About Art In Mind
Difficult relationships and life events
can shine a spotlight on the self.
My professional background
I completed my Bachelor of Education at the University of Regina (Canada) and began my career as a classroom teacher. A few years later, my passion for art veered me into starting my own business and running an art education company. From there I consulted with a variety of school boards and grade levels, offering professional development and implementing a variety of art programs to schools in Calgary, Alberta.
I attended the Alberta College of Art where I majored in drawing, painting, and glass blowing. During this time, I grew increasingly interested in the healing properties of art making. For decades I had read and had a keen interest in psychology and art therapy.
In 2012 I moved to Brisbane, Australia where I studied art therapy and was exposed to many new modalities of healing. I dove deep into my own personal healing journey which has allowed me to have an experiential appreciation for the pain and suffering of my clients.
Today, I work in Calgary, Alberta, and I love what I do!
I’m trauma-informed certified, and although I welcome and work with all adults, I have a keen interest in working with the 50+ demographic.
About Alice “Aliki” Sirounis
Growing up Greek in the family restaurant business ignited Alice / Aliki’s interest in business, and begrudgingly being dragged to church every Sunday fuelled her love of aesthetics, art and eventually, faith and spirituality, which is an important part of her life, to this day.
Alice began her career as a classroom teacher. She has since taught in several countries, published a colouring book and is a practising visual artist. From a high-end California gallery to selling art by the Seine River in Paris, her work is in private and public collections throughout Canada, Europe and Australia. .
Professionally, she is known for helping others (especially those who think they are not creative), begin an artistic journey that leads to a love of art. In doing this, Alice created a 7-Step-System that teaches anyone how to draw.
Professionally, she is known for helping others (especially those who think they are not creative), begin an artistic journey that leads to a love of art. In doing this, Alice created a 7-Step-System that teaches anyone how to draw.
“My life’s work has been to encourage others to find the joy of drawing, creating art, and discovering how it can actually make you feel better!”
Helping people understand that yes, they really ARE creative was the reason she founded Aliki’s Art House in Calgary, Canada in 1991, which became known as the studio that can teach anyone how to draw realistically.
While taking a life detour and living in Australia for several years, she continued her second business –Aliki’s Art in Mind, which combines art-making, art therapy and mindfulness, for a more holistic approach to healing and well-being. (Art Mindfulness)*
After a series of unexpected life plot-twists, she personally reaffirmed how art-making can be a powerful healing force.
“Difficult relationships and life events can shine a spotlight on the self. Deep knowledge and awareness of the human condition has allowed me an even broader perspective on how to help people, using art and a blend of other modalities.”
Alice’s students and clients, say that she is non-judgmental and accepting, knowledgeable about helping them problem solve, (whether visually or emotionally) and get to the root cause of what’s occurring for them. “It’s like a burden was lifted from me.” (Nick T.)
She is most passionate about watching what happens when a client has an epiphany. That aha moment never gets old.
When Alice isn’t working, she spends time hanging out with friends & fam, spending time with her grandkids, public speaking, church volunteering, travelling, gardening, decorating, writing, and being politically active. She’s involved in all the arts, including conscious dance and drumming.
Currently, Alice’s main focus is Therapeutic Art Mindfulness for adults. She also holds monthly mini-retreat workshops for adults and continues creating a safe space where art becomes the vehicle for connecting to self and others and where people are seen and heard. She continues to teach children’s drawing classes that have an art mindfulness component to them.