Mentative Art

Mentative Art Gallery is a creative studio and gallery in Blackburn North, Melbourne, founded by artist and teacher Effie Dastyar. Combining original artwork with practical instruction, the business welcomes children, teens, adults and families in a relaxed, supportive setting. Effie brings 15 years of teaching experience in Melbourne and Iran, offering personalized guidance, small class sizes and opportunities to explore different artistic techniques.

Classes and workshops include drawing and painting, portraiture, still life, beginner oil painting and sketching. Young artists can join after-school and holiday classes, while teens can attend dedicated art sessions and a two-day digital art workshop. Other offerings include hand-building pottery for children, family painting sessions, paint-and-sip events, adult workshops and art-themed birthday parties. The gallery also displays original paintings available to purchase, with works such as Morning Delight, Silent Companions, Summer Day and Pumpkin. Mentative Art’s aim is to encourage creative expression and share artistic knowledge with the next generation, while giving students of all skill levels a welcoming place to learn and create.