Welcome to SMart School
Based in the heart of Castlebar, SMart school offers a unique space where everyone can express themselves in a relaxed and fun atmosphere. We offer creative art classes for kids, digital art for kids and teens, and in the evenings we offer painting classes for adults.
Susan Malone van Balkom
Graduating with an honours degree in Art and Design Education from the National College of Art and Design in Dublin, Susan’s art works and illustrations received acclaim for her energetic new approach to painting. Her paintings explore fine art as a means of personal expression, developing a unique painterly language that blends elements of textile art, multimedia, illustration, and contemporary abstraction.
Alongside creating her own artwork, Susan spent ten years teaching art in primary and secondary schools all over Ireland, before returning to her home county Mayo.
In 2020, Susan founded SMART, and realised her dream of owning her own art school. It is here that Susan has been able to create her true masterpiece: a creative and inspiring environment for anyone interested in exploring their artistic side.
Susan has made SMART into an art school that teaches the basics, while letting everyone develop their own style in a non-competitive, friendly atmosphere.
“Creativity is intelligence having fun”
Albert Einstein
