May 8, 2017

Meet Biljana ‘B’ Djokanovic of Aartwerk Studio in Edgewater

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Biljana ‘B’ Djokanovic.

Biljana ‘B’, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I was born in Serbia and I hold a BFA from Faculty of Applied Arts in Belgrade. I moved to NY in 2009, where I finished the MFA program at Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, NY. After finishing the MFA, I worked as an assistant, and then a manger of a gallery on a Lower East Side. I soon realized that this line of work is not for me, and that only thing I find rewarding, besides creating art, is teaching. I taught for couple of years in various private studios in NY and then realized that this was limiting the way I connect and work with my students, and that time has come for me to start my own school. Chicago seemed like a perfect choice for multiple reasons, and I took a leap of faith. After a year of preparations, Aartwerk Studio was born.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I would say it was quite a smooth road. I think it usually is, if you know what you are doing, plan carefully, and actually have something good to offer. It is not easy of course! It takes time for any new business to develop, and I believe we are still in the process. However, I expected this too, and I do not allow for ‘slower periods’ to discourage me. One thing is certain- the trajectory is pointing upwards, and we are now a great little community. Some of my students have been with me since the very beginning (thank you guys). Having people return is a certain indication that you are doing something good.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Aartwerk Studio – what should we know?
Aartwerk Studio is an art school. The main idea in shaping Aartwerk Studio was to create a place where serious and fun can exist simultaneously. I believe that art has multiplicity of forms, all having their legitimate place in our culture. Therefore, when planning the fun part, the idea was to have people make crafty, likable and easy projects, while enjoying the studio atmosphere and socializing. Private art schools always existed, and Sip & Paint Industry is also something already known (although rarely led by professionals and often guided by profit only). I believe that I pushed this form of entertainment to another level, made it more tasteful and more interesting by making it enjoyable on multiple levels. For example, our choice of paintings and the very process of creating are carefully chosen and planned, so people actually learn something and take home a piece that they really like. I stay with students as long as they need in order to be happy with the result; I work with everyone one on one. Furthermore, we have different types of events like Tea & Biscuit Hours (wait to see our samovar and our eclectic tea set!), Brunch & Brushes, Partners Paint for Free etc.

On the other hand, we have Drawing and Painting courses. I used my experience to create a place where I can teach what I love, but more importantly: in the way I think is the most effective. It is amazing to see how quickly people can learn and grow when given good instruction. The courses are comprehensive and are primarily concentrated on acquiring skill and enjoying the creative process. As the studio grows, we are adding more work time for returning students; we have open studios and do group critiques. It is becoming pretty serious. Of course, all with a glass of wine and some good humor.

And then of course- there are our little ones! The Aartwerk ‘gang’. I have similar approach to kids as I do to adults: learn, but have fun! I am trying to make kids’ syllabi ‘covertly educational’; I believe they learn with ease. We recently started classes for little ones (ages 3-7) and we are hoping that this age group will grow too!

Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Quality instruction, warmth, humor. Teaching methods develop through time and I believe I am a mature teacher at this point. I think this is one of the crucial things. None of it matters though, unless one really cares. Approaching ones’ students as people, not ‘customers’ is what matters. Not just for them, but for me as well. This way the ‘work’ is not really work (well, sometimes, I’m human too). Art and studio really do become a part of my students’ lives, rather than another thing they’ve tried.

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