Course catalogue

Abstraction can be challenging, start with some basics in drawing and learn some ways to get there. Start with observational drawings that you break down by sectioning, enlarging, and distorting. As you are working, practice different drawing methods while you use a variety of drawing media. You will be introduced to abstract artists and discuss their approaches and the power of their works, as you explore where images and ideas come from, and how they develop. Individual and group critiques will be valuable to your growth and understanding of abstraction. Please see your course supply list online. Be sure to come prepared for the first class.

PREREQUISITE Acrylic Painting I  
Break free from representational painting! Let go and create abstract and non-objective paintings based on your interests. Get introduced to historical and contemporary examples and approaches to abstraction with an emphasis on the materials used, the process, and the impact of the relationship between form and content. Please see your course supply list online. Be sure to come prepared for the first class.

Acrylic paints are so versatile and perfect for those who are new to painting. Learn the basics of colour theory, paint mixing, application techniques, and composition. You will work through a series of projects while you develop your skills and gain confidence in your painting abilities. Subject matter will focus on still-life and landscape. Please see your course supply list online. Be sure to come prepared for the first class.

 Drawing botanical and fruit forms from life takes careful perception and good hand eye coordination. You will develop keen observational drawing skills through a number of studio-based assignments, and be introduced to colour theory and how to successfully use colour pencils to get rich, vibrant colours. Participate in class discussions and critiques to help your progression. Please see your course supply list online. Be sure to come prepared for the first class.

Create unique comic characters through a series of thumbnail sketches that you develop into final drawings whether it is a one cell comic, a full strip, or a graphic novel. Develop a personal style that becomes identifiable with you as you hone your drawing and communication skills. Use a variety of media including pen and ink, marker, pencil, and water-based colour to complete your comics. Please see your course supply list online. Be sure to come prepared for the first class.

Learn foundational skills of wheel throwing through hands on instruction, and practice. Create one-of-a-kind pieces as you work on simple assignments and get comfortable at the wheel. Finish your projects by glazing and firing them as the final step in the process. Please see your course supply list online. Be sure to come prepared for the first class.

Learn technical and aesthetic aspects of hand building sculptural and functional forms. Learn good practices and approaches while being introduced to different surface treatments, including decoration with slip and glazes, and firing. Work through a set of projects designed to give you foundational skill-building practice. Please see your course supply list online. Be sure to come prepared for the first class.

Using the same methods Renaissance artists used, improve your representational drawing skills, and learn how to capture on paper what your eye sees, not what your mind thinks it sees. You will focus on how to visually analyze your subject matter, create steps for greater accuracy, better proportions, mass and values in your drawings. Please see your course supply list online. Be sure to come prepared for the first class.

Self paced & learner driven. With no scheduled classes, YOU run the show. Find the time that suits you or use any spare moment to move forward in your course. Complete your work over the course of 10-week or less to earn a digital badge.

In this course, you will get introduced to the software packages used most often when creating digital animations: Photoshop, After Effects, Premiere, and Toon Boom Harmony. You will explore the differences between traditional, hand-drawn animation, and digital animation. You will learn how to use each program on its own and in conjunction with each other as you practice using essential tools and identify their strengths and weaknesses. You will also create projects to demonstrate your mastery of basic skills and your work will be evaluated based on your technical understanding of each program.

PREREQUISITE Clear understanding of design fundamentals, this is not a beginner course. 
Learn the basics of the Adobe Creative Cloud suite of applications including Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign, and go beyond simply studying the software, to integrating good design. Work through a series of projects where you focus on how to properly capture, transfer, manipulate, and output images in a clear, concise manner while you apply your knowledge of design fundamentals for clean visual communication. As you work through the projects, you will figure out a digital workflow that makes sense for you and become more comfortable working in multiple programs at once. Please see your course supply list online. Be sure to come prepared for the first class. 

PREREQUISITE  DSLR cameras ONLY 
Discover how to work your digital camera so you can get out of auto mode and take your picture taking skills to the next level. Learn basic camera operations and how to use your cameras settings, including exposure, aperture, and shutter speed, while you experiment with composition, lighting, and different lens to see how they affect your images. Work through shooting images, file conversion, and digital image management under the guidance of your instructor and get good feedback throughout the course. Please see your course supply list online. Be sure to come prepared for the first class.

Gain confidence and fundamental skills in drawing as you work through a series of projects designed to increase your perceptive abilities and eye-hand coordination. Focus on the elements of drawing, observation, and composition as you explore a variety of drawing media and techniques. Please see your course supply list online. Be sure to come prepared for the first class.

Self paced & learner driven. With no scheduled classes, YOU run the show. Find the time that suits you or use any spare moment to move forward in your course. Complete your work over the course of 10-week or less to earn a digital badge.

In this course, you will learn and apply fundamental principles of animation. Learn how to communicate personality, emotions, and behaviour through several short-animated motion assignments, while also exploring various conceptual, aesthetic, and technical approaches to the discipline. You have the option of working in or out of the digital realm; however, all project post-production will be created using digital software. You will create projects to demonstrate your mastery of foundational animation skills and your work will be evaluated based on your understanding of fundamental principles.

Learn the basic processes of hot glasswork, in a fully equipped, professional hot shop studio. Focus on solid and simple blown forms in a small class setting giving you plenty of work time and access to your instructor for assistance and coaching. The last class meeting will provide cold working time to complete your pieces. NOTE: ONLY natural fibre clothing (cotton), long pants and closed-toe shoes are always mandatory in the hot shop. Please see your course supply list online. Be sure to come prepared for the first class.

Expand your knowledge of hot glasswork as you develop your skills further in a small class setting with lots of individualized instruction. Challenge yourself and try creating different forms and working with colour. The last class meeting will provide cold working time to complete your pieces. NOTE: ONLY natural fibre clothing (cotton), long pants and closed-toe shoes are always mandatory in the hot shop. Please see your course supply list online. Be sure to come prepared for the first class.

Knowing how to successfully complete a grant application or how to write a funding proposal can help you and/or your organization achieve your goals. Learn the valuable skills in writing grant and/or funding proposals and discuss where to find grants, what granting organizations are seeking proposals, understanding stakeholder relationships, content of proposals and how funding organizations evaluate applications.

Knowing how to successfully complete a grant application or how to write a funding proposal can help you and/or your organization achieve your goals. Learn the valuable skills in writing grant and/or funding proposals and discuss where to find grants, what granting organizations are seeking proposals, understanding stakeholder relationships, content of proposals and how funding organizations evaluate applications.

Gain an understanding of visual communication design and the role of a graphic designer. Learn to problem solve and generate ideas through sketching and drawing to further develop your skills. Emphasis will be on using the elements and principles of design effectively while you work on projects that push your creativity. Please see your course supply list online. Be sure to come prepared for the first class.  

NOTE: This course emphasizes hand skills; work is not done on a computer.