Drawing of Einstein, artist - Sydney Goldenberg, created in Creative Drawing & Rendering, Instructor, Lydia Panart

Clay Egyptian Pharoah Mask, artist - Brendan Mahoney, age 9 created in Clay Magic, Instructor, Julie Frost

Linda Kooluris Dobbs' love of art, learning and travel has taken her all over the world. Linda's career as an accomplished teacher, painter and photographer, can be attributed to her family's long history of artistic involvement and her own dedication to personal growth.

After completing her education, Linda decided to make "beautiful pictures" as an illustrator. From this work, she learned self-discipline and a keen business sense – skills she continues to pass on to her students.

While Linda has taught for over two decades, she feels that her seven years with the Avenue Road Arts School have been unique because "the School offers instructors the freedom to really make magic in the classroom." Linda relishes the artistic development in her students. "I enjoy working with people who think that they don't have talent because they actually do have the tremendous ability to reach their visual dreams."

Linda's own work has been showcased across the globe. Her photography show, "Vatican Gardens and Roman Reflections" was widely exhibited in Toronto during the 2002 Papal visit and her work on the subject is ongoing.

Most recently, Linda completed a portrait of Judge Ronald St. John Macdonald, commissioned by the University of Toronto's Faculty of Law. In approaching this project, Linda went to great lengths to ensure that the subject was represented "truthfully in colour and spirit."

Linda believes that there is a key element to being an artist – "you have a passion inside of you." It is this passion that continues to motivate Linda to grow artistically. She is currently studying digital photography to better acquaint herself with this modern medium. In her future, Linda sees a return to oil-based painting – a medium that she last worked with when she was 18. With these fresh tools in her repertoire, there is no telling what new skills and experiences she will bring to her students.

Dr. Sylvia Ostry, acrylic on canvas, '05, Linda Kooluris Dobbs