Robyn Thurecht, Founder/CEO
Robyn believes everyone is creative – they just need the time, the space and the encouragement to create. Teaching art and art-related subjects over the past 20 years, Robyn founded artKids with a focus on building kids’ skills and confidence in creativity while insisting on an element of fun at all times. She loves that there is no one ‘right’ way to draw or create. As a writer in a previous life, Robyn also encourages the children to develop the story behind what they draw on their page. She lives by the statement: “There are no flops in art, only flopportunities!”
@robynthurecht_art
Heidi Dreyer -Manager/Tutor
Heidi joined artKids in 2022 bringing with her a wealth of knowledge and skills in not only business management but in kid and animal wrangling. Her passion for art and teaching kids snuck up on her and she is now one of our student’s favourite Tutors. Heidi’s passion for tutoring is on par with her passion for animals, owning a ‘small’ property locally. She loves endurance riding with her horses and, to keep them company, she has inherited llamas, sheep, dogs and chickens. Her favourite art mediums are charcoal and chalk pastels as “they are so forgiving.” She embraces flopportunities!
Libby Gerner - Lead Tutor
Libby is both teacher and artist, and comes to artKids with a bag full of life skills and experiences that she loves to share with her classes. She enjoys the process of breaking instructions down to students to scaffold their learning in a way that suits their own style. Libby encourages her students to be proud of their unique and individual art making. When spending time at home among her chooks, dogs and sheep, Libby enjoys ‘pottering’ in her art studio, creating whatever inspires her in the moment – collage, watercolour, abstract acrylic painting or dancing.
Mavis Wong - Tutor
Mavis has been with artKids for three years, coming to us with an eclectic career background – accountant, seasonal lifestyle & family photographer, and watercolour artist! She loves journaling, trying new food, discovering new places, and is excited to be working with artKids to explore new art mediums and techniques. A mother of two boys, Mavis feels she draws way more vehicles, robots, monsters and Pokémon than she ever did in her ‘Before Boys’ life. Apart from getting to indulge her love of art, Mavis is a strong believer in exposing kids to art at a young age. “I’m passionate about helping young kids in their art journey and I love seeing the joy that art brings into their lives.”
@maviswphotography
Jordan Chik - Tutor
With a degree in Graphic Design and New Media, as well as Certificates in 3D Animation, Jordan has been a welcome addition to our popular Saturday Anime and Cartooning classes for over a year now. He has worked as a Freelance Illustrator and Designer, as well as for the National Gallery of Australia. He would describe his art style as having “strong Asian sensibilities executed in a comic and cartoon format.” Jordan is fascinated by how the students respond to the art inspiration to complete projects, each with their own individual creative spin. “I like that I am learning as much from my students as they are from me. We inspire each other!” Jordan began tutoring our after-school classes recently, enjoying the move from teaching one particular style to working with many art mediums.
Sammy Newton-Tabrett - Tutor/Admin
Sammy began working with artKids 18 months ago, several years after her son had been attending our artKids after-school program. Sammy was so impressed with how we taught art, and how well her son responded to it, that she wanted to be a part of the team. Growing up in an artistic family, she has always created in some form or other. A recent graduate with a Bachelor of Psychology, and working with her own NDIS clients, Sammy is enthusiastic about how the act of creating and making art – whatever format it takes – is part of our human healing process. “I love watching students as they grapple with how to approach an artistic connundrum and that moment when they get it – their face lights up and they literally are head down and into it!”
Sam Gerner - Tutor
Growing up the son of a teacher, it was inevitable that Sam would get the taste for tutoring! Sam began working as an Art Assistant early in 2025, quickly becoming a firm favourite with our students. He likes being able to help students who are struggling to start, or getting frustrated – things he can relate to as well. Sam recently started a Certificate in Photography at CIT, bringing his knowledge of composition and the importance of values, highlights and lowlights to student’s artwork. He enjoys nature and recently spent 10 days photographing the fauna of Tasmania. “Photography and art in gerneral is a great way to slow down, focus and see the world around you in ways you may never have before.” Sam enjoys helping kids see their world differently.
Freya Lewis - Tutor
Some people are just natural teachers, and Freya is one of them. Taking a gap year after completing Yr 12, Freya joined artKids recently as an Art Assistant, quickly cementing herself as having a ‘way with the children’. Quiet and calm in what can often be the face of mayhem, Freya brings her youthful enthusiasm to her teaching style. Studying art to Yr 12, Freya loves dabbling in all areas of art. Working with artKids is a step toward her goal of studying Education and Visual Arts.