In this immersive two-day drawing course, participants delve into the captivating realm of abstract expressionism. Through a series of engaging drawing exercises, participants embrace spontaneity, gestural expression, and experimentation with various tools and materials, refining their skills in line, shape, colour, and texture. Students will utilize large sheets of newsprint as well as rolls of paper to explore large-scale drawings, alongside a variety of mediums such as pen, pastels and ink. Throughout the workshop, discussions will encompass a wide array of artists, including Janine Antoni and Brice Marden. Suitable for all levels. SATURDAY & SUNDAY, AUG 10 & 11, 1:30 - 4:30PM IN-PERSON

This course focuses on using the fluid medium of ink to explore pen and brush drawing as well as more experimental approaches of layered washes, using collage and combining mixed media such as pastel and watercolour paint with the ink drawings. Projects include layered mixed media drawings, making an artist book and creating 'a series' of related work. Suitable for all levels. THURSDAYS, JUN 27 - AUG 1, 2PM - 5PM (No class Jul 18, last class Aug 8) ONLINE

This course will encourage students to bring together craft techniques and contemporary art. They will learn basic skills in rug hooking, appliqué and fabric printing using stencils and cyanotype. Projects will be organized around the themes of mementos and monuments with spaciousness for individual interests. Contemporary textile artists, as well as other artists working with mementos and monuments, will be introduced weekly for inspiration and to learn from. Previous experience with the craft skills and art mediums are not necessary; students will be supported and challenged at their skill level. Suitable for all levels. TUESDAYS, JUN 25 - JUL 30, 10AM - 1PM IN-PERSON

This beginner linocut print workshop will cover basic skills of planning, designing, and carving a linocut print for a single colour. Students will learn what kind of designs and drawings work best with this process and develop their own personal image-making approach through guidance from instructor. Students can use their own source material or find ideas through magazines and other material available at the school. On the second day, more advanced multi-colour linocut printing will be covered, including reduction printing, where you slowly carve different layers, as well as jigsaw printing, where you cut out your block into different pieces and reassemble the pieces like a jigsaw. Projects will be done on paper and fabric. Students are welcome to bring their own clothing or fabric items they would like to use for printing in addition to printing on paper. Suitable for all levels. SATURDAY & SUNDAY, JUN 15 & 16, 10AM - 4:30PM IN-PERSON

This course will introduce you to the fundamentals of European pen calligraphy. Students will learn to identify and assemble the correct pens and nibs, how to form Roman capitals (the basis of modern day lettering), and how to write in beautiful italic. Students will have the opportunity to plan and work on a final project, incorporating elements such as illustration, gold lettering, and your own beloved text! Suitable for all levels. TUESDAYS, MAY 7 - JUN 11, 6PM - 9PM IN-PERSON

Learn to reveal the richness of coloured pencils as a contemporary drawing medium in this six-week online course. Through a guided series of drawing assignments, you will gain a deeper understanding of coloured pencils and how they can be implemented in your art practice. Selected readings, group discussions, and thematic exercises will all lead to the production of a self-directed final project. Contemporary artists to be studied include Annie Pootoogook, Graham Little, Winnie Truong, and Ingrid Calame. Suitable for all levels. WEDNESDAYS, MAY 8 - JUN 12, 10AM - 1PM ONLINE

In this course you will be introduced to a contemporary painter and their historical influences each week. We will review their specific approaches to subject matter as well as application of paint and process. Artwork shown will include representation and abstraction. There will be a weekly painting project based on this discussion. This is a great course for people who want to learn more about what is going on in painting in the major cities of the world such as New York, Los Angeles, London and Berlin, as well as those who want to push their painting practice in new directions. Participants can use oil, acrylic or watercolour. Artists discussed in this course will vary from previous courses of the same title, so feel free to take it again to learn about more artists! Suitable for all levels. FRIDAYS, MAY 10- JUN 14, 2PM - 5PM ONLINE

This course will focus on developing an idea into a series of related drawings. Students can choose from any preferred drawing material: pencil, ink, pastel or watercolour (or a combination). The first class will focus on coming up with an idea using found images and collage-making, and these will be used as source material for drawings throughout the course. Students will be introduced to a range of contemporary artists who use drawing as their main area of practice. Suitable for all levels. FRIDAYS, JUN 28- AUG 2, 10AM - 1PM IN-PERSON

Learn how to respond to the landscape as you explore the tone, composition and material qualities of drawing with charcoal. Through a combination of demonstrations and drawing exercises, you will begin to develop a language of mark-making that will help you make the most of this versatile drawing medium. You will experiment with and explore the different types of charcoal, papers and eraser. Using photographs as a source of imagery, we will capture a sense of place and learn to translate our photos into evocative charcoal drawings. Suitable for all levels. SATURDAY & SUNDAY, JUL 6 & 7, 10AM - 1PM IN-PERSON

This workshop will introduce you to the many beautiful qualities of soft pastels. You will learn to blend, layer and create a range of interesting lines and textures. You will plan and execute several still life arrangements using soft pastel on coloured paper. Participants will also be shown how to use coloured pencils with pastels. Instructor will provide flowers and fruit for still life arrangements. Suitable for all levels. SATURDAY & SUNDAY, MAY 18 & 19, 1:30 - 4:30PM IN-PERSON

Are you curious about how to use acrylic paints? Throughout this course you will learn the foundational processes of working with acrylic paint, such as how to mix paint, capturing light/shadow and texture, colour theory, working with medium and the application of paint to a surface. You will develop your artistic skills through various assignments and in-class exercises that include painting still life arrangements, landscapes, architecture and photographs. Suitable for all levels. FRIDAYS, JUN 28- AUG 2, 2PM - 5PM IN-PERSON

Learn how to capture flora and fauna in painting in this course. Students are welcome to use a variety of paint media of their choice including acrylic, oil or watercolour. We will look at contemporary and historical artists' work where the focus is on flora and fauna, and learn about the importance of nature in art and in our broader world today. We will work both inside in studios and outside at local parks creating field sketches and paintings. Sketching and visual journaling techniques will be explored and utilized throughout the course. Some painting experience recommended. TUESDAYS, JUN 25 - JUL 30, 2PM - 5PM IN-PERSON