This class is designed for beginning painters or for those who wish to learn and explore a new medium for the first-time. The foundations of painting will be taught each morning. We will examine colour mixing and paint applications as well as many subjects, but ample time will be given to painterly exploration of the landscape of Emma Lake in the afternoons with discussions occurring most evenings. The student has a choice of learning about one or a combination of watercolour, oil or acrylic. Exercises and projects will be designed to fit the exploration of the individual participant.

Come explore the fascinating world of paper clay.  Whether you are new to clay and want to gain basic pottery skills or would like to enhance your artistic development, paper clay is a versatile, fun and forgiving material to work with.  Paper clay is amazing.  A mixture of clay, paper pulp and water, it is extremely strong and versatile.  Wet clay can be added to dry making the building process easy.

We will explore the possibilities of paper clay by using slabs, coils and one-piece molds.  A variety of projects including "folded pots," masks, plant pots and candle scones will be made.  Texture from natural and found materials can be used to enhance the surface.

This workshop has been designed for artists who enjoy immersing themselves in on-site landscape paint- ing. Still life options will also be available for evening painting in the studio. Participants may work in oils or acrylics. Daily discussions will focus on colour theory, elements of design and composition, and painting techniques unique to oil and acrylic paints. Emphasis on self-expression and the particular challenges presented by the landscape at Emma Lake. This course does not engage in a formal delivery, rather, the instructor assists and encourages individuals to grow and experiment within their medium. Further to daily work, two evenings are set aside for group/ instructor critiques and discussions.

THE ESSENTIALS

The first part of the class (about one to two hours) will cover essential information relating to equipment, ergonomics, safety, types and composition of glass, glass compatibility, co-effecient of expansion of glass, annealing or curing the glass and familiarization with the tools and required accessories. We will also learn about the importance of controlling the heat and flow of glass in its molten state.

The remainder of the class is hands on work. Each skill will be demonstrated and time is given to practice each skill before moving onto the next stage as each stage builds on the previous.

Students will develop their artistic skills by drawing the breathtaking scenery of the boreal forest. Each day, your goal is to complete one painting or drawing following plein air techniques. We will venture out as a group and immerse ourselves within the forest, taking along a sketchbook, an easel—basically anything that will help you develop your artistic style. Come and create beautiful, creative and confident drawings that will help develop your self-expression and self-exploration. This is a perfect class to expand your self-assurance and self-confidence. Together, let’s become confident young artists!

This course will help you manage your web presence, by yourself, for less than the price of one “geek” subcontract. During the workshop you will establish your own personalized web address and set up all the technical back-end details to make it work. You will populate your new site with your content and learn how to easily manage it as it changes over time. You will learn how to leverage social media to your advantage for business and publicity. You will learn how to keep your work safe, secure, and flexible so that you can roll with technology changes into the future. You will emerge with a web identity and the self-sufficiency to grow it.

This course will focus on digital photography. You will get to know more advanced techniques of using your digital camera. Traditional methods of composition, colour and light will still be a creative part of this course. Basic knowledge of your camera and your computer are a necessity for this program.

The natural beauty of Emma Lake will provide the backdrop for landscape and portrait photography. Ear- ly morning and late evening trips will be a component of the course. The program will cover downloading and cataloguing images to your computer. Learning to work with Adobe Photoshop will be the primary focus in this course. Techniques such as photo manipulation, retouching, sharpening, filtering, colour control, batch processing, photo books and advanced composition techniques will be key components of classroom instruction. Outputting for the web and getting files ready for printing images will be an important part of the course. Classroom instruction and critiques will be offered on a daily basis.

This course will offer an opportunity to produce out-standing nature and portrait photography using your digital camera. It is recommend that students register early to get equipment lists to ensure they procure necessary supplies and/or Photoshop programs if needed.

Embarking on your personal adventure of creating original art quilts can be a time of questions, uncertainty and even self-doubt. Let textile artist Anna Hergert guide you on your journey while listening to your intuition. Find the confidence and acquire the skills to make independent decisions that will produce art quilts strong in color and design.

Hand-dyeing fabrics and adding dimension to quilts are personal passions of the instructor. If you ever wondered how this is achieved successfully you cannot allow yourself to miss this workshop.

Working in the landscape out-of-doors, offers participants the opportunity of expressing the immediate presence of nature in art. Drawing outside makes a direct connection with a motif that cannot be achieved by any other means.  One day in the outdoors will enhance your drawings far more than months in the studio.

In this workshop, Ward will guide the participants through the challenges and immediacy of drawing outside.  We will work on the importance of selective visualization, the defining of forms, the personality of line and tone and the discretion of detail to achieve strong and lively drawings. The group will travel to several beautiful locations including the legendary and enchanting Fairy Island that will allow you to explore and experience the intimacy of the landscape you will be drawing.

Learn the basic skills needed to use traditional hand tools suitable for making jewellery in a small workshop or studio environment. Participants will design and fabricate a number of jewellery projects over the course of the workshop.

Half-Day Camp Only!

You are invited to create your personal interpretation of the boreal forest. Whether you like aliens, unicorns, or monsters, it is entirely up to you to construct a magical and mythological drawing of the forest that surrounds you. This class is a way to develop your child’s self-expression and for them to create an image of the world. We will be using acrylics, chalks, inks, and pastels. In this course students will be taught different and un-common techniques on how to create a draw- ing. Let’s be creative together and use our minds like we have never imagined before. Making our drawings come to life!

Mornings 8:00 - 12:00

Adult-geared instruction (not strictly for ages 6 to 10 as stated in brochure)

This course is all about learning to play popular “campfire” songs that are easy to play with others. Students will learn basic chords along with various strumming and finger picking patterns, playing everything from Hank to Hendrix. Campfire 101 offers the opportunity to explore more complex chords and songs with an emphasis on learning to read chord charts. This will enable students to learn songs faster and have the skills to accompany singers successfully. Other topics include basic music theory and lead guitar playing. Focus will be placed on “jamming essentials” and how to play with other musicians in a fun and musically supportive way.

There will be daily jam sessions with a performance to wrap up the week.

Afternoons 1:00-4:30.  Half-Day Camp Only! 

Using the natural surroundings for inspiration as well as other subject matter, we will explore the process of how to develop abstraction in painting while strengthening composition and design.

This class will help inform your work no matter what vein you work in now. It is an opportunity to appreciate the joy of using improvisation and expression in your art while honing your understanding of colour, texture and other elements of composition. Personal and group critiques will be an important component, as well as opportunities for work or discussion in the evening. Acrylic painters only.

The emphasis in this class will be on acquiring a knowledge of three-dimensional design working with metal. It is set up for anyone who has a desire to work with welded steel and there are no pre-requisites. The assumption is that there will be a range of skill development regarding welding technology. As the instructor, I will give one on one, and hands-on welding instruction to everyone based on his/her needs. Maximum class size will be 8 participants.

Each day will be structured into three sections:

Morning: Critique and review of what was done the day before (technically and aesthetically); group instruction on techniques; working on projects

Afternoon: Individual instruction (technically and aesthetically); working on projects

Evening: Discussions on sculptural concerns: the language and elements of sculpture; working on projects

Learn to play guitar like Django! This four-day course focuses on 1930’s Swing Music first made popular by Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli’s Hot Club of France. Whether played in a bistro, ballroom or backyard, the energy of gypsy jazz is sure to get both young and old moving!

Topics include learning gypsy jazz “standards”, with a focus on playing rhythm and lead guitar in the style specific to this genre. Students will learn material of varying styles within the gypsy jazz genre including swing, blues, mu- sette waltzes and latin. An emphasis will be placed on jazz harmony and the gypsy approach to playing the guitar.

There will be plenty of jam sessions throughout the week, with a performance on the last day of the course. Though this is a guitar-based course, other instruments are welcome to attend! Please contact Tim for further information and suitability.

Focus on writing songs in an inspiring and creative setting. Get mentored through the process and collaborate with other songwriters.

Group discussions cover topics such as structure and form, lyrics and how to set up a "hook," creative processes, production and recording, as well as industry-related Q & A talks. Afternoons will provide plenty of opportunities to write and/or co-write; or schedule one-on-one coaching sessions with the facilitators.