Testimonials

We very much enjoyed working with Lydia Panart because she was encouraging and informative; always efficiently explaining what needs to be done while at the same time nudging us with kindness and patience. She was always letting us know she genuinely cared about us and our journey to finishing the glorious piece of art on the aging walls of our beloved school. We have now inherited plenty of knowledge about the creation of art, from preparing paints to gracefully pulling the canvas together with smooth delicate strokes with the brushes she graciously supplied for us. In a nutshell Lydia Panart is a visionary and wonderful teacher, and all Orchard Park thanks her for her tremendous contribution to the history of our growing school.

Lydia is a very patient and professional teacher who knows how to engage students. She was able to utilize student voice to effectively role model the planning stage and incorporate symbolic meaning into their art. Lydia creates a nurturing and nonjudgmental learning environment for the students to explore their creativity as they learned how to use new techniques and tools. At the end of our sessions, visually aesthetic pieces of work were produced. The students are very proud of their accomplishments, and we are thrilled to display their work in the front foyer of our school. Thank you, Lydia!

Lydia is extremely talented and creative as a mentor and an artist. My experience with her helped me get into the undergraduate architecture programs at Ryerson and Carleton University. Working under her was both fun and rewarding.

I really find that these zoom classes are pushing me to be more focused and I really get much more into learning how to paint than ever before. I find I am more motivated to learn and to work on my paintings at home which I never did before. I find I am not stuck. I know what I want to do now. Can’t always execute it but I don’t care. I am not letting that stop me like I did in the past. Plus, I have a really great teacher who knows how to motivate me and get me going.

I arrived at Lydia’s studio terrified since I had never painted before. She immediately made us all feel at ease and made learning to paint simple and fun. Her class is both fulfilling and rewarding … and highly recommended!

I have taken painting classes under Lydia’s direction and honestly, I can’t believe the beautiful piece I painted. I look forward to taking more classes with Lydia & would highly recommend her.

I have been privileged to work with Lydia for many years as I pursue skill in painting. Lydia is first and foremost a gifted artist in her own work and a gifted teacher with the ability to focus and guide at every level of ability. She encourages and supports the taking on of new challenges, demonstrating techniques, colour mixing, medium use, brushes and strokes, pallet knife and much more.  Lydia does so with patient caring and celebrates accomplishments in the progression of her students. Importantly, Lydia is an advocate of the arts, introducing artists, styles and giving unselfishly of herself in promoting the arts.

Lydia Panart has been my art teacher for many years.  I began as a true beginner artist in 2009, and she sparked a fire in me that I didn’t know I had.  Lydia has inspired me, coached me, and mentored me in every way that an artist can.  I have taken group classes with her, and I have also had numerous private sessions in my studio at home.  Under her guidance, our artist group has held successful art exhibitions in a private gallery in Toronto in 2014 and 2018. Lydia is a patient and attentive mentor, and an exceptional artist. I feel so fortunate to have met her, and to have been touched by her gifts.

In class art at the Distillery with Lydia has been a joyful experience. Lydia is not only an artist but an educator. She has a wonderful rapport with her students and is gifted in teaching technique, colour or whatever the creative project is. I have had success selling my own paintings because of what Lydia has shared with me.

I was introduced to Lydia as almost a complete beginner.  I had only taken a 6 week Learn to Paint course at a local gallery.  With patience, passion, skill and experience she has gently guided my painting education to the place where I am now actually selling my work! And all of this was done in a spirit of fun and community.  Couldn’t recommend her more highly.

My time spent under the instruction of Lydia has been remarkable. In the process of learning about art and how to create a “masterpiece”, Lydia has taught me so much about technique and more importantly about how to focus my personal creativity into the desired outcome.  The transition to learning online has been seamless and is even more focused than the studio experience.

Lydia is enormously patient, kind and talented – the perfect combination for all of us.

I recently attended Lydia’s Zoom classes. While I loved the comfort of painting in my own home, I did miss the personal dynamic.  In truth, I was rusty, but Lydia’s ability to demonstrate techniques and approaches was solid. Lydia has a devoted following of art students because of her warmth, empathy, humour and incredible amount of energy.  It is her energy that fires up the room, and it is her encouragement that produces great art from all of us.

Lastly, I have to talk about what an incredibly talented artist Lydia is. She is the real deal. I know that we are all is awe of Lydia’s talent!

I have attended Lydia’s classes for more than ten years. I keep coming back because not only is Lydia an excellent teacher but she creates a warm and inclusive atmosphere. Her classes are places to learn and laugh and grow. Lydia, always professional, has a vast knowledge about art and technique. Regardless of your level of experience, Lydia is there to motivate, coach and support you. I hope to continue to be a part of Lydia’s classes for many years to come.

Lydia Panart is a wonderful teacher. In person, her classes are inspiring and relaxed. By Zoom they are too. Lydia prepares us in advance by emailing an image and suggesting paint colours, canvas sizes, brushes and alternatives. Lydia has set up the camera looking over her shoulder. We can see her demonstrate paint mixing on a palette and techniques on her canvas. She describes every step. We can take pictures of our own work and send them to her during class for individual guidance. We miss being in person but the Zoom technology does work. We can laugh and work together. Lydia’s warm personality shines through.

Inspirational.  Encouraging.  Whether trying to hone your skills or find them for the first time, a class with Lydia will lead you to unexpected discoveries.  Taught in a welcoming, creative community of artists working at differing levels of experience, her classes are filled with silent contemplation, uproarious laughter and a sense of camaraderie as we are speaking through our paints.

Lydia is a natural at connecting with students and staff to create a safe and welcoming environment where all participants feel comfortable with taking risks.  Experiences with Lydia allow our students unique collaborative opportunities to develop creative problem solving and decision-making skills while exploring the principles of design.  We have partnered with Lydia in providing opportunities that are integrated across the curriculum and align with our focus of empowering modern learners to develop creativity, collaboration, critical thinking, empathy and confidence.  Showcasing student collaborative art pieces throughout the school not only has created a sense of collective pride and excitement throughout our school community but has also provided personally relevant opportunities for our students to self-regulate throughout the day

I had the privilege of working with Lydia Panart as both an Instructional Coach and Instructional Coordinator for Library in Peel District School Board.  Lydia has worked in a variety of capacities within our school board inspiring students and educators with her infectious enthusiasm while supporting creativity and mindfulness and promoting a deeper appreciation of the value of the Arts in Education. She has guided students in the co-creation of beautiful works of art that grace so many of our school walls.  She has brought her expertise into professional learning sessions working with educators where she has guided them through a collaborative creative process. Lydia’s passion and professionalism are a testament to the experiences she has created for the Peel community!

Lydia Panart, Artist and Educator, is an excellent professional. I Highly recommend her studio to both parents and students who are seeking for Art Programs or Portfolios.  Lydia Panart is very knowledgeable, patient, caring, and kind.  She helped my son Jonathan to build his Portfolio to enter into University. Thank you very much Lydia for your help! You built my son’s confidence and he got accepted to the Architecture Program at Carleton University.

Taking a class with Lydia is always inspiring and a joy to attend. She knows how to motivate her students and always devises programs to meet my individual needs. My zoom classes are very focused and l always learn a lot. I love my classes and each week I can’t wait to take part in my next class.

Lydia is an amazing art teacher. She has the unique ability to guide, inspire and build confidence all at the same time. I always leave Lydia’s class feeling invigorated and encouraged. Looking forward to my next painting lesson.