DISCLAIMER – the events and links herein are not maintained by the Nelson and District Arts Council, and we do not guarantee accuracy of the information they contain.
Idea-land: Making Friends with the Muse with Kelly Shpeley
5 classes: Feb. 4, 11, 18 & April 1, 8 Mondays 6pm – 9pm
Course description:
A course in idea-making. What to do when you have creative stagnation, and need to break up old patterns of thinking to come up with fresh ideas.
Course Fee: $170 Material Fee: $30
TOTAL FEE: $200
Pencil to Paper with Deborah Thompson (CLASS FULL register to be on wait list)
6 classes: Feb. 5 – March 12 Tuesdays 5.30pm – 8.30pm
Course Description:
Loved for its immediacy and depth of expression, drawing is the foundation of visual thinking and artistic development. This 6-week course focuses on drawing as a traditional and contemporary practice. Drawing exercises that build on the fundamentals of drawing such as form, value, shape and space will be part of each class. We will explore drawing from a variety of sources, including some life model time. The use of colour in drawing will be introduced. Participants will work from still life, photographs, and their imaginations to create more complex self-directed drawings. Ongoing feedback and group discussions will be part of each class. Students with any level of drawing experience are welcome to join the class.
Course Fee: $220 Material Fee: $30 + material list
TOTAL FEE: $250
Clown Play, Practice and Performance with Marya Folinsbee
6 Classes: Feb. 6 – Mar. 13 Wednesdays 6pm – 8.30pm
Course Description:
The clown is a universal archetypal character, channeling trickster taboos and the provocative divine! In this class we will tap into our clown personas in order to develop “turns”, or short clown performances. Activities include improvisational theatre and movement, costume and make-up creation, story-telling/story-building, and wild self-exploration. No previous experience necessary, but those with experience very welcome too! This work supports performers, artists, parents, and anyone plagued by seriousness.
Course Fee: $185 Material Fee: $15
TOTAL FEE: $200
Singing Beyond the Blues with Bessie Wapp
6 Classes: Feb. 7 – Mar. 14 Thursdays 7 pm – 9 pm
Course Description:
The follow-up to Bessie’s popular Singing The Blues, this course is for returning students wanting to build their skills and, of course, sing with a live band of top Nelson musicians. Includes 6 group classes plus one private lesson.
Course Fee: $225 Material Fee: $5
TOTAL FEE: $230
Low-Tech Printmaking Part II with Natasha Smith
4 Classes: Feb. 8 – March 1 Fridays 1 pm – 4 pm
Course Description:
This course is designed for students that have basic printmaking experience. Students will be encouraged to create larger, more complex printmaking plates and explore a variety of printing techniques, including jigsaw and multi-plate printing.
Course Fee: $155 Material Fee: $25 + material list
TOTAL FEE: $180
Luanne Armstrong and Ellen Burt will be reading at Oxygen Art Centre on Saturday February 23, 2019 at 7pm
Oxygen Art Centre, #3 320 Vernon Street (Alley Entrance)
Saturday February 23rd at 7:00pm
Suggested donation $5
Join Kootenay writers Luanne Armstrong and Ellen Burt at Oxygen Art Centre to celebrate the launch of two books, A Bright and Steady Flame: The Story of an Enduring Friendship, by Luanne Armstrong, and What Forever Feels Like: A Memoir of Johnson’s Landing by Ellen Burt.
Ellen Burt has lived most of her life in the remote communities of Argenta and Johnsons Landing, at the North end of Kootenay Lake. She has written one previous book, When the Path is Not a Straight Line (Maa Press 2013). She currently lives in Nelson, B.C.where she writes memoir, poems, and performs spoken word. Acclaimed Kootenay poet Fred Wah writes about Ellen’s new book: “This back-to-the-land coming of age narrative…is a captivating account of the idealistic but earthbound aspirations of a smallholder; the farming, the firewood, the frozen pipes, and, above all, the community…a sweet story.”
Luanne Armstrong has written twenty-one books. She writes young adult books, fiction, nonfiction and poetry. She has contributed to many anthologies and edited a Canadian non-fiction anthology called Slice Me Some Truth. Luanne presently lives on her hundred-year-old family farm on Kootenay Lake. She mentors many emerging writers all over the world and in the last three years, has edited eight books through to publication. Her new book, A Bright and Steady Flame: The Story of an Enduring Friendship, was published by Caitlin Press in October, 2018. She is deeply interested in researching the history of Kootenay Lake people and places.
Both of these memoirs offer deep insights into the nature of small communities and the history and development of such communities on Kootenay Lake. Ellen’s book offers colorful and nostalgic stories about Johnson’s Landing. Luanne’s book weaves together many stories set in the Kootenays over the seventies and eighties; while the core of her book is about the strength and endurance of women’s friendships.
Luanne taught writing classes for many years at Oxygen Art Centre, and over the years, mentored many writers from all over the Kootenays. Ellen is a very committed member of Spoken Word in Nelson. Both writers will be in attendance and look forward to seeing you there.
Beginner Instrumental Ukulele with Catherine McGrath (CLASS FULL register to be on the wait list)
5 Classes: Feb. 10 – March 17 (no class on Feb 17) Sundays 6.30 pm – 8.30 pm
Course Description:
The course is an introduction to playing melodies (as opposed to just chords) on the ukulele. We will look at a couple of easy major scales and some very simple melodies with backing chords. Students should already be proficient playing a fair number of chords (at least 8) in steady rhythm.
Course Fee: $130 Material Fee: $10
TOTAL FEE: $140
Pencil to Paper with Deborah Thompson (CLASS FULL register to be on wait list)
6 classes: Feb. 5 – March 12 Tuesdays 5.30pm – 8.30pm
Course Description:
Loved for its immediacy and depth of expression, drawing is the foundation of visual thinking and artistic development. This 6-week course focuses on drawing as a traditional and contemporary practice. Drawing exercises that build on the fundamentals of drawing such as form, value, shape and space will be part of each class. We will explore drawing from a variety of sources, including some life model time. The use of colour in drawing will be introduced. Participants will work from still life, photographs, and their imaginations to create more complex self-directed drawings. Ongoing feedback and group discussions will be part of each class. Students with any level of drawing experience are welcome to join the class.
Course Fee: $220 Material Fee: $30 + material list
TOTAL FEE: $250
Writing Memoir 1 with Rayya Liebich (CLASS FULL)
3 Classes: Feb. 25, March 4, 11 Mondays 6 pm – 8 pm
Course Description:
“People are hungry for reality. The conversation about
truth has actually been hijacked by liars.” Mary Karr
Memoir is making a comeback and in this class we will explore why this genre is necessary in our times and how we can craft our own stories to make the most impact. Classes include guided writing prompts, inspiration and techniques by famous memoirists, and the time and space to dig up the truths that want to be written. Bring your courage and pen. All skill levels and life experience welcome.
Course Fee: $90 Material Fee: $5
TOTAL FEE: $95
Clown Play, Practice and Performance with Marya Folinsbee
6 Classes: Feb. 6 – Mar. 13 Wednesdays 6pm – 8.30pm
Course Description:
The clown is a universal archetypal character, channeling trickster taboos and the provocative divine! In this class we will tap into our clown personas in order to develop “turns”, or short clown performances. Activities include improvisational theatre and movement, costume and make-up creation, story-telling/story-building, and wild self-exploration. No previous experience necessary, but those with experience very welcome too! This work supports performers, artists, parents, and anyone plagued by seriousness.
Course Fee: $185 Material Fee: $15
TOTAL FEE: $200