Course catalogue

INSTRUCTOR Mark Vazquez Mackay

Get really creative and push yourself to complete 100 drawings in a week. You’ll improve your drawing skills through your sustained drawing practice as your instructor helps you move from concentrating on mostly formal issues to more conceptual ones. Be introduced to past and current artists who have strong drawing practices and participate in individual and group critiques which will aid in your artist growth. All levels are welcome. Please see your recommended supply list online. Be sure to come prepared for the first day.  

INSTRUCTOR Malcolm Mooney

Take your abstract painting practice to the next level and spend an uninterrupted week in the studio! Work alongside other abstract painters and build community under the guidance of your instructor as you produce new work or explore a new technique or approach to what you’ve been doing. You will participate in individual and group critiques throughout the week. Acrylic paint will be the medium used as it is flexible and dries quickly. Please see your course supply list online. Be sure to come prepared for the first class.  

Pre-requisite:  Acrylic Painting I or previous painting experience  

INSTRUCTOR :  Kyle Whitehead 

There is something really special about taking black and white photos with a film camera and having to wait to see your images. Learn basic camera functions before processing your film and printing on photopaper in a sustainable darkroom that practices eco-processing by using low toxic and non-toxic chemistry made from common household items, various plants and other organic materials. You will learn how to create high quality images in black and white and colour, with a focus on reducing or reusing darkroom pollutants and waste and will explore Lumen Printing and Phytograms, both plant-based print-out processes that don't require a camera or film negatives. Please see your course supply list online. Be sure to come prepared for the first class.  

 

INSTRUCTOR Nick Rooney

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.  

INSTRUCTOR Nick Rooney

Build on the drawing skills you acquired in Drawing I as you work through a series of projects aimed at increasing your hand-eye coordination and perspective drawing skills. In addition to exploring a variety of mark-making media, you will also be supported in developing a personal vision for your practice. View historical and contemporary art to inform your own work. Participation in group discussion and class critiques will help build your confidence and awareness. Please see your course supply list online. Be sure to come prepared for the first class. 

INSTRUCTOR : Amy Bouchard

Learn the 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.

INSTRUCTOR Amy Bouchard

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. 

INSTRUCTOR Jarret Hartnell  

Create unique comic characters through a series of thumbnail sketches that you develop into final drawings whether it is a comic, book or 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.  

INSTRUCTOR Marcia Harris

Gain confidence and 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. Increase your understanding through individual and group critiques. Please see your course supply list online. Be sure to come prepared for the first class. 

PREREQUISITE Previous drawing experience

INSTRUCTOR Aaron Sidorenko

The human figure is a fascinating subject for both the beginner and experienced artist. Working with a live model, use a variety of media, and gain studio experience in gesture and analytical figure drawing, modeling of form and space through light and shadow, perspective, proportion, and different drawing techniques and methods. Please see your course supply list online and come prepared for the first class.  

INSTRUCTOR Mark Vazquez Mackay

Learn a classical approach to drawing and painting the figure as you spend a full week in the studio working from a live model. All artists are supported by the instructor to work on honing their figure drawing and/or painting skills. You will participate in discussions about both the historical and contemporary figures in drawing and painting as well as addressing formal and technical issues. Both individual and group critiques play an important role in the workshop and serve as a valuable learning tool for all artists involved. All levels are welcome. Please see your recommended supply list online. Be sure to come prepared for the first day. 

INSTRUCTOR Clarissa Crosby

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.  

INSTRUCTOR Kate Bushey

Increase your ability to communicate information through graphic visual images and symbols as you learn about the different markets where infographics are is commonly used. Discuss how to take an idea and explore it through visual representations, to expand on it, and create a finished piece. Look at examples to help your understanding as you work on weekly illustrations. Please see your course supply list online. 

Be sure to come prepared for the first class.  

PREREQUISITE Clear understanding of design fundamentals, this is not a beginner course.

INSTRUCTOR Samantha Haslam

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. 

INSTRUCTOR Jennea Friscke  

You will be amazed at the jewellery you can make from flat pieces of metal. Learn basic metalworking skills (sawing, piercing, filing, shaping, stamping, surface texturing, and finishing) and how to use simple hand tools in a fully outfitted jewellery making studio. Get ample studio working time and support from your instructor throughout as you learn fabrication processes.  

Instructor: Marcia Harris

Draw landscapes with confidence from observation and location sketches. Landscapes can be complex subjects and understanding where to start, what to include, and what to leave out can be overwhelming.

You will learn how to simplify your composition, isolate subject matter, and create atmospheric perspective in your drawings. Experiment with different drawing media to illustrate different parts of the landscape: grass, trees, rocks, foliage, and a variety of different skies.

INSTRUCTOR Mark Vazquez Mackay

Working with mixed media can be daunting but it can also be very exciting and freeing. Grow your understanding of working with different materials and techniques as you collage and layer, building up and scratching away your surface to create pieces that are totally unique. Learn about historical and contemporary artists who have used mixed media and the impact of their work within an art context, as well as participate in group discussions and critiques to stimulate your own practice. All levels welcome. Please see your recommended supply list online. Be sure to come prepared for the first day.  

INSTRUCTOR Nick Rooney

Discover the materials and techniques of oil painting through still life, landscape, and portrait assignments structured to introduce you to its language and practice. Explore the formal principles that govern effective design with the aim of developing your personal vision. Please see your course supply list online. Be sure to come prepared for the first class. 

INSTRUCTOR Kelsey Merkeley

Here’s your chance to complete past projects in a jewellery studio, while having access to a professional jeweler for advanced instruction and guidance. Be prepared to generate your own projects. Your instructor will provide technical advice, critical feedback, and new skills demonstrations on request. Please see your recommended supply list online. Be sure to come prepared for the first day.  

INSTRUCTOR Jocelyn McHugh 

Does your sewing machine intimidate you? Do you have sewing projects where you just don’t know where start? Learn all the sewing basics you need to get started…no experience required! Get (re)introduced to basic hand sewing techniques, learn how to properly operate a sewing machine, choose fabrics, read a basic pattern, and master basic construction methods. You will also review how to layout a pattern, pin, cut, and mark. Please see your course supply list online. Be sure to come prepared for the first class. 

INSTRUCTOR Sky Weir  

Imagine your own images on fabric! Print your own designs on yardage, clothing, or accessories using pigments and hand-cut stencils to create unique, one-of-a-kind pieces. Learn how to cut stencils for your screens, mix your own colours, and print multiple layers. You will use water-based printing medium on natural fibres. Some supplies are included in the fee, but please see your course supply list online for a few crucial items. Be sure to come prepared for the first class. 

INSTRUCTOR:  Mark Vazquez Mackay

Capture the bustling energy of a busy street corner or the quietness of a single person on a bench, as you explore the downtown Calgary. Meet in a different location each day and draw from observation in your sketchbook. Please see your course supply list online. All levels welcome. Please see your recommended supply list online. Be sure to come prepared for the first class. 

INSTRUCTOR Lori Lukasewich  

Watercolours can be challenging to work with, especially if you are new to painting, but understanding some basic watercolour handling and techniques will guarantee success. Learn how to stretch paper, proper brush handling, how to work wet-on-wet or drybrush along with some tricks of the trade and gain skills as you work through projects. Please see your course supply list online. Be sure to come prepared for the first class.