The Vancouver Island School of Art is a contemporary art school located in downtown Victoria that offers in-person and online courses and workshops for adults of all ages. Let’s create together. Vancouver Island School of Art is a contemporary art school located in Downtown Victoria. Open to adults of all ages. VISA is a Non-Profit Registered Charity. 20 years and counting! With more than 6000 students and 140 instructors since September 2004, we've provided a welcoming place for people of all ages to learn about contemporary art, as well as a venue for MFA graduates to get training as instructors. 2025-2026 Highlights Discover some exciting upcoming events—and key achievements over the last 20+ years Learn. Create. Play. Whether you want to take only one art course or complete a full-time program, there is a place for you at our school. The Vancouver Island School of Art offers two modes of study: Certificate of Visual Arts One year full-time or a maximum of four years part-time Individual Courses and Workshops On-going, no application required ABOUT US WHAT'S NEW Discover our courses Thoughtfully designed in the focus areas of drawing, painting and art history. SCHEDULES Course & Workshop Schedules Subscribe to Newsletter COURSES BY CATEGORY Painting Drawing Mixed Media Art Fundamentals Spring Workshops Landscape as Abstraction Learn how to transform complex landscape scenes into basic abstract shapes. Starts May 21 275 Canadian dollars $275 VIEW COURSE Watercolour: Art and Science Come and see how science has inspired artists over the ages. Started May 19 275 Canadian dollars $275 VIEW COURSE Painting with Gouache: Plants & Flowers Learn new ways to approach flowers and plants with gouache. Started May 20 275 Canadian dollars $275 VIEW COURSE Painting: The Basics Want to learn how to paint? Start here. Starts May 22 275 Canadian dollars $275 VIEW COURSE Painting: Introduction to Colour Let mysteries of working with colour be revealed to you. Started May 21 275 Canadian dollars $275 VIEW COURSE Paint Like an Artist I Online Let artists from art history inspire your art practice. Starts May 22 275 Canadian dollars $275 VIEW COURSE Nature in the City Spend time in a variety of parks and public spaces learning to draw and paint. Starts Jul 10 275 Canadian dollars $275 VIEW COURSE Watercolour: Landscape as Experiment Let the exciting processes of watercolour help you make experimental landscapes. Starts Jul 7 275 Canadian dollars $275 VIEW COURSE Painting the Figure Be intimidated no more! You too can learn to paint the figure. Starts Jul 8 275 Canadian dollars $275 VIEW COURSE Load More WORKSHOP SCHEDULES Current Workshop Schedule Create your future COURSES & WORKSHOPS Vancouver Island School of Art is a contemporary art school located in Downtown Victoria open to adults of all ages. Your donation matters DONATE TODAY WI26 Student Work SP26 Courses SP26 Weekend Workshops See what we are up to.

1462f3a4-1361-4dfa-aeaa-77ebf605cf83 Vancouver Island School of Art 302-733 Johnson St, Victoria, BC V8W 3C7 250-380-3500 info@vancouverislandschoolart.com Supply List - Watercolour Pencils in Beacon Hill Park - watercolour pencils: set of 12 (Derwent or Staedtler)- # 10 watercolour brush (round) - B pencil- plastic eraser- pencil sharpener - paper towel - container with water (jar with lid) - watercolour paper pad, 9 x 12” (any pad that indicates “suitable for watercolour” would work - folding chair (or cushion) to sit on The Vancouver Island School of Art is delighted to have a partnership with Opus Art Supplies so please consider using this link and clicking on your course to purchase supplies from Opus Art Supplies: Partnership Page . You can also consider an Opus A+ Membership, where students can sign up to save 10% on all orders during their studies: Sign Up For Opus A+ Membership .

Drawing Inspired by Film Events at the Vancouver Islands School Art including exhibition openings, artist talks and lectures, fundraisers and Open Houses Drawing Inspired by Film Create your future COURSES & WORKSHOPS

171f9ec1-9f2f-4a79-961c-6720b7fdfd1d Vancouver Island School of Art 302-733 Johnson St, Victoria, BC V8W 3C7 250-380-3500 info@vancouverislandschoolart.com Supply List - Painting Today I Items required for the first class: Paint - oil or acrylic: - quinacridone red (or similar) - ultramarine blue - pthalo blue - lemon yellow (or equivalent—should say PY3 on the tube) - titanium white - 1 or 2 interesting printed colour photos from a magazine or found online (we will be painting directly on it) - 2 small or medium sized surfaces to paint on, appropriate for oil or acrylic (any suitable gessoed surface, stretched canvas, canvas paper, gessoed wood panel, etc) - recommended brush: #12 “bright” brush: Hog bristle for oil, and a stiff synthetic for acrylic - oil painters: rags, and odourless mineral spirits (OMS) - mediums (whatever you have, and we can discuss specifics in class) Additional materials to be discussed in the first class: Some experience with either oil or acrylic is assumed, so materials will vary from student to student. In the first class we will discuss materials further. The only requirement is to be ready to paint every class. The Vancouver Island School of Art is delighted to have a partnership with Opus Art Supplies so please consider using this link and clicking on your course to purchase supplies from Opus Art Supplies: Partnership Page . You can also consider an Opus A+ Membership, where students can sign up to save 10% on all orders during their studies: Sign Up For Opus A+ Membership .

4005a17d-7df0-4ad7-8a3a-edc5426b2a0e Vancouver Island School of Art 302-733 Johnson St Victoria, BC V8W 3C7 250-380-3500 info@vancouverislandschoolart.com Supply List - Painting Landscape Mixed-Media Paper Pad (9" x 12") Acrylic paint (Amsterdam or Liquitex basics): Yellow, Magenta, Cyan, Ultramarine, Black, Titanium white, Raw Umber 4 Hogs hair or synthetic fibre brushes (Filbert): 1", 1/2", 1/4" (x2) I large 2" or 3" hardware store paint brush Acrylic medium - gloss or matt (NOT gel medium or pouring medium) Palette pad or aluminum foil Cotton rag or blue shop towel pencil, eraser Suggested place to buy art supplies: Opus Art Supplies, 512 Herald St, Victoria BC or order online: https://opusartsupplies.com/ You can consider an Opus A+ Membership, where students can sign up to save 10% on all orders during their studies: Sign Up For Opus A+ Membership .

1f33ef3e-02bf-40ec-8632-2e84c2a380ea Vancouver Island School of Art 302-733 Johnson St, Victoria, BC V8W 3C7 250-380-3500 info@vancouverislandschoolart.com Supply List - Drawing: Exploration of Materials Items required for the first class: - Graphite drawing pencils - set of 6 (8B-2H range ideally) - Large paper (newsprint or cartridge pad) - Sketchbook - Erasers Additional Items to be discussed during the first class: - Graphite drawing pencils - set of 6 (8B-2H range ideally) - Pitt drawing pen set of 4 pens with one brush tip (black) (or equivalent set) - Erasers, kneaded and white/black (Sumo brand recommended) - Eraser pen (optional) - Conte sticks (2 black, 2 white) (additional colours / qty. optional) - Set of compressed charcoal - Set of assorted sizes vine (willow) charcoal - Blender stick (optional) - Permanent markers two sizes (fne and chisel) - Chunghwa (or India) ink and brushes - Chalk and oil pastels (assorted set or individual colours based on your personal choice) - X-ACTO (precision carving craft knife stainless steel) knife with extra blades - Snap-blade knife (optional) - Scissors - Glue sticks - 9 x 12” Hard bound sketchbook (or coiled) - Assorted sheets of paper for dry and wet mediums - various sizes, thicknesses, hot / cold press - Newsprint paper pad / cartridge paper pad - Plastic toolbox or small luggage case for material storage & transport (optional) Additional unconventional drawing materials will be discussed after the first class (dependent on students’ personal preference / chosen direction for assignments). Suggested place to buy art supplies: Opus Art Supplies, 512 Herald St, Victoria BC or order online: https://opusartsupplies.com/ You can consider an Opus A+ Membership, where students can sign up to save 10% on all orders during their studies: Sign Up For Opus A+ Membership .

481f6039-a9a6-4788-88e8-fc0b58cf7c54 Vancouver Island School of Art 302-733 Johnson St, Victoria, BC V8W 3C7 250-380-3500 info@vancouverislandschoolart.com Supply List - Drawing from Architecture Required materials for the first class: - Graphite Pencils (range of H and B pencils) - Large paper (newsprint or cartridge pad) - Sketchbook - Erasers Additional items to be discussed during first class: - Drawing pencils set of 6 (8B-2H range) - Pitt drawing pen set of 4 pens with one brush tip (black) (or equivalent set) - Erasers, kneaded and white/black (Sumo brand recommended) - Eraser pen and eraser shield (optional) - White conte stick or chalk - Set of compressed charcoal - Set of assorted sizes vine (willow) charcoal - Blender stick (optional) - Markers/felt pens (colours and sizes based on your personal choice) - Fine white paint pen (Posca brand recommended) - Chalk pastels (assorted set or individual colours based on your personal choice) - 9 x 12” Hard bound sketchbook (or coiled) - Assorted sheets of paper for dry and wet mediums - various sizes, thicknesses, hot/cold press - Newsprint paper pad/cartridge paper pad - Plastic toolbox or small luggage case for material storage & transport (optional) The Vancouver Island School of Art is delighted to have a partnership with Opus Art Supplies so please consider using this link and clicking on your course to purchase supplies from Opus Art Supplies: Partnership Page . You can also consider an Opus A+ Membership, where students can sign up to save 10% on all orders during their studies: Sign Up For Opus A+ Membership .

3ad50d02-ba39-4c5e-beaa-af4e5f8aa9cb Vancouver Island School of Art 302-733 Johnson St, Victoria, BC V8W 3C7 250-380-3500 info@vancouverislandschoolart.com Supply List - Draw Like a Surrealist All supplies are provided for this workshop. The Vancouver Island School of Art is delighted to have a partnership with Opus Art Supplies. You can also consider an Opus A+ Membership, where students can sign up to save 10% on all orders during their studies: Sign Up For Opus A+ Membership .

Discover Chantal New's background and education. Biography Chantal New is a multidisciplinary artist currently based in Victoria, BC. Her expanded drawing practice takes form across sculptural installation, collage, photography, and the re-contextualizing of found objects. The diverse approaches are utilised to address issues ranging from the political to the aesthetic. Her most recent body of work is an inquiry into the powerful and complex nature of controlled visuality leveraged in systems of separation and punishment. Using both a representational and conceptual approach, the work reflects Chantal’s efforts to find meaning in a dramatically changing and unstable world. She has a BA in Art and Design and recently completed an MFA at West Dean College in the UK. Her work has been exhibited across the UK and Canada. http://www.chantalnew.com/ Education BA in Art and Design MFA West Dean College UK Chantal New Create your future COURSES & WORKSHOPS

7d3574e5-e8cd-40c3-af40-1b5fee96ccf6 Vancouver Island School of Art 302-733 Johnson St, Victoria, BC V8W 3C7 250-380-3500 info@vancouverislandschoolart.com Supply List - Painting in the City Items required for the first class: Paint - oil or acrylic: - quinacridone red (or similar) - ultramarine blue - pthalo blue - lemon yellow (or equivalent—should say PY3 on the tube) - titanium white - 2 small or medium sized surfaces to paint on, appropriate for oil or acrylic (any suitable gessoed surface, stretched canvas, canvas paper, gessoed wood panel, etc) - recommended brush: #12 “bright” brush: Hog bristle for oil, and a stiff synthetic for acrylic - oil painters: rags, and odourless mineral spirits (OMS) - mediums (whatever you have, and we can discuss specifics in class) Additional materials to be discussed in the first class: Some experience with either oil or acrylic is assumed, so materials will vary from student to student. In the first class we will discuss materials further. The only requirement is to be ready to paint every class. The Vancouver Island School of Art is delighted to have a partnership with Opus Art Supplies so please consider using this link and clicking on your course to purchase supplies from Opus Art Supplies: Partnership Page . You can also consider an Opus A+ Membership, where students can sign up to save 10% on all orders during their studies: Sign Up For Opus A+ Membership .

2738ff1e-ffd4-4e64-80cf-3c6f341cc3f4 Vancouver Island School of Art 302-733 Johnson St, Victoria, BC V8W 3C7 250-380-3500 info@vancouverislandschoolart.com Supply List - Rug Hooking All supplies are included but students are encouraged to bring in fabric that might have special meaning to them (such as a discarded garment or items from their fabric stash) and fabric scissors if available. The Vancouver Island School of Art is delighted to have a partnership with Opus Art Supplies so please consider using this link and clicking on your course to purchase supplies from Opus Art Supplies: Partnership Page . You can also consider an Opus A+ Membership, where students can sign up to save 10% on all orders during their studies: Sign Up For Opus A+ Membership .

5f9f60cd-3fc1-4212-91d3-79275cbad730 Vancouver Island School of Art 302-733 Johnson St, Victoria, BC V8W 3C7 250-380-3500 info@vancouverislandschoolart.com Supply List - Modern Drawing: History and Practice Items required for the first class: - graphite pencils: B, 2B, 3B, 4B, 5B, 6B ... (soft) - sketchbook or drawing papers and drawing board with clips - mixed media or watercolour paper per ink wash and watercolour drawings - utility knife or pencil sharpener Additional Items to be discussed during the first class: - roll-tip pen (Microns or Artist’s Loft) - India Ink (black and/or brown) - watercolour paint brush (various sizes) - watercolour (12 colours or more) - conte or chalk pastel (black, white & sanguine) - vine and willow charcoal - compressed charcoal - charcoal pencil (soft, medium, hard) - sanguine charcoal - vinyl eraser - kneaded rubber - dry pastels - oil pastels Suggested place to buy art supplies: Opus Art Supplies, 512 Herald St, Victoria BC or order online: https://opusartsupplies.com/ You can consider an Opus A+ Membership, where students can sign up to save 10% on all orders during their studies: Sign Up For Opus A+ Membership .