Today we’d like to introduce you to Laert and Kinsey Aleksi.
Laert was born in Vlore, Albania, in 1984. He moved with his family to Athens, Greece in 1992, where he began taking art lessons from his father Sabaudin Xhaferi, at the age of eight. Inspired by his father – turned – teacher, he begun a long journey of discovering the beauty and excellence of art. He moved in the USA in 1999; continued studying under his father on a daily basis while continuing his high school education. With his father and a lot of paintings to show they opened Studio Sabka in 2006.
The art lessons helped him learn everything he needed to push him to what now has become a daily lifestyle for him at Studio Sabka, following his father’s footsteps teaching professional art. His goal was simple: pass on his knowledge to open and inspired artists. “Art has given me an opportunity to learn a lot about myself, enriched my soul, and most importantly – it has given me something more, a family that now I call Studio Sabka”.
Now married to his wonderful wife Kinsey, he has one more beautiful reason to create beauty. “I will never forget the most important advice my dad ever gave me, he said “You have to love art and be patient, with all of the process, that’s what will allow you to understand the depth and wonders of art”.
Kinsey was born in small town Fredericksburg, Texas, 1982. She got a BA in English Literature from Texas A&M University but decided to open an advertising agency upon graduation. Her mother, being an accomplished artist was always an inspiration to Kinsey. Even her grandmother also shared the gene for art.
For Kinsey, art was the candy store that beckoned. It called her name from early on, providing a haven for all manner of emotion. Her formal lessons were limited until she began classical training at Studio Sabka.
Kinsey and Laert have a beautiful toddler whom they cannot wait to share this legacy with.
Has it been a smooth road?
Laert: My family immigrate twice once when I was eight years old in 1992 we left Albania and moved to Greece and again when I was 15 years old in 1999 we left Greece and moved to America. My family includes my father my mom and my two sisters. When we were in Greece we have put our money that we had saved in the Albanian banks. Which was a big mistake eventually we learned that everyone that had put money in those banks could not get their money back and that somehow the money had been lost or stolen. Everything that my family had worked hard for was gone in one evening. That’s when the family came together and started discussing whether we should continue living in Greece or move and immigrate to another country the decision was made to come to America. When we came to America it was just my oldest sister myself and my father we came with less than $10,000 that we had saved we bought our first car which was $4500 we rented our first apartment after down payment and first months’ rent was another $2000 we bought some simple furniture and groceries which cost another $2000 and we began the process of immigrating in America with less than $1500 in the bank and my mom and my sister still back in Greece. Eventually my father went back a year later to get them but that process took another year and a half to two years before he could finally come back to America with them which during that time it was just myself and my sister living here.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Studio Sabka Art School story. Tell us more about the business.
Founded in 2006 by World Renowned Artist Sabaudin Xhaferi and his son Laert Aleksi Xhaferi, Studio Sabka continues to be one of Fort Worth’s best schools for classical art and host a gorgeous gallery of incredible European artwork.
Studio Sabka is celebrating over 11 years of creating, educating and representing some of the most talented students and artists in Fort Worth. We believe that we have one of the most beautiful spaces in town where people can become the future of Fort Worth’s art.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
As Art is an old craft and people tend to one instant gratification with everything they do in life the one area that we try not to skimp on is the time it takes to create beautiful artwork so even though the industry shifting to faster and faster ways of creating art will continue to follow traditions and teach people the old ways and masterful ways of creating beautiful paintings.
Pricing:
- Art classes are $50 an hour with two hour lessons per week
Contact Info:
- Address: 3411 W 7th St
Fort Worth, TX 76107 - Website: studiosabka@yahoo.com
- Phone: 8178700003
- Email: studiosabka@yahoo.com
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