This art history course begins with an introduction to some of the 19th century movements that contributed to major breakthroughs and innovations in 20th century art. Starting from Romanticism, through to Realism, Impressionism, Cubism, the course will proceed to cover early 20th century Abstraction, Constructivism and Surrealism, to mid-century Abstract Expressionism, Pop Art, Conceptual Art to the Contemporary period starting in the 1980s. The course will also reflect on how art history is enriched by non-Western and feminist interventions. Students will be encouraged to become knowledgeable participants in the ongoing debates about what art is, who it's for, and who gets to benefit from it. Course format is based on lectures and class discussions. Suitable for all levels. THURSDAYS, JAN 8 - APR 2, 10AM - 1PM IN-PERSON

Collage is both an art technique and a resulting work of art. It can also be a catalyst for further experiments in drawing or painting. Working with simple everyday tools such as scissors, glue and found materials often yields surprising and satisfying results. A brief slide presentation covers the history of collage as well as the work of many contemporary collage artists. The essential principles and elements of colour and composition form the basis of class projects. This workshop will allow you to discover how a sense of play and experimentation can lead to exciting works of art. Suitable for all levels. All supplies included SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 10AM - 4:30PM IN-PERSON

This workshop is an introduction to gouache (pronounced ‘gwash’), an opaque water-based paint valued for its saturated colour and velvety finish. While related to watercolour, gouache has its own unique qualities, and because it's opaque, you can paint light colours over dark or work effectively on tinted or dark papers. We will explore how to mix and blend paint and understand the basics of colour theory all while learning about this versatile medium. Gouache is a great medium for beginner painters because of it is very forgiving and easy to use. Suitable for all levels. See supply list SATURDAY, MARCH 7, 10AM - 4:30PM IN-PERSON

In this day-long workshop you will learn about important women botanical illustrators. Focusing on Maria Sibylla Merian (1647-1717), who was one of the first to include the life cycles of plants and insects in their scientific renditions, these illustrations offered important insights into the natural world. This workshop will be an opportunity to engage with some of these historical botanical drawings and transform them into abstract imagery. You will discover the exciting process of abstraction by analyzing plant details through pencil drawings and then learn how to use these studies for the basis of an abstract composition for a painting. Suitable for all levels. All supplies included SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 10AM - 4:30PM IN-PERSON

This workshop will provide hands-on examples on how to use geometric abstraction to create exciting designs and compositions. You will be led through a series of cut paper and watercolour painting exercises to discover the possibilities of this dynamic approach to design. The workshop will include a short presentation on 20th century and contemporary artists working within the realm of geometric abstraction. Shape, colour and composition will be the focus throughout the workshop, and you will be encouraged to work at your own pace. You will leave workshop with two completed works on paper, and a series of sketches or small compositions to fuel future work. Suitable for all levels. All supplies included SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 1:30 - 4:30PM IN-PERSON

Are you curious about oil painting but uncertain how to get started? This one-day workshop introduces you to the fundamental materials and techniques of oil painting. You will discover why most of the painters exhibiting in New York contemporary art galleries choose to use this flexible and forgiving medium. Techniques covered include creating layers with an underpainting and building up a surface with a limited colour palette. You will work on two paintings during the day: one based on a photo reference, the other, an abstraction of the composition of the first painting. You will leave the workshop with enough information to help you become a competent oil painter. Suitable for beginners. All supplies included SATURDAY, JANUARY 17, 10AM - 4:30PM IN-PERSON

This workshop introduces you to painting birds using a combination of ink and watercolour, a favourite of illustrators, journallers and plein air sketchers. These two wet mediums complement one another, resulting in a beautiful, loose, layered and whimsical results. You will practice a variety of techniques with reference materials for three very different Canadian birds: the Saw Whet Owl, the Red-headed Finch and the iconic Common Loon. Nature sketch artist Val Lawton will guide you throughout the sketching process, starting with subject’s basic shapes, identifying the creature’s form, then moving on to rendering the birds’ fluffy, feathery or sleek textures. Suitable for all levels. All supplies included SATURDAY, JANUARY 24, 1:30 - 4:30PM IN-PERSON

This workshop will focus on mixing yellow paint and all its myriad variations found in yellow flowers, such as the sunflower and the daffodil. You will paint along with the instructor using reference photos using both drawing and direct painting as starting points. Workshop will culminate in painting a fantastical monochromatic bouquet that includes all these flowers and some greenery. This is a great workshop to learn about colour mixing and flower painting. Suitable for all levels. See supply list SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1:30 - 4:30PM ONLINE

Cezanne is a 19th century artist known mostly for his still life and landscapes painted in oil. However, his preferred medium was watercolours which he used for preliminary studies for paintings, as well as finished works onto themselves. His delicately rendered watercolours made ample use of the paper as part of the compositions. In this workshop you will learn to approach watercolour landscapes in the manner of Cezanne, where the focus is on breaking the landscape into a series of unique shapes and letting the space of the paper be an important component of the composition. This workshop will provide a great way to learn some art history while discovering new approaches to landscape painting. Suitable for all levels. See supply list SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 1:30 - 4:30PM ONLINE

Join Thomas Guerrero for this Saturday afternoon photo walk. Thomas is the writer of Sidewalking Victoria, an informative photography blog written from a pedestrian's perspective. In this afternoon workshop, Thomas will highlight specific areas of the downtown area and focus on specific photographic themes at each stop. Examples are photographing the intersection of lines, both real and shadows, at the foot of the Johnson St Bridge; taking advantage of taking photos at different levels in Bastion Square, and capturing the reflections in windows along Fisgard St in Chinatown. You will learn ways to create a thematic approach to photography as well as discover some fascinating locations in the downtown area. Meet at the school. Suitable for all levels. See supply list SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 1:30 - 4:30PM IN-PERSON

Artists have been intrigued by skies and clouds for centuries and in this workshop, we will carry on the tradition of using the sky as a subject for painting. The work of several artists including J.M.W. Turner and John Constable will be examined as a source of inspiration. You will learn to create the appearance of various cloud types -cumulus, cirrus, and stratus using wet-on-wet and wet-on-dry watercolour techniques. You will create a series of watercolours that focus on creating moody skyscapes. Suitable for all levels. All supplies included SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 1:30 - 4:30PM IN-PERSON

This workshop will focus on expressive abstraction where you will use organic shapes and dynamic mark-making to build up a composition. You will experiment with abstracting images from photographs, as well from your own imagination and memory. Through a series of drawing and watercolour exercises, you will explore line, colour, and markmaking, while learning how to combine them in new ways to create strong compositions. Workshop will include a short presentation on 20th century and contemporary artists who use expressive abstraction as a way of picture-making. This workshop will provide a great way to develop ideas for future paintings. Suitable for all levels. All supplies included SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1:30 - 4:30PM IN-PERSON