EDUCATION PROGRAM

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

Monday

10AM - 6PM

EMAIL LIST

Jan 13 - Mar 28

The objective of this course is to immerse participants in the surrealist tradition through the collaborative writing method known as "Exquisite Corpse." By engaging in a series of structured exercises and collaborative activities, participants will:

1. Explore Surrealist Principles:-Understand the historical and philosophical foundations of surrealism in literature and art.-Study key figures, techniques, and themes that define the surrealist movement.

2. Develop Creative Writing Skills:-Practice stream of consciousness writing to unlock spontaneous, unfiltered creativity.-Experiment with surrealist techniques to enhance imaginative expression.

3. Collaborate in Creative Processes:-Engage in the collaborative Exquisite Corpse writing method to create a collective narrative.-Learn strategies for effective communication and collaboration in a creative context.

4. Enhance Editing and Refinement Abilities:-Participate in group editing sessions to refine the collaboratively written narrative.-Develop skills in constructive criticism and collaborative editing to maintain the surrealist essence while ensuring coherence and readability.

5. Produce a Collective Literary Work:-Contribute to the creation of a cohesive and imaginative Exquisite Corpse literary product.-Reflect on the creative process, personal growth, and group dynamics throughout the course.

6. Foster a Creative Community:-Build connections with fellow participants through shared creative endeavors.-Engage in discussions and reflections to deepen understanding of surrealism and collaborative creativity.

By the end of the course, participants will have gained a deeper appreciation for surrealist literature, developed their creative writing skills, and experienced the unique dynamics of this method.

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As a surrealist, one contemplates the liminal threshold(s) of multidimensional reality. Paradigms of being presence illuminate an infinite kaleidoscope of biological, social-political , trans-personal and transcendental circumstances of consciousness.

Dana McCool is an interdisciplinary artist, designer and writer.

NO CLASS: Feb 17

Monday

4PM - 6PM

ONLINE

Feb 3 - Mar 17

As artists, vision and concept is at the core of our work. We spend much of our time communicating and finding others to get excited and onboard with what we want to create. This is a course for emerging to mid career BIPOC artists in Visual, Photography, and Media Arts.Drawing from the tools of treatment writing from the worlds of photography and film, participants will learn how to give structure and shape to their ideas through developing a compelling pitch for a visual or media arts project. By the end of the course, participants will have an understanding of positioning in relation to their art practice to define their greatest supporters. And they will complete a polished concept deck for an artistic project proposal. This course is structured to help move through blocks about ideation in a non-judgemental space.

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Pam Lau is a photographer and educator. Ambassador for Canon Canada and Curatorial Advisory Board Member for PhotoED Magazine. Recipient of the Applied Arts Young Blood Photography Award and received Honourable Mention in the Community Artist category at the North York Arts Grow North Awards.

Pam teaches Location Photography at Humber Polytechnic and has led workshops for ArtReach, Art Starts, North York Arts via Workman Arts, JAYU, and Cultural Pluralism in the Arts Movement Ontario.

Frustrated with a culture of gatekeeping and lack of transparency, Pam co-founded Ecru; a grassroots educational initiative for those who face financial, cultural and institutional barriers to entering creative industries.

NO CLASS: Feb 17

Monday

6PM - 8PM

ONLINE

Feb 3 - Mar 17

Embark on a creative journey that stitches together art and heritage! Join us for an immersive workshop series that celebrates the African Diaspora through textile art. Each session uncovers a unique cultural theme, blending history with hands-on creativity to inspire meaningful expression. Discover how fabric can tell powerful stories and connect us across generations!

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Apanaki Temitayo Minerve is a Toronto-based, disabled, mixed-media textile artist, art facilitator, and mental health advocate. Her work combines African fabrics and storytelling, often exploring themes of identity, heritage, and resilience. She has exhibited in various galleries and her workshops focus on the therapeutic aspects of art, aiming to foster mental wellness and community connection.

Tuesday

3PM - 5PM

CAMH- 1025 Queen Street

Feb 18 - Mar 25

Explore how artificial intelligence can be used in the process of filmmaking. Research and script writing, storyboarding, character creation, graphics, music creation, narration, editing, animation are areas that artificial intelligence is currently being used in video production. Working with James Buffin (35+ years professional experience) the class will experiment with AI tools and discover in what ways the technology can support your creative visions for filmmaking.

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James Buffin is a multi-disciplinary media specialist with 30+ years in film, print, music and audio production.

His work has been broadcast internationally and featured at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Trauma Research Foundation, universities, churches, school boards and community groups all around the planet.

Tuesday

6PM - 8PM

WA Offsite- 180 Shaw Street

Feb 18 - Mar 25

In this 6-week book art program, each two-hour workshop will begin by exploring a variety of art books, their techniques and their possibilities, followed by hand-on demonstrations and the application of simple bookbinding techniques to the students’ own work. Working with wood, leather, and paper, as well as incorporating their own preferred media, students will practice stitching signatures, constructing covers, embellishments, and 3D elements to enhance their work, all while exploring the concept of art books through structure, materials, and content. Coptic binding, soft and hardcover binding, tunnel books, concertinas, and many other forms will be discussed. Whether a student is a painter, writer, sculptor, or another type of artist, the objective of the program is for all students to demonstrate their mastery of the program’s techniques by completing a finished art book showcasing their own work in a new way.

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Layla Janvrin is a disabled Toronto artist living with bipolar disorder and ADHD, working in mixed media. Her work centres around mental illness, liminality, and relationships, and how they are linked in myth and story. She has written and illustrated two books, in addition to working with book art, aiming to produce works that stand on their own with or without text, making new connections and transitions possible

Wednesday

2PM - 4PM

WA Offsite- 180 Shaw Street

Feb 19 - Mar 26

This course teaches participants how to make multi-colour relief prints from linocut using the reduction method, that is by using only one block carved progressively over time to allow for new colours to be printed while tactically covering some of the other colours.

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Nick is a linocut printmaker currently working and living in Toronto, Canada. He has appeared in exhibitions hosted by various Canadian arts organizations including The Ontario Society of Artists and the Orillia Museum of Art and History. He has been teaching and tutoring small groups since 2010, and worked with learners of all kinds. Inspired by printmakers like Hokusai, William S. Rice, and Frances Gearheart, Nick creates prints inspired by world around him: trees outside the window, the seasons of the year, or the knick-knacks on his shelves. Using a combination of monoprint and reduction techniques, Nick invites viewers to see the fleeting, transient, nature of his subject matter. Outside of printmaking Nick does pen and ink cartography illustrations.

Wednesday

4PM - 6PM

CAMH- 1025 Queen Street

Feb 19 - Mar 26

In a culture where support of the arts is declining it’s increasingly difficult to get the funds you need to realize your creative dreams. This is especially true for artists living with disabilities. The course objective is to increase the participants’ likelihood of receiving a grant, while making the application process less stressful for the individual artist. Participants will learn how to create applications that boost their chances of getting funding from agencies like the Toronto Arts Council, Ontario Arts Council, and the Canada Council for the Arts. Workman Arts member Rick Miller, whose filmmaking and photography practice is largely funded by arts councils grants, will lead participants through the labyrinthine process of submitting applications that catch the eye of the grant juries. Joining Rick will be officers from arts councils to talk about what their agencies are looking for, as well as artists from diverse communities who’ve had success with arts councils. The course will cover topics such as writing about yourself, your art, and your community. We’ll cover scheduling, budgeting, and selecting a portfolio. We will also address the consequences of being unsuccessful with your application. Lastly we’ll have suggestions for dealing with ODSP and CRA.

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Workman Arts member Rick Miller, MFA, is a mid-career filmmaker and photographer who has received over a dozen grants, both large and small, from various agencies. He’s also served on granting juries and presented workshops to arts councils on meeting the needs of artists who live with mental illness.

Rick’s autobiographical project, Ancestral Mindscapes, which received Ontario Arts Council funding, has been exhibited and published a dozen times. Labyrinth, a Mad Arts documentary, has Canada Council for the Arts funding to conduct interviews across Canada. Forgotten Images Obliée is a collaborative project that has funding from both Ontario and Quebec arts councils.

Being neurodivergent and dyslexic, Rick has had to learn how to create successful arts council applications. He’s happy to share his experiences with the Mad Art community.

NO CLASS: Feb 27

Thursday

4PM - 6PM

ONLINE

Feb 6 - Mar 20

“Branding For Artists” is a course for artists that offers a comprehensive exploration into the fundamentals of building and promoting a strong brand identity. From the foundational understanding of branding principles to practical strategies for online presence and professional networking, participants will embark on a journey of self-discovery and market understanding. Through interactive sessions, participants will define their unique artistic style, identify their target audience, and craft compelling brand stories. With a focus on practical application, participants will learn to create visually appealing brand touchpoints (business cards, websites, etc.) and develop effective promotional plans. The course will enable participants with the knowledge and skills to set the stage for continued brand development.

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Kesava Kumar’s journey in filmmaking and music has established him as a distinguished writer, director, and composer. His debut feature and short films, have earned recognition at prestigious festivals in Cannes, Los Angeles, Dubai, and Vienna, and have been studied at universities in Canada and Dubai.

As the Founder & CEO of Chrysalis, Kesava has harnessed the power of storytelling and strategic branding to deliver transformative results for his clients. He has elevated individuals to celebrity status with 10M+ followers, spearheaded groundbreaking campaigns for global brands like Apple, Nikon, and PwC, facilitated venture capital deal flow, and helped nonprofits enhance their brand equity and financial sustainability. His approach blends creative storytelling with a deep understanding of consumer perspectives across diverse industries.

Beyond his work at Chrysalis, Kesava shares his branding insights as a guest lecturer, focusing on empowering individuals and businesses to achieve lasting success.

Thursday

6PM - 8PM

ONLINE

Feb 6 - Mar 13

An Improv exploration of Scene and Character work in various forms.The deeper aspects of Improv will be explored; utilizing a variety of fun, challenging games and activities in a safe and enjoyable manner. Developing our Improv skills using trust, listening and adaptability while working and laughing together.Simple costuming and object work will be included in some classes and exercises( example: hat, scarf, pencil etc.). We will use items readily available at home- no need to purchase anything.While no Improv experience is necessary for this class and all will find Exercises and Games helpful, some previous improv experience will be beneficial but not a requirement. Ultimately we are aiming to help access our joyful silly sides, learn to let go and live in the moment. By the end of the course students will have discovered the deeper aspects of Improv by exploring Scene, Artistic and Music Improv to develop further their Improv skills.

Exploring deeper aspects of Improv using Scene and Character work. Utilizing a variety of fun, challenging games & scenes while developing our Improv skills using trust, listening, adaptability and laughter!

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KC Cooper has been a long time member of Workman Arts and part of Workman’s Improv classes for more than 12 years; both as a student and facilitator.

Over the last 6 years, KC has completed Improv, acting and voice work classes at numerous organizations: Second City Training Centre ( including Improv levels 1 to 5); Social Capital Theatre; Play with Fire Improv and Camp Zip Zap ( a weekend Improv camp in 2023 and 2024).

KC has also participated in various performances, including Improv shows with her Workman Arts and Second City classmates.  She’s also been active in many Performance Arts endeavours and shows including the Toronto Fringe Festival.

Friday

12PM - 2PM

ONLINE

Feb 7 - Mar 14

In this course you'll learn how to capture the figure through simplification of the body and ways to add figures into your own artwork. You’ll learn about proportions, gesture drawing and how to create dynamic figures. Between classes, students will be encouraged to 'venture into the wild' to draw people in their sketchbooks through observational drawing. Through various drawing exercises, such as timed drawings, students will learn what’s required to draw gestures and bring expression into their figures. You'll learn how drawing body language can express a figure's inner world. We will explore ways to draw clothing and how it can add additional narration. Various drawing materials and mixed media will be explored throughout the course.

Curious about how to draw the human figure, capture dynamic gesture drawing and add figures to your own artworks? In 'The Art of Illustrating People' join instructor Taryn Lee as she guides you through figurative drawing techniques, exercises and skills that will help you draw the figure with confidence.

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Taryn Lee is a Eurasian, neurodivergent artist from Toronto, Ontario, Canada with a Bachelor of Design from Toronto Metropolitan University in Fashion Communication. Her art focuses on colourful, representational figurative works, portraits, and stylized fashion sketches. She's sketched at New York Fashion Week, Startup Fashion Week and Fashion Arts Toronto. She’s interested in people’s personal style and how they express unique identity through clothing and dress. She teaches in-person monthly art workshops at CAMH Patient & Family Learning Space, has taught workshops with the Art Gallery of Mississauga and courses with Workman Arts. She is a long time Workman Arts member and CAMH Yale Let's Lead Fellow.

Friday

2PM - 4PM

ONLINE

Feb 7 - Mar 14