accolades from it's users and continues to be a viable source for affordable art education in the elementary school arena. The cross curricular program provides a hands on approach to learning with art history, culture, music and methods as its backbone. Lucy has traveled extensively throughout the United States, conducting seminars for school districts who employ the "Art Works" curriculum; enabling teachers to successfully integrate fine art instruction in their classroom itinerary.
She holds a Bachelor of Fine Art degree in Art from Saint Mary's Notre Dame and has taught elementary art for many years at Montini Catholic School in McHenry. Before having children, Lucy did freelance work including "super graphics" and murals for both business and residential spaces. She is classically trained and skilled in drawing, painting, pastel, printmaking, ceramics and fibers. Lucy resides in McHenry with her husband Chuck, and daughters Theresa, Rachel and Janet.
"My passion for art began as a child who could never get enough drawing and coloring. When I was still very young, my artist grandmother Lucille declared with certainty that I was an artist. I was sure of that too! I sat at her kitchen table for endless happy hours with a tin of well used crayons and a stack of recycled paper to color on. She encouraged my dreams and cultivated my appreciation for the masters with train trips to Chicago’s Art Institute, heavy books on the lives of great artists and always a symphony playing on the stereo. The Studio is a place to share my love of art and what I know about it. Like Lucille, I hope to guide and inspire young students to use their minds and hearts to make art of their own."