Elements of Design: Colour, Texture, Value

Making Paint: Be the Technician | $6 Person

Where do paints and pigments come from? Students will experiment with chalk pastels to create their own paint and make their own pastel paintings. Focus is on colour and contrast.

Back to Basics: Watercolour Techniques | $6 Person

Learn to paint like Watson using rhythm, colour value and tone. Students will explore the many techniques of brush work and application of watercolour as they design their own landscape painting.

Painting with Plasticine | $6 Person

Colour, texture and design are essential when painting with plasticine. Students will create dramatic effects as they learn to manipulate the primary colours of plasticine into a colourful landscape.

Printmaking | $6 Person

Create your own printmaking plate by relief carving into foam! Students will learn how negative and positive space is important when creating these monotype prints.

Elements of Design; Colour, Space, Line, Form

Canadian Landscapes in Plasticine | $6 Person

Art history and the environment are yours to discover! Students will practice methods developed by great Canadian painters to build the ultimate landscape. Contemporary and historical oil paintings are explored.

3D Casting | $6 Person (Onsite Only)

Pattern, shape and form are key when learning how to make a mould. Students will discover the art of casting as they construct their very own plaster relief sculpture. Proportion and balance are considered.

1 Point Perspective | $6 Person

Students will discover and practice the techniques of 1 point perspective  and will gain a greater understanding of how to properly map out houses, buildings, windows and doors.

Metal Figure Sculpture | $6 Person

Mould your own sculpture! Students will sculpt foil into an array of figures that can be mounted on a base and painted. Proportion and three-dimensional designs are explored.

Expressions in Cartooning | $6 Person

Facial expressions, body movements, and action lines create excitement! Students will learn the techniques in creating a strong layout and stimulating cartoon characters with an anime option.

Landscapes in Watercolour | $6 Person

Students will learn to paint a lush blooming landscape using watercolour techniqures. Brushstroke techniques and the watercolour medium will be explored.

Principles of Design: Unity, Harmony, Movement

NEW Armature and Plaster | $11 Person

Students will create a wire armature, inside support and work plaster over it to create a unique and expressive artwork. The essentials of sculpture will be taught, surface feeling, light and shadows and dynamics of line.

1 and 2-Point Perspective | $6 Person

Students will use proper measurements and drawing tools to create a realistic image of a building or street corner. Foreground, middle ground and background will be used to create a sense of distance in their completed drawing.

Drawing Foundations | $6 Person

Improve your drawing with fun techniques such as line, shadow and contrast. Students will discover how to use pencil, charcoal, conte and special tools to develop their own landscape drawing or portrait.

Body Casting | $11 Person (Onsite Only)

Transform yourself into a work of art using your feet, hands or face! Students will work to create finished plaster moulds. Program extension: These moulds can be filled to create a positive plaster form at your school!

Animation Basics | $6 Person (Onsite Only)

Create your own video, characters and plot! Students will be encouraged to use their critical thinking skills as they produce an animation short. *Max. 22 students –finished videos will be available 2 weeks later.

Plastic Printmaking | $6 Person

Printmaking will be explored through traditional etching techniques by substituting copper and metal plates with contemporary plastics. Students will create a printing plate which they will use to make copies on paper.

Acrylic Explorations | $6 Person

Let your imagination carry you with impressionistic and abstract art. Students will use their imagination to enhance the visual world around them, as they create their own acrylic painting in a unique style.

Meet a Professional Artist and Tour the Gallery | $5 Person

Students will be given the opportunity to tour the Gallery and learn the function of public art galleries within the community. A working, professional artist will be on hand to discuss the realities of working in the art field including; public relations, self-promotion, business practice and creating work.

Meet the Curator through an Onsite Tour | $5 Person

Students will be guided by the Curator, through three contemporary galleries dedicated to local artists. They will have the opportunity to explore each artists’ statement and understand the importance of contemporary artists work based on current issues. Students will continue to learn Homer Watson’s significant contribution to Canadian Visual Arts on this tour.

Figure Drawing | $6 Person

Students will be taught to explore the fundamental elements of life perspective of academic traditions. This program will also explore the impressionist movement’s attitude toward light effects and the fleeting moment. Students will engage in a variety of drawing exercises structured from quick studies and progressing to sustained renderings of the human form. *Additional model fee applies

Public Sculpture | $6 Person

Students will learn how to complete a proposal for a public commission by creating a wax maquette. Learning considerations are size, dynamics of sculptural form and casting.

Relief Sculpture | $6 Person

Create a medallion using a press and mould process. Starting with a master and ending up with a plaster copy!

Pottery Programs:

$9.00 per student: Air Dry Clay (Outreach program available)
$11.00 per student: Fired Clay (Due to program requirements fired clay is onsite only)

Select a pottery program of your choice! Each class is asked to bring labeled boxes for finished pottery pieces. Teachers are required to return to the Gallery to pick up fired pottery pieces. Please choose from the following pottery program options:

Mask Making

Students will be given a mask making demonstration before creating a unique mask of their own. Personal expression through the use of clay is encouraged.

Clay Portraits

Students will create a profile of a face, and learn the principles of light and shadow. Proper facial planes, and use of clay will be explored.

Pinch Pots

Students will apply hand-building techniques such as coiling to create unique pots!

Seasonal:

Fall:

Spooky Mask Making

Students learn how to mould bristol board into Halloween masks with shape, volume, and texture, using special patterns.

En Plein Air

En plein air, a French expression which means “in the open air”, is practiced on the Gallery’s scenic 3-acre property. Students will work from real landscapes to create a finished piece. *Weather dependent

Winter:

Clay Ornaments

Students will finish pre-fired, holiday ornaments after touring our seasonally decorated Museum.

Victorian Ornaments

Students will be given the opportunity to create Victorian-style holiday ornaments using various types of mixed media. Take a step back in time!

Spring:

Easter Flower Pots

Students will create an Easter flower pot out of fired or air-dry clay. Pots can later be painted or decorated. Inquire about potential program modifications.

Canadian Watercolour Landscapes

Students will learn to print a lush spring landscape using watercolour techniques. Brushstroke techniques and the watercolour medium will be explored.

History Programs:

Landmarks: Past and Present

Discover the unique stories and history of Homer Watson’s childhood days on this neighbourhood walk, led by local historian and Regional Councillor Jean Haalboom. Groups will meet Jean in front of Homer Watson’s birthplace on Tilt Drive in historic Upper Doon. Students will understand why landmarks are significant to our community and gain an increased awareness and appreciation of their place in the world. This walking tour is one hour in length and concludes with an art activity of your choice at the Gallery. Walking tour bookings are available during the following months: September, October, April, May and June. Weather permitting.

Homer’s Traveling Trunk

A tactile museum kit consisting of historical objects related to the life and times of Canadian landscape painter, Homer Watson, is presented for students to explore and handle. This program stimulates the senses of sight, sound, touch and smell to teach students about an older time.

Birthday Parties:

Choose from a variety of art activities and prepare to have fun! Have a theme in mind? We’d love to hear it! Each party comes complete with a visual art instructor, supplies for the activity, gift bags for each participant and a space to host your friends and family for pizza, cake, presents, or whatever you like!
$120 | Non-Pottery Programs
$170 | Pottery Programs