Foundation course leader (PGDipE FHEA), Slade graduate (MFA), multidisciplinary artist & Heart School founder offers art and design guidance and portfolio support

I went to Geraldine for help in applying for art and design courses in Scotland after spending time out of education. I had a mountain of work but no idea how to organize it into a portfolio. Geraldine aided me in absolutely every step of the process including researching my course choices, making a timetable of due dates, my personal statement, selection of work, layout, presentation, written descriptions, absolutely everything. I am autistic and have difficulty with many of these tasks but Geraldine's explanations of everything were perfect and the whole task became completely manageable. The help I received from Geraldine is what got me accepted into my first choice of Art Foundation at DJCAD, I cannot recommend her more highly.

Geraldine holds space beautifully within her Heart School workshops. Her approach is one of sensitivity and inclusiveness, and I felt I was able to be vulnerable about my creative pursuits and the emotions that sit behind that.

Personally, I was able to uncover a lot of fear I hold around practicing as an Architectural Designer. Geraldine was able to facilitate this out-pour and helped me to express my feelings in a way that I never have been able to previously in my life.

I am really grateful for her work and passion and would recommend her to anyone who is seeking to break the chains that are holding them back in fulfilling their creative potential, whatever industry they may be in.

From my interactions with Geraldine in both tutorials and group settings during her MFA at the Slade, it was clear that she was a bright, inventive and highly creative artist as well as being a strongly engaged participant in the broader creative community. Her openness and capacity for self-reflection made tutorials with her meaningful and her intelligence combined with quiet humour made them also very enjoyable . I'm sure this approach combined with her sharp intellect, warmth and approachability will make her an asset to any creative or educational setting. I have enjoyed watching Geraldine's creative practices evolve and unfold and excited to see where her journey will lead. I recommend her very highly indeed.

Geraldine truly embodies creativity and authenticity. She sees your light and allows you to shine, with love and encouragement. A pleasure to be in the presence of, I Absolutely recommend! :)

Geraldine listens attentively and responds with comments and feedback that are not only constructive but also point to the heart of the matter - the underlying motivation and deep seated desires that run below my thoughts and actions. This is all delivered with care, kindness and compassion. This shows her perspective powers and ability to hold space. She gives critical feedback without judgement and able to galvanise me into actions in areas that were hithertofore my blind spots. Thank you Geri for helping me and giving me such deep insights each time. I feel very grateful. I highly recommend Geri as your tutor. You’re in very safe hands.

Geraldine has shared some really useful techniques to help allow my creativity to flow. She holds space with presence, gentleness and care. I would highly recommend Geraldine to anyone wanting to improve their confidence and get their creative ideas flowing.

Geraldine Clare Snell is a gentle, open and inspiring individual. Her enthusiasm for creating music is infectious! Holding space come naturally to Geri and I'm super excited to host some workshops alongside her.

With Heart,
Ben James Stuchbury

I met Geraldine at a SpaceHolders Summit Feb 2023 and immediately felt the resonance of what she brings.

Seeing her hold space in a way that is soft and kind but also impactful was music to my ears.

I would trust Geraldine to guide me through powerful processes and believe she really walks the walk.

I’m an artist / writer and I first met Geraldine in 2017 when I joined Leeds Arts University (formerly Leeds College of Art) for my Foundation Diploma in Art and Design (2017-2018), where she was my personal tutor throughout my studies. Every tutorial we would explore the work in detail and Geraldine’s in depth knowledge of contemporary art made this conversations a lively learning experience! She also has a calm, approachable and warm manner that makes something that can feel revealing / vulnerable like art making - a really beautiful exchange.

Following my completion of a degree in Economics, the foundation course marked a serious commitment to pursuing a creative avenue. Geraldine was a fantastic mentor that reminded me to stay present and notice what my practise was revealing to me in the moment - whilst encouraging me to continue to be ambitious / give things a go! Beyond foundation, she has continued to support me as an artist; specifically the clarification and evolution of my creative work, empowering my projects and professional practice alike.

Geraldine's personal creative practice meant she was well placed to support my forays across a range of media, from (writing, film, performance, installation and drawing) . I would highly recommend Geraldine as a creative coach due to her extensive experience as an artist and educator. She’s absolutely so knowledgable, critical, honest, and encouraging!

Geraldine makes magic with her voice.
The softness and kindness merged with her very professional skills are a rare combination.
I feel that everytime Geraldine sings she opens up some special energetic fields that generate warmth and open people's hearts. I totally recommend.

Geraldine taught me for a year on my art foundation degree, and always encouraged a space for creative practices to grow through engaging conversation, insightful feedback and great subject knowledge. As a tutor, Geraldine was dedicated, and took time to listen and understand each individuals practice, whilst helping to frame new perspectives in exciting ways. I'd highly recommend Geraldine as a tutor!!

Geraldine has been both a brilliant tutor and friend to me in the short time we have known each other. She expressed an extremely insightful understanding of my work in its early stages which gave me the confidence to continue confiding in her and seeking her advice. Geraldine is reliable, warm, down to earth, and super easy to connect with both academically and creatively. She goes above and beyond in her kindness and her genuine interest in keeping the creative world alive. Her correspondence is fantastic, and her energy is instant and contagious. She has a unique and genuine understanding of young artists.

Geraldine has all of the hallmarks of a great tutor. She is concise, friendly, understanding, patient and compassionate.

Geraldine is a creative spirit who guides you through the process of living a free and abundant life. Her energy is always bright and tender and if you need creative advice she’s the person to go to!

I met Geraldine in an artist residency and was impressed by her variety of skills and artistic approaches from the very start.

With her patience and empathy she is able to specifically respond to a person or situation.

Geraldine is a really trustworthy and open-minded person, her experimental approach helps you open up perspectives on yourself.

Geri was my tutor for my art foundation in Leeds and I always found her to be really insightful and enthusiastic about my ideas, and, importantly, critical too-although without being discouraging! The quality of the tutoring I experienced then was incredibly formative for me and I look back at this time fondly and often.

Geraldine gives her full attention and expansive knowledge at all moments! She has a real insight into contemporary culture and the art world; both areas are described, explained and performed with real panache. I would really recommend her to anyone! -George M

Geri taught me on the foundation course at Leeds Arts University and subsequently helped me with my successful application to the Ruskin School of Art, Oxford. Geri is a generous, kind and insightful tutor, and really aided me with the development of my practice. It was inspiring to be taught by someone with such an exciting contemporary practice and awareness of the current art world. An experience which I believe would benefit any aspiring artist or art school applicant!

Geri was one of my art tutors a few years ago and was incredible in the role. She is very knowledgeable and attentive and provided me with much guidance, which helped me get into my Fine Art Degree at Goldsmiths. Not only is she an amazing tutor and artist but also an incredibly kind and friendly person. I would highly recommend her as a tutor. Thank you Geri!

Geri is such an amazing teacher who is very supportive and encouraging. She understood the type of person I am and really helped bring my spiritual side out through my creative work.

Literally one of the best teachers I've had EVER and highly recommended for anyone who is in need of support

Thank you Geri for everything you've done for me, I appreciate you so much

As a past student of Geraldine, I can recommend she is an excellent tutor! Geraldine provides thorough and appropriate guidance specific to your art practice and has the knowledge to cover a wide variety of topics with an extensive artist vocabulary. I found that I progressed a lot being her student as her tutorials were fun as well as proactive. :-)

Gerry was a wonderful teacher; adept and in tune with her students, she is a great listener that will keep pushing your artistic potential. As a practicing artist herself, she can readily provide a surplus of skills to nurture your own artistic talent! Thank you Gerry x

Geraldine was an incredible art tutor to me. She was extremely attentive in her approach to teaching, careful and considered in the ways she chose to help my art practice. She helped me to broaden my thought patterns and come to useful conclusions myself. In addition to this, her pastoral care was top notch and she maintained an exemplary, high level of professionalism as well as a close student-teacher relationship with me- meaning I was able to get the most of our tutorials and felt like I was in safe hands. Geraldine helped me gain very high marks in the course and I then progressed onto an undergraduate and now post-grad at oxford university. Generally, I think it would be a privilege for anyone to be taught by Geraldine because of her individually tailored approach, her intelligence and care.

Geraldine tutored me on my Foundation course in Fine Art and I would highly recommend her as a tutor. Her teaching style is very good at meeting you where you are in your art practice: balancing important critique with warmth and enthusiasm, and offering lots of important references for contextual work, which felt personalised and meaningful.

I loved having Geri as a tutor! She always gave really insightful, personalised advice. It was also really inspiring to be being taught by someone who really cares about art and its possiblities!