Opus Staff


	As joint Principals Julia and Alex Caprara bring to Opus their experience of working professionally in the field of Art Education together with a commitment to the continuing development of their own creative work. Julia and Alex are practising artists who are both well known for their creative approach to teaching and learning.

Julia Caprara NDD, ATC (Lond.) - pictured above - studied Stained Glass and Wood Engraving at Hornsey College of Art. Since leaving Hornsey she has combined working successfully as a creative artist in the field of embroidery and experimental textiles with career in education. Julia has been Head of the Art Department in a Girls' Grammar School and Senior Lecturer in Textiles in an Adult Education College. As a freelance tutor she runs workshops and gives lectures to groups in this country and abroad. Julia is a member of the 62 Group and the Society of Designer- Craftsmen. Her work is represented in public and private collections in this country and abroad. She is the author of 'The Magic of Embroidery' published by Batsford and has been featured in several videos and on BBC TV. In 1997 Julia, together with Alex, founded the Opus School of Textile Arts of which they are the Directors. Julia oversees the teaching programme at Opus and is Course Director for the BA(Hons) degree course run in collaboration with Middlesex University.


Alex Caprara NDD, ATC (Lond.), - pictured right - also trained at Hornsey College of Art and after qualifying followed a career in teaching as Head of Department in a Grammar School and in Adult and Further Education. He teaches drawing and design to Embroiderers' Guild branches and other groups on a freelance basis and has taught in USA, Canada and Holland as well as in the UK. Alex is a painter and graphic artist whose work is in private collections in the UK, Australia, Canada and Holland. He contributed to 'The Magic of Embroidery' with drawings and photography and has carried out commissions in graphic design, wood engraving and calligraphy.

As a Director of Opus he combines an administrative role with an active participation in the day to day teaching being responsible for the teaching of drawing and design. Alex and Julia are assisted at the school by Louise Bach (Administrator), Beverly Ayling Smith(City & Guilds Co-ordinator), Kay Swancutt (City & Guilds internal verifier) and Helen Price ( BA Administration )


Teaching Staff	Courses at Opus are taught by a team of tutors who lead the field in professional embroidery today. Current course tutors include: Degree Jacqui Ansell Diane Bates Sarah Braddock-Clarke Alex Caprara Julia Caprara Mary Cozens Walker Marie Theresa Fernandes Sandra Flower ( Course Leader ) Gavin Fry Shelly Goldsmith Kate Green Liz Harding Michelle Holden Ruth Issett Alice Kettle Helen Mastrandrea Brenda Miller Pat Moloney Helen Price - Course Administrator Joan Richardson Charlotte Sewell Winy Smit Kay Swancutt Dorothy Tucker Helen Voce City & Guilds Creative Studies Beverly Ayling Smith - Course Co-ordinator Ann Beare Sheila Cahn Alex Caprara Julia Caprara Maggie Paykel Kay Swancutt Winy Smit

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