6 minute read
Arts Education
North Van Arts offers Arts Education at various venues throughout the year for all ages and skill levels. We are committed to providing excellence in arts education to the public and individuals through workshops and classes for youth and adults, after school art and day and week-long art camps for children 6-11, as well as free art activities at community events. All art courses are developed and delivered by professional artist instructors.
Summer Camps 2019
Advertisement
Art on the Farm • YouTube Sensation • Adventures in Art • Sing, Play, Perform • Sew Fun • The Upcycling Band • The Art of Flying • Art x Yoga • Think Big Murals
I thought the level of learning was extremely high. What the kids achieved in a week was outstanding. My child is shy and doesn’t like camps. She felt welcome in this camp. She enjoyed the interaction with the instructors and was really enthusiastic about the song they were writing and performing. My daughter still sings the song around the house and is really proud of the video that was made. She is showing it to everyone!.
New this year for school age children: ProD Day Camps for kids 6-11 at Maplewood House, Art x Yoga (Fall) and Music & Movement (Winter) Curriculum-based gallery tours at CityScape Community ArtSpace
After School Art
Larson Elementary • Sherwood Park Elementary • Seymour Heights Elementary
Adult & Youth
Painting in Acrylics Watercolour, Intro and Intermediate Workshops in Red Cedar Basket Weaving, Stained Glass, large-scale paintings Creative Journaling for Self-Care
Participant Testimonials:
One of the best art workshops I’ve taken. The presenter/facilitator was an expert at her craft and a great communicator. The workshop was so well organized and our North Van Arts host was so welcoming and provided some “extra” treats. -Annie R This workshop was inspiring and uplifting, I would like to take more writing art courses. Great addition in the community. -Gurmeet K The course today left me with many tools that I know I will practice. I feel inspired, uplifted and encouraged by this workshop and am so grateful that this was accessible in North Vancouver. I hope for more courses like this in the future! -Sarah J The journaling workshop was exactly what I needed at this time in my life. I learned journal techniques that are realistic and fun to actually incorporate into my life. -SD
Art & Mycology
Isabelle Kirouac, multidisciplinary choreographer Willoughby Arevalo, mycologist, visual artist, educator Arts-based experiences allow participants to develop awareness and appreciation for the natural world through engagement of the senses and empowering of the self. This project creates a metaphor for culture and society and the important place that each individual occupies in society, just like fungi in the environment. Through collaborations with the artists, students at Mountainside Secondary explore the natural world, focusing on fungi, using various visual, literary, and performance art practices to build awareness of how all our lives are connected in society and the natural world.
Rhythm & Word Music Therapy
A creative self-expression programme for at-risk youth (13-18 yrs) Facilitated by Tatyana Dobrowolski, Registered Music Therapist, Educator
“Before I came to mountainside, where I joined the music therapy program, I was ruthlessly bullied for my gender identity and sexuality. I went to a high school where self expression was quashed, and led to many issues with my mental health, thus diminishing my creative side...For the past year, i’ve been in music therapy almost every day, and it’s changed my life. Having a creative outlet to express myself and my identity has been so freeing. When i walk into music therapy, all my troubles melt away and instead i can immerse myself in the music for an hour or so, which without fail always makes me feel better...Since i started the program, i’ve definitely noticed not only growth as a musician, but boosted self confidence and maturity in all areas, including school. Knowing I have a safe place to be myself has made it easier to come to school, thus improving my grades and my social life. The music therapy program is so much more than just learning instruments and vocals, Because now I have the confidence as a performer and as a person that seemed impossible a mere year ago.” -Mountainside Student, March 2020
When in-person programming was cancelled and we were all isolated, the focus of arts education for adults & youth shifted to self-care, positive inspiration, and skill-building.
To maintain accessibility, spring courses were offered with different payment options ranging from free to full cost. Classes were delivered live online via Zoom, and recorded for those who could not attend the live class.
Adults & Youth
Mindfulness through Art Journaling with Joyelle Brandt
This class guided participants in the creation of personal art journals, using supplies found at home, on hand. Appropriate for all ages, and encouraged for family groups, mixed media techniques were demonstrated to help quiet the mind and find a place of calm.
Secondary School Programming for Mountainside Secondary Students
When schools closed in March, Music Therapy moved online and expanded to include school staff. Group videos created by the staff were shared widely within the school and school district reinforcing the connections within the school community. Staff created 3 videos, covering ‘Landslide’ by Fleetwood Mac, ‘Fever’ and “Lost Together’ by Blue Rodeo. Art & Mycology continued online, offering classes in podcasting, storytelling, a virtual plant walk with T’uy’t’tanat Cease Wyss, (Indigenous plant diva) as well as sending participants outside on personal nature walks, with guided fungi observation assignments.
I used to feel overwhelmed by studying other people’s complex journaling pages and being frustrated that I could not figure out how to do them myself. I was losing hope that I would ever know. Now I’m beginning to make them and it’s a great vehicle for getting in touch with the self. Now more than ever, it is important to have a tool that accesses our inner wisdom… Doing this course of mindfulness gives me hope, joy & peace. Thank you! Joyelle Brandt’s Mindful Art Journalling class is so needed in our community right now. As a teacher, artist and partner, it is hard to get in personal learning and art practice time in ideal circumstances, let alone during a world pandemic. Joyelle led intentionally with a calm, solid presence and supported the flow both verbally and musically with grace. The class left me feeling positive, grounded and full of hopeful creativity for the upcoming week. Thanks for making this possible, accessible and inclusive for so many folks!
Intro to Acrylic Painting with Jeff Wilson
Acrylic paints are very popular amongst artists for their brilliant colours, ease of handling, and rapid drying. This course was for anyone to try acrylic paints for the first time, or brush up their fundamental skills.
School Age Children
Stories & Songs with Joyelle Brandt
For families with young children at home, Joyelle provided some creative distraction with stories and art activities in this weekly class.
