About

“Every child has an innate talent in art, which merely needs to be stimulated to grow.” – Frances Bildner

Creative Wiz Kids was started in 1990 in New York City by Frances Bildner. A professional painter who has exhibited in Europe and the U.S., Frances’ philosophy is “learning through play not pressure”.

Frances started Creative Wiz Kids because she saw the number of playgroups that ignored the natural curiosity and creativity of children.

By basing her playgroups’ activities on children’s ability to learn through play, and their inherent desire to grow and explore, Creative Wiz Kids has become a centre for child-focussed learning and expression in London.

If you’re interested in one of Frances’ paintings, please contact her directly or search Frances Bildner at www.francesbildner.com to view her work at various web sites.

Ethos at CWK

The Philosophy at Creative Wiz Kids is a simple one. Children are all natural artists and learn best in a relaxed unpressured environment. At Creative Wiz kids the emphasis is on the artistic process not on the finished product. Although our Wiz Kids have produced lovely work, it is in the process of “making” be it Art, Dancing or Acting where children gain the most benefit. Great Emphasis is placed on play and fun. In an increasingly hurried world, we at CWK believe it is essential that children are allowed and encouraged to enjoy the play and pleasures of childhood.

Artist and Poet, Frances Bildner, who started CWK in New York City in 1990 enthusiastically runs the programme in Hampstead and Notting Hill with her band of loyal helpers, all of whom have Arts backgrounds as well as loads of energy, experience and creativity to share with all Wiz Kids.

A Short Video About Creative Wiz Kids

Benefits

Social interaction / making great friendships / no tests or pressure / great confidence builder / childhood delights / emphasis on fun / A genuine arts programme run by genuine artists who interact well with kids! Come and be part of the “Creative Wiz Kids Experience!”

The Wiz Kids Team

Davina Freedman

Davina has been working with Creative Wiz Kids since 2009. Trained as an actor, Davina runs drama workshops for children and has experience delivering sessions focused on devising, storytelling, puppetry, movement and Make & Play. She has delivered worshops in a variety of settings including theatres, schools, playgroups and festivals. Davina is a core member of Page One Theatre Company where she works as an associate artist creating theatre for children, and as the Education Director devising and delivering Page One workshops.
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Kremena Dimitrova

Kremena Dimitrova is a London based Illustrator, Designer and Art and Design Lecturer/Tutor. She studied Intensive Foundation in Art and Design, BA in Illustration and Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education at Middlesex University and Masters in Art and Design in Education at UCL Institute of Education. 
 
Kremena experiments with drawn and painted backgrounds, textures, ephemera, and photographed material, which she combines into digital collages. Her work is inspired by historical accounts, vintage art, folk tales and superstitions, current affairs, and by her travelling adventures. Kremena makes themed prints, personalised portraits and illustrated merchandise, which are made and printed in England.
 
Kremena has worked on a range of privately commissioned and self-initiated projects, and has had a number of published works. Her work features in print, online, book publishing, design, and advertising. As well as working to commission, Kremena also exhibits and pursues her own practice relating to the museum and heritage sector. She investigates what kind of learning can emerge from and with illustration practice when interpreting archives and collections. Kremena’s experience and interest in this area has led to her decision to embark on a practice-based PhD in Visualising History at the School of Art, Design and Performance at the University of Portsmouth in February 2019.

Michaela Kemp

Michaela Kemp joined the Wiz Kids team in 2005. She has worked with children for the last 10 years in various capacities. She has been a teacher, nanny and youth leader with children from the ages of 3 months to 19yrs old. She is a qualified theatre designer and has worked predominantly on childrens theatre, educational touring shows and large scale youth theatre productions, one of which, “A Vampire story” by Moira Buffini won a place at the National Theatre Connections Festival in 2008. She creates fun and interactive sets, costumes and installation pieces as well as some puppetry. Michaela also runs art and design workshops and has been involved in several projects working with kids who have physical and profound mental disablities.

Michaela relishes the challenges of working with young people and their ever-inquiring minds. She is passionate about giving children a sense of empowerment and achievement through art and drama, and is very keen to promote the ideas of team work and community by combining individuals strengths to create a collective finished article. Mic worked and was the manager at Creative Wiz Kids till 2012.

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Annette Pfeffer

Annette Pfeffer is a London based Norwegian artist with a PGCE in Art, Design and Museology from the Institute of Education and 5 years experience as a Teaching Assistant. She also has a B.A.(Hons.) in Visual Studies from NSAD and has been collaborating or running Art based workshops for a range of age groups since 2001. Many of these have been through Creative Wiz Kids, with whom she has had a long standing professional relationship.

Artistically Annette has a broad skills base, from Printmaking to Prop-making, but believes that art is primarily about enjoyment and experimentation. As well as being a formidable face-painter, she is also a former lead singer of a Cambridge based band, managed by Katrina and the Waves. Annette is not adverse to performing to an audience of children or adults and enjoys a good party (and a slice of cake).

Annette has been working with Creative Wiz Kids since 2004

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Anna Orson

Anna Orson is a puppet maker and Artist. She has been working as a maker, designer and workshop leader for theatrical companies, carnival companies, community groups, schools and hospitals. She has a BA honors in Theatre Practice specializing in puppetry and a an art foundation specializing in fine art.

Paint, puppets, costumes, sculptures, installations, masks, lanterns, free play, improvisation… and so much more.

She employs principles of play, creativity and interaction: ideas can be changed and improvised to fit different needs. Although each workshop has an objective, the main feature is ‘PLAY’ – to encourage the children to express themselves without inhibitions.

‘I believe that arts, crafts and especially puppetry are wonderful forms of stimulating expression and communication, which help children to express themselves creatively without inhibition’.

Her recent workshop projects include: Kori Art (story of Ese using puppetry and masks), Haringay Life Roots (Christmas lantern carnival) Royal Free Hospital, Taru Carnival Company (Thamesmead River Festival), Arts Depot Finchley (The Twits Christmas Show & Installation), Art Burst (School Holiday Puppet Club) and Design Build & Play (Community Project – Artist & Residency).

Anna has been working with Creative Wiz kids since 1999

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Lucas Motion

Lucas has been involved with Creative Wiz Kids since 2004  predominently helping to run holiday clubs and parties.

After receiving a scholarship to study drama at Bedales for two years he went on to study for three years at The Central School of Speech and Drama, from which he recently graduated with a BA (Hons) in Acting. Also a keen sportsman, Lucas trained with the Arsenal Youth Team and is currently training to become a qualified tennis coach.