Inside Algarve Arts Academy – The Portugal News

Algarve Arts Academy has a unique approach to teaching art, supporting individuals’ creativity and personal growth while believing that art plays an important role in one’s mental health and well-being.

Founded by Julia Gurchenkova, who is originally from Siberia and graduated from the Academy of Architecture and Fine Arts from the Design and Fine Arts faculty with a master’s degree in monumental and decorative art. She worked as a computer graphics artist, changing the future of digital art, working on numerous projects and mentoring artists. Julia has dedicated her life to art; she is an amazing and inspiring educator and art therapist, and the teaching process makes her genuinely happy.

Julia’s story

Behind the creative energy of Algarve Arts Academy is a story shaped by talent, hardship and a lifelong belief that art can transform lives.

What started as one woman’s personal journey through creativity has grown into a vibrant international creative community in the Algarve today — one that encourages both children and adults to slow down, experiment, and reconnect with themselves through art.

Founder Julia says some of her earliest memories are connected to drawing. “I was probably four or five,” she recalls. “I was drawing girls because I like beauty in general.” Even as a child, art became more than just a hobby. “It was the thing that helped me to slow down,” she says. “I turned into the person who is completely calm, focused and in a flow.”

Her path was not always straightforward. Julia first attended music school and played violin from the age of five before eventually realising that visual art was what she really wanted. That decision would shape the rest of her life. She later graduated from the Academy of Architecture and Fine Arts in Russia with a master’s degree in monumental and decorative art before building a successful international career in the gaming industry as an art director, lead artist and art manager.

“Being an artist in the game industry is really a dream job,” she says. “They pay you well, you do what you love.”

But behind her successful career came deeply personal struggles. Julia openly speaks about grief, divorce, immigration and emotionally difficult periods in her life. Those experiences ultimately strengthened her belief in creativity not just as a profession, but as something deeply healing.

“Only because I’m an artist and I was practising every day, painting and drawing, I survived through these difficult cycles,” she says. “I truly believe that art is a cure.” Based on her own experience, Julia now wishes to help others through art therapy.

When Julia moved to the Algarve with her son, she realised there were limited opportunities for children interested in serious artistic development, especially for international families who did not yet speak Portuguese fluently. Instead of waiting for something to change, she decided to create it herself.

“I am the type of person, when I see something is needed, I’m just doing it,” she says.

That idea became Algarve Arts Academy (AAA) — a multidisciplinary creative academy combining classical fine arts with modern digital creativity, and experience in the music and entertainment industries. Today, the academy offers classes in painting, drawing, ceramics, Portuguese azulejo tile art, computer graphics, music, vocals, and creative workshops for both children and adults.

Julia never wanted the academy to feel like a traditional art school. Instead, she imagined a creative environment where people feel inspired to experiment, collaborate and express themselves freely.

“We are doing art education with a bundle of entertainment industry and classic approach,” Julia explains and adds, “In our classes, we prepare the materials based on higher educational content, but it’s done in a more accessible and kid-friendly manner, so that the kids have a good basis if they want to pursue a career within the arts. We also prepare kids to enter the entertainment industry, such as films and games, and teach them actual pipelines that are in use in Hollywood and studios worldwide. Our children might become future concept artists or art generalists.”

Ocean as the main inspiration

The academy is deeply inspired by the ocean, a fact reflected throughout its identity and atmosphere. From classes such as Ocean Pottery, Seaside Saturdays, and Art Deep Dive to the academy’s philosophy, everything connects back to the idea of self-discovery. Their slogan, “Dive into art. Find the treasure within,” perfectly captures that vision.

Since opening, the academy has continued to grow and evolve. Alongside leading the academy, Julia remains actively involved in teaching, including watercolour classes, while also developing future projects such as free art therapy exercises. “As an artist and educator, I believe learning never stops. I continue to study the work and techniques of internationally renowned watercolour and digital artists so I can bring fresh inspiration and world-class artistic knowledge to my students.”

She is currently also working on a blog dedicated to creativity, artistic development, and well-being.

The team

Behind the academy is a group of talented international artists and teachers who bring their own personalities, creative backgrounds, and ways of working into the classroom. All teachers have a background or formal education in the arts, helping create an inspiring and professional learning environment.

Each class reflects its teacher’s individual style, making the atmosphere feel personal and inspiring.

Sabrina, a furniture designer and multidisciplinary artist, holds classes on Sunday morning. Her workshops often move between cardboard and paper construction, origami, textiles, sewing, modelling and patternmaking, while also introducing playful elements of physics through kinetic structures and moving pieces.

Fabio is a young teacher and junior architect who is naturally adored by children. Through his creative lessons, he brings a lot of positive energy into the classroom. His lessons include drawing, computer graphics, and comic-style art, encouraging students to try new things.

Olga is well known for her stunning handcrafted porcelain flowers, something you need to see with your own eyes. At the academy, she teaches a variety of pottery classes, guiding students while giving them the freedom to create pieces at their own pace and in their own style.

The academy team also includes music and visual arts educators. Elen is a pianist and opera singer who teaches music and vocals, and Ann is an oil painting teacher with a background in graphic design.

“We are always looking for artists who want to share what they do,” Sabrina says. “Some come for a single workshop, others stay longer, and that constantly brings new ideas and experiences into the academy.”

Special Events

The academy has also gradually become a place where people connect beyond regular art classes. One of its signature monthly experiences, All Senses Night: An Intimate Evening of Wine, Art & Live Harp, will take place on Saturday, June 20, from 18:30 to 21:30.

The candlelit evening combines art, music, and gastronomy in a relaxed and atmospheric setting. Guests are invited to paint under the guidance of academy founder and Master of Fine Arts Julia, while award-winning harpist Luisa-Maria Cordell performs live, filling the studio with music inspired by the sea.

Fine wine, delicious nibbles, and a magical atmosphere make the evening both inspiring and deeply relaxing.

Summer Camps

If you are looking for a meaningful and creative programme for your children this summer, the academy’s Summer Art Camps have become an increasingly popular choice among families.

MAKE IT REAL – AAA Creative Camp takes place from 3–21 August, offering weekly immersive experiences for children aged 7 and above. Young creatives will explore how ideas become reality through six core artistic disciplines, with each week dedicated to a different medium and hands-on creative project inspired by references from art history.

Whether you’re looking to learn something new, continue your creative journey, or simply take some time for yourself and connect with like-minded people, Algarve Arts Academy offers a wide range of classes with a different approach — one that sees art not just as creativity, but as a healing tool that is truly for everyone.

To learn more about upcoming workshops and classes, visit https://algarvearts.academy/ or visit the academy in Al Sakia Village in Quarteira, 4 min from Aquashow.