-
In this workshop you will learn to appreciate the power of creative play to reinvigorate your art practice with energy and playfulness, the benefits of which will spill over into other aspects of your creative life. In the process you will gain ideas for integrating gelli printing into your studio practice, even if you are not going to pursue gelli printing as a focus. Classes will be a combination of systematic step by step learning and ‘play time’ focusing on risk-taking and problem solving as part of the creative process. This workshop is ideal for artists looking to expand their practice by integrating something new, and to introduce an element of abstraction and playfulness to their work. Materials List for Feb Weekend Gelli Printing Workshop at OAS
-
Is it time for you to have your very own website? It's EASY now, and Julie will walk you through every step. Learn how to design and publish a simple, professional website using Canva — no coding or previous web design experience required. This hands-on course guides you step by step through Canva’s website builder, from planning your site to publishing and sharing it with confidence. Ideal for artists, small business owners, creatives, and anyone wanting a clean online presence. Have a look at Julie’s website to get an idea of how great yours can look too!
-
Do you have a collection of watercolour practice pieces, or paintings that didn’t quite turn out as planned? This is the perfect way for those to reach their full potential as beautiful pieces (and not go to waste). In this sustainable practice workshop, students will learn to find ‘hidden gems’ within their practice / discarded work to create professional-grade, smaller artworks mounted on wood. Students will learn composition by isolating successful areas of old paintings, techniques for augmenting them with mixed media, and the process of mounting, trimming, and waxing paper to wood for a modern, frame-free finish. Please click to see what supplies are provided and what you need to bring.
-
Discover the art of painting birds in watercolor! In this 3-hour, beginner-friendly workshop, we’ll start with an inspiring introduction to bird anatomy, understanding proportions, posture, wings, beaks, and feather flow to help you observe subjects with more confidence. You may choose to draw your own bird sketch, or work from a provided outline template if you prefer to focus fully on painting. From there, you’ll learn to build soft watercolor layers for shape and volume, blend vibrant colors with ease, and finish your illustration with gentle coloured pencil accents to add definition, feather texture, and final details. MATERIALS LIST for Birds in Bloom Workshop
-
It's officially SPRING! Discover the beauty of spring flowers with watercolour. n this 3-hour workshop, you’ll learn how to paint blooms with ease and enjoyment. With guided, step-by-step demonstrations, you’ll explore foundational techniques like layering, blending, and gentle brushwork to create soft texture, depth, and flow in simple floral compositions. This session is beginner-friendly and designed for anyone looking to build confidence and enjoy painting flowers in a loose, expressive style — without the pressure of perfect realism. You'll be well on your way to painting your way through spring, and beyond! MATERIALS List for Loose Florals in Three Hours
-
Join long-time OAS instructor Julie Wurtele for a high-quality March Break Art Camp designed for children who love to create. This half-day program focuses on building strong artistic skills through drawing, painting, and carefully selected craft-based projects. Students will explore drawing fundamentals, acrylic painting techniques, colour theory, and creative problem-solving while working with professional-quality materials. Each project is thoughtfully planned with clear learning goals, allowing young artists to create meaningful, well-finished artwork they’ll be proud to take home. This program emphasizes creativity, confidence, and skill development in a calm, supportive studio environment. Suitable for both beginners and experienced young artists. (Aprons will be provided, but please dress kids in clothes that can get messy.)
-
Famous Drawings and Paintings Through the Ages Whether you're building your portfolio to apply to post secondary art programs, or just want a wonderfully artistic way to spend March Break afternoons, this is for you! During this 5-afternoon workshop, learn how to recreate famous artworks like Starry Night, The Kiss, The Great Wave, and others. Each day we will investigate the different eras of art such as the Renaissance, and how they changed the world of art. Multiple famous styles of paintings will also be explored like Baroque, Impressionism, Cubism, Abstract, and more. We will recreate iconic art pieces, or create our own using typical attributes and themes of the time. Materials List - Painting Through the Ages Workshop Maia Lee-Thomas
