Mini Monets provide families with brilliant and inspirational weekend art classes, holiday workshops, and birthday parties for children and teenagers who are keen to improve their art skills and learn from real professional artists and educators. We specialise in the education of 4.5 - 15.5 year olds and have been working in Buckinghamshire for 12 years now. Come and join us in one of our Art Studios.
This unique community of young artists provides a wonderful break from their academic school week. The art classes teach children to experiment away from judgment and self-criticism which is entirely liberating for the young and developing mind. It is more than a club, it’s an Art Experience like no other.
The Mini Monets concept was set up to nurture the natural creativity of children and young people across all disciplines of Art and Design.
Debra comes from a family of Artists and Art Teachers. With over 25 years of experience working in the Art sector as a professional artist, a graduate of Central Saint Martin’s in London, and as a practicing teacher at one of Buckinghamshire’s independent IB Schools. Founder Debra Franses understood that the lack of creativity available to children and young people in mainstream education was creating a skills shortage and with first-hand knowledge of the benefits from her childhood she knew that a creatively nurtured child is a happy soul. So we recommend gaining dexterity through art making and thinking from an early age – this helps a child to flourish in so many complementary ways physically and mentally.
With the encouragement of her family and art therapist, Debra established Mini Monets in 2011.
The school is run by professional artist Debra Franses the creator of Artbag with lots of support from classroom assistants and fellow Creative professionals to help new students and those who need extra help. We also offer discretionary art scholarships to gifted and refuge students with a lack of family funding to support their education.
The school follows the national Key Stages and we encourage the younger Monets to start at age 4.5 in Stage 1 and learn good art skills that will prepare them for the art challenge of Stage 2 on a Saturday Morning for ages 8 – 11 and Stage 3 for students age 9 – 16. Our mission is to prepare the creative side of your child’s education for a lifetime love of art-making and relaxing through the process of creative thinking.
Sign up for a trial class. Or better still, start at the beginning of the 10-week term to get the full benefit of the project themes for the period. There are 30 weekly classes per year divided into 10-week term blocks.
The classes are lively and highly creative. We publish the term course in advance so that you know what to expect. The children make new friends and enjoy an environment of like-minded imaginative company.
We make sculptures, Paintings, and learn about colour, art techniques, and drawing skills. We also offer graphic design and printing skills. On top of it all, we introduce young artists to interesting and thought-provoking international artists and artistic concepts. Encourage participation in many young artists’ summer shows and competitions and end the school year with our very own Summer exhibition to celebrate the skills and achievements of our students.
This year’s ART exhibition is at Amersham House in Old Amersham High Street and is open to the public. There is no charge for entry and if you choose to dine there and quote the Mini Monets you receive a 10% discount on your bill!
In short, we offer year-round support to families who are looking for a supportive environment to create independent creative thinkers and doers!
Located in Amersham Buckinghamshire
Our main art school is located in the Market Hall in Buckinghamshire’s Old town village of Amersham. The holiday workshops vary in location from the studio in Old Amersham to the Artbag Gallery, Market Hall, and various local farm barns. Artbag studio gallery hosts many workshops and small parties in the summer find out more here
See what Parents are saying.
Our happy customers have a lot to say about us!
My daughter has been attending the Mini Monet weekly art classes for two years and she absolutely adores them. They create some incredible work and cover really interesting topics and study artists in detail. The classes are professionally run and the Mini Monets team is friendly and very encouraging to the children. Mini Monets have also been such a memorable part of our lockdown time this year, there was such an effort made to make sure the lessons happened whether on-site or on Zoom. My daughter calls the classes her “happy place” and is inspired each week to deliver a great piece of art.
My son has been attending Mini Monets weekend art classes and holiday clubs for the last 3/4 years and looks forward to it as a highlight of his week. Debra and Deborah are fantastic artists and mentors and the children never cease to amaze me at how they rise to and revel in the weekly challenges that are set. I feel truly lucky to have discovered Mini Monets and for my son to be able to be part of the community of young artists that it nurtures!
Best art class, and a wonderful teacher. Both of my daughters aged 11 and 15 have attended Debra’s Mini Monets classes and workshops. Not only have they learned and stretched their art skills, they also come out of Debra’s classes each week happy and inspired to continue art projects at home.
My son loves his weekly art classes with Mini Monets! He’s been attending for over a year and astonishes his school art teachers when he mentions artists by name! Really enjoyable, lovely creations each week. Highly recommend!
