ABOUT US
Margie is the founder of Creative Academies, an educational institution in Surrey that was established in 2019 and offers courses in art and design. Creative Academies encompasses the Young Designers Academy in Milford and the TA School of Art & Design in Guildford.
With a background as an experienced architect, Margie combines her passion for design and education to inspire the next generation of creatives. She holds a Bachelor of Architectural Studies and a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Cape Town. For 15 years, she practiced as an architect, managing a variety of projects before transitioning to teaching.
As a lecturer, Margie has taught Design Principles and Drawing Skills at HNC, HND, and Degree levels at Guildford and Richmond Colleges. Beyond the classroom, she has mentored countless students, helping them prepare portfolios and secure places to study Architecture, Interior Design, and Gaming Design at universities across the UK.
Through her work at Creative Academies, Margie continues to share her expertise, fostering creativity and helping students achieve their goals in the world of art and design.
Jenny is a figurative artist working primarily in dry media and oils. Trained at the Art Academy, London (2010–2012), her practice is rooted in close observation, with drawing acting as both starting point and anchor—a means of truly looking, and finding rhythm, structure, and clarity within the subject.
She has gained recognition for her paintings of London street scenes, and landscape subjects of all kinds continue to inform and inspire her work. She is represented by galleries across the UK and has exhibited at the Mall Galleries with the Royal Society of Marine Artists. In 2016 she won the Windsor and Eton En Plein Air painting competition, and her work was admitted into the Royal Collection.
Jenny is passionate about sharing her love of drawing and painting through her teaching work. She aims to balance learning technical skills with nurturing each student’s creativity, so that they develop the tools they need to express their ideas with confidence. Jennifer believes that learning to draw helps promote focus and the ability to observe and analyse visual information, and that it fosters perseverance and creative problem-solving – skills that benefit students both in art and beyond.
Claire
Fashion Design & Sewing Tutor
Claire studied at “London College of Fashion” HND Designer Pattern Cutter 1998- 2000, “City & Guilds dressmaking” 1997-1998.
Claire has been sewing since she was a little girl self-taught on her grandmothers sewing machine. She likes to encourage students to recycle, upcycle and repurpose textiles and clothes.
Tutoring adults and children sewing, dressmaking and crafts for the past 10 years at her local shop in Godalming. Hosted classes at “Watts Gallery” and tutored an afterschool craft club at “St Ives school Haslemere” for 3 years. Claire has self-
published a colouring book “Crafty colouring” and designs and sells easy sewing patterns.
Although she has a lifetime of knowledge in sewing and crafts, she loves the fact that she is still learning. There are new techniques, tools, technology and many ways to
make crafts. Her mantra is “I have never met a craft I don’t like”.
Sophie
Drawing & Illustration Tutor
Sophie is a multidisciplinary artist and experienced art educator with a passion for sustainability, creativity, and inclusive learning. Her work spans drawing, design, and printmaking, often using upcycled materials and nature-inspired themes. Having lived and travelled through Indonesia, Australia, Fiji, Mexico, and Greece, her art reflects a rich blend of cultural and environmental influences.
She recently completed her BA (Hons) in Fine Art and now teaches art full-time, drawing on years of experience—particularly working with disabled children and young people. Sophie’s creative journey has included working with a leading fashion print designer, where her patterns were picked up by brands like Vera Wang, GAP, and M&S, as well as studying Islamic Art, Design, and advanced Printmaking.
Her teaching style is warm, open, and rooted in the belief that everyone has an artist inside them. Whether guiding students through their first sketch or helping them explore bold new ideas, Sophie is committed to making art education accessible, empowering, and joyful.
OUR STUDIO
Our studio comfortably accommodates 12 guests and is open for reservations to conduct your workshops or meetings. The rental fee is set at £50.00 for a standard 3-hour session, (excluding refreshments, however we can priovide tea, coffee and biscuits at your request at an additional cost). Should your event specifications differ, please contact us for a personalised quote.