About Us and the Seasons Team

Sharing Our Creative Passion Through Our Art Classes For Adults

Seasons Art Class® offers art classes for complete beginners to improvers.

So, what sets us apart?

Established back in 2009, we found there was a real gap in the market for the type of classes that we wanted to run. We wanted to combine:

  • exceptional art tuition
  • a comprehensive syllabus covering the fundamentals in step-by-step classes
  • the most wanted mediums
  • expert techniques and tips
  • a warm and friendly environment, where people could meet and make new friends
  • the convenience of materials being supplied for our students

Since then, we have created our unique curriculum and class format. We offer a structured 14-week course of classes with an informal and welcoming atmosphere to ensure that our students feel at home whilst developing their individual artistic skills and confidence.

From humble beginnings…

Seasons Art Class® HQ started in the beautiful towns of Arundel and Petworth, with our first course running from nearby Rustington. The classes were so popular that the demand soon increased to the neighbouring towns and villages.

Classes popped up in Horsham, Haywards Heath, Chichester and Lewes. Within a year and a half we were even further afield, in Tunbridge Wells, Eastbourne and Bexhill. In the second year, we had reached Cornwall, London, Wiltshire and Kent.

Year after year, the popularity of our courses grew until the Seasons Art Class® had spread throughout the UK, from Scotland down to the South coast.

We consistently see an average 75% return rate from our students who come back for more – not only learning new techniques and exploring new mediums but enjoying a camaraderie with like-minded improving artists.

Demand has been such that our courses have now been translated into German, French and Dutch where they have enjoyed similar success throughout Europe.

The Local Area

Our Creators and Co-Founders

Genevieve Woodford

Founder, Managing Director

In 2009, Gen embarked on a remarkable journey alongside her partner, Mike, by establishing the Seasons Art Class®.

Living at the time in the picturesque town of Arundel in West Sussex, they forged a friendship with the proprietor of a local art shop where Gen sourced her art supplies.

Upon discovering that the shop had fallen on challenging times due to the recession, Mike found himself wondering if there was a way in which they could help support their friend’s business while envisioning a lasting and fulfilling prospect for others

Mike conceived an ingenious plan.

His idea encompassed not only rescuing the shop but also opening up avenues of opportunity for other business owners through the creation of art class licences. United in purpose, Gen and Mike devoted themselves relentlessly, firstly running classes themselves, but eventually licensing so that other people could benefit from their tried-and-tested business model. Tragically, in 2022, Mike passed away, leaving Gen as the sole director of the Seasons Art Class®

With the support of her team, Gen continues her commitment to growing the business and can often be found working late into the night, dreaming up new ideas for class projects.

Rowan Crease

Invoicing

Rowan joined The Seasons Art Class® UK in 2023. With a background in business administration and customer service, her primary role is invoicing but she also looks after franchise agreements, reporting and IT improvements. In her spare time, Rowan enjoys a range of arts and crafts.

Chally Spokes

Principle Trainer, Tutor Recruitment, Showcase Branch

Chally Spokes is an artist and an accomplished trainer who specialises in communication and creative skills. With a background in education, commerce and media, she has been working with The Seasons Art Class® since 2013.

Chally provides tutor recruitment for new classes and delivers training for tutors and class managers.

She also provides ongoing support to help classes develop successfully as well as creating content for course materials and creative projects.

As well as selling her own artwork, Chally also manages The Seasons Art Class® in Burford where she’s delighted to be working with returning and beginner students in such a supportive and nurturing environment.

cstheseasonsartclass@gmail.com

Simon Russell

Designer

As well as designing our website, adverts, posters, flyers, banners and class materials, Simon makes comic-based art, such as Nearlymades and ROY (appropriating Lichtenstein’s paintings for comic book panels), and provides illustration and graphic design for ethical companies and charities.

He is also Managing Editor for David Lloyd’s onscreen comic AcesWeekly and designer of books for London’s Cartoon Museum and Ralph Steadman as well as the Draw The Line political cartoon book. His current works-in-progress include an abstract comic on the 12 Labours of Hercules and a book about memory and space called “238855: The Distance Between Then & Now”.

“I started doing graphic design for The Seasons Art Class® in 2012 by accident after I contacted Mike about possibly teaching some illustration threads. We met for a coffee and it was obvious that what I do in my personal practice would not be a good fit for a Seasons class, but the company was pleasant and the coffee refilled and we got to chatting.

When I mentioned my career as a designer of newspapers and magazines, with a side order of branding, Mike asked to see some of those projects and we agreed that I'd do a few production bits for his marketing.

That worked well, and we continued to do more and more, until eventually Mike and Gen were a constant presence in my emails and getting Seasons ads and flyers prepped for different locations became a regular part of my working week.

As a freelancer, having a regular client is great, but having a friendly and honest client is what makes it worth doing – the ever-growing Seasons team are one of the main reasons I keep designing and don't just wander off down my own illustration rabbit holes. As I once heard somebody say: always a pleasure, never a chore!”

Fiona Hume

venue co-ordinator

Hi I'm Fiona and I've been working for The Seasons Art Class since autumn 2018 principally as a venue co-ordinator helping our lovely new Licence Owners find the best venue for their classes. I absolutely love this role, it's really satisfying seeing the Licence Owners with a great venue.

Prior to this I've spent the majority of my career in Customer Services and Operations management as well as being a PA to a CEO for 7 years.

My real passion outside of work is travel especially in S E Asia but any travel is OK with me!

fionatheseasonsartclass@gmail.com

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