Art at Surval is more than just a subject — it’s a journey of creativity, expression, and shared inspiration. Over the past three years, Tanya Tsipysheva, Surval’s talented Art teacher, has brought this philosophy to life, guiding students through hands-on exploration both during the academic year and at Surval’s vibrant Summer and Winter Camps. Through each brushstroke and project, Tanya encourages the girls to discover their unique artistic voices while continuing to grow as an artist herself — proving that creativity truly flourishes when it’s shared.
I have been teaching art at Surval for three years now, both during the academic year and at the Summer and Winter Camps. It is a role I truly enjoy, as working with the girls is always inspiring, and the projects I design often spark ideas for my own artistic journey.
During the academic year, I focus on giving the students a foundation in drawing, perspective, and color, while exploring many different materials: watercolors, acrylics, oil pastels, ink, and mixed media. We also explore different artists and movements, encouraging the girls to apply those styles in their own way. Last year, for example, we studied Impressionism and Expressionism, and the girls created works inspired by those movements. One of our main projects was a cultural theme on women and fashion across different cultures. This year, our final project is called City Soul: the students combine everything they have learned about perspective and color to tell the story of a city that inspires them.
At camp, our projects are even more varied: ceramic painting, textile decoration, small pottery work, needle-felted toys and landscapes, as well as plein air painting outdoors in the beautiful surroundings. We also make regular art trips, with visits this year planned to the Fondation Pierre Gianadda in Sion, the Museum of Vevey, and the Musée de l’Elysée in Lausanne. These outings give the students the chance to see art up close, discover new perspectives, and create something of their own inspired by what they’ve experienced.
Alongside teaching, I continue to develop my own art. I have been painting since childhood, mainly working in oils, and in recent years I’ve taken part in several exhibitions and sold some of my work. Most recently, I received 3rd prize in the 15th edition of the Gustave Courbet Art Competition. My painting will be exhibited at MAG Montreux Art Gallery, which is a great honor, especially as I was the youngest participant among more established regional artists..
