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Improve your artistic literacy with a variety of classes and workshops

Sherry Bezanson of the Ladysmith Arts Council provides her Community Art Showcase column.

With 2012 knocking down our door soon and bringing with it all its potentials, think about increasing your artistic literacy for a moment.

Perhaps it’s time to engage with the community or with your inner muse. We have plenty of variety, for young and less young, in that case. Go through the following classes and see what inspires you and then call Parks and Rec to sign up.

• Six-week Wonderful Watercolours Continuing with artist and instructor Josslyn Meyeres

The class is a continuation of the beginner to experienced class that Josslyn has been teaching. Learn about developing compositions, creating washes, creating depth in a landscape and keeping colours clean and bright. It costs $75 plus materials for the six weeks of magic. The class runs Saturdays from 1:30-3:30 p.m. Jan. 14 to Feb. 18.

• Six-week Multi-Media Drawing Class with Josslyn Meyeres

It’s winter, and you have always wanted to try an art class. So why not this one? Anyone can learn to draw; the emphasis in this class will be on having fun exploring different media and discovering one’s personal “mark-making” vocabulary. It costs $75 plus $15 for materials for the six weeks. This class runs Thursdays from 7-9 p.m. Jan. 12 to Feb. 16.

• Six weeks of Imagination Creation with Aisha Alsop for children aged six to 12

Hey kids, let your inner artist shine and your imagination flow. We will be your adventure guide into the world of imagination and creation. You will be inspired and amazed at your own drawings and creations and enticing 3-D art images.  Bring a friend for a morning of artjamming Saturdays Jan. 14 to Feb. 19 and March 3 to April 19 from 9:30-11:30 a.m. It costs $60 for six weeks.

• Tiny Tots Art with Aisha Alsop for parents and tots

Artistic play begins at an early age and helps prepare children for a lifetime of creative activity and exploration. This class features artistic games and activities that stimulate and satisfy the young budding artist. It costs $60 for six weeks and runs Wednesdays from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Jan. 11 to Feb. 15.

• Watercolour Spirit Mountains, a three-hour introductory workshop with Josslyn Meyeres

Have a fun and challenging time with landscapes of mountain, sea and sky. Learn how to create a sense of space with your colours. The workshop will be held Jan. 15 from 1:30-4:30 p.m., and it costs $35 plus $10 for materials.

• Watercolours and All Things Garden with Gail Ralphs

For adults only, this is an introduction to watercolours. Have you ever wanted to try your hand at creating brilliant and exciting paintings of flowers and other garden bounties but had no idea how to proceed? This class provides a step-by-step approach to creating floral paintings that will delight and surprise you. As you follow along the basic steps that Gail lays out, you will find that your own special touches will emerge. This class runs Mondays from 1-2 p.m. Jan. 9 to Feb. 20. It costs $65 plus $15 for materials for six weeks.

• Self-Discovery and Collage with Sherry Bezanson, for adults

Using collage as a creative tool, participants will explore the inner world and put these stories and images on paper. Creating story collages draws out thoughts, feelings and perceptions that are meaningful and can give direction and inspiration. This can unlock pathways to move forward with dreams and goals by unfolding potentials and revealing exciting new possibilities. This workshop will be held Jan. 22 from 1-4 p.m., and it costs $45 plus $5 for materials.

• Coffee and Clay Mornings with Darlene Plaxton, for adults

Learn to turn a lump of clay into a decorative mug, bowl or plate. After the basics, let your creative side loose and explore other projects each week. This class will run Mondays from 10 a.m. to noon Jan. 16 to Feb. 27 and cost $65 plus $28 for materials for six weeks.

• Drawing Fun with Ink with Josslyn Meyeres

The medium of ink requires speed, confidence and control. This three-hour workshop will explore ink line, calligraphy, washes and expressive drawing approaches. You will improve your speed, confidence and control. This workshop will take place Jan. 29 from 1:30-4:30 p.m. and will cost $35 plus $10 for materials.

• Journal Collage Workshop for youth aged nine to 14 with Sherry Bezanson

Participants will collage the cover of a journal in their own creative style while learning the benefits and fun of creative journaling — writing, drawing and adding photos and memorabilia. No experience is necessary. Take your journal home with you! This workshop will run Feb. 5 from 1-3 p.m.





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