Commissions and Portraits welcome ART for SALE
Coop classes
Art saturday
Home Education classes
Join Jo Saturday 3pm - 5pm
Traditional Art group
Upstairs in Skipper Studio Painting School
Beginners to professional
with Dr Jo Canning,
All welcome to work at your
own Studio Easel Workstation,
with instructed still life,
landscape, seascape or portraits
acrylic, pastels or oil paints
BYO materials $55 - casual
or $200 for 4 weeks (valid Term III
Book here,
call Jo 0414800411
or email jo@theartistcoop.com.au
Home Education classes
Home Education classes
This term we explore structured mask making with the outcome of a self-designed wearable mask. Instruction will include design and sculptural skills with plaster.
Plus directed creative play will explore multimedia tech. i.e. fur, paint or collage.
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Begins Monday July 13th 2026
Book Online limit - 10 people per class
Class A - enquire for private lessons
Class B - 11.30am - 1.00pm 10 - 17 years
Class C - 1.30 - 3.00pm 8 - 13 years
Classes will run for 8 weeks with a
9th week free make-up class
Pay $40 - per class or
Early Bird - due date July 1st 2026
Per term $250 -
(10% discount for siblings).
Easel Access
Each Year and Each Group Easel Access was a huge success. At the 2023 exhibition opening 12 pieces were sold and the Nillumbik Council Community Grant was a wonderful support and in 2025 we sold 40 pieces.
Easel Access continues. Please contact Jo on jo@theartistcoop.com.au or phone: 0414800411
We are looking for new visual artists with a disability from the community who would love us to support their career in the arts.
The steps, show your interest * join * create work with Jo's support * show and exhibit * define a pathway for a career*
You may use your NDIS social activity support funding.
You may also bring a carer with you to the program. This is not art therapy but expansive skill based encouragement to find a pathway as an artist!
We may also travel to you.
Price list
Jo's Private or Group
Private 1 person - $80 per hour
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Saturday Art
Adult beginners/ Intermediate/ professional
LIMIT 8
$55 x 2 hrs
classes attended casually or in Four week blocks $200-
Dance and Draw
Pricing: $40 Casual Ticket
$140 4-Week Ticket ($20 off -valid for the full term
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Home Education
inhouse or we come to you!
10 -17yrs or 8 -13yrs
$250 per term/1.5 hrs - 8 weeks (save $)
9th week make-up class
sibling discount 10%
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Easel Access
Group art NDIS
is now classified under social activity or
Intensive and complex behaviour supports
1:1 or group ratios available activity - Standard – Weekday
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KIDS art SATURDAY
$30 casual
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Adults and professional casual
or untutored groups
Jo - 0414800411
Jo has a Working with Children Check
Dance and Draw
The Art Doctor ON-Line art classes for artists with disabilities or neuorodiverse artists coming
You are
both
the artist
and
the inspiration
Held upstairs
in Montsalvat’s painting school
For more information jo: 0414800411
Two groups interchangeably to either move or draw, starting with quick poses. There is no expectation of dancing moves as this is learn to draw figurative poses.
Jo has 45 years experience in movement and arts facilitation including having been in professional Ballet companies and teaching in schools for
The Victorian Arts Centre.
enquire jo@theartistcoop.com.au
The Art Doctor ON-Line art classes for artists with disabilities or neuorodiverse artists coming
The Art Doctor ON-Line art classes for artists with disabilities or neuorodiverse artists coming
Jo will be starting an on-line education program with many special workshops
STAY TUNED
Give Jo a call and we will place you on the list for this fun on-going experience.
Bookings essential or send an expression of interest
EOI to
Exhibition news
Be ready for exhibition news in Jo's studio/gallery involving those who join the classes.
All works will be located in
the Artist Coop
next to the gate, opposite the peacock coop.
Don't forget to join a class if you want to exhibit your work.
FAQs
Customers most frequently
want to know...
Beginners
Q: "Is it ok to do the beginners class, if I'm not very good?
A: Yes of course, that's the point we will work at any level you come in with even if you haven't tried to draw since you were 6 years of age!! It's fun to start at the beginning
and explore.
Q: "Do I have to come every week?"
A: No you can come casually though paying for a 4 week block is cheaper.
Q: "Who is Jo Canning
Jo's Bio
Currently, Dr Jo Griggs’ (nee: Canning within arts organisations) is a visual artist in residence at Montsalvat, Eltham.
Jo works in her glorious studio daily where at the moment she is working on an exhibition called Following my Father's Footsteps. Art works from her Australian artist father John Canning's photos.
Jo has work in many private collections and has exhibited both here and internationally. Jo received an “Artist in own residence” grant (2021-22) to bring the Nillumbik community (with a disability) to Montsalvat and this year Jo received a Nillumbik grant for her "Easel Access" group engaged in creating better career pathways for artists with disabilities.
Jo’s professional background spans 45 years in all arts i.e. as a dancer - Australian Ballet Co., actor - MTC., Playbox and ABC...
As an artist, exhibitions include National and international i.e. Span Gallery Melb, Manyung Only Hearts NYC & Canning Arts Yarrawonga. Jo created public works for The Melbourne Aquarium (80sqm) and others and as a teacher Jo has taught at least 4000 students and facilitated projects in TAFE; University; in large corporate organisations; in vulnerable populations; for the Victorian Arts Centre in >50 schools.
Jo has authored 38 books on the aesthetics of art for home schooling, is a published researcher and her book "Miracle in Potential" - arts as early intervention, was launched by disability Minister – the Hon. Bill Shorten.