Art is my life, teaching my vocation. My students are my guides; motivating them to surpass themselves is my passion. I create and teach with a belief that curiosity, resilience, and collaboration unlock lasting skills. Translation, the miracle of authentic communication, guides my work across languages and cultures. I am driven by the joy of making, teaching, and connecting people through art, language, and visual culture. I strive to empower others to express themselves with confidence and clarity, whether in the studio, in the classroom, or across the page.…

Soniya Amritlal Patel

Art is my life, teaching my vocation. My students are my guides; motivating them to surpass themselves is my passion. I create and teach with a belief that curiosity, resilience, and collaboration unlock lasting skills. Translation, the miracle of authentic communication, guides my work across languages and cultures. I am driven by the joy of making, teaching, and connecting people through art, language, and visual culture. I strive to empower others to express themselves with confidence and clarity, whether in the studio, in the classroom, or across the page.…

Available to hire

Art is my life, teaching my vocation. My students are my guides; motivating them to surpass themselves is my passion. I create and teach with a belief that curiosity, resilience, and collaboration unlock lasting skills. Translation, the miracle of authentic communication, guides my work across languages and cultures.

I am driven by the joy of making, teaching, and connecting people through art, language, and visual culture. I strive to empower others to express themselves with confidence and clarity, whether in the studio, in the classroom, or across the page.

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Skills

Experience Level

Language

English
Fluent
Spanish; Castilian
Fluent

Work Experience

Lecturer in Applied English for Fashion at Universidad Europea, Creative Campus
January 1, 2025 - Present
Lecturer in Applied English for Fashion; author of an academic textbook adopted for first-year undergraduate courses; delivers both online and on-campus.
Managing Director & Teacher at Creative Space School
January 1, 2004 - Present
Manage and teach Art and English as a second language; develop innovative learning approaches using creative media to develop motivation, communication, creativity, confidence and bilingual skills.
English Language Teacher (ESL) at The British Council
January 1, 1998 - December 31, 2018
Taught English as a second language to students in the Spanish school system; taught adults and children; collaborated on pedagogical materials and programmes; prepared students for Cambridge exams at levels A2-C2.
Intensive English Language Immersive Courses Designer at Nexolang & Grupo MT
January 1, 2013 - December 31, 2015
Collaborated in design and impart of intensive English language immersive weekend courses for primary and secondary school teachers; used interdisciplinary and interactive resources.
Extracurricular Education Program Teacher at Dirección General de Promoción Educativa, Comunidad de Madrid
January 1, 2002 - December 31, 2008
Design and elaboration of pedagogical visual arts and language projects for gifted ESO students as part of a Madrid regional program.
Art Education Workshop Organizer at Independent / Self-employed
January 1, 1994 - Present
Organise and conduct visual Art Education workshops for kindergarten to secondary students; develop tailored Art programs.
Illustrator at PR Villarejo, Centro de Profesores y Recursos de la Comunidad de Madrid
January 1, 1999 - December 31, 2000
Illustrated a 120-page journal documenting a study on the effects of pedagogies which incorporate arts, crafts, music and physical education on child development.
Information Officer at Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU)
January 1, 1989 - December 31, 1990
Handled inquiries about financial aid, scholarships, and study/work abroad programs; information dissemination for Europe and the Commonwealth.
Illustrator / Designer at Halcyon Days
August 1, 1988 - September 30, 1989
Designed and illustrated limited edition objets d’art; worked with royal and prestigious clients.
Art & Design Teacher at Lewisham Southwark College
September 1, 1987 - December 31, 1988
Taught African and Oriental Art and Design to students on the BTEC National Diploma in Art and Design; equivalence to 3 A-Levels.
Urban Ecology Study Unit Assistant at Thames Polytechnic
March 1, 1987 - April 30, 1988
Illustrated and designed school material to promote ecology, nature and climate awareness.
Art Therapy Workshop Facilitator at Voluntary Action Lewisham
September 1, 1987 - July 31, 1989
Elaborated and imparted Art Therapy workshops to support children and young adults with learning or other difficulties.
Lecturer in Applied English for Fashion at Creative Campus, Universidad Europea
January 1, 2025 - Present
Managing Director and Teacher at Creative Space School
January 1, 2004 - Present
Teach Art and English as a second language to children and adults using a creative, media-rich approach to develop motivation, communication, creativity, confidence and self-esteem; foster bilingual skills and individual talent.
English Language Teacher at The British Council
January 1, 1998 - December 31, 2018
Taught English as a second language across age ranges; prepared students for Cambridge exams; collaborated in designing and delivering pedagogical material and programs.
Educator / Course Designer at Nexolang & Grupo MT
January 1, 2013 - December 31, 2015
Designed and implemented intensive English language immersive weekend courses aligned with primary and secondary curricula, using interdisciplinary and interactive resources.
Teacher at Dirección General de Promoción Educativa, Comunidad de Madrid
January 1, 2002 - December 31, 2008
Taught and co-designed pedagogical visual arts and language projects as part of the extracurricular enrichment program for gifted students.
Art Educator / Workshop Designer at Self-employed (Creative Space Studio)
January 1, 1994 - Present
Organise and conduct visual art education workshops for kindergarten to pre-university students; develop tailored art programs to foster creativity and bilingual skills.
Illustrator / Pedagogical Journal Designer at PR Villarejo, Centro de Profesores y Recursos de la Comunidad de Madrid
January 1, 1999 - December 31, 2000
Illustrated a 120-page pedagogical journal documenting arts, crafts, music and physical education pedagogies for teacher development.
Art Teacher at Asociación de Vecinos de Batán
January 1, 1995 - December 31, 1996
Taught painting, drawing and mixed media to primary and secondary students and young adults.
Designer / Illustrator at Halcyon Days
August 1, 1988 - September 30, 1989
Worked on design and illustration for limited edition objets d’art, collaborating with a team to produce high-quality pieces for prestigious clients.
Art & Design Teacher at Lewisham Southwark College, Walworth Centre
September 1, 1987 - August 31, 1988
Taught African and Oriental Art and Design to young adults on the BTEC National Diploma in Art and Design.
Illustrator / Urban Ecology Materials Designer at Thames Polytechnic, Urban Ecology Study Unit
March 1, 1987 - April 30, 1988
Illustrated and designed school materials to promote ecology, nature and climate awareness.
Art Therapist Workshop Facilitator at Voluntary Action Lewisham
September 1, 1987 - September 1, 1989
Elaborated and imparted art therapy workshops to support children and young adults with learning or other difficulties.
English Language Teacher at The British Council, Somosaguas
January 1, 1998 - December 31, 2018
Taught English as a second language to learners across CEFR levels A1-C2; prepared students for Cambridge exams; collaborated on curriculum development and materials.
Education Project Designer at Dirección General de Promoción Educativa, Comunidad de Madrid
January 1, 2002 - December 31, 2008
Taught and contributed to the design and elaboration of pedagogical visual arts and language projects for ESO students within Madrid’s education programs.
Art Educator / Workshop Leader at Creative Space Studio
January 1, 1994 - Present
Organised and conducted visual art education workshops; designed tailored art programs for pre-university students preparing for entrance exams and general art studies.
Art & Design Designer / Illustrator at Halcyon Days
August 1, 1988 - September 30, 1989
Design and illustration for limited edition objets d’art; served high-profile clients including The British Royal Family, Sotheby’s, and Christie’s.
Urban Ecology Illustration Assistant at Thames Polytechnic, Urban Ecology Study Unit
March 1, 1987 - April 30, 1988
Illustrated and designed school materials to promote ecology, nature and climate awareness.

Education

PhD in Postcolonial Studies and Indian Contemporary Art at Complutense University of Madrid, Faculty of Political and Social Sciences, Institute of Feminist Investigations
January 1, 2015 - December 31, 2020
BA in Fine and Applied Arts at University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN)
January 1, 1981 - January 1, 1986
Bachelor of Arts in Fine and Applied Arts at University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Nigeria
January 1, 1981 - December 31, 1986
PhD in Postcolonial Studies and Indian Contemporary Art at Complutense University of Madrid, Spain
January 1, 2015 - December 31, 2020
PhD in Postcolonial Studies and Indian Contemporary Art at Complutense University of Madrid (Institute of Feminist Investigations)
January 1, 2015 - December 31, 2020
BA in Fine and Applied Arts at University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN)
January 1, 1981 - December 31, 1986

Qualifications

Doctoral Thesis Award
January 1, 2021 - January 11, 2026
PhD in Postcolonial Studies and Indian Contemporary Art (Summa Cum Laude)
January 1, 2015 - December 31, 2020
Doctoral thesis award
January 1, 2021 - January 13, 2026
Summa Cum Laude (PhD program result)
January 1, 2015 - January 13, 2026
Doctoral Thesis Award
January 1, 2021 - January 13, 2026

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Education, Professional Services, Other

Skills

Experience Level