Stonington Artist Teaches A Lifelong Love Of Art

There is a chill in the air. Early mornings consist of finding a matching pair of mittens and bundling up in cozy scarves and jackets.

As our days get shorter and colder our “to do” lists keep growing with all of the shopping and preparations that go into creating the perfect gift giving season. It is no wonder that we seek the warmth of the holiday season with its bright lights, hot cocoa and friendly gatherings.

In the midst of all the holiday bustle, I had the chance to catch up with local artist and teacher, Julie Duba. Duba and I had crossed paths a few times at school functions and fall festivals. We’ve exhibited artwork in the same local venues, and she is an invaluable volunteer in the art room at .

I have been holding on to the experience of visiting Duba’s at home studio for quite a while now. Located on Flanders Road in Stonington, the property is a perfect lot with plenty of running room and woods for her daughters to explore. Her studio is a converted detached garage that her husband, Greg, managed not only to give up but actually did most of the work himself. With the support and encouragement of her family, Duba began teaching art in 2007 to adults and children.

The reason I held on so fiercely to our visit was because it was a moment of quite contemplation that was such a relief at a time when most of us are running around making last minute holiday plans. The mania of the season was put on pause and we sat surrounded by the work of her students artfully displayed along side some of her own pieces.

Duba is a local girl. She grew up in Mystic and graduated with a Bachelors of Fine Arts from the Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts in Lyme, Conn. She confesses that she never intended to be an art teacher but after starting her family, she finds that the process of teaching comes very naturally to her.

“Becoming a mother helped me see that teaching life lessons to my daughters is similar to fostering a strong foundation in drawing or painting,” she said.

Gifted with the ability to help guide her students to understand that “there is a beauty about learning how to draw and that with a strong foundation doors are opened,” Duba is supportive of people doing whatever style of art they choose.

With a strong desire to share her work and knowledge accompanied by a gentle talent for inspiring the same desire in others, Duba opens up her studio doors to students ages seven and up. She works closely with each student to focus and improve individual skills. Her mentoring extends to several students at who are working on college submission portfolios.

We have this notion that the artist creates alone in her studio. In this case, what the artist is creating is a love for the process of making art. A love that her students are sure to enjoy for a lifetime.

For more information or class schedules, you can contact Julie Duba at:

Julie Duba's Art Studio
251 Flanders Rd
Stonington, Conn., 06378
860.535.9193
jbduba@sbcglobal.net