Personal interest courses
Winter Personal Interest is open!
Register online by January 16.
Explore your creative side with a studio-based art course on our campus in Calgary, Alberta. Open to all skill levels, Personal Interest courses offer hands-on learning in a variety of disciplines. Whether you're looking to develop new skills, refine your craft, or simply enjoy a creative outlet, our expert instructors and state-of-the-art facilities offer the perfect space to grow.
Advanced registration and payment are required - secure your spot by clicking the course links below to register and pay online.
Don't see what you're looking for? Our Course Calendar helps you plan ahead by providing a year-long view of what is available by term.
Already registered? View your course Supply List and prepare for your first class!
Earn a Certificate of Completion by taking multiple courses in your desired discipline.
About Personal Interest Courses
Personal Interest courses are taught by professional artists in the same well-equipped facilities that support our degree students. Located on our campus in Calgary, AB.
Weeknight courses run once a week for eight-weeks, from 6:30 - 9:30pm. Saturday course times vary.
Weeklong summer courses run from Monday - Friday (except holidays) from 10am - 4pm.
Welcoming artists ages 17 and up!
Our team can provide assisted enrollment (subject to capacity) up to 1-week after the first class meeting, by reaching out to coned@auarts.ca. Please note, assisted enrollment requests will be subject to an additional fee of $25. We encourage students to register online and on-time to avoid additional fees and secure their spot.
Ceramics
Learn hand building and wheel throwing techniques to create functional and sculptural pottery.
Course Name | Start & End Dates | Day & Time | Price | Instructor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ceramics Intermediate | February 2 - March 30 No class: Feb 16 | Mondays: 6:30 - 9:30pm | $565 + GST | |
| Continue developing your ceramic practice and refine your skills in both wheel throwing and hand building. Designed for students who have completed previous ceramics experiences and are ready to take on more complex forms and personal projects. With a focus on improving technique, exploring surface treatments, and experimenting with form and function, you will be encouraged to push your creative boundaries. Glazing and firing processes will be revisited in greater depth, with attention to craftsmanship and finish. | ||||
Design
Transform ideas into visual concepts using colour, text, and images.
Course Name | Start & End Dates | Day & Time | Price | Instructor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graphic Design: Branding | February 4 - March 25 | Wednesdays: 6:30 - 9:30pm | $385 + GST | |
| Learn the elements of branding, whether for a person, a product, or a company, and how to create something so it’s easily recognizable by consumers. You will discuss what a brand can accomplish and identify the best questions to ask to help define a brand identity and determine brand objectives. Look at good and bad examples as you begin a brand strategy for yourself. | ||||
| January 28 - March 18 | Wednesdays: 6:30 - 9:30pm | $385 + GST | ||
| Prerequisite art experience, this is not a beginner course. Learn how to professionally illustrate a children’s book, from character development, beginning thumbnail storyboards, to final illustrations. This course will not teach you how to draw, but will show you how to take the drawing skills you have and apply them to children’s book illustration. In addition to learning the process and creating your own illustrations, you will also learn about marketing your work and portfolio preparation. | ||||
| February 5 - March 26 | Thursdays: 6:30 - 9:30pm | $385 + GST | Maedeh Mosaverzadeh | |
| Colour is a powerful tool of communication. Explore the fundamentals of color theory and how it shapes meaning in art and design practices. Through a series of hands-on projects, you will learn to make deliberate colour choices that enhance your message, evoke emotion, and strengthen the impact of your work. Gain deeper understanding of how to use colour strategically and creatively across disciplines. | ||||
| February 5 - March 26 | Thursdays: 6:30 - 9:30pm | $385 + GST | Yeisen Chang | |
| Strengthen your visual communication skills while exploring the many markets where illustration plays a key role—from publishing and advertising to editorial and entertainment. Learn how to take an idea and develop it visually through sketches, iterations, and thoughtful refinement, leading to a final, polished illustration. Weekly projects and real-world examples will support your learning as you build a deeper understanding of concept development, visual storytelling, and industry expectations. | ||||
| February 3 - March 24 | Tuesdays: 6:30 - 9:30pm | $385 + GST | Chelsey Dyer | |
| Typography is more than just choosing fonts—it’s the art of shaping language through design. Explore the principles of typography and typeface design, and learn how thoughtful type choices can enhance clarity, emotion, and user experience. Work with classic and contemporary typefaces, experiment with layout and hierarchy, and as you design your own letterforms and gain a stronger understanding of how type communicates—and how to make it speak with purpose. | ||||
February 2 - March 30 no class: Feb 16 | Mondays: 6:30 - 9:30pm | $385 + GST | Nicole Gruszecki | |
| Step into the creative world of zines—small, self-published magazines that give voice to personal stories, local issues, and bold ideas. Explore the history and impact of zine-making, from its roots in underground movements to its role in self-expression and social change. Learn new techniques in writing, design, and assembly, while discovering how zines can connect people, spark dialogue, and celebrate diverse perspectives and produce your own zine to share—and have the tools to keep creating. | ||||
Digital Media Arts
Create visual art & media through a variety of digital technologies.
Course Name | Start & End Dates | Day & Time | Price | Instructor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No Digital Media Arts courses offered in Winter semester | ||||
Drawing
Create artwork with traditional drawing materials such as graphite, charcoal, and conte.
If you are new to art or drawing, we recommend that you start with Drawing Fundamentals.
Course Name | Start & End Dates | Day & Time | Price | Instructor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
February 2 - March 30 no class: Feb 16 | Mondays: 6:30 - 9:30pm | $385 + GST | ||
| Learn to draw with the precision and observation techniques used by Renaissance artists, and train your eye to capture what you truly see rather than what your mind assumes. Emphasis is on visual analysis, helping you develop step-by-step methods to achieve greater accuracy in proportions, mass, and value. Through focused practice, you’ll deepen your ability to translate your observations into lifelike, representational drawings. | ||||
February 2 - March 30 no class: Feb 16 | Mondays: 6:30 - 9:30pm | $385 + GST | ||
| February 4 - March 25 | Wednesdays: 6:30 - 9:30pm | $385 + GST | ||
| Build confidence and core drawing skills through a series of projects designed to sharpen your observation and strengthen your hand-eye coordination. You will focus on the essential elements of drawing—line, shape, value, and composition—and be introduced to a range of media and techniques. Through in class projects you will develop your perceptual abilities, gain a deeper understanding of how to see, interpret, and express the world around you through drawing. | ||||
| February 4 - March 25 | Wednesdays: 6:30 - 9:30pm | $425 + GST | Nicole Gruszecki | |
| Note: Previous drawing experience recommended. The human figure offers endless inspiration for artists at every level. Work from live models using a range of media to build hands-on studio experience. Develop your skills in gesture drawing, analytical study of form, and creating depth through light and shadow. Focus on mastering perspective, proportion, and diverse drawing techniques to bring the figure to life with accuracy and expression. | ||||
| February 3 - March 24 | Tuesdays: 6:30 - 9:30pm | $385 + GST | ||
| Gain a solid foundation in linear perspective as you learn to draw convincing environments and objects using one-point, two-point, and multi-point perspective. Through a combination of observational drawing and imaginative exercises, you'll develop the skills to render interior spaces and three-dimensional forms with accuracy and confidence. Whether you're an artist, designer, or illustrator, mastering perspective is an essential tool for effectively communicating depth and spatial ideas on paper. | ||||
Fibre Arts
Make wearable art using natural or synthetic fibre, materials and dyes.
Course Name | Start & End Dates | Day & Time | Price | Instructor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| February 21 - March 28 | Saturdays: 9:30am - 1:30pm | $440 + GST | ||
| Explore the process of screen printing your own designs on fabric. You will design and print your own images on yardage, clothing, or accessories using hand-cut stencils and pigment-based inks. Learn how to cut custom stencils, mix your own colors, and layer multiple prints to create vibrant, one-of-a-kind pieces. Printing will be done using water-based inks on natural fibers, giving you a solid foundation in sustainable and creative textile design. | ||||
| Sewing Basics | February 5 - March 26 | Thursdays: 6:30 - 9:30pm | $390 + GST | 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. | ||||
February 2 - March 30 No class: Feb 16 | Mondays: 6:30 - 9:30pm | $390 + GST | Jocelyn McHugh | |
| Re-consider your clothing's role in your life and redefine its value through care and attention. Through different upcycling techniques, explore the boundaries of your garments and create one-of-a-kind pieces, unique and meaningful to you. Bring in your shirts, jackets, pants, and skirts and add new life to them by deconstructing, re-constructing, and embellishing. You will learn some simple design tips and tricks from your instructor to make your clothes unique and stylish…and fit better. | ||||
Glassblowing
Blow hot glass into beautiful objects and forms.
Course Name | Start & End Dates | Day & Time | Price | Instructor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| February 5 - March 26 | Thursdays: 6:30 - 9:30pm | $625 + GST | Kayla Brown | |
| Glassblowing & Coldworking Basics | February 22 - March 29 | Sundays: 9:30am - 1:30pm | $625 + GST | Kayla Brown |
| 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 be for students to learn how to finish off their pieces properly in the coldworking studio and to critique their work. | ||||
| February 21 - March 28 | Saturdays: 9:30am - 1:30pm | $625 + GST | Carli Castle | |
| Prerequisite: Glassblowing Basics, or glassblowing experience. 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. Spend the last class meeting will be for students to coldwork only to finish their blown pieces and critique their work. | ||||
Jewellery & Metals
Design and fabricate jewellery.
Course Name | Start & End Dates | Day & Time | Price | Instructor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| February 5 - March 26 | Thursdays: 6:30 - 9:30pm | $565 + GST | ||
| It’s amazing how flat sheets of metal can be transformed into unique, handcrafted jewellery. Learn essential metalworking techniques - including sawing, piercing, filing, shaping, stamping, surface texturing, and finishing - using simple hand tools in a fully equipped jewellery studio. With plenty of supported studio time and hands-on instruction, you will gain confidence in the fundamentals of metal fabrication and begin developing your own creative approach to jewellery design. | ||||
February 2 - March 30 No class: Feb 16 | Mondays: 6:30 - 9:30pm | $565 + GST | ||
| Note: Jewellery Fundamentals: Cold Connections must be completed before registering into Soldering Skills. Soldering is a foundational skill that expands your creative possibilities in metalwork. Focus is on learning the technical aspects of essential methods for joining metal components, including butt joints, sweat joints, and the use of resists and heat sinks. You will also learn how to choose and apply different types of solder effectively. You will receive guided instruction and hands-on practice, as you build confidence and precision in your soldering skills - an essential step in advancing your jewellery-making abilities. | ||||
| Ring Basics | February 3 - March 24 | Tuesdays: 6:30 - 9:30pm | $565 + GST | |
| Note: Jewellery Fundamentals: Soldering Skills must be completed before registering for Ring Basics. Take your jewellery-making skills further with this hands-on introduction to ring making. You will learn essential techniques of ring making which include measuring, piercing, texturing, filing, soldering, shaping, and finishing. Begin by creating a wrap-over or open-backed ring, then progress to designing and fabricating a fully soldered ring. With guidance from your instructor, you'll develop original designs and leave the course with two or more completed rings—and a solid foundation in small-scale metalwork. | ||||
Painting
Learn a variety of painting techniques across acrylic, watercolour and oils.
Course Name | Start & End Dates | Day & Time | Price | Instructor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| February 5 - March 26 | Thursdays: 6:30 - 9:30pm | $385 + GST | ||
| Acrylic paints are so versatile and perfect for those who are interested in building a strong foundation in painting. Learn the essentials of color theory, paint mixing, brushwork, and composition through a series of guided projects, focusing on still life and landscape subjects. Through consistent practice you will develop your technical skills and gain confidence in your creative abilities, whether you're new to painting or returning to it. | ||||
| February 3 - March 24 | Tuesdays: 6:30 - 9:30pm | $385 + GST | ||
| Whether you are interested in painting skyscrapers, charming county houses or abandoned buildings learn how to capture the character and essence of a structure through light, shadow, and texture while you focus on painting architectural details through the use of proper perspective, proportion, and composition. Work from photographs and other source materials you provide. | ||||
| February 5 - March 26 | Thursdays: 6:30 - 9:30pm | $425 + GST | Gillian Coulton | |
| The human figure has long been a rich source of inspiration for artists across all disciplines and skill levels. Focus will be on painting from a live, nude model, and some photographs each week, honing your ability to capture accurate proportions while exploring tone, color, form, and spatial relationships. Drawing on examples from art history, you’ll also learn how to infuse your work with expression and emotion, deepening the impact of your figure paintings. Both oil or acrylic paints are supported, and individual technical guidance will be provided for both mediums. | ||||
| February 4 - March 25 | Wednesdays: 6:30 - 9:30pm | $385 + GST | Rhys Farrell | |
| Prerequisite: Previous painting experience recommended . Discover the bold, clean beauty of hard-edge painting. Learn to achieve crisp lines using tape masking, create flat color fields with depth through calculated layering, and design strong geometric compositions that are striking and exciting. Working with acrylics, and experiment with contrast, symmetry, and spatial tension, through an exploration of color theory, compositional balance, and the art of building clean, deliberate shapes. | ||||
| February 4 - March 25 | Wednesdays: 6:30 - 9:30pm | $385 + GST | Gillian Coulton | |
| Experience the rich, tactile qualities of oil paint while building a strong foundation in this timeless medium. Explore colour theory, paint mixing, application techniques, and composition through a series of guided projects. With a focus on still life and landscape subjects, you'll gradually develop your skills and confidence, learning how to work with oils in a thoughtful and expressive way. | ||||
February 2 - March 30 No class: Feb 16 | Mondays: 6:30 - 9:30pm | $385 + GST | ||
| Watercolour can be a challenging medium, especially if you are new to painting—but understanding some basic watercolour handling and techniques, it becomes both manageable and rewarding. Learn essential watercolour skills, including how to stretch paper, control your brush, and work with both wet-on-wet and drybrush methods. Pick up practical tips and tricks as you build confidence through a series of guided projects designed to help you develop control, creativity, and success with the medium. | ||||
Photography
Capture and create lasting images using your camera.
Course Name | Start & End Dates | Day & Time | Price | Instructor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No Photography courses offered this Winter semester | ||||
Print Media
Produce and transfer your ideas onto a variety of surfaces.
Course Name | Start & End Dates | Day & Time | Price | Instructor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| February 5 - March 26 | Thursdays: 6:30 - 9:30pm | $385 + GST | Kenzie Housego | |
| Discover the art of relief printmaking through linocut in a fully equipped studio. Learn safe carving techniques as you begin printing with a single color, then progress to reduction cutting and multi-color printing. You will explore both press and hand-printing methods, giving you the flexibility to continue creating prints independently after the course. Throughout the course, your instructor will provide expert guidance and support as you develop new skills and techniques. | ||||
Please note: The courses listed above are available for the Winter 2026 term. For a breakdown of what courses are available each term, please download our 2025/2026 Course Calendar.
For more information please contact the Continuing Education office.
Weeklong Summer Courses
Registration will close 2-weeks before the course start date. Contact Continuing Education if you would like to enroll past the registration deadline.
Get into the studio for five full days of productivity.
Weeklong Personal Interest courses provide committed artists with dedicated time and space in a studio environment. In addition to course content and open studio time, you will participate in group discussions and critiques that will deepen your understanding of your work and how others interpret it.
All skill levels are welcome.
Course Name | Start & End Dates | Day & Time | Price | Instructor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
100 Drawings in a Week | July 14 - July 18 | Monday - Friday 10:00am - 4:00pm | $505 + GST | |
| Get really creative and push yourself to complete 100 drawing 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 aide in your artist growth. | ||||
Abstract Painting Week | July 28 - August 1 | Monday - Friday 10:00am - 4:00pm | $505 + GST | |
| 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. | ||||
Figure for the Week | July 7 - July 11 | Monday - Friday 10:00am - 4:00pm | $555 + GST | |
| 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 welcome. | ||||
Mixed Media & Collage Week | July 21 - July 25 | Monday - Friday 10:00am - 4:00pm | $505 + GST | |
| 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. | ||||
Open Jewellery Studio Week | August 25 - August 29 | Monday - Friday 10:00am - 4:00pm | $675 + GST | |
| 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 Note: Previous metal fabrication, soldering, and jewellery skills and the ability to work independently is required. | ||||
Urban Sketching Week | July 28 - August 1 | Monday - Friday 10:00am - 4:00pm | $505 + GST | |
| 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. | ||||
Watch and learn!
Note
Please note: Courses are subject to cancellation based on minimum enrolment levels.
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