Adult Programs

Presented in partnership with the Markham Group of Artists, this weekly Friday evening program offers a non-instructional life drawing session featuring a live model. Open to artists of all skill levels, the program provides a relaxed and supportive environment for exploring portraiture and life drawing. Participants are required to bring their own art materials. Space is limited.

*No session on Friday, June 20.

Presented in partnership with the Markham Group of Artists, this weekly evening program offers a non-instructional life drawing session featuring a live model. Open to artists of all skill levels, the program provides a relaxed and supportive environment for exploring portraiture and life drawing. Participants are required to bring their own art materials. Space is limited.

Brush pen calligraphy can be used to add a personal touch to everything from greeting cards to event signage. In this workshop, students will learn the fundamentals of modern brush pen calligraphy, including how to hold a brush pen, form basic strokes, and connect these strokes to form lowercase letters and words. Students will receive a set of take-home worksheets to continue their practice.

No experience required. 

In a relaxed and inclusive environment, you’ll be guided through a variety of media, learning how to draw and paint. Demonstrations and hands-on exercises will be provided. No experience required; just come with an open mind and leave your fears at the door. Designed for participants who have not previously registered for a Varley Art Gallery program.
Artist/Instructor: Sarka Buchl-Stephenson

Discover the creative possibilities of printmaking, no press required! This engaging workshop series introduces participants to a variety of accessible, low-cost printmaking techniques that can be done right at home using everyday and recycled materials. From kitchen lithography to linocut carving and beyond, you’ll learn step-by-step methods to create layered, textured, and dynamic prints while exploring composition, colour, and design. Perfect for beginners and creative enthusiasts alike, this series is a great way to build skills, experiment with new materials, and unlock your artistic potential in a supportive, at-studio setting.
Artist/Instructor: Sydney Hanson

Learn the basics of watercolour painting while having fun with distinctive techniques. Through artist’s demonstrations and painting exercises, you’ll build an understanding of colour theory, layering techniques, and composition. No experience required.
Artist/Instructor: Lori Spendiff

Further your knowledge of basic techniques with colour, value, and design theories by painting flowers and still lifes from reference photos. Participants should have completed an introductory-level program or have some experience with watercolours before registering.
Artist/Instructor: Lori Spendiff

Build your creative skill set with the class that puts the “FUN” in the FUNdamentals of drawing! Learn how to use a variety of drawing tools while exploring topics such as: line, form, value, light, shadow, and perspective. Each week students will cover a new drawing theme with a series of still lifes to sharpen their drawing skills. Suitable for all skill levels.
Artist/Instructor: Linda Kalianteris

Learn the fundamentals of landscape painting while exploring its beauty. Explore topics such as: oil painting safety, composition, value, and design, as well as focused lessons on how to paint sky, trees, clouds, buildings, shrubs, flowers, and more. This course is suitable for both beginner and seasoned landscape painters.
Artist/Instructor: Linda Kalianteris

Discover the magic of acrylic pouring in this dynamic class designed for all skill levels. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your technique, this course will guide you through the fundamentals and explore more advanced methods like the chain pull, bloom, and Dutch pour. Learn about colour theory, composition, mixing mediums, and how to create stunning abstract artworks with movement and depth.
Artist/Instructor: Olivana Tonon

Whether you are new to painting or returning to your practice, this program is a great way to relax and enjoy the painting process. Work in acrylics on paper and canvas along side the instructor as she guides you through beginner techniques to create landscapes, portraits, and still-life paintings from reference images. No experience required.
Artist/Instructor: Bernadette Lau

Discover the art of Portraiture! We will focus on the fundamentals of portraiture to understand the construction of the face and head by using a simple step by step drawing method. Next, we will use shading to create value and form, and together we will work towards capturing a likeness while drawing a professional model. Suitable for all skill levels.
Artist/Instructor: Linda Kalianteris

Simplify your portraiture palette and learn the art of mixing skin tones with only 3 colours + white in this advanced portrait painting program. Using the “Zorn” palette, we will explore an easy system to quickly and accurately mix warm and cool flesh tones in oil or acrylic paint. Topics include brush drawing, mixing accurate skin tones, layering paint, and capturing a likeness while working from a professional model.
Artist/Instructor: Linda Kalianteris

Have you always wanted to paint with oils? Learn the technique of oil painting, and the art of painting a still life, while exploring topics such as: studio safety and clean up, composition, colour mixing, and energetic brush strokes. Perfect for beginner and experienced painters who would like to add oils to their skill set.
Artist/Instructor: Linda Kalianteris

This workshop is designed for anyone who has taken a beginner-level brush pen calligraphy program. Students will practice uppercase letters and learn how to use these in combination with lowercase letters and words. The workshop will also enhance their calligraphy by experimenting with style variations and simple flourishes. Students will receive a set of take-home worksheets to continue their practice. 
Artist/Instructor: Erica Pinto

Do you wish you had more opportunities to write by hand? In this three-hour workshop, we’ll celebrate all things handwritten. The workshop will provide students with an overview of different styles and applications, as well as key considerations for improving your handwriting. Students will have the opportunity to refresh their cursive handwriting and apply their skills to a creative project.

Discover the beauty of painting snow covered landscapes in this hands-on workshop for oil and acrylic painters. Learn about layering paint in loose impressionistic brush strokes, capturing the beauty of pearly white snow and snow shadows in luminous paint. With step-by-step instructor guidance and critiques, this course is suitable for both beginner and seasoned landscape painters. Demonstrations will be in oil paint.
Artist/Instructor: Linda Kalianteris

Custom ornaments make a wonderful gift for friends and family! In this two-hour workshop, students will learn how to draw beautiful script letters and use them to decorate their own acrylic ornaments. Students will leave the workshop with their finished ornaments as well as a set of worksheets to continue their hand lettering practice at home. All materials will be provided. A supply fee of $15 must be paid to the instructor at the start of the workshop.
Artist/Instructor: Erica Pinto

The Varley Art Gallery is exited to invite you to participate in a free, two-hour art-making workshop, plus a 30 minute guided tour of our current exhibitions, designed especially for seniors. This workshop offers a wonderful opportunity for you to explore your imagination, learn new techniques, meet like-minded individuals and enjoy a relaxing creative experience. All materials provided.

Our venue is fully accessible. If your require accommodations or have special needs, please e-mail us at varley@markham.ca before your visit.

This opportunity is generously supported by the Government of Ontario, Seniors Community Grant Program.

The Varley Art Gallery is exited to invite you to participate in a free, two-hour art-making workshop, plus a 30 minute guided tour of our current exhibitions, designed especially for seniors. This workshop offers a wonderful opportunity for you to explore your imagination, learn new techniques, meet like-minded individuals and enjoy a relaxing creative experience. All materials provided.

Our venue is fully accessible. If your require accommodations or have special needs, please e-mail us at varley@markham.ca before your visit.

This opportunity is generously supported by the Government of Ontario, Seniors Community Grant Program.

Build your creative skill set with the workshop that puts the “fun” in the FUNdamentals of drawing! Learn how to use a variety of drawing tools while exploring topics such as: line, form, value , light, shadow and perspective. Suitable for all skill levels.

Artist/Instructor: Linda Kalianteris

Discover the art of portraiture! This program will focus on the fundamentals of portraiture to understand the construction of the face and head by using a simple step by step drawing method. Next, students will use shading to create value and form. Together, we will work towards capturing a likeness while drawing a professional model. Suitable for all skill levels.

Artist/Instructor: Linda Kalianteris

Learn the art of oil painting without solvents and chemicals, while exploring topics such as studio safety and clean up, colour mixing and energetic brush strokes! This workshop is perfect for beginner and experienced painter who would like to add oils to their skill set.

Artist/Instructor: Linda Kalianteris

Discover the beauty of painting landscapes in this hands-on workshop designed to introduce you to the fundamentals of landscape painting. Explore topics such as: oil painting safety, composition, value, and design, as well as focused lessons on how to paint sky, trees, clouds, buildings, shrubs, flowers and more. With step-by-step instructor guidance and critiques, this workshop is suitable for both beginner and seasoned landscape painters.

Artist/Instructor: Linda Kalianteris”

Build on your painting skills by exploring value, composition and design, with rich colour and lively brushwork to boost the energy in your landscape paintings! With weather permitting, we will take our supplies outside to paint beautiful Main Street Unionville and Toogood Pond.

Artist/Instructor: Linda Kalianteris