My Blog

As Calgary’s most recognized, award-winning Supertanguero, Mr. Leo Sato brings a unique blend of artistry and grace to everything he does. With over 20 years of experience, Leo has become a beloved and inspirational instructor, sharing his expertise and enthusiasm with thousands of students. His true love lies with Tango, but in the art community he is known for his calm and encouraging Bob Ross-like demeanor, making his classes in both Tango and paint night a joyful and enriching experience. Leo has left an indelible mark on the local arts and dance community.

Mikka Caguiat is a Canadian-Filipino multidisciplinary artist whose practice spans painting, illustration, and jewellery making. Through their work, Mikka explores personal reflection, emotion, and the ever-changing relationship between inner thought and the world around them. Their creative process is rooted in experimentation, curiosity, and the belief that art exists just as much in the making as it does in the final piece.

Drawn to traditional painting and drawing mediums, Mikka values the physicality of creating, the slowing down, the space it takes up, and the freedom to let things become imperfect and expressive. Their work invites moments of pause, allowing both artist and viewer to sit with feeling, texture, and presence in a quiet and thoughtful way.

Passionate about helping others embrace creativity without pressure, Mikka encourages exploration, play, and finding beauty in not always having all the answers.

Sophie's passion for the arts has always been a driving force behind her way of life. For the past 2 years, she has been dedicated to helping others develop their creative voice by working as an art teacher, paint events instructor, and volunteering at the Alcove Centre for The Arts.  With a BFA in Drawing from the Alberta University of the Arts, she has developed her creative voice as a pareidolic inkblot artist. Her work explores pareidolia—the tendency to see patterns in random visual information—such as seeing faces in tree bark, or animals in the clouds. By embracing this visual glitch, Sophie can create intricate, surreal artworks that challenge perception and invite viewers to find meaning in chaos, reflecting our constant search for life and connection in uncertain times.

Natalie Bassendowske is currently a student at the Alberta University of the Arts. In her third year, Natalie is studying character design and illustration, ultimately to graduate with a Bachelor of Design. After school, she hopes to learn more about the animation industry and work in visual development. Although she loves illustrating digitally, her first love was painting. Having taken multiple painting courses through her school years, she hopes to inspire and embrace the creativity of all who enter the studio using the skills she has developed.