


Red Deer Polytechnic acknowledges that we learn and work on Treaty 7, Treaty 6 and Métis ancestral lands, the gathering place of many Indigenous Peoples. This is where we will strive to honour and transform our relationships with one another.
Unlock your creativity in Red Deer Polytechnic’s world-class art studios from July 7 to August 1, 2025. With well over 50 art workshops ranging from one day to two weeks, you will be sure to find ample opportunities to explore new techniques, express your unique vision and discover the artist within.
You can expect the same high-quality immersive experience in the varied art workshops from years past, such as bronze casting, glass beadmaking, jewelry design, metalsmithing, painting, pottery, writing and illustration, to name a few. This year, you will also find new offerings in blacksmithing, Indigenous beading, Indigenous ribbon skirt making, mural art and more.
So, whether you’re just starting or have years of experience, you can be sure our expert instructors will create a welcoming space that helps you sharpen your skills, build confidence and connect with fellow artists.
We hope you will accept our invitation to let your imagination run wild and unleash your full creative potential this summer!
New this year, Red Deer Polytechnic has identified featured instructors chosen based on their long-standing history, class success and student feedback from previous years.
Series 2025 featured artists are Milt Fischbein, Jean Pederson, Willie Wong, Patricia Doyle and Trent Leach (denoted throughout the guide by an asterisk).
Week 1 | July 7 – 11
Course Title Instructor Genre
Wheel Thrown Large Fermentation Vessels
Stained Glass Re-imagined
Bronze Casting
Metal, Rock & Glass
Inspired by Nature: Organic Forms in Steel
Introduction to Jewelry Casting: The Sandcasting Method
Watercolour: Old Cars and Trucks
Sculptures in Soapstone
Acrylic Landscape Painting
Chaos to Order: Experimental Watermedia
Design of Fabrics - Tie Dye & More
Picture Book Week – For Illustrators and For Writers Who Don’t Illustrate
Write Where You Are: A Writing Week
Relief Printmaking Exploration
Introduction to Blender 3D
Add Bling to your Lampwork Glass Bead
Tayler Shell Ceramics | Clay | Pottery
Joseph Cavalieri Glass | Bead Making
Robin Lambert Sculpture | Metal
Trent Leach* Sculpture | Fiber Arts
Jen Mallinson Sculpture | Metal
Teena Dickerson Jewelry | Metals
Willie Wong* Drawing | Watercolour
Monica To Sculpture | Fiber Arts
Gillian Coulton Painting | Mixed Media
Kathleen Conover Painting | Mixed Media
Susan Clark Sculpture | Fiber Arts
Carolyn Fisher Illustration | Writing
Miji Campbell Writing | Literature
Michelle Wiebe Print | Paper
Calligraphy | Writing
Avery Andrykew Digital Art
Brenda King Glass | Beadmaking
Week 2 | July 14 – 18
Course Title Instructor
Innovative Clay Artistry and Hand Building
Introduction to Blacksmithing
Metal, Rock & Glass
Glass Beadmaking 101
Loosening Up with Confidence
Painting the Figure with Mixed Media
Find your Form - Experiment Through Automatic Drawing
Mixed Media Visual Journals
Printed Zines
Designing a Studio for an Artist
Let’s Make a Mural
Jana Norris Ceramics | Clay | Pottery
Samuel Fedoruk Sculpture | Metal
Trent Leach* Sculpture | Fiber Arts
Patricia Doyle* Glass | Bead Making
Tatianna O’Donnell Painting | Mixed Media
Jean Pederson* Painting | Mixed Media
Jen Mallinson Sculpture | Fiber Arts
Michael Shain Painting | Mixed Media
Stacey Cann Print | Paper Calligraphy | Writing
Alireza Shahbazin Architecture | Art
Amber Solberg Painting | Project Planning
One-day Workshops!
Taste of Series offers one-day workshops that exposes attendees to a variety of art mediums. It’s perfect for those looking to try a new medium, explore a complete course without a week-long commitment or spark creativity. See page 16 for workshop details.
Taste of Series | July 19
Stacking Rings
Glass Beadmaking for Beginners
Fast and Fabulous Flowers
Boro-Inspired Textile Art Workshop
Ribbon Skirt Workshop for Beginners
Mosaic Woodworking
Brenda King Jewelry | Metals
Patricia Doyle* Glass | Bead Making
Valdis Gislason Drawing | Watercolor
Arlene Westen Sculpture | Fiber Arts
Veronica McRae
Ribbon Skirt
Rebecca Villeneuve Sculpture | Wood
Week 3 | July 21 – 25
Course Title Instructor
Layered Embossed Surface in Clay
Filigree Rings and Other Things
Creative Expressions in Steel
Stained Glass Effects with Resin and Laser Cutters
Flower Murrini in Soft Glass
Flowers in Watercolour
Indigenous Art
Beautiful Buildings
Introduction to Indigo Dyeing using Shibori Techniques
MOVE IT! Stop Motion Animation Workshop
Eco Weaving
Brenda Danbrook Ceramics | Clay | Pottery
Milt Fischbein* Jewelry | Metals
Jen Mallinson Sculpture | Metal
Angela Dale Digital Art | Resin | Laser Cutting
Carol-Ann Savage Glass | Bead Making
Willie Wong* Drawing | Watercolour
Jessica Hval Traditional Arts
Valdis Gislason Drawing | Watercolor
Arlene Westen Sculpture | Fiber Arts
Deborah Thompson Animation | Stop Motion
Lara Felsing Sculpture | Fiber Arts
Soft Pastel Oxana Babkina Painting | Mixed Media
Dive into Wet Felting - for Beginners
Open Studio: Developing your Personal Artistic Voice
Leah Cathleen Donald Sculpture | Fiber Arts
Jean Pederson* Painting | Mixed Media
Week 4 | July 28 – August 1
Course Title Instructor
Beginner Wheel Throwing
At Home Metal Smith - Beginner
Handmade Brooms-Traditional Tool and Beautiful Sculpture
Fibre Art Miscellanea
Plein Air Pastel
The Art of Natural Dyeing - Exploring Nature’s Palette
Shirley Randall Ceramics | Clay | Pottery
Brenda King Jewelry | Metals
Judy DugganMcCorrmack Sculpture | Fiber Arts
Arlene Westen Sculpture | Fiber Arts
David Shkolny Drawing | Watercolour
Wendy Cail
Natural Dyeing
JULY 7 – 11
Wheel Thrown Large Fermentation Vessels
Tayler Shell
Join our five-day workshop to craft your own stunning Amphora—a timeless, large pottery vessel. You’ll learn hands-on techniques using the pottery wheel, blending ancient traditions with modern methods to create a masterpiece.
Level: Intermediate
Cost: $695 | Course #5428
Stained Glass Re-imagined Joseph Cavalieri
This two-week workshop focuses on learning and practicing how to add detailed images to your stained glass works. In class, you will learn four processes, including airbrushing glass (using an atomizer and airbrush), pen and ink drawing, silk-screen printing using existing screens the instructor will bring and painting on glass.
No need to be an expert painter; we will be tracing images in the class. Expect to make many samples and a few finished stained-glass panels measuring about thirty-six cm square.
Level: Intermediate
Cost: $1195 | Course #5429
Robin Lambert
In this two-week, hands-on course, transform your sketches into bronze. Explore every step, from wax modeling to the bronze pour, and finish your piece to take home. No experience needed!
Level: All Levels
Cost: $1195 | Course #5430
Metal, Rock & Glass
Trent Leach*
Turn your wild ideas into metal sculptures! Learn welding techniques and how to incorporate other materials into your design. The only rule? Your creation must fit in your vehicle! This beginner-friendly class is open to all skill levels.
Level: No Experience Necessary
Cost: $795 | Course #5431
Inspired by Nature: Organic Forms in Steel
Jen Mallinson
Create a one-of-a-kind natureinspired sculpture in this handson workshop. Using plasma cutting and welding, you’ll transform steel into organic shapes like leaves, trees, seed pods, or seaweed. Perfect for all skill levels.
Level: All Levels
Cost: $795 | Course #5432
Introduction to Jewelry
Casting: The Sandcasting Method
Teena Dickerson
Unleash your creativity in jewelry casting! Learn to carve models, melt and cast metal, and add fine finishing touches to create stunning earrings, rings and pendants. Explore water and sand-casting techniques in this hands-on workshop—perfect for all experience levels.
Level: No Experience Necessary
Cost: $795 | Course #5433
Watercolour: Old Cars and Trucks
Willie Wong*
Learn to paint vintage cars and trucks with easy-tofollow handouts—perfect for watercolor enthusiasts. Create charming, gift-worthy art for the whole family. No drawing skills needed!
Level: Beginner
Cost: $695 | Course #5434
Sculptures in Soapstone
Monica To
Unlock the art of soapstone carving! Transform raw stone into polished sculptures as you explore techniques to reveal the hidden beauty within. Carve multiple pieces, build your skills, and create something truly unique.
Level: No Experience Necessary
Cost: $695 | Course #5435
Acrylic Landscape Painting
Gillian Coulton
Explore landscape painting with acrylics in this engaging series. Learn essential techniques and discover how to use your unique style to capture the landscapes that matter most to you.
Level: Beginner
Cost: $695 | Course #5436
Chaos to Order: Experimental Watermedia
Kathleen Conover
Create vibrant, dynamic art! Start with bold colors, textures and gestural marks to spark energy and creativity. Then, bring it all together with strong composition to craft a finished piece that’s uniquely yours.
Level: All Levels
Cost: $695 | Course #5437
Design of FabricsTie Dye & More
Susan Clark
Transform fabric with vibrant colors and patterns! Experiment with binding, stitching, resist techniques and dyeing. Bring a cotton t-shirt to refresh with color, then dive into silk and wool to create stunning, jeweltoned designs.
Level: Beginner
Cost: $695 | Course #5438
Picture Book Week – For Illustrators and For Writers Who Don’t Illustrate
Carolyn Fisher
Join artist-author Carolyn Fisher to learn the art of writing or illustrating children’s picture books. Whether you’re a writer or illustrator, you’ll create a draft of your own project and discover how professionals pitch their books to publishers.
Level: All Levels
Cost: $595 | Course #5439
Miji Campbell
Unlock your creativity in this five-day writing workshop! Enjoy uninterrupted time, a supportive space and inspiring prompts to spark your ideas. Dive into silent writing sessions, refine your craft with technique tips and share your stories—written and spoken.
Level: All Levels
Cost: $595 | Course #5440
Relief Printmaking Exploration
Michelle Wiebe
Explore the art of relief printmaking, working with linoleum, wood type, letterpress and more. Learn to incorporate inks, diverse printing surfaces, tools and mixed media techniques into your creative practice.
Level: All Levels
Cost: $695 | Course #5441
Avery Andrykew
Dive into the world of Blender 3D, the free, powerful software that brings your ideas to life. In this hands-on workshop, you’ll master the basics and explore intermediate tools to start creating stunning digital art by the end of the week!
Level: Beginner
Cost: $595 | Course #5442
Add Bling to your Lampwork Glass Bead
Brenda King
Take your lampwork glass beads to the next level with exciting techniques using copper, brass, silver and more for stunning, unique designs. With demos, guidance and plenty of practice, this intermediate workshop is the perfect way to refine your skills and have fun!
Level: Intermediate
Cost: $695 | Course #5485
WEEK 2 JULY 14 – 18
Jana Norris
Unleash your creativity! The instructor will guide you through the basics of hand-building, helping you bring your ideas to life in clay
Level: All Levels
Cost: $695 | Course #5443
Introduction to Blacksmithing
Samuel Fedoruk
Ignite your blacksmithing journey with this beginnerfriendly workshop, where you’ll craft tools and master essential skills like tapering, punching, scrollwork and decorative chiseling. Through hands-on projects, you’ll create items like tongs, a bottle opener and a candle holder while discovering the art of shaping metal.
Perfect for anyone ready to hammer out their creativity!
Level: Beginner
Cost: $795 | Course #5444
Trent Leach*
Turn your wild ideas into metal sculptures! Learn welding techniques and how to incorporate other materials into your design. The only rule? Your creation must fit in your vehicle! This beginner-friendly class is open to all skill levels.
Level: No Experience Necessary
Cost: $795 | Course #5445
Patricia Doyle*
Glass Beadmaking 101 is a fiveday class perfect for beginners and seasoned creators alike. Dive into the vibrant world of glass beadmaking and let your creativity shine!
Level: No Experience Necessary
Cost: $795 | Course #5446
Tatianna O’Donnell
This class helps you loosen up your painting style and find your unique creative path. With personalized guidance, you’ll awaken your full painting potential through engaging projects and exercises.
Level: Intermediate
Cost: $695 | Course #5447
Jean Pederson*
Explore figure painting with water-based paints and mixed media. Experiment with watercolor, gouache, acrylics, inks and collage while refining your unique style. Work with live models and create bold, expressive designs.
Level: Intermediate Cost: $695 | Course #5448
Jen Mallinson
Through intuitive drawing, we’ll explore mark-making to express the subconscious, evolving into spontaneous paintings. As 3D forms emerge, we’ll bring them to life using cardboard. It’s a fun and exciting creative journey!
Level: All Levels
Cost: $695 | Course #5449
Media Visual Journals
Michael Shain
In this hands-on workshop, we’ll explore sketchbook techniques to help you start and maintain a visual art practice, even with limited space. Discover different types of visual journals, mixed media, transfers, composition and more.
Level: No Experience Necessary
Cost: $695 | Course #5450
Printed Zines
Stacey Cann
In this workshop, you’ll learn printmaking techniques that can be done at home without a press. You’ll use these methods to create a series of zines or small books.
Level: All Levels
Cost: $595 | Course #5451
Designing a Studio for an Artist
Alireza Shahbazin
This workshop blends art and architecture, guiding you to design your own artist’s studio—a space for creativity. Through hands-on exercises, you’ll explore inspiration and space, developing your unique style for a final exhibition.
Level: All Levels
Cost: $595 | Course #5452
Let’s Make a Mural
Amber Solberg
Don’t let your art hit a wall— paint it! This class teaches mural-making basics, including practical skills for creating, collaborating and proposing murals. Together, you’ll work on a collaborative public mural project.
Level: Intermediate
Cost: $695 | Course #5486
Stacking Rings
Brenda King
Craft your own unique stacking rings in this fun, hands-on workshop! Learn the basics of metalsmithing—soldering, sawing, filing and texturing— using simple tools. Design a custom ring set that’s as bold or subtle as you are, and best of all, wear your creations home the same day!
Level: Beginner
Cost: $249 | Course #5487
Glass Beadmaking for Beginners
Patricia Doyle*
Spend a fun-filled day learning to make your own glass beads! With hands-on guidance and practice time, you’ll design and create a variety of beads. Perfect for beginners and experienced bead makers alike, this class is sure to inspire and surprise you.
Level: All Levels
Cost: $249 | Course #5453
Fast and Fabulous Flowers
Valdis Gislason
Great paintings don’t have to be hard work. Learn to blend watercolors with pen and ink to create beautiful floral art, from simple designs to stunning masterpieces.
Level: All Levels
Cost: $195 | Course #5454
Boro-Inspired Textile Art Workshop
Arlene Westen
Explore the art of Boro stitching by repurposing worn fabrics with simple techniques to create a unique textile piece. Embrace wabi-sabi, finding beauty in imperfections and the stories of resilience stitched into every layer.
Level: No Experience Necessary
Cost: $195 | Course #5455
Ribbon Skirt Workshop for Beginners
Veronica McRae
Curious about sewing? Join us for a hands-on workshop where you’ll create your own ribbon skirt while celebrating Indigenous culture. With all materials provided and a sharing circle to connect and reflect, you’ll leave inspired and ready to continue your creative journey!
Level: No Experience Necessary
Cost: $249 | Course #5456
Rebecca Villeneuve
Join our woodworking workshop and create a oneof-a-kind mosaic using cut wood fragments. Explore color, texture and pattern to design a beautiful piece of art. No experience needed—just bring your creativity!
Level: All Levels
Cost: $249 | Course #5457
WEEK 3
JULY 21 – 25
Layered Embossed Surface in Clay
Brenda Danbrook
Explore texture, pattern and design as you create hand-crafted embossed clay forms. You’ll make a series of embossing plates, learn key design principles and add depth to your unique hand-built pieces.
Level: No Experience Necessary Cost: $695 | Course #5463
Filigree Rings and Other Things
Milt Fischbein*
Learn the art of filigree jewelry by crafting beautiful, lacelike rings from fine silver wire. This workshop is open to all skill levels—no prior jewelry experience needed.
Level: No Experience Necessary Cost: $795 | Course #5464
Creative Expressions in Steel
Jen Mallinson
In this two-week course, learn to create abstract, flowing shapes in steel. From sketching to plasma cutting, rolling and welding, you’ll transform steel into a unique, dynamic sculpture. Perfect for all skill levels.
Level: All Levels
Cost: $1,195 | Course #5465
Stained Glass Effects with Resin and Laser Cutters
Angela Dale
In this workshop, you’ll use Adobe Illustrator, laser cutters and resin to design and create stunning circular stained-glass motifs.
Level: Beginner
Cost: $795 | Course #5466
Flower Murrini in Soft Glass
Carol-Ann Savage
This workshop teaches you how to create 3D flower designs using soft glass. You’ll explore color and design to craft small glass pieces, beads or marbles with beautiful floral patterns.
Level: Intermediate Cost: $795 | Course #5467
Flowers in Watercolour
Willie Wong*
Learn to paint beautiful flowers in watercolor with easy-to-follow handouts—no drawing skills needed. Create frame-worthy art perfect for anyone!
Level: All Levels
Cost: $695 | Course #5468
Indigenous Art
Jessica Hval
Discover the world of traditional Indigenous art in this hands-on course! Learn earing making, rattle crafting, moccasin and mitt sewing, beading, lanyard making, caribou tufting and beaded looming. Perfect for beginners or those with some experience, this course will connect you to rich cultural traditions while sparking your creativity!
Level: All Levels
Cost: $595 | Course #5469
Beautiful Buildings
Valdis Gislason
Learn to capture the beauty of everyday buildings and streetscapes using pencil, ink and watercolors. This projectbased course will help both beginners and intermediate artists focus on the key details that bring these scenes to life.
Level: Intermediate
Cost: $695 | Course #5470
Introduction to Indigo Dyeing using Shibori Techniques
Arlene Westen
Explore the art of indigo dyeing and Shibori, a Japanese tiedye technique. Learn to create beautiful patterns and textures through binding, stitching and clamping. Gain confidence dyeing in an Indigo vat and transform plain fabric into stunning, one-of-a-kind textiles.
Level: No Experience Necessary Cost: $695 | Course #5471
MOVE IT! Stop Motion Animation Workshop
Deborah Thompson
Get creative with MOVE IT! This five-day stop-motion animation workshop will teach you the basics of 2D animation, from creating stories and characters to finishing a short video. The workshop wraps up with a minifilm festival to showcase your work!
Level: Intermediate Cost: $595 | Course #5472
Eco Weaving
Lara Felsing
Learn the art of weaving baskets and rugs using scrap fabric, yarn remnants, pine needles, grass and other natural materials.
Level: No Experience Necessary
Cost: $595 | Course #5473
Soft Pastel
Oxana Babkina
Discover the beauty of soft pastels in this engaging course. You’ll learn about the medium’s history and different brands, watch live demonstrations and create your own still life and animal portrait through guided projects.
Level: Intermediate
Cost: $695 | Course #5474
into Wet Feltingfor
Leah Cathleen Donald
Unlock the secrets of making felt from wool in this fun, hands-on class! Explore new techniques and experiment with wool to create a collection of 2D and 3D pieces that showcase its natural beauty. Bring a friend and join the creative adventure!
Level: Beginner
Cost: $695 | Course #5475
Open Studio: Developing your Personal Artistic Voice
Jean Pederson*
Take your painting to the next level in this immersive course designed to help you refine your artistic style. Through one-on-one guidance, lively class discussions and instructor demos, you’ll explore your unique vision while building confidence in your skills. Dive into a week of creative growth, practice and discovery, all tailored to your artistic journey.
Level: Intermediate
Cost: $695 | Course #5488
WEEK 4 JULY 28 –AUGUST 1
Beginner Wheel Throwing
Shirley Randall
In this beginner wheel throwing class, you’ll receive step-by-step guidance on creating pottery on the wheel, focusing on shape and function. If you already have experience, we’ll help you expand your skills and explore different decorating techniques.
Level: Beginner
Cost: $695 | Course #5476
At Home Metal SmithBeginner
Brenda King
Learn to make silver jewelry at home in this beginner class. Using sterling silver sheet and wire, you’ll create beautiful, wearable pieces of art.
Level: No Experience Necessary
Cost: $795 | Course #5477
Handmade BroomsTraditional Tool and Beautiful Sculpture
Judy Duggan-McCorrmack
Discover the art of broom making, blending tradition with creativity. Learn to craft whisks, pot scrubbers, cobweb brooms, hearth brooms, besoms and full-sized sweepers from start to finish.
Level: No Experience Necessary Cost: $795 | Course #5479
Fibre Art Miscellanea
Arlene Westen
Textile Miscellanea invites artists to explore global traditions like kantha stitching, momigami, fabric printing and fiber art collage. Learn to layer texture, pattern and stitch to create unique, tactile pieces that tell a story.
Level: Intermediate
Cost: $695 | Course #5480
Plein Air Pastel
David Shkolny
Step into the world of outdoor painting with this plein air pastel class! Build your confidence as you explore composition, colour and texture, creating vibrant pieces inspired by nature.
Level: All Levels
Cost: $695 | Course #5481
The Art of Natural DyeingExploring Nature’s Palette
Wendy Cail
Dive into the world of natural dyeing and botanical prints using plant matter from ‘our backyard.’ Learn different techniques, terminology, best practices and much more, as you create your own beautiful, nature-inspired pieces.
Level: All Levels
Cost: $495 | Course #5484
Series Summer Art Workshops welcome artists of all skill levels, from beginners to seasoned professionals, held in RDP’s world-class art studios.
View studios here:
Red Deer Polytechnic is conveniently located on the Queen Elizabeth II Highway, between Edmonton and Calgary. The nearest airport is the Calgary International Airport (YYC). Visit our website at rdpolytech.ca/series for campus maps including classroom, residence and parking locations.
Week-long workshops run Monday through Friday, 9 am to 4 pm and the Taste of Series one-day workshops take place on Saturday, July 19, from 9 am to 4 pm.
Most workshops require you to bring some of your own supplies. View the supply list for your workshop online when you register to ensure you are ready for this summer!
Welcome BBQ, artist presentations and a gallery reception featuring a student showcase will enhance your experience at Series! Schedules for additional social activities will be posted online closer to workshop start dates.
Workshop attendees can stay right on campus! Visit rdpolytech.ca/residence and click the “Guest Bookings” tab to see guest accommodation options. To book accommodations email our team at stay@rdpolytech.ca to secure your stay. Questions? Call the Residence Team at 403.342.3257.
There are many restaurants and grocery stores located near Red Deer Polytechnic. Many food delivery services will deliver right to your door in Red Deer Polytechnic Residence.
There are two parking options for workshop attendees. Option 1: $10 per day in Public Parking (East Lot #5 or West Lot #22).
Option 2: $42.50 per month in Credit Student (Lot #1, 2, 3, 19, 20 or 26).
For parking information, including payment details and maps, visit rdpolytech.ca/ parking.
Series workshops are required to meet a minimum number of participants to run. In the case of a workshop cancellation, Red Deer Polytechnic will notify participants two weeks before the workshop start date, offering another workshop that may be of interest or a full refund.
Withdrawal requests received at least two weeks prior to the start date of a scheduled workshop are eligible for a full refund (less a $50 administration fee).
If Red Deer Polytechnic cancels a workshop or you request to withdraw for medical reasons, you will receive a full refund of your registration fee.
Withdrawal requests received less than two weeks prior to the start date of a scheduled workshop are not eligible for a refund.
If you have questions about your class, instructor, Series Summer Arts Workshops or Red Deer Polytechnic, reach out to us!
Phone: 403.356.4900
Toll Free: 1.888.732.4630
Email: continuing.education@ rdpolytech.ca
Website:
For the most the most upto-date information, visit rdpolytech.ca/series.