Welcome to the Starkers Academy
Est. 2017
Where models are born.
Born on the cabaret stage of London’s East End icon The Glory, the Starkers Academy is where novice artists’ models begin stretching their creative muscle.
The Starkers Academy was founded in response to that venerable question asked by one curious soul after another - “How do you get into life modelling?” The simple answer? Just do it! But the where? That’s the tricky bit. And so the Academy arose. And since its establishment, innumerable first-time artists’ models have graced its stages and found their creative voice, their physical authenticity and a renewed inner strength.
Of course, the Academy started in order to engage and celebrate new models, but it exists to nurture the tacit dialogue on both sides of the easel. The relationship between drawers and models is unlike any other, offering a sense of creative and personal validity and relevance for everyone.
Everyone can draw and every body is beautiful.
Post lockdown, the Academy relocated to SE London (UK). Nestled in the picturesque Victoriana that is Cooper’s Yard Studios in Crystal Palace, the Academy offered monthly public life drawing for all levels of ability.
Today, the Academy is run in partnership with community providers, popping up at a diversity of venues and drawing groups at regular intervals throughout the year. In 2024, we look forward to continuing to grow these partnerships to extend the Academy’s reach to ever more parts of the UK.
If you find yourself wondering how to get into life modelling, are interested in greatly improving your existing modelling practice or even know someone keen to enter the industry…
LEARNERS & GRADUATES
Laura Alice Scougall (May ‘21)
Simon Benjamin (Jul. ‘19)
Mark Cross (Oct. ‘18)
Vee (Sep. ‘17)
Kitty Lintin (Jul. ‘19)
Molly Sheehan (May ‘19)
Rachel Mendoza (Jun. ‘18)
Jason Fallone (Sep. ‘17)
Phoebe (Jul. ‘19)
Nikki Kay (Oct. ‘18)
Ben Oppedijk (Jun. ‘18)