Our Story

Creativity, Confidence & Expression

Our Philosophy

We begin drawing long before we learn to write. Being creative is something to be nurtured with encouragement, curiosity, and confidence.

Our classes are designed to help students develop both artistic skills and independent thinking. Rather than focusing on perfection or copying, we encourage students to explore ideas, make creative decisions, and develop their own visual language through observation, experimentation, and imagination.

We see art as more than just a subject. It is a way of thinking, expressing, observing, and understanding the world. Through drawing, painting, sculpture, and mixed media, students are encouraged to build patience, resilience, problem solving skills, and confidence in their own ideas.

By connecting art with storytelling, observation, structure, nature, emotion, and problem solving, students are encouraged to see creativity not simply as a subject, but as a way of expressing themselves while developing a deeper understanding of the world around them.

At Cherry Tree Art Studio, we aim to create a calm and supportive environment where students feel comfortable taking creative risks, exploring new techniques, and growing at their own pace.

A playful hand-drawn cartoon scene of indoor igloos, with penguins and seals, including some wearing party hats and holding drinks, set against a white background with blue and pink snowflakes, and an igloo with a chimney in the top left corner.
A colorful children's drawing of a whimsical town with rainbow, clouds, and seven uniquely decorated buildings labeled 'Lady Bags Town'. The scene includes green fields with three dirt paths leading to the town, and a fence in the background.

Our Teaching Team

Our artists come from a range of creative and professional backgrounds including design, psychology, engineering, medicine, and education. While each artist brings their own strengths and personality to the classroom, all share a passion for visual art, inspiring younger generations, and nurturing creativity through thoughtful artistic exploration.

Today, Cherry Tree Art Studio is supported by a teaching team who share the same values of curiosity, encouragement, and thoughtful artistic exploration.

A young woman with dark braided hair, wearing a white hat and blue dress, standing outdoors in a garden surrounded by blooming cherry blossoms and other colorful flowers, painting on a canvas set up on an easel.

Our Founder

Jiamei is the founder and creative director of Cherry Tree Art Studio. With a background in architectural design, art curation, and over 13 years of teaching experience, she has guided students from kindergarten through to university portfolio entry while developing a studio philosophy centred around creativity, confidence, and independent thinking.

Recognition

Jiamei’s work has been featured in publications including the Sydney Morning Herald and exhibited at venues such as the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Verge Gallery, SOHO Galleries Sydney, and Goulburn Regional Gallery.

Our students have gained entry into top creative degrees through portfolio pathways, including Architecture at the University of Sydney, early offers at the University of New South Wales, and direct entry to the University of the Arts London based solely on a portfolio submission. Their work has also been selected for exhibitions such as the Newington Armoury Gallery and the ARTEXPRESS Virtual Exhibition.

“Art is not a thing, it is a way”

Elbert Hubbard