In this course, you will discover how your illustrative aspirations and love of cinema can collide to fuel imaginative and compelling drawings. While focusing on a different genre of film each week, students will use drawing to analyze and represent various aspects of cinema through drawing, such as production design, narrative structures, cinematography, and sound design. Through group discussions on film theory, explorations of various drawing materials and techniques, and regular screenings of film scenes, students will develop an understanding of how drawing is used within the cinematic industry and beyond. Suitable for all levels. FRIDAYS, MAY 22 - JUN 26, 2PM - 5PM(PDT) IN-PERSON

In this thematic six-week course you will create a body of new drawings using your personal experiences, memories, and reflections as source material. We will examine several contemporary artists who similarly use a diaristic approach to ground our discussions of selfhood and drawing. We will utilize traditional and exploratory drawing materials as we explore and celebrate personal experience and memory through art. Daily drawing exercises will complement several larger projects that you will develop in relation to weekly discussion topics. Suitable for all levels. THURSDAYS, MAY 21 - JUN 25, 10AM - 1PM(PDT) ONLINE

In Paint Like an Artist II, you will be introduced to a 21st century painter each week. We will review their specific approaches to subject matter as well as application of paint and process. There will be a weekly painting project based on this discussion. This is a great course for those who are curious to learn how early mid 20th century artists have influenced many contemporary painters. The course will also provide an excellent opportunity to push your painting practice in new directions. Participants can use oil, acrylic, gouache or watercolour. This course can be taken as a follow-up to Paint Like an Artist I, but it is not necessary to have taken the first one to enrol in the second part. New artists will be discussed so feel free to re-take this course. No class Aug 14, last class on August 21. Previous painting experience recommended. FRIDAYS, JUL 10 - AUG 21, 2PM - 5PM(PDT) ONLINE

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.

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