Marianna
Owner and Director
Hello, Marianna here! I'm an artist and the owner of Gloworm Studios. I first opened Gloworm in 2017 from a tiny room above a shop, I started with just two students and it all snowballed from there! Before opening Gloworm I was a freelance artist and illustrator. I also taught art to kids in all sorts of different settings, from residencies in schools to the De Young Museum in San Francisco. For as long as I can remember I've wanted to open a warm and inviting creative space that encourages children and adults to discover and nurture their inner artist with classes taught by local artists. You'll see me around Gloworm with my 2 year old daughter Gwendolyn, my gorgeous greyhound Goldie and my partner Evan (who works upstairs on his business @terrarosagear).
Website: www.mariannamarx.com
Instagram: @mariannamarx_illustration
Wolf
Gloworm Maintenance (aka Marianna’s Dad)
Wolf is a retired geologist, photographer and Bob Dylan’s biggest fan. A loyal member of the Gloworm team, you can find Wolf around the studio completing various projects with a smile on his face wearing his trademark yellow polo. When answering phone calls from his daughter he cuts straight to the chase, often answering by saying “should I bring the drill?”. We are very thankful for all the jobs Handyman Wolf does for us around the studio and for the lunch dates that usually accompany his visits!
Goldie
Employee of the year (3 years running)
Let us introduce you to our employee of the year, Goldie! Goldie first joined our studio in 2020 and has been a stand out member of the team ever since. You can find Goldie sleeping in the corner of the classroom, sleeping in the sun in the courtyard, sleeping at the local cafes and sleeping just about anywhere else where a soft blanket is placed. Goldie's work ethic is questionable however she keeps us on our toes, quietly observing with the occasional dramatic sigh when she's unimpressed. Outside of work, Goldie enjoy's showing off her winter coats created by her dad @terra_rosa_gear and well.. sleeping. Keep up the great work Goldie!
Nat
Studio Manager / Teaching Artist
If you’ve visited Gloworm, come along to our classes or sent us email you’ve probably come across the delightful and multitalented Nat!
Nat teaches some of our kids classes throughout the week, private classes as well as our new character drawing class. Nat also manages much of the behind the scenes at Gloworm, everything from keeping us all organised to painting beautiful murals!
She completed a bachelor of Visual Arts and applied design in Adelaide before moving to Melbourne and completing her Masters of Teaching.
Not only is she an amazing art teacher, she is also an artist and musician (is there anything she can’t do?!). Her personal artwork is ever changing as she often has lots of projects on the go including whimsical digital drawings, realistic sketches and a music project!
Instagram: @nat.chippy
Ellen
Teaching Artist
Ellen specialises in acrylic and watercolour paintings, honing her skills over the years with a background in visual art. Her work features a series of abstract paintings that showcase her ethereal character Yume. Her minimalist approach with a surrealist aesthetic evokes feelings of innocence and nostalgia.
With experience working in disability, Ellen has a deep commitment to working with individuals with special needs. She brings a unique blend of artistic expertise and compassionate understanding to their art classes. Ellen understands the power of art as a form of self-expression and communication. She is dedicated to creating a nurturing and inclusive environment where everyone can thrive.
Ellen has a calming manner and an ability to put everyone at ease. She quickly builds rapport with students, bringing joy, understanding, and a sense of humour to her teaching style. The entire team values her wealth of knowledge gained from her artistic practice and teaching experiences.
In addition to her teaching, Ellen is a highly talented painter who sells her artwork each week at the Rose Street Artists' Market in Fitzroy. We are fortunate to have Ellen as part of our team, inspiring us all to reach for the stars with our artistic endeavours.
Website: www.ellengiannikos.com/
Instagram: @ellen.giannikos
Julia
Teaching Artist
Julia teaches across Gloworm’s various age groups, from kinder groups, to primary years and teen classes. If you’ve brought your child in for classes at Gloworm, chances are they’ve experienced one of Julia’s amazing lessons!
Julia has a special knack for creating some of our most fun and adored activities for the kids and is a deeply thoughtful and passionate team member. Julia not only develops many of our lesson plans, teaches our classes and birthday parties but she also has a thriving illustration career!
Julia has a background of working in childcare and has a Diploma of Illustration. Her background and studies motivate her to create friendly and quirky artworks that fuel her passion for visual storytelling.
Julia’s artwork aims to ignite imagination through her whimsical illustrations.
Her specialty is anthropomorphic animals, targeting an audience of children and the young at heart. She is our ‘go to’ whenever we are working on an activity that involves animals!
Julia has recently completed two stunning self-published children’s books and is working on a third.
Website: www.scarmoscribbles.com
Instagram: @scarmoscribbles
Jaymie
Teaching Artist
Jaymie is a highly skilled artist who has worked and studied across a variety of visual art mediums including painting, printmaking and interior design (just to name a few!).
Jaymie is an exhibiting artist who predominantly works with graphite and watercolour. Her work is heavily inspired by nature, in particular animals and trees. Jaymie often creates a dreamlike atmosphere in her work, carefully and thoughtfully expressed with intricate details.
Jaymie teaches our after school classes on Mondays and Thursdays, and is an integral member of our party team, creating unforgettable creative experiences for children's birthdays and memories that she hopes they will cherish.
Jaymie has a calm and nurturing approach to teaching, she loves working with young artists and watching their unique personalities shine through their artworks.
Instagram: @jay_fae_
Suzie
Teaching artist
Suzie's creative career began at the age of ten when she started making and selling beaded jewellery, which later inspired her to study jewellery design at Uni. She worked as a jewellery designer and maker for a few years before moving from London to Melbourne to complete a Masters of Teaching specialising in Visual Arts. After traveling to India to train as a yoga teacher, she found that her creative endeavours and passion for yoga and meditation were deeply integrated, and her work is now heavily influenced by the natural world, compassionate living, and energetic rituals and practices. Her ultimate intention is to encourage and support a more mindful life through rituals, routines and activities guided by self-care, kindness and compassion.
Suzie’s calming presence, kindness and positivity has a direct impact on the experience of our students in the studio, by creating a mindful and empowering approach to creating art.
When she's not making art, teaching or practicing yoga, you’ll find Suzie teaching the 7-9 and 9-12 classes and assisting with the clay class at Gloworm Studios.
You can find more of Suzie's work in the following places:
Website: www.suziebyatt.com
Instagram: @suziebyatt
Ashley
Teaching Artist
Ashley joined our team in 2023, bringing her infectious enthusiasm and experience in early childhood education. Ashley began working with some of our youngest artists, and now works across all of our age groups.
She has an incredible knack for drawing people which has now lead to her developing and running our 6 week portrait drawing course for Adults!
Ashley uses her prior experiences as an artist and educator to create an open, hearts-first creative space that is fun, uplifting and encourages exploration.
Instagram: @_loomloom