De Vita Academy of Art

"This is a long overdue review…my rating? A+++ I can’t be thankful enough to Mr. & Mrs. De Vita for their dedication to us. They are the go-to people if you seriously decide to learn art and fashion design. This is an established art academy that has dedicated years to assisting young artists in developing amazing portfolios; as a result, many have been accepted into Ivy League colleges & universities. Honestly, I’ve never seen so much talent in one room! It's important to mention that they have decades of college-level teaching experience. They make sure to develop your abilities and motivate you to deliver your best work! De Vita Academy is a gem in the middle of Davie, is not only an art school, but also a community, it's my sanctuary...my happy place, and nothing that I write will measure up to express my appreciation for the wisdom and the marvelous things I learn from them every day. Thank you so much!"

"I came to the United States when I was in middle school. Having experienced a cultural and environmental shock, I decided to stick with the one thing I felt familiar with: art. Finding this studio not only shaped me as an artist, but an individual as well. Tom and Linda are very special people. They not only treat you as their their student, but friend and family as well. Tom De Vita helped me gain confidence and a sense of style as an artist, he helped me improve so much in a short while and helped me push through when I felt like quitting. At days where I felt my worse, he made his room of students (including myself) laugh. Linda De Vita was very kind and encouraging towards me as well. There truly is no place like this studio. As somebody who has been attending the studio for more than four years, I highly recommend. :) The delicious snacks they have in the corner are just a bonus!"

"This is my favorite art school ever!! I have taken classes from others in Broward County, but this is by far the best place yet. Tom provides exceptional, personalized attention to each artist in his class. Even though I have been painting for several years, my skills have become more and more elevated after each class I take with Tom. Although I started taking Tom’s courses as a hobby, I have witnessed Tom and Lynda help numerous students obtain goals for themselves that they never thought were obtainable. They truly both have huge hearts and it shows in how they spend an enormous amount of time helping their students grow and expand their skills. Tom is an excellent teacher and provides tailored advice on how to take your skills to the next level. He truly cares about his students and creates a judge-free zone for people to learn and practice perfecting their skills. Tom keeps the classes light-hearted, care free and always welcoming. The classes are small and intimate so it gives you a chance to relax and take your time on the piece you are working on. They provide coffee and a huge selection of snacks to make for an even more comfortable and welcoming space. Not only are these courses affordable, but the skills you can gain are priceless!! I have included photos of some of my paintings to show you just how much he has taught me."

"Tom is an amazing teacher and an award-winning artist. The classes are tiny (ignore the person who lied and said they are crowded - I've never seen more than 8 in a class, especially during COVID). After some beginning exercises, you get to pick whatever you want to paint. I have never seen anyone leave with a bad painting. I don't even know how Tom does what he does, but he manages to coax the best out of every student. I've been going for three years now. I had never taken painting lessons before. I'm always surprised by how good my paintings look. My classmates have all created really excellent work. Some of my fellow students are art teachers. Some are art students putting together portfolios. Most of us are just hobbyists. The classes are de-stressing and fun. They always go too fast, even though they are 3 hours. I highly recommend these classes for anyone who has ever wanted to paint. I can't speak for the other classes, but there other types of art taught like sculpture and fashion design. The work I've seen from those students is really terrific too. I'm no Monet, but I've included three photos of my work so you can see what to expect in the way of results. I had never done an oil painting in my life before joining the class. I had never had a painting lesson since 8th grade. If I can do it, you can do it."

"My daughter attended the 8-11-year-old class. The academy helped her much; as such, she learned many new techniques in drawing and painting. Tom and Lynda are excellent teachers, and they are also very kind. I would give ten stars, but there are only five."