About Us

My name is Joana Pratt. My husband, Timothy and I opened Art for Life in Buford in late 2016, after I had taught art, theater, and Spanish to K-8 graders and adults for more than 20 years. My art career began in Colombia, my birthplace, where I ran my own company that made Mardi Gras-style floats and furniture with a technique I developed using recycled cardboard. In the US, since 2001,  I have taught in many Montessori schools, directed a nonprofit program for youth at risk, and worked with Lango, a program teaching foreign languages to children.

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Since moving to Georgia in 2014, I launched “Art & Spanish for Life,” a platform to help people of all ages expand their lives by creating art and learning a language! The adventure continues today at the Art for Life in Buford studio.

We’re happy to have a place to help you bring art into your life, only a mile from the Mall of Georgia!

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The new Art for Life in Buford studio is a place where people of all ages can find a creative place to bring a little art into their lives. No previous experience is required! Our studio is designed to help teach those who have never made a painting, drawing, or sculpture, as well as budding artists.

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Children love our afternoon classes, a chance to explore their artistic side or learn Spanish after school, and our Camps, which are a blast! On weekends, young and old discover that art can be a way of celebrating everything from a birthday to a new job at our private Artsy Parties, or "Paint n' Sip" events. Every weekend we also offer Public Artsy Parties, where everyone is welcome to come and make a painting chosen from our online gallery. We also offer a chance to “Paint your Pet,” and workshops in techniques such as watercolor painting and making furniture out of recycled cardboard.

We guarantee that if you walk through the doors of Art for Life, you will have fun while creating — and bring art into your life!