EDUCATION PROGRAM

This is an immersive workshop-series into the world of experimental filmmaking. These workshops would be an opportunity to learn the ins and out of making an out-of-this-world film on a micro budget. We'll explore different approaches and methodologies while also recognizing that there is no concrete way to make experimental films. What makes this form of film groundbreaking is the experiments in your own processes themselves. There is no one way of doing things and that's the beauty of it. Participants will be taught the ins-and-outs of script-writing, shooting and editing. They will be working towards bringing a short film idea to life and by the end of the course they'll have an opportunity to share their completed film with the class. The only materials needed is a smart phone as we will be using our phones to shoot and edit the films.

Please note that this course is BIPOC prioritized.

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Niya Ahmed Abdullahi is a Multi-disciplinary Artist, Technologist and the founder of @Habasooda, a collective dedicated to sharing the richness of the Muslim experience through a variety of storytelling avenues. Her work has been exhibited at Nuit Blanche Toronto, TIFF Next Wave, Black Film Festival Zurich, Gallery 44, Trinidad and Tobago Film Festival, MENA Film Festival, Eastern Edge Gallery, amongst others. She was a 2021 Hot Docs Accelerator Fellow and currently sits on the Advisory committee for the Nia Centre of the Arts BLACKOUT project and the City of Toronto’s ArtworksTO program. Her work evokes memory, both past, present and future, in connection with diasporic experiences, and ancestral awakenings. Pillars of resistance are drawn through her divine labour of love.

Monday

2PM - 4PM

ONLINE

Oct 21 - Nov 25

Lyrics and Melody 101 is a class designed to help those who want to sharpen their songwriting and musical skills by writing Lyrics and Melody to an already existing piece of Music. Students will then write according to each assignment. We will discuss song structure and study many lyricists and writers from music history and delve into a non conventional way of writing melody and lyrics as well. The objective of the class is to become comfortable in writing melody and lyrics as a collaborative practice.

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Tasneem is a multi disciplinary Artist with a focus on Music, Acting, Writing and Filmmaking. They are also a teacher of the Arts and a mentor for Storytelling and Music. They made a short film September 10th that they Wrote, produced, performed in, directed and composed the music to which premiered at Inside Out LGBTQ2S+ festival in Toronto of 2023. Tasneem as a music Artist has released multiple EP’s with music that they have written, produced and performed for almost 2 decades. Tasneem’s strength is in helping others to find their voice, through their Art, work and hopes to inspire them to continue.

Monday

4PM - 6PM

ONLINE

Oct 21 - Nov 25

Would you like to submit your creative writing for publication, but don't know where to start? Or perhaps you've been published a few times, and don't know where to go from here. This course will cover the groundwork you need to begin navigating the publishing industry, including writing cover letters, preparing your submissions for review, researching markets and finding your niche, managing rejection, and networking/community building.

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Kelly is an author of fiction, poetry, and creative non-fiction. Their first book of poems, The Hammer of Witches, was published with Caitlin Press/Dagger Editions in 2021.

Monday

12PM - 3PM

ONLINE

Nov 11

Self publishing may seem easier than landing a deal with a book publisher, but is it the right choice for you and your work? In this seminar, we will go through some of the pro's and con's of self publishing, including finances, marketing, and whether this option aligns with your long-term goals as a writer.

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Kelly is an author of fiction, poetry, and creative non-fiction. Their first book of poems, The Hammer of Witches, was published with Caitlin Press/Dagger Editions in 2021.

Monday

12PM - 3PM

ONLINE

Nov 25

ARTS APPRECIATION IS BACK!

Sign up and get the scoop on free tickets to plays, concerts, exhibitions, and more around Toronto. *Limited spots available.

*Most events have a limited number of spots and not all those who register will be guaranteed a spot. When tickets for events become available, we will contact members who have registered for Arts Appreciation. Tickets will be distributed through a lottery system.

Once an event has reached capacity, we may have a wait-list. For events with a wait list, participants are also chosen through a lottery system.

You will receive a confirmation email directly from the Education Coordinator, Teyama, indicating whether you have been granted a ticket or placed on the wait-list.

For more information, please contact Teyama at teyama_alkamli@workmanarts.com

10AM - 6PM

EMAIL LIST

Oct 1 - Dec 20

This course is a collaborative engagement that will explore zine making techniques, marketing and distribution as well as fundamentals of running a small press and/or artists' collective. From idea to execution, participants will realize a personal or collaborative zine ready for market.

Participants will learn and practice introductory and intermediate book binding techniques, including the saddle stitch, blanket stitch and collage making.

We will also practice collaboration, event planning and team curation with the ultimate goal of a class showcase/zine fair.

This workshop is intended to be highly interactive, and participants will work with the instructor to draft and identify class objectives. We may want to focus on solo work producing handmade art books and a culminating zine fair, a group of collaborative anthologies to be shared in a showcase event or some mix of the these and other possible options.

Participants will graduate the course with the skills and materials to co-create or lead their own small press or artists' collective.

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Drawing on her experiences as a community worker, delilah Brae (she/they) practices as an inter-disciplinary artist. Informed by her background in theatre and experimental film, her works centre the self, identity and being-in-community. as a founding member of the zine and music collective Death Cookie Soup, Brae is a DIY enthusiast and revels in creating complex, medium transcending works.

Brae is currently developing a one act play “Two-One,” and a chapbook entitled “Party Tricks for Ghosts”. She has been published in Troublemaker Firestarter, Untethered and Pizza Goth. Brae was a resident video artist with The Drake Hotel and most recently finished a performance series with Xen0hyena.

Tuesday

2PM - 4PM

ONLINE

Oct 22 - Nov 26

This course is designed to help emerging artists turn their artistic practice into a successful business. "Intro to Arts Entrepreneurship" will teach you the essential skills for business planning, financial management, and marketing tailored specifically for artists. You will learn how to use social media for promotion, navigate the art market, and build a network of supportive professionals.

This course is not just about theory but about practical application. It's designed to boost your confidence in handling the business side of your art practice and provide you with the tools and resources you need to grow your arts entrepreneurship. By the end of the course, you'll be equipped to create a strong business plan, manage your finances, and market your artwork effectively. You'll also gain insights into selling and distributing your art to reach your target audience and achieve your professional goals.

Join us to gain the knowledge and practical skills you need to succeed as an entrepreneurial artist.

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Andrea Rodriguez is a Toronto-based artist and designer specializing in lettering and mural art. With over 12 years of experience in graphic design and mural painting, Andrea creates captivating works that blend intricate lettering with vibrant elements of nature. Her passion for art is matched by her dedication to teaching and mentoring. Andrea has led numerous workshops and mentorship programs, helping emerging artists develop their skills and navigate the art industry. As an advocate for mental health and inclusivity, Andrea strives to create supportive environments where artists from diverse backgrounds can thrive. Her work is a testament to the transformative power of creativity and community.

Tuesday

4PM - 6PM

ONLINE

Oct 22 - Nov 26

Learn the basics of watercolour painting and build your own unique style! In the first part of the program, participants will explore a wide range of different watercolour techniques (including: wash, wet into wet, and drybrush), and try a variety of different approaches to composition development and design. In the second part of the program, participants will further refine their technical skills and devise a body of work in their own unique style. Participants will come away with their very own colour wheels, swatches, and technique reference sheets, as well as a beautiful collection of paintings to add to their portfolios.

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Sylvie Stojanovski is an interdisciplinary artist and educator who is passionate about exploring eco-conscious approaches to art-making. A recent graduate of the University of Toronto Scarborough's Arts Management program, and a current MA student in Art Education at Concordia University, since 2016, Sylvie has designed and delivered over 100 different “art-ivations”—interactive art installations and workshops across Canada that invite people to see the earth as an extension of themselves. Her multi-faceted practice involves hiking, urban foraging, pigment-making, painting, mural-making, free-writing, and collage.

As the co-founder of the hyperlocal artist collectives, Scarbrite and Roots To Bloom, Sylvie also supports emerging creatives in building their capacity to work with natural materials and mobilize art for social change. Previous clients include: Scarborough Arts, StreetARToronto, Mural Routes, Park People, Youth Challenge International, and the International Centre of Art for Social Change.

Wednesday

2PM - 4PM

CAMH

Nov 6 - Dec 11

Participants will be immersed in multidisciplinary arts programming where they will be able to explore creative practices in a supportive and respectful environment. Participants will get an opportunity to learn various aspects of performing while working towards their own devised theatrical creation. Each week will highlight an array of learning opportunities that include writing, acting, movement, mask-making, improvisation and more. We will kick the workshops off with fun improvisational activities and then navigate our way into movement where we will gradually expand our external awareness. Later on we will focus in on our own narratives and craft a personal story then weave it into our masks that will be our own take home piece by the end of the course. Class objectives: on-going devised skills training, take home mask creation, performance creation created by each individual, each workshop will include safe practice and working methods to include a warm-up, cool-down, check-ins and writing reflections in each workshop session. Let’s have some fun!

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Alexandra holds a BFA with honours from York University where she studied Theatre, Acting. She has appeared in various film, tv and stage productions across the city and has been pursuing arts education for the past three years. She has taught for an array of companies spanning from teaching young children at Stagecoach Performing Arts to Canadian Armed Forces veterans at Soldiers in the Arts. Alex became involved with Workman Arts back in 2021 when she was cast in their play Passport to Madville. She later on was accepted into their If You Ask Me film program in 2022 and has been instructing with the company since winter 2022. This experience ignited a passion for her to share her knowledge as an educator and professional actor to the company. Alex is currently studying to receive her Bachelor of Education in 2025 at Queen’s University where she is the President of her incoming class.

Wednesday

6PM - 8PM

WA Offsite- 180 Shaw Street

Nov 6 - Dec 11

Flash fiction, or short stories under 1000 words, has a fascinating and multicultural history and evolution. Today, the smallest stories are enormously popular with small press publishers and with writers. This course will focus on the craft of flash fiction writing. We will explore the definition and evolution of the form, with options to read stellar examples. We will look at different kinds of flash fiction, such as microfiction, the six-sentence story, the 100 word story, ekphrastic flash fiction, and prose poetry. We will talk about the unique challenges of crafting a very short story, addressing plot, narrative, characters, language, titles, action, atmosphere or setting, and more. We will brainstorm story ideas together and do creative exercises to generate outlines, sparks, and drafts. We will spend some time discussing how to find publishing opportunities for flash fiction, how to submit flash to literary journals, and great resources for reading and writing excellent flash.

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Lorette C. Luzajic reads, writes, edits, publishes, and teaches flash fiction. She has written very short stories and prose poems for numerous literary journals. Her work has been nominated multiple times for the Pushcart Prize, Best of the Net, Best Microfiction, and Best Small Fictions, placing in Best Small Fictions in 2023 and 2024. She has received two awards from Ontario Arts Council for flash collections. Lorette has been a member of Workman Arts and a teacher with Art Cart for many years. She is also an award-winning visual artist who loves working with paint and mixed media collage.

Thursday

4PM - 6PM

ONLINE

Oct 24 - Nov 28

Designed for artists of all levels, this course will guide you through the fascinating process of creating and using botanical inks and dyes to enhance your watercolor paintings. Whether you are a beginner eager to explore new mediums or an experienced artist looking to incorporate sustainable practices into your work, this course offers a blend of technical skills, artistic techniques, and environmental consciousness.

Recommended Materials:

-Plant Materials for Dyeing: Various botanical materials suitable for dyeing (e.g., flowers, leaves, bark, roots). Examples include: Marigold flowers, Onion skins, Avocado pits, Blackberries,Turmeric

Fabric or Paper for Dyeing: Natural fibers such as cotton, silk, wool, or watercolor paper. Examples include: Cotton fabric scraps, Silk handkerchiefs, Wool yarn, Watercolor paper sheets

Container for Dyeing: Glass jars or plastic buckets with lids for dyeing materials. Examples include: Mason jars, Plastic containers with tight-sealing lids

Water: Distilled or filtered water for creating dye solutions and rinsing dyed materials.

Mordants (Optional): Natural mordants such as alum, iron, or vinegar to enhance color fastness. Examples include: baking soda, Rubbing alcohol,

Lemon juice, White vinegar, Stirring Tools:

Utensils for stirring dye solutions and materials during the dyeing process. Examples include: Wooden spoons, Stainless steel stirring rods

Old Book for Creating Log Sample Book: An old book or notebook to create a log sample book for recording dye experiments and results. Examples include: Hardcover book with blank pages, Spiral-bound notebook with heavy-weight paper

Additional Tools and Supplies:

- Brushes for applying botanical inks and watercolors.

- Mixing containers or palettes for preparing dye solutions and mixing colors.

- Protective gear such as gloves and aprons for handling dye materials.

- Labels and markers for organizing and identifying dye samples.

These basic materials will provide participants with everything they need to get started with the course and begin exploring the art of botanical inks and dyes for watercolors.

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Victoria Brecht is a versatile artist specializing in eco-friendly art, skillfully capturing the essence of natural materials to bring her paintings, sculptures, and renowned nature mandalas to life. Dedicated to fostering a deep connection with nature, she also serves as a nature and forest therapy guide. Through her art and guidance, Victoria bridges her knowledge to help others connect with themselves and the natural world. She is honored to share her expertise, inspiring others to flourish both inside and out. Victoria's work is a testament to her passion for the environment and her commitment to nurturing the human spirit.

Thursday

6PM - 8PM

ONLINE

Oct 24 - Nov 28

Looking for assistance with using the Media Lab? Book a one-on-one mentorship session with Media Lab Mentor Don Vaillancourt (They/Them)

They can assist you with the creation of music, video editing, digitizing artwork, and creating an online presence through website design, social media, digital portfolios and building a brand.

Limited spaces are available. For more information or assistance booking, please contact Don at donvaillancourtworkmanarts@gmail.com

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Although classically trained in piano, drums, percussion and oil painting, Don is primarily a self-taught sound designer, music producer and multi-media artist.

NO CLASS: Oct 25, Nov 1

Friday

1PM - 4:30PM

CAMH

Sep 27 - Dec 13

Everyone can take photos, but the art of seeing needs to be cultivated. The Creative Photography Intensive will teach you imaginative and innovative techniques to capture unique, often unconventional images. Through practical exercises, group discussions, and lectures, you are encouraged to leave your comfort zone in pursuit of meaningful and personal visual storytelling. We emphasize the importance of narrative, emotional impact, and pushing creative boundaries. This course is designed for those who already know the basics of photography and are ready to take their skills further.

We will help you:

• Develop the ability to see and analyze photographic elements.

• Explore how self-portraiture, long exposure, and other techniques convey emotions.

• Cultivate a personal photographic style and generate unique ideas through a thoughtful approach to composition, subject matter, and presentation.

• Explore hybrid photography, where an image is altered physically through a variety of techniques, creating a one-of-a-kind result.

• Understand how to present your work and use post-processing for a stronger impact.

• Experiment, experiment, experiment!

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Nika Belianina is an award-winning filmmaker and a fine art photographer with a flair for magical realism. She participated in 30+ curated photo exhibitions and art fairs in Belgium, Peru, Canada and the USA. Among them are the Contact Festival, Abbozzo gallery, TOAF and Cultural Center of Fine Arts in Lima. Her poetic photography represents not just the outer appearances of things, but their inner significance, through movement and other techniques, creating unique emotions. Nika juried and attended several artist residencies in Mexico, Peru and the USA. In 2023 she opened fine art photography studio Curious Captures. As a filmmaker, Belianina has screened her films at over 80 film festivals worldwide (such as Tribeca, Fantasporto and Sheffield). Her latest directorial works can be found on CBC Gem, CTV and Discovery+. Nika has an MA in Social Psychology and loves to inspire people.

Friday

2PM - 4PM

WA Offsite- 180 Shaw Street

Nov 8 - Dec 13

According to a recent study by the University of Waterloo, Canadians create 462,704 tonnes of textile waste per year, which is approximately 12 kg of textile waste per person. Mending and altering one’s clothes instead of throwing them out, shopping in thrift stores, and using recycled textiles for art can reduce this figure.

This workshop will appeal to individuals who are interested in textile arts, enjoy experimentation with materials, and are passionate about sustainability. We will be using secondhand clothes and thrifted fabrics to learn an array of techniques aimed at changing the textile’s appearance. These skills can be used for embellishing clothes, home decoration, art quilts and even soft sculpture!

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Kat Singer is a Toronto-based multidisciplinary artist, facilitator, and activist. Their draws on their lived experiences, and spans an ever-expanding range of media including photography, drawing, painting, textiles, sculpture, printmaking and performance. Kat is passionate about maker culture and sustainability.

Friday

5:30PM - 7:30PM

WA Offsite- 180 Shaw Street

Nov 8 - Dec 13