Janet Manalese

MY JOURNEY AS AN ART TEACHER

My journey into teaching began in 2010, during my BAA Illustration degree at Sheridan. When it came time to complete my co-op hours, I sat with a counsellor scrolling through the available options—but none of the roles truly spoke to me. I knew in my heart I wanted something different. Something that would allow me to empower young artists to be bold creators and believe in themselves.

That’s when the green light went off in my chest—and I knew I was meant to teach.

What began as a co-op placement turned into over a decade (on and off) of supporting children, teens, and adults in rediscovering or elevating their creative spark.

My first opportunity was at the Oakville Art Society, a beloved local institution that’s been fostering creative community since 1965. The moment I got hired, I knew I was in the right place. I loved shadowing the incredible instructors, soaking up their wisdom, and realizing how naturally I gravitated toward guiding others. I felt on purpose—and lit up.

After graduating, I returned to the Art Society to teach my own summer classes for kids. Those experiences cemented my desire to step into this kind of leadership more often.

THE LEAP OF FAITH

At the same time, I was waitressing in upscale restaurants and doing bottle service in nightclubs on the weekends. But eventually, I hit a moment of truth: all my creative energy was being vacuumed into these jobs. There was nothing left for the health of my artistic life.

These positions had once served me well—they got me through school and supported my bigger vision. But now, they were draining me. What once felt aligned had become the very thing holding me back.

You know those phrases people throw around like, “Let go to let in,” or “Declutter the old to create space for the new?” Well... they’re cliché for a reason. Because they’re true. Once I started cutting back my shifts and making room for my gifts, something shifted.

Thanks to my devoted yoga practice, I was able to set my Drishti—my gaze—on what I truly wanted to invite into my life next. And once I did that, the universe responded.

I’m not kidding—within weeks of scaling back to just one shift (and being in a major financial pinch), the perfect position landed in my lap. Ten minutes from home. Reputable school. Aligned values. Great pay. Solid hours. After years of scouring the internet for this kind of opportunity, it showed up like a divine wink. Like the universe was saying: “You finally believed. You finally took the leap.”

I got hired as the lead Visual Arts instructor at Studio PAVAS, a private school of the arts offering high-quality, year-round educational programs in the Performing and Visual Arts for students of all ages. Since 1997, over 12,000 students have passed through its doors in southwest Mississauga.

Through the academic year and into summer camps, I guided my students through a wide variety of mediums and techniques—drawing, painting, mixed media, and portfolio preparation for high school or post-secondary applications.

But beyond the technical skills, our work together was always about something deeper.

We nurtured self-esteem. Because that’s the foundation for everything: the courage to experiment, to make authentic creative choices, and to honour one’s unique visual voice. Cultivating trust in the process—especially when resistance or limiting beliefs arise—is a critical part of any artist’s journey.

And as their confidence grew, so did their skill. You could see it in their brush strokes, in their boldness, in their pride.

I cherished the deepening connections with my students—watching their spark return, their shoulders relax, and their creativity bloom. To witness someone rediscover their own magic is one of the greatest privileges of teaching.

I loved deepening connections with my students and watching their artwork and confidence grow. Every end-of-the-year show made me proud to display their work and highlight their accomplishments with friends and family!

I also adored experiences like the one below—teaching a child and parent together. It was so tender, so pure, to witness their bond deepen through the creative process. No matter our age, learning something new (or remembering something forgotten) invites us into a space of humility. It asks for curiosity, courage, and a willingness to play. Watching both generations light up in their own way reminded me that creativity truly has no age—and that art has a beautiful way of weaving hearts closer together.

After nearly five incredible years at Studio PAVAS, I made the difficult decision to step away—not because anything was wrong, but because my intuition was calling me into a new chapter. It was one of the hardest transitions I’ve ever made. This role was a dream come true, and I will always cherish the time I spent there and the beautiful connections I made along the way.

But the desire to teach, inspire, and spark creativity never left me—it simply evolved. Over the past five years, I followed a new path, shaped by my entrepreneurial spirit and a deepening spiritual calling. I devoted myself to leading creative and spiritual workshops and mentoring women through my seven-month program.

In many ways, I was living what I had long taught—trusting the quiet guidance of my higher self, honouring each season, and allowing my gifts to flow in new and meaningful directions.

And just when it felt like my own creative light had dimmed—during a season of challenge, questioning, and deep inner excavation—the universe gently guided me back to the classroom. What began as a single day of substituting soon unfolded into a permanent role once more. The timing, as always, was unmistakably divine.

Returning to teaching wasn’t just a job—it was medicine. Being surrounded by young, imaginative hearts reminded me of the joy and vitality of creation itself. It reignited something in me. I now see clearly why I was called back: to remember, to receive, and to reconnect with the part of me that lights up when I’m helping others shine.

✨ RECENT NEWS: I’m making a surprise return to the classroom! From September 2024 to June 2025, I’ll be teaching again on Saturdays from 9:00 AM to 2:30 PM. It’s not too late to register your child—reach out if you feel the nudge!

To inquire about private sessions or upcoming opportunities, please email me at: [email protected]

And don’t forget to browse the Student Art Gallery below—featuring the powerful creations of my talented students. This gallery will continue to grow, just like the beautiful souls who contribute to it.

With love and gratitude,
Janet

Visual Art Teaching