Painting: The Basics Events at the Vancouver Islands School Art including exhibition openings, artist talks and lectures, fundraisers and Open Houses Painting: The Basics Create your future COURSES & WORKSHOPS

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. Starts May 19 275 Canadian dollars $275 VIEW COURSE Painting with Gouache: Plants & Flowers Learn new ways to approach flowers and plants with gouache. Starts 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. Starts 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 Painting: Series Development Create a lively series of paintings based on where you live. Starts Jul 9 275 Canadian dollars $275 VIEW COURSE Painting from Photography Learn the strategies to make interesting paintings from your photographs. Starts Jul 10 275 Canadian dollars $275 VIEW COURSE Paint Like an Artist II Online Let more artists from art history inspire your art practice. Starts Jul 10 275 Canadian dollars $275 VIEW COURSE Painting the Ocean Take your love of the ocean and let it inspire your paintings. Starts Jul 7 275 Canadian dollars $275 VIEW COURSE 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.

Photography: A Mixed Media Approach Events at the Vancouver Islands School Art including exhibition openings, artist talks and lectures, fundraisers and Open Houses Photography: A Mixed Media Approach Create your future COURSES & WORKSHOPS

How to Draw Events at the Vancouver Islands School Art including exhibition openings, artist talks and lectures, fundraisers and Open Houses How to Draw Create your future COURSES & WORKSHOPS

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

2026 Book Sale Events at the Vancouver Islands School Art including exhibition openings, artist talks and lectures, fundraisers and Open Houses 2026 Book Sale Create your future COURSES & WORKSHOPS

Physical location of the Vancouver Island School of Art including telephone and email address and hours of operation. Contact Us LOCATION 302-733 Johnson St Victoria, BC V8W 3C7 Phone: 250.380.3500 Email: info@vancouverislandschoolart.com CONNECT WITH US OFFICE HOURS Summer Hours start May 19th: Tuesdays-Fridays, 9:30am-5:00pm Please note that due to Covid-19 protocol classrooms will only be open for students five minutes before start of class (9:55 for morning classes, 1:55 for afternoon classes and 5:55 for evening classes). This will give the staff time to sanitize classrooms prior to start of class. If you would like to drop by and visit the school or the Slide Room Gallery, please call or email to inquire about gallery hours. HOLIDAY HOURS The school is closed on Statutory Holidays. Please note our location is wheelchair accessible. ADD TO CART 3 Hour Online Workshop $65 (materials not included) Purchase a gift card ADD TO CART 3 Hour Classroom Workshop $95 (all materials included) ADD TO CART 6 Hour Classroom Workshop $185 (all materials included) Give the gift of art We offer a variety of online and classroom workshops as well as drop-in drawing and watercolour sessions that are suitable for complete beginners or for more experienced artists who want to hone up on a skill or try something different. You can purchase an e-gift card online . Gift certificates can also be purchased by contacting the office and are available in any denomination you would like. Contact the office for a customized gift certificate. If you are on a budget for a gift, you could purchase one of our Drop-in Draw by Drawing sessions for $20, or a Watercolour Mondays session for $25.

Archives of course and workshop schedules and press items about the Vancouver Island School of Art Newsletter, Press & Archives Subscribe Join our Newsletter Thanks for subscribing! The tyranny of perfection (Feb 2026) Where will creativity take you? (Feb 2026) Limits make you more creative (Jan 2026) My gift to you (Dec 2025) The more you look, the more you see (Nov 2025) Make beautiful drawings (Oct 2025) Learn to see like an artist (Sep 2025) How to avoid art decision fatigue (Aug 2025) Let your imagination go wild (Jul 2025) Let colour be your superpower (Jun 2025) Why I love collage (May 2025) Enjoy solitude and community (Feb 2025) Newsletter Archives READ THE LATEST November 8, 2024 CHEK TV Inspiring Island Women September 17, 2024 CBC On the Island July 28, 2023 Chek TV The Upside May 22, 2021 CTV Arts and Entertainmnent September 19, 2019 Saanich News September 1, 2019 CBC All Points West October 1, 2010 Boulevard April 1, 2010 CFUV Radio September 1, 2007 Village 900 August 24, 2007 Victoria News September 1, 2006 Victoria News August 31, 2006 Monday Magazine Explore the following links for our press coverage Press Winter 2026 Fall 2025 Spring/Summer 2025 Winter 2025 Fall 2024 Spring/Summer 2024 Winter 2024 Fall 2023 Spring/Summer 2023 Winter 2023 Fall 2022 Spring/Summer 2022 Explore the following links to view a PDF file of our past course and workshop calendars Course & Workshop Archives LOAD MORE Create your future COURSES & WORKSHOPS

Faculty and board biographies Tamara Bond BA Visual Arts, Emily Carr University of Art + Design Tony Bounsall BA (Photography) Toronto Metropolitan University Kate Brooks-Heinimann BFA Emily Carr University of Art + Design Desiree DeRuiter BA Visual Arts University of Victoria Renee Duval MFA Concordia University Fine Arts Diploma (with honours), Emily Carr College of Art and Design Thomas Guerrero BA History and Anthropology, University of Victoria Jenny Hainsworth BA Linguistics UBC David Kaarsemaker MFA University of Ottawa BFA Concordia University Maddy Knott MFA University of Victoria BFA NSCAD Meghan Krauss MFA University of Windsor BFA University of Saskatchewan Val Lawton BA University of Victoria (Canadian History) MA University of British Columbia (Library Science) James Letkeman MA Architecture University of British Columbia BFA University Of Victoria Andy Lou MFA University of North Texas John Luna MFA University of Calgary BFA University of Victoria Tim McCormack MA (Interdisciplinary Studies), York University Fine Arts Diploma, OCAD Leah McInnis MFA University of Victoria BFA Emily Carr Institute of Art + Design Chantal New BA in Art and Design MFA West Dean College UK Corrie Peters MFA University of Manitoba BFA Concordia University BA in Child and Youth Care, University of Victoria Kate Scoones BFA University of Victoria Andrea Simmonds MFA Emily Carr University of Art and Design BA Bishop’s University, Sherbrooke, QC Xane St Phillip MFA University of California, Santa Barbara BFA University of Victoria Natasha Van Netten Diploma of Fine Art, Vancouver Island School of Art Lucia Volker BFA Emphasis in Printmaking, University of Utah Diploma of Interior Design, Pacific Design Academy Wendy Welch MFA University of Victoria BFA Concordia University Kelly Zantingh BAH Studio Art University of Guelph Jessica Ziakin BA History in Art and Psychology University of Victoria MA Art History and Visual Studies University of Victoria Our Faculty All of our regular faculty members have graduate degrees in art (MFA or MA), exhibition record and teaching experience Our Faculty & Board Lindsay Shojania Chair Jan Redekop Treasurer David Good Director Kathleen Greenaway Director Kirsten Petersen Director Russ Reynolds Director Eric Metcalfe Honorary Board Member Gary Pearson Honorary Board Member Our Board Create your future COURSES & WORKSHOPS

2097cffa-595d-4024-ab92-c0280854d9e4 Vancouver Island School of Art 302-733 Johnson St, Victoria, BC V8W 3C7 250-380-3500 info@vancouverislandschoolart.com Supply List - The Practicing Artist: Getting Started Items required for the first class: - large mixed-media sketchbook (14"x17” or larger) - small collection of coloured markers and pens or pencils - journal for daily writing practice - set of pan or cake watercolours - #6 round watercolour brush - pencils: 4B, 2B, HB, 2H - black Sharpie - oil or chalk pastels (optional) - scissors Additional Items: - pad of tracing paper (8 ½“ x 11”) - 22”x30” Arches watercolour, Stonehenge, or other mixed-media art paper (four sheets) - collage materials - white glue - glue brush (old bristle brush or similar) 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 .

2fc5b331-b810-4e65-8e15-48b443a6ceba Vancouver Island School of Art 302-733 Johnson St, Victoria, BC V8W 3C7 250-380-3500 info@vancouverislandschoolart.com Supply List - Drawing: Introduction II Items required for the first class: - graphite pencils- variety 12 pack - white vinyl eraser - large sketchbook Additional items to be discussed during the first class: - newsprint pad 18” x 24” - grey gum eraser kneadable - painters tape - stonehenge paper - pencil crayons- assortment of 12 - charcoal Suggested place to buy art supplies: Opus Art Supplies, 512 Herald St, Victoria BC or order online: https://opusartsupplies.com/ 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 .

e133d4c6-94da-4d64-83ed-5e06eca516ad Vancouver Island School of Art 302-733 Johnson St, Victoria, BC V8W 3C7 250-380-3500 info@vancouverislandschoolart.com Supply List - Flower Patterns with Gouache -Gouache paint: Winsor & Newton Designers Gouache Primary Set or a range of colours that include red, yellow, blue, violet, green and white -watercolour brushes #4 and #10 -one sheet of black Stonehenge paper (cut into four quarters) or a pad of black Stonehenge Aqua Papers 9 x 12” -2 jars of water -plastic palette or white plastic lids or plates to mix colours on (a disposable palette pad can also be used) -HB pencil, eraser and sharpener -ruler -sketchbook (any size, just for notes and practice ideas) 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 .