Art Refined for Ages 13-18

Designed for the emerging artist, the Art Refined class will stimulate your teen's creative abilities through focused, in depth art instruction. In this weekly class, students learn and shape their skills in a diverse range of fine arts mediums such as: drawing, acrylic painting, watercolour painting, pastels, sculpture, mixed media, print making, and digital media. No prior experience with art is required to join this class.

Our Curriculum

Developed and approved by our team of Ontario Certified Teachers, our visual arts curriculum allows your teen to create finished artwork in a variety of medium. This course caters to art enthusiasts from all skill levels. This course is especially beneficial for those who are considering post-secondary art programs.

Our visual arts curriculum and visual art projects change every year, so no two years are the same!

Many of our students use their experience from our classes to pursue further arts education at college and university visual art programs. We take great pride in the accomplishments of our students.

Details

Winter/Spring Session

This program has reached capacity for the winter/spring session. Please check back for information on our summer session.

Ages: 13-18 Years

Available Weekly Class Times:

Saturday Evening - 5:30pm - 7:30pm Class Full

Price & Session Options:

Winter/Spring - February to June - 19 weeks - $255

Holidays:

Classes will not be held on the following dates:
- Christmas Break - December 21 - January 3
- March Break - March 14 - 20
- Easter - April 8 - 13
- Canada Day - June 27 - July 3

Trial Classes:

Trial classes are available for $15 each, up to a maximum of two trial classes per student.

Discounts:

A sibling discount of 10% is available for each additional student registered.

What Students will Learn

Diverse Art Mediums
From drawing to painting, sculpture to mixed media, our classes cover a wide variety of mediums throughout the year. Specialty materials fees are included in the tuition price.
Guidance For All Skill Levels
This course is highly individualized. Whether your teen is learning art for the first time, or adding to their art portfolio, our teachers are able to adequately instruct them based on their needs. For students refining their portfolio, teachers act as coaches through the application process.
Observation Skills
How do you make your artwork more realistic? Our instructors teach students to train their eye to acutely study the object they are drawing to ensure high accuracy.
Language Development
You created an artwork. Now what? Surprisingly, many artists don't know how to talk about their art. In this course your teen will have the opportunity to interpret, criticize, and learn how to make creative decisions about their artwork.
Risk Taking, Resilience, Self Confidence
As your teen creates an art piece, they take several creative risks. Through this process, your teen will learn to try new things, make mistakes, and overcome challenges. In an art environment, there are no right or wrong answers. Even shy students find friends to socialize with in our friendly, positive atmosphere.

About the Instructors

Paul Paradiso - Saturday & Thursday

Paul Paradiso, B.A., B.Ed., OCT

Paul studied at OCADU and worked as a professional graphic designer and illustrator for several years. He also worked in the publishing and printing industries prior to becoming a teacher in 2007. He has taught Visual Arts to all grades as well as adults. Paul currently teaches in the Peel District School Board.

Stephanie Schirm - Wednesday

Stephanie Schirm

Stephanie Schirm began her career as a fashion designer, studying in Europe. While designing in the Toronto fashion district, she also created a number of fashion illustrations for catalogues, storyboards, and advertisements for current Canadian Designers.

She eventually left the fashion industry to become a graduate of OCAD in Communication and Design. Only then to enter the Liturgical world of Design, where she established Labyrinth Studios Inc, designing and manufacturing religious garments and sanctuary décor for Churches across Canada and the US.

Her passion for drawing, painting and designing lead her to sharing her knowledge, over 10 years ago with the Continuing Education in Guelph and as Fashion Illustration instructor for Mohawk College in Hamilton. Since then she has taught in a number of different establishments thorough out the GTA area.

Materials

We ask that students supply their own sketchbooks (9x12"), drawing pencils and an eraser. Any other materials required for the class will be provided.

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