In Florida, an artistic family has created something that goes far beyond traditional art education. The Milan family not only runs one of the world’s largest online art schools – they have started a whole movement.
It all started with a love that blossomed in high school. Elli and John Milan met as teenagers and continued their art studies together at the Savannah College of Art and Design. After graduating, they sold their work in galleries for over a decade, building up both their technique and their understanding of the forces at work in the art market.
But in 2010, Elli felt a strong inner calling. Together with John, she founded the Milan Art Institute – not just to teach painting techniques, but to spread a vision of art as hope, beauty and social renewal.
From studio to global platform
What began as physical workshops in Georgia and Arizona has grown into a digital platform that reaches artists in 119 countries. Over 44,000 students have taken the institute’s courses, from basic techniques to the comprehensive ‘Mastery Programme’ – a twelve-month course that combines artistic development with business skills.
John Milan, known for his ‘More is More’ philosophy that defies the ideals of minimalism, teaches everything from expressive brushwork to painting on motorcycles and furniture. His surrealist style is characterised by strong colours and humorous elements that demonstrate the boundlessness of art.
Elli works with abstract realism and collage techniques, where layers of oil and acrylic create works that almost glow from within. Her organic forms move between the figurative and the abstract, imbued with a spirituality that makes the viewer dream away.
‘What I really want people to take away when they see my artwork is that they feel like they’re in another world,’ says Elli Milan. ‘I want people to feel empowered and feel that anything is possible and that dreams are worth dreaming.’
The family is now based in Sarasota, Florida, where they run both the Milan Art Studio and the Milan Art Gallery – physical meeting places that complement their digital teaching.
A whole generation of artists
What makes the Milan Art Institute unique is that it really is a family business. All four children – Dimitra, Dafni, Dalia and Constantino – grew up in the studio and became prominent artists themselves.
Dimitra made her breakthrough at the age of 15 with her first solo exhibition and had sold over a million dollars’ worth of art before she turned 16. Her surrealist works featuring animals, flowers and strong female figures are inspired by the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, Greek mythology and Marc Chagall, among others.
‘I hope that people see beauty when they see my artwork. I hope they see themselves,’ says Dimitra. ‘I want the paintings to be like a door to a new world, a paradise where there are no obstacles, only beauty, hope, adventure, self-confidence and, of course, love.’
Sister Dafni began selling professionally at the age of 13 and works with powerful mixed media pieces that explore freedom and authenticity. Dalia focuses on female strength through bold compositions, while youngest son Constantino combines classical techniques with spirituality in his oil paintings and goldsmith work.
Success spanning continents
The institute’s influence is clearly visible in the success of its alumni. Ritika Vicari exhibits at international galleries in Dubai. Bojana Jovanović won first prize in a Mastery Contest and subsequently established herself professionally in both the United States and Europe. Casey Wakefield grew from a shop assistant to a full-time artist, while Stephanie Linden now runs her own studio in California.
What began as a family dream has become a global movement. Through podcasts, articles and thousands of video-recorded lessons, the Milan Art Institute reaches artists on every continent. Their message is simple but powerful: art can change both the creator and the viewer.
At a time when many are questioning the role of art in society, the Milan family offers an answer that is as practical as it is poetic. Art is not just decoration or expression – it is a force that can transform the world, one person at a time.
For the Milan family, it’s not just about teaching techniques. It’s about inspiring dreams, transforming pain into creativity and ushering in a new era of artistic renewal. A vision that, judging by their global reach, is beginning to become a reality.
Malin Sellergren
