Meet Elizabeth Wilson and step inside her Veo Art Studio

When science and art collide, something magical can be created.

And Sylvan Township resident Elizabeth Wilson is someone who has spent a lifetime juggling both ends of the scientific and artistic spectrum’s.

She has earned a BFA in Figure Sculpture and an MFA in Medical & Biological Illustration from U-M in addition to a Master of Science in Health Education from EMU.

Although she began her career working in health behavior research at the U-M Medical Center, when the opportunity arose this winter, she leased a space in downtown Chelsea and shifted her focus on the arts.

Wilson offers classes in figure sculpture, drawing, painting, design principles and creative expression, she says.

And all it takes is one look around the walls of her inviting, about 800-square-foot studio, and visitors can see the beauty and realism in her detailed work.

Honing her artistic side is something Wilson says has been a passion since she was a child. And now she has the opportunity with the opening of her new art studio on the ground floor of the Sylvan Building at 114 North Main Street, Suite 8.

With plenty of room for both her own work and classroom space, Wilson calls her new business Veo (Spanish for “I see”) Art Studio — an invitingly warm and friendly space where she’s begun teaching both life drawing and figure sculpture classes.

She says she thought of the name 10 or 15 years ago and it’s been tucked in an old,  yellowed file folder.

“Wilson and her husband, John Del Valle, opened Veo Art Studio as a place to pursue the goal of creating time and space for those who want to further explore artistic expression, recreation, relaxation or to discover their inner creativity,” according to her website.

She says that she caters to those with no training as well as those who have previously taken classes and want to tap back into their artistic side.

Plus, students in some classes explore their skills by viewing live models.

Her classes include figure sculpture, drawing, and painting, to design principles and creative expression. And she likes to emphasize the healthy aspects of life, such as yoga poses.

“Art education helps build confidence, further develops creative problem solving skills and improves learning and memory at any age,” she says on her Website, adding, “Taking an art class also provides opportunities to socialize and network with others interested in the arts.”

In fact, she’s working with the Chelsea Area Senior Center on a series of classes titled, “Art For Life.”

Wilson’s training spans from the fine arts, with a focus on figure sculpture “to medical and biological illustration where everyday subjects or personal expression are brought to life through media extending from the traditional 2-dimensional arts working with pencil, pastels, and water color to 3-dimensional arts in clay and plaster.”

Wilson says she keeps her classes small, limiting them to 6-8 adult students so she can focus on individualized assistance. There are also open studio times.

She plans a series of one day and a longer, more in-depth session this summer. For a list of what will be offered, click here.