In a quaint, colourful loft in Bandra lies the answer to the soul curry you've been looking for. Learn everything from acting to product design at Art Loft

Inu00a0a cosy little room far removed from the filmi glitter that descends on Mehboob Studios next door, The Art Loft is a contemporary haven for Mumbaikars looking to jog their creative memory.



Run by siblings Leila and Kevin Tayebaly, and Leila's husband Greg, The Art Loft began operations in its 700 sq ft sunlit space above Patel Stores, about three months ago. There they teach everything from fine art, photography and belly dancing to wine appreciation. The objective is simple: "To help people discover and express themselves in a busy city like Mumbai," the siblings tell us.

"I was Mr No Life," Kevin laughs, recalling the days when he was tired of his daily commute to his Vikhroli workplace and couldn't find a suitable creative outlet to escape to. "I was interested in acting, but everything had unsuitable timings or seemed too commercial or intimidating." That's when Leila, with her background as an art therapist, stepped in. "I've used art therapy to help people deal with their problems, so we decided to use my nine year-long experience to give people the opportunity to get in touch with their creative side," she explains.

The idea expanded into week-day and weekend workshops that just about anybody can sign up for. "A lot of people painted when they were in school, or did dramatics, but then lost touch. They're not sure if they can do it again. We show them that it's possible, and help them have fun learning again," says Leila, at pains to dissociate art from elitism. One look at the walls, dotted with fun paintings, and you know she walks the talk.

Workshops (although plans are afoot to provide some kind of certification in the near future) are intimate and informal. "There isn't enough space, and people won't get too much attention if it's crowded," says Kevin. Soumya Panda, a Bandra-based banker who is enrolled in the Fine Arts (basic level) agrees. "I've never taken an art class before. But these sessions are great. As a newbie, I don't feel intimidated. The small numbers don't make me conscious." Calling her sessions 'therapeutic', Panda says she now plans to take the intermediate class too.

That's the kind of interest and loyalty Kevin, Leila and Greg hope to inspire. Part of the reason why they're taking their baby to the next level, is Bandra-wide movement The Art Conspiracy. Says a visibly excited Kevin, "It'll be a 2-day festival of performances and audio-visual works across restaurants and bars ufffd from Mia Cucina and Out of the Blue to Yellow Tree Caf ufffd and Bonobo." People can exhibit their work and sell it. "We are accepting submissions till September 25."u00a0

Fee for classes ranges from Rs 350 per hour (belly dancing) to Rs 6,000 for three months (filmmaking)
At: Valentino Restaurant, first floor, above Patel Stores, Mehboob Studio, Bandra (W)
Email: contact@theartloft.co.in
Call: Kevin on 9930386960 or Leila on 9819132958
Visit: www.theartloft.co.in