Like most local moms, Alicia Cleary and Jenny Seeman value education, whether it takes place in the classroom or in after-school programs. And for both of them, art is an important part of that education. So when they each looked around for an appropriate after-school art program, they were disappointed to find cookie-cutter classes with one-size-fits-all approaches. Not what they had in mind for nurturing their children’s creativity.

That’s when Cleary and Seeman teamed up and founded Arts2You, a company that brings personalized art instruction right into the home. More importantly, it allows each child to explore their own creativity through a variety of mediums, without having to attend different classes. It aims to both inspire and educate using an interdisciplinary approach based on fundamental art principles

“The teachers we partner with have expertise in more than one area,” says Cleary. “So they can bring two to three different mediums into one teaching experience.” This way, she explains, a child can try three-dimensional art like clay sculpture, while also learning figure drawing and painting.

This kind of approach makes sense whether you like the idea of exposing your child to different art forms, or are simply trying to figure out your child’s areas of interest. It’s an approach that is more of an apprenticeship, where teachers meet the students where they are, art-wise, to help them maximize their creative expression.

“It’s like bringing the studio into your home,” says Seeman. And that’s the other side of this: there’s no running around to different classes, dragging siblings along for the ride. From a busy mom perspective, this approach is ideal, and much like bringing in a piano teacher or math tutor.

Cleary’s and Seeman’s strong art and business backgrounds complement each other, making them the perfect team for this kind of business. Cleary has worked with the Vose Art Gallery in Boston and the Corcoran Gallery in Washington, in addition to overseeing the full spectrum of the creative process for television and print advertising campaigns. Seeman, a Watson Fellowship winner, has worked with McKinsey & Company’s start-up operations in St. Petersburg and Moscow, and has led outdoor adventure trips in the Soviet Union.

Arts2You contracts with teachers from local colleges and universities, all with the practical experience and education ideally suited to this endeavor. They currently offer their services in seven towns, including Wellesley, Concord and Weston. For more information, or to sign up for their services, check out their website at www.Arts2You.com.