About the Founder

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.