Adult Programs

Simplify your portraiture palette and learn the art of mixing skin tones with only 3 colours + white. 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.

Join us to learn how to transform a clear glass vase into a stunning work of art and then design a unique abstract painting on canvas. Tap into your artistic side and take home two beautiful, personalized creations to showcase. 

Some materials provided.

Discover the art of Portraiture in this beginner painting workshop. Students will learn about the structure of the human head, and how to place the features into position, while using shading to create value and form. Suitable for all skill levels.

In this workshop, students will practice uppercase letters and learn how to use these in combination with lowercase letters and words. They 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.

Designed for anyone who has taken a beginner-level calligraphy program. 

Have you always wanted to paint with oils? 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.

Explore the world of acrylic pouring and the fundamentals of art including colour and composition. Create stunning abstract art in a supportive studio environment alongside like-minded peers.

Perfect for all skill levels.
Some materials provided.

Learn all about the art of Plein air painting from inside the studio in this hands on painting workshop, suitable for all levels of painters! We will demonstrate the “painting gear” and material needed to make painting outside efficient and enjoyable, while learning all about capturing the landscape in paint.

Rediscover the art and joy of handwriting in this engaging workshop. Explore various styles and applications while learning essential tips to refine your handwriting. Perfect for those looking to refresh their cursive skills. This workshop also includes a creative project to showcase your progress. 

Learn the basics of printmaking while designing and printing unique cards to take home. No experience needed—just bring your creativity! Materials not provided.
Artist/Instructor: Sarka Buchl-Stephenson

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. Materials not included.
Artist/Instructor: Lori Spendiff

*No class on May 21, 2025.

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 we will cover a new drawing theme with a series of still lifes to sharpen our drawing skills. Materials not included. Suitable for all skill levels.
Artist/Instructor: Linda Kalianteris

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

Get ready to jump into the world of ceramics! In this hands-on class, students will learn essential hand-building techniques like pinch pots, coiling, slab building, and more. Perfect for beginners, this class will help students explore their creativity in a fun, relaxing environment and give them a skill set to last them a lifetime. Some materials provided. Additional fee for clay is required.
Artist/Instructor: Lindsay Franks

Have you always wanted to paint with oils? Learn the technique of oil painting 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. Materials not provided.
Artist/Instructor: Linda Kalianteris

Discover the beauty of painting landscapes in this hands-on program 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 program is suitable for both beginner and seasoned landscape painters. Materials not provided.
Artist/Instructor: Linda Kalianteris

Paint pouring has never been so popular. Join us in the studio with established artist and instructor Olivana Tonon to explore acrylic paints as a fluid tool for creating expressive, abstract paintings. Open to all experience levels, this program offers artist demonstrations, personalized guidance, and class critiques to help you enhance your understanding of colour and composition. Materials not included.
Artist/Instructor: Olivana Tonon

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. Materials not included.
Artist/Instructor: Linda Kalianteris

*No class on April 18, 2025.

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. Materials not included.
Artist/Instructor: Linda Kalianteris

*No class on April 18, 2025.

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. Materials not included.
Artist/Instructor: Bernadette Lau

*No class on April 18, 2025.

Brush pen calligraphy is a beautiful art form that can be used to add a personal touch to everything from greeting cards to event signage. 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. Materials not included.
Artist/Instructor: Erica Pinto

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. Materials not provided.
Artist/Instructor: Lori Spendiff

*No class on May 21, 2025.

Get ready to jump into the world of ceramics! In this hands-on class, students will learn essential hand-building techniques like pinch pots, coiling, slab building, and more. Perfect for beginners, this class will help students explore their creativity in a fun, relaxing environment and give them a skill set to last them a lifetime. Some materials provided. Additional fee for clay is required.
Artist/Instructor: Lindsay Franks

Join us in the studio to explore acrylic paints as a fluid tool for creating expressive, abstract paintings. Open to those who have previous experience with fluid acrylics, this course offers artist demonstrations, personalized guidance, and class critiques to help you enhance your understanding of colour and composition. Materials not included.
Artist/Instructor: Olivana Tonon

Coiling is a foundational technique that gives beginners the key to success for any ceramic project. In week 1, student will learn coiling with a hands-on lesson and guided projects. In week 2, student will decorate their very own pieces, paint-your-own-pottery style. This workshop is perfect for anyone who wants to expand their creativity with a new, tactile medium. Some materials provided.
Artist/Instructor: Lindsay Franks

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. Materials not included.
Artist/Instructor: Erica Pinto

Ready to take your calligraphy skills to the next level? Designed for those who have taken a beginner-level class, this workshop will guide you through the essential steps of designing a polished, finished piece. We’ll cover drafting, composition, and techniques for adding beautiful embellishments. Students will receive a set of take-home worksheets to continue their practice. Materials not included.
Artist/Instructor: Erica Pinto

Learn the basics of watercolour painting while having fun with distinctive techniques. Through instructor‘s demonstrations and painting exercises, students will build an understanding of colour theory, layering techniques, and composition. 

No experience required.

Join us in the studio to explore acrylic paints as a fluid tool for creating expressive, abstract paintings.  This program offers artist demonstrations, personalized guidance, and critiques to help you enhance your understanding of colour and composition.

Open to all experience levels.
Some materials included. 

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.
No class on March 12, 2025.

Learn the technique of oil painting while exploring topics such as: studio safety, composition, colour mixing, and energetic brush strokes. This course is perfect for beginner and experienced painters who would like to add oils to their skill set. 

No class on March 13 and 20, 2025.

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.

No class on March 13 and 20, 2025.

Students will start by learning the structure of the head and using shading techniques to create value and form. Next, they’ll study the fundamentals of portrait painting with a simple palette of three colours plus white. Topics include brush drawing, mixing accurate skin tones, layering paint, and capturing a likeness while working from a professional model.

Participants may choose to draw or paint.
No class on March 14, 2025. 

Explore different drawing tools and the essential elements of life drawing, while learning about proportion, structure, and movement of the human body. This program will begin from the inside-out, building your drawing and observational skills, leading up to drawing a professional nude model.

Suitable for all skill levels. 
No class on March 14, 2025. 

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. 

Join us for a one-day acrylic pouring workshop where you’ll explore the fundamentals of art including, color and composition. Create stunning abstract art in a supportive studio environment, surrounded by like-minded peers. Perfect for all skill levels. Some materials provided.

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.

Take your acrylic pouring skills to the next level. Designed for those with prior experience in fluid acrylic techniques, this program focuses on further developing your mastery of colour, composition, and pouring method with artist demonstrations, guidance, and critiques.

Prerequisite: Acrylic Pouring: Beginner art class or workshop.
Some materials included.
No class on March 13, 2025 due to March Break. 

Discover the art of Portraiture in this beginner drawing workshop. Student will learn about the structure of the human head, and how to place the features into position, while using shading to create value and form. Suitable for all skill levels.