Art with love

Art with Love is a community-focused art foundation with strong roots in Bulimba, Brisbane. Rather than presenting a conventional gallery experience, it provides free weekly art classes for people of all ages and abilities, creating an accessible way to learn, practise and spend time with others through painting.

The foundation’s teaching centres on the Renaissance style of painting, including the history and techniques associated with Renaissance artists. It also runs occasional free workshops focused on painting techniques. Materials and tuition are supported by the foundation, with the stated aim of keeping classes open to everyone, including people who may not otherwise be able to afford art education.

The project began in 2014, when Stephen Ninnes held a Saturday morning class in a shed in Bulimba. Six people attended that first session, and the idea grew into the Art with Love Foundation. Stephen and Leticia Francini are the foundation’s founders, with artists and teachers including Jennifer, Anastasiia and Camilla contributing to its work. The organisation now runs classes in Brisbane and Florence, and has also established studios in other international locations.

Its focus is as much on connection as technique. The foundation describes its classes as a safe space where people can paint, learn and be part of a community, while testimonials from participants speak of returning to art, finding time away from daily concerns and meeting people from different backgrounds. That makes Art with Love well suited to solo visitors wanting a welcoming creative activity, as well as groups looking for a shared introduction to painting. Families and mixed-age groups may also find the all-ages, all-abilities approach appealing, although visitors should check the current class locations and times before attending.