By Harriet Goodwin
Get creative at these art workshops happening across the region!
Are you telling yourself a story that you aren’t creative or perhaps that you used to be more creative when you were younger? If so, we have a challenge for you: Sign up for one of the many art workshops and courses offered across the Lower Mainland by artists, studios, community arts councils and municipalities! After all, everyone is creative, but sometimes it’s just a matter of making the time for it and stepping out of our comfort zone.
Here are some upcoming local workshops that will exercise your creativity:
Vancouver
Sunday Morning Life Drawing Club, Slice of Life Gallery
By Transit: From Broadway/Commercial Skytrain Station, take the #20 Downtown bus to Venables St.
This multi-use space is becoming a real community hub. The Studio / Gallery / Gift Shop / Club / Coworking space is a fantastic place for meeting new people and getting creative. They have lino printing, pottery and felting workshops coming up, and every Sunday they host a casual life drawing class with a live model in attendance so you can ‘build new skills, practice, learn from others, and draw from life!’
Sundays, 10am-1pm
Whistler
Paint by Numbers, Art Pop Gallery
By Transit: There are several shuttles you can take to Whistler from Vancouver. For instance, there is one that leaves from the River Rock Casino in Richmond, which you can get to by taking the Canada Line train to Bridgeport Station.
Have you tried Paint by Numbers? It is such a relaxing activity on par with the mindfulness you might feel while completing a jigsaw puzzle. It’s a great idea for beginners who want the reassurance of some structure while getting used to painting.
Over the last decade, Andrea Mueller has been teaching courses to thousands of people, teaching them how to paint, print, sew, sculpt, draw and design. She is passionate about sharing her knowledge and seeing the positive emotional change in her students as they begin to think creatively to solve problems that life can sometimes throw our way. As well as hosting public workshops, she is open for enquiries for group bookings of up to 20 people for activities like Paint by Numbers and Paint Nights. Plus, you can peek at the pieces she is working on as the gallery doubles as her studio! What a great après ski idea…
Reach out to book your times!
Langley
Realistic Drawing and Painting, Langley Arts Studio
By Transit: From Surrey Central Station, take the #503 Fraser Hwy Exp/Aldergrove bus to 29th Ave and 268A St.
This is a continuous art class and open studio for artistic development where the possibilities are endless. Every student in the class is working at their own pace and their own skill level. The classes and artistic endeavours are different every day. Whether you’re a novice or an advanced artist, Alex Greghi meets you where you are and presents concepts that help you further develop your practice through proven techniques. Join this relaxing class where you can enjoy music and good company.
Life Model Drawing and Acrylic & Watercolour Painting courses are available from Langley Arts Studio.
Every Saturday in May and June, 10am – 1pm
Surrey
Various visual arts classes, Cloverdale Recreation Centre
By Transit: From King George Station, take the #395 Langley Centre bus to 64th Ave and 176 St.
The City of Surrey offers some great arts programming from book making, to woodwork, to pottery and more. They have a handy online search tool to filter events by age group, activity type and location. The oil painting class caught our eye, where you can learn wet-on-wet techniques, colour mixing and how to use “warm” and “cool” colours to enhance your paintings.
Every Friday until June 9, 12:30pm – 2:30pm
Vancouver’s North Shore
Cityscape Date Nights, North Van Arts
By Transit: From the North Vancouver Seabus terminal, it’s only a 10-minute walk up Lonsdale Ave!
On the first Thursday of each month, CityScape has been hosting date nights! Nights can be shared between two friends, two family members, two partners, siblings, etc., but it’s also ok to just bring yourself! Explore acrylics, watercolours, upcycling, pride posters, and drag portrait drawings while having a drink on Cityscape. This gallery is just a few blocks up from the Lonsdale Quay after a 12-minute seabus ride from Vancouver’s Waterfront Station.
For more art workshops across the North Shore, head to the Festivals & Events Category of the North Shore Culture Compass and filter by ‘Arts and Crafts’ or ‘Workshop’!
The first Thursday of each month, 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Burnaby
Visual Arts Open Studio, Shadbolt Centre For The Arts
By Transit: From Metrotown Station, take the #144 SFU bus to Rowan Ave, it’s a 5-minute walk from there!
If you are struggling to turn all your creative ideas into reality, this might be the thing for you! Give yourself the structure, time and space to make progress at the Open Studio with other practicing artists. There is no formal instruction – just the use of one of the great studios at this arts centre, right next to Deer Lake Park.
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:30am – 2:30pm
So go forth and get creative, enjoy the process, meet new people, and if you’re apprehensive, find comfort in the fact that all art is subjective.
If you can’t make the dates, make sure to subscribe to each of the organization’s newsletters or follow them on social media to keep up to date with their offerings as they’re announced!
To further plan the route for your next artistic outing, you can use the TransLink Trip Planner.