This course will begin with 10 blank squares of cotton. Each week participants stitch on a square and will learn beginner embroidery techniques including outline stitches, needle painting, knots and weaving stitches, as well as embellishment techniques such as stumpwork, cut work and flower pounding. Students will be invited to bring in their own cloth mementos and other materials to incorporate into the work. The class will explore methods for bringing these 10 works together into one piece or a body of work. Ross Gay’s “Inciting Joy” will be used as inspiration and point of departure for the stitching process. Students will listen to this text while stitching and let the intuitive response of the words inform the work. Each week will also include a writing prompt to expand each artist’s exploration of the relationship between their handwork and the text. No previous stitching experience required. THURSDAYS, SEP 24 - DEC 17, 6PM - 9PM(PDT) IN-PERSON

This course will focus on the work of historical and contemporary artists as a way to practice using gouache paints. Gouache (pronounced “gwash”) is an opaque water-based paint that dries to a smooth velvety finish. Artists covered will include Courbet, Manet, Matisse, Marsden Hartley, Sonia Delaney, Jane Freilicher, Mamma Andersson, Peter Doig and more. Each week a variety of gouache techniques, colour mixing demonstrations and approaches to composition will be covered. The instructor will introduce students to many great artists while learning to paint with this very forgiving and versatile water-based medium. This will give students a substantial background in how a range of artists find inspiration and how they approach different kinds of subject matter. Suitable for all levels. TUESDAYS, SEP 22 - DEC 15, 2PM - 5PM(PDT) ONLINE

This two-day workshop will take you through the journey of making a painting from start to finish. You will begin by making compositional sketches from a photograph of your choice. From the sketches you will make small painted studies and develop a colour scheme. Then you will move on to building up a painting by exploring translucent applications of paint, glazing techniques, and developing layers of underpainting. This step-by-step process will give you confidence in your painting ability and give you an idea of how to start a painting and bring it to a developed finish. Suitable for all levels. See supply list. SATURDAY & SUNDAY, AUG 15 & AUG 16, 10AM - 4:30PM(PDT) IN-PERSON

Discover Rotem Anna Diamant's background and education. Biography Ro is a multidisciplinary artist and librarian who creates comics, illustrations, and sculptures focused on themes of identity, often conveying experiences and ideas using elements of the surreal and magical. In 2018, they founded Canada Comics Open Library (CCOL) , a Toronto-based community library and art space for comics, readers, and creators. They created and maintain the Canadian Cartoonists Database , a searchable online database for comics creators in Canada. In 2025, they launched the zine/comics distro Lost Doll . Ro has been making and sharing their art, zines, and comics for over a decade, exhibiting at zine, comics, and art fairs and galleries across the provinces. They published their first full-length graphic novel Dancing With the Sheyd in 2026, debuting at The Toronto Comic Arts Festival. This graphic memoir was created with support from the Canada Council for the Arts through an Explore and Create Grant. Ro has served on selection committees for a variety of comics-focused grant-funded projects, spoken at academic conferences about comics, and was a judge for the Doug Wright Awards in 2019. Ro believes that everyone can create comics, and loves seeing others approach the comics medium in unique ways and have fun creating. rotemannadiamant.com Rotem Anna Diamant Education Master of Library and Information Science, University of Toronto BA English Honours, University of Winnipeg Rotem Anna Diamant Create your future COURSES & WORKSHOPS

Faculty and board biographies Tamara Bond BA Visual Arts, Emily Carr University of Art + Design Kate Brooks-Heinimann BFA Emily Carr University of Art + Design Desiree DeRuiter BA Visual Arts University of Victoria Rotem Anna Diamant Master of Library and Information Science, University of Toronto BA English Honours, University of Winnipeg 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 David Kaarsemaker MFA University of Ottawa BFA Concordia University 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 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 Bryony Wynne-Jones Studied in England and Italy 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

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 Art History, Theory Spring Workshops Painting: Light and Shadow Learn how light and shadow can add drama and excitement to your paintings. Starts Sep 24 595 Canadian dollars $595 VIEW COURSE Painting: Abstraction in Canada Online Learn that Canada is the home to many exciting abstract painters. ONLINE Starts Sep 25 595 Canadian dollars $595 VIEW COURSE Landscape Painting Online Connect with nature and learn how to make exciting landscape paintings. ONLINE Starts Sep 16 595 Canadian dollars $595 VIEW COURSE Gouache: Inspiration & Expression Online Let the work of well-known artists provide inspiration for painting with gouache. ONLINE Starts Sep 22 595 Canadian dollars $595 VIEW COURSE Painting: Introduction I This course covers introductory techniques to painting with an emphasis on personal style. Starts Sep 16 595 Canadian dollars $595 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.