Course catalogue

INSTRUCTOR:  Lori Lukasewich 

Acrylic paints are so versatile and perfect for those who are new to painting. Learn the basics of colour theory, paint mixing, application techniques, and composition. You will work through a series of projects while you develop your skills and gain confidence in your painting abilities. Subject matter will focus on still-life and landscape. Please see your course supply list online. Be sure to come prepared for the first class. 

Please Note: Start & End dates refer to open & closing of registration, NOT the start or end of the course

In this course, you'll learn the fundamentals of After Effects and how to create simple animation techniques using the software. 

You will be introduced to the basic interface, and gain an understanding of how to create compositions, import assets, in addition to learning compositing and colour grading principles. You will also learn basic motion graphics techniques by animating shapes and text, and how to create movement and keyframes alongside an audio track.

About Micros:

• Register & start WHENEVER
• Self paced & learner driven
• No scheduled class
• 3 Months to Finish

** PREREQUISITE Previous painting experience   

INSTRUCTOR: Marcia Harris  

Whether you are interested in painting skyscrapers, charming county houses or abandoned buildings learn how to capture the character and essence of a structure through light, shadow, and texture while you focus on painting architectural details through the use of proper perspective, proportion, and composition. You will work from photographs and other source materials you provide. Please see your course supply list online. Be sure to come prepared for the first class. 

INSTRUCTOR: Raeann Cheung   

There is something really special about taking black and white photos with a film camera and having to wait to see your images. Learn basic camera functions before entering the darkroom. You will learn how to create high quality images in black and white, how to load your film onto a reel and canister in complete darkness, hand process your film, and then use an enlarger to create photographs on light sensitive paper. Please see your course supply list online. Be sure to come prepared for the first class. 

INSTRUCTOR:  Shea Proulx  

Drawing botanical and fruit forms from life takes careful perception and good hand eye coordination. You will develop keen observational drawing skills through a number of studio-based assignments and be introduced to colour theory and how to successfully use colour pencils to get rich, vibrant colours. Participate in class discussions and critiques to help your progression. Please see your course supply list online. Be sure to come prepared for the first class.  

Learn foundational skills of wheel throwing through hands-on instruction, and practice. Create one-of-a-kind pieces as you work on simple assignments and get comfortable at the wheel. Finish your projects by glazing and firing them as the final step in the process.

 Please see your course supply list online. Be sure to come prepared for the first class.  

Instructor :Amy Bouchard

PREREQUISITE : Art experience, this is not a beginner course  

INSTRUCTOR : Shea Proulx  

Find out how the professionals illustrate children’s books, from character development, beginning thumbnail storyboards, to final illustrations. This course will not teach you how to draw but will show you how to take the drawing skills you have and apply them to children’s book illustration. In addition to learning the process and creating your own illustrations, you will also learn about marketing your work and portfolio preparation. Please see your course supply list online. Be sure to come prepared for the first class.  

INSTRUCTOR:  Nick Rooney    

Using the same methods Renaissance artists used, improve your representational drawing skills, and learn how to capture on paper what your eye sees, not what your mind thinks it sees. You will focus on how to visually analyze your subject matter, create steps for greater accuracy, better proportions, mass and values in your drawings. Please see your course supply list online. Be sure to come prepared for the first class.  

INSTRUCTOR:  Zach Schuster

Explore the history and evolution of board games as you gain an understanding of the importance of the visual design of your game which includes, artwork, layout, and game pieces. You will also figure out your game mechanics (how it’s played), player interactions, and how to balance the complexity with the fun. Discuss how to create prototypes and game play tests to refine your game before you are ready to take it to market. Please see your course supply list online. Be sure to come prepared for the first class.  

PREREQUISITE: Previous art experience: Students must bring their own laptop, tablet, iPad, etc. 

INSTRUCTOR: Tyler Lemermeyer

Take your illustration skills to the next level and learn how to work in a digital environment. Using your own laptop or tablet with a stylus, you will be led through projects that will help you develop a personal style and increase your creativity as you learn useful techniques along the way, whether you are interested in illustrations geared for editorial or book illustrations. Your instructor will give you lots of time to work, tips on your chosen program and valuable feedback throughout. Please see your course supply list online. Be sure to come prepared for the first class.  

Please Note: Start & End dates refer to open & closing of registration, NOT the start or end of a course. 

In this course, you'll be introduced to software used in digital animation: Photoshop, After Effects, Premiere, & Toon Boom Harmony.

Explore the differences between traditional, hand drawn, & digital animation. Learn to use each program on its own and with each other while practicing to use essential tools. Demonstrate mastery of basic skills and technical understanding through exciting projects and have your work evaluated by experts. 

About Micros:

• Register & start WHENEVER
• Self paced & learner driven
• No scheduled classes
• 3 Months to Finish

**PREREQUISITE DSLR cameras ONLY 

INSTRUCTOR: Raeann Cheung 

Discover how to work your digital camera so you can get out of auto mode and take your picture taking skills to the next level. Learn basic camera operations and how to use your cameras settings, including exposure, aperture, and shutter speed, while you experiment with composition, lighting, and different lens to see how they affect your images. Work through shooting images, file conversion, and digital image management under the guidance of your instructor and get good feedback throughout the course. Please see your course supply list online. Be sure to come prepared for the first class.

Please Note: Start and end dates refer to open & closing of registration, not the start or end of the course.

Use drawing as a tool of communication as you explore the medium, with an emphasis on obtaining a visual understanding of mass, gesture, the human figure, weight, and balance. 

Work through conceptual, aesthetic, and technical approaches for your projects.

About Micros:

• Register and start whenever.
• Self-paced and learner-driven
• No scheduled classes
• 3 Months to Finish

INSTRUCTOR: Nick Rooney   

Gain confidence and fundamental skills in drawing as you work through a series of projects designed to increase your perceptive abilities and eye-hand coordination. Focus on the elements of drawing, observation, and composition as you explore a variety of drawing media and techniques. Please see your course supply list online. Be sure to come prepared for the first class.

INSTRUCTOR: Marcia Harris   

Gain confidence and fundamental skills in drawing as you work through a series of projects designed to increase your perceptive abilities and eye-hand coordination. 

Focus on the elements of drawing, observation, and composition as you explore a variety of drawing media and techniques. Please see your course supply list online.

 Be sure to come prepared for the first class. 

Please Note: Start and end dates refer to open & close of registration, not the start or end of the course.

Examine professional projects and responsibilities animators may face in their practice, including CV and portfolio assembly, grant writing, project budgeting, and pitch packages.

Cover concepts like festival submissions, contracts, and concerns associated with starting an artistic practice in animation.  

About Micros

• Register and start whenever
• Self-paced and learner-driven
• No scheduled classes
• 3 Months to finish

** PREREQUISITE : Previous drawing experience  

instructor:  Kelly Issak  

The human figure is a fascinating subject for both the beginner and experienced artist. Working with a live model, use a variety of media, and gain studio experience in gesture and analytical figure drawing, modeling of form and space through light and shadow, perspective, proportion, and different drawing techniques and methods. Please see your course supply list online and come prepared for the first class.  

Please Note: Start & End dates refer to open & closing of registration, NOT the start or end of the course.

In this course, you'll learn and apply fundamental principles of animation. 

Learn to communicate personality, emotions, & behaviour through short motion assignments, while exploring conceptual, aesthetic, and technical approaches. 

Work in or out of the digital realm; however, all project post-production will be created using digital software. Create projects to demonstrate your mastery of foundational skills & principles, then have your work evaluated by experts. 

About Micros:

• Register and start WHENEVER
• Self paced and learner driven
• No scheduled classes
• 3 Months to Finish

INSTRUCTOR:  Robert Lewis  

Learn the basic processes of hot glasswork, in a fully equipped, professional hot shop studio. Focus on solid and simple blown forms in a small class setting giving you plenty of work time and access to your instructor for assistance and coaching. The last class meeting will provide cold working time to complete your pieces. NOTE: ONLY natural fibre clothing (cotton), long pants and closed-toe shoes are mandatory in the hot shop at all times. Please see your course supply list online. Be sure to come prepared for the first class. 

INSTRUCTOR:  Robert Lewis  

Learn the basic processes of hot glasswork, in a fully equipped, professional hot shop studio. Focus on solid and simple blown forms in a small class setting giving you plenty of work time and access to your instructor for assistance and coaching. The last class meeting will provide cold working time to complete your pieces. NOTE: ONLY natural fibre clothing (cotton), long pants and closed-toe shoes are mandatory in the hot shop at all times. Please see your course supply list online. Be sure to come prepared for the first class. 

INSTRUCTOR:  Robert Lewis  

Expand your knowledge of hot glasswork as you develop your skills further in a small class setting with lots of individualized instruction. Challenge yourself and try creating different forms and working with colour. The last class meeting will provide cold working time to complete your pieces. NOTE: ONLY natural fibre clothing (cotton), long pants and closed-toe shoes are always mandatory in the hot shop. Please see your course supply list online. Be sure to come prepared for the first class. 

Learn the elements of branding, whether for a person, a product, or a company, and how to create something so it’s easily recognizable by consumers. You will discuss what a brand can accomplish and identify the best questions to ask to help define a brand identity and determine brand objectives. Look at good and bad examples as you begin a brand strategy for yourself.

 Please see your course supply list online. Be sure to come prepared for the first class.  

INSTRUCTOR  Kate Bushey

NOTE: This course emphasizes hand skills; work is not done on a computer.  

**PREREQUISITE:  Art experience, this is not a beginner course 

INSTRUCTOR:  Zach Schuster  

Increase your ability to communicate ideas visually as you learn about the different markets where illustration is commonly used. Discuss how to take an idea and explore it visually, in order to expand on it, and create a finished piece. Look at examples to help your understanding as you work on weekly illustrations. Please see your course supply list online. Be sure to come prepared for the first class. 

Please Note: start and end dates refer to the open & close of registration, not the start or end of the course.

Concentrate on 2D character animation as you gain an understanding of the construction and mechanics of human form and depicting movement through figure drawing and motion studies.

Pay special attention to character development, communicating story points and emotions using animation principles and techniques. Develop your visual language and expand your technical knowledge, including soundtrack design, as you create a short, animated project or animation test.

About Micros

• Register and start whenever.
• Self-paced and learner-driven.
• No scheduled classes.
• 3 months to finish

Instructor:  Samantha Haslam 

Learn the basics of the Adobe Creative Cloud suite of applications including Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign, and go beyond simply studying the software, to integrating good design. Work through a series of projects where you focus on how to properly capture, transfer, manipulate, and output images in a clear, concise manner while you apply your knowledge of design fundamentals for clean visual communication. As you work through the projects, you will figure out a digital workflow that makes sense for you and become more comfortable working in multiple programs at once. Please see your course supply list online. Be sure to come prepared for the first class. 

Please Note: Start and End dates refer to open and closing of registration, NOT the start or end of the course. 

In this course, you'll learn foundational elements of drawing, basic techniques, composition practices, and how to accurately draw human form.

Also, explore and practice a range of approaches using various media. In addition to video lessons from an expert covering a range of topics, you will be able to communicate with your instructor and your colleagues over discussion boards.

Receive feedback of your work from an expert as you deepen your knowledge and improve your composition skills.

About Micros:

• Register and start WHENEVER
• Self paced and learner driven
• No scheduled classes
• 3 Months to Finish

INSTRUCTOR:  Jennea Frischke 

You will be amazed at the jewellery you can make from flat pieces of metal. Learn basic metalworking skills (sawing, piercing, filing, shaping, stamping, surface texturing, and finishing) and how to use simple hand tools in a fully outfitted jewellery making studio. Get ample studio working time and support from your instructor throughout as you learn fabrication processes.  

PREREQUISITE : Jewellery Fundamentals: Cold Connections 

INSTRUCTOR: Jennea Frischke 

Soldering opens up a world of creative possibilities in jewellery making. In this technical class, you'll learn essential techniques for joining metal components together through soldering, including butt-joint soldering, sweat-joint soldering, using resists/heat sinks, when and how to use different types of solder, and much more!  

INSTRUCTOR:  Marcia Harris   

Draw the landscape with confidence from observation and location sketches. Landscapes can be complex subjects and understanding where to start, what to include, and what leave out can be overwhelming. You will learn how to simplify your composition, isolate subject matter, and create atmospheric perspective in your drawings. Experiment with different drawing media to illustrate different parts of the landscape: grass, trees, rocks, foliage, and a variety of different skies. Please see your course supply list online. Be sure to come prepared for the first class.  

Please Note: Start and end dates refer to open & close of registration, not the start or end of the course.

Get introduced to the 3D software Maya, learn the basic functions, and how to create animations. 

Master the basic tools, navigate the software and understand introductory modeling, rigging, lighting, and keyframe animation. Learn how the interface works while applying the principles of animation, growing your creative understanding and output of 3D animation.

About Micros:

• Register and start WHENEVER
• Self-paced and learner-driven
• No scheduled classes
• 3 Months to Finish

INSTRUCTOR:  Jarret Hartnell 

Work from life and draw what is in front of you, as you increase your observational skills, which will help improve your drawing skills. Learn to look carefully and thoughtfully to understand spatial positions, angles, light and shadow, textures and tones. Understand what is important to include and what to simplify to capture the spirit of your subject. Please see your course supply list online. Be sure to come prepared for the first class. 

INSTRUCTOR: Nick Rooney  

Oil paints have a rich, buttery quality that is a delight to work with. Discover for yourself as you learn colour theory, paint mixing, application techniques, and composition. Work through a series of projects aimed at increasing your ability and confidence using the medium. Subject matter will include still-life and landscape.  

Please see your course supply list online. Be sure to come prepared for the first class.   

INSTRUCTOR:   Jarret Hartnell  

Learn the foundations of linear perspective as you draw environments using one, two, and multi-point perspectives. Draw interior spaces and three-dimensional objects with ease and great success. Drawing will be from observation as well as the imagination. Accurate perspective is useful for anyone needing to communicate three-dimensional ideas on paper. Please see your course supply list online. Be sure to come prepared for the first class. 

INSTRUCTOR: Jocelyn McHugh    

Does your sewing machine intimidate you? Do you have sewing projects where you just don’t know where start? Learn all the sewing basics you need to get started…no experience required! Get (re)introduced to basic hand sewing techniques, learn how to properly operate a sewing machine, choose fabrics, read a basic pattern, and master basic construction methods. You will also review how to layout a pattern, pin, cut, and mark. Please see your course supply list online. Be sure to come prepared for the first class.  

INSTRUCTOR:  Sky Weir  

Imagine your own images on fabric! Print your own designs on yardage, clothing, or accessories using pigments and hand-cut stencils to create unique, one-of-a-kind pieces. Learn how to cut stencils for your screens, mix your own colours, and print multiple layers. You will use water-based printing medium on natural fibres. Some supplies are included in the fee, but please see your course supply list online for a few crucial items. Be sure to come prepared for the first class. 

INSTRUCTOR: Chelsey Dyer

Typography is the art of arranging letter forms into words and sentences and is an important element of design communication. Learn the principles of typography and typeface design and gain an understanding of how to improve your viewer’s experience. Work with known typefaces and create your own. Please see your course supply list online. Be sure to come prepared for the first class. 

INSTRUCTOR : Jocelyn McHugh    

Re-consider your clothing's role in your life and redefine its value through care and attention. Through different upcycling techniques, explore the boundaries of your garments and create one-of-a-kind pieces, unique and meaningful to you. Bring in your shirts, jackets, pants, and skirts and add new life to them by deconstructing, re-constructing, and embellishing. You will learn some simple design tips and tricks from your instructor to make your clothes unique and stylish…and fit better. Please see your course supply list online. Be sure to come prepared for the first class.       

PREREQUISITE:  Watercolour Painting Basics or previous experience 

INSTRUCTOR:  Lori Lukasewich 

You have foundational watercolour painting skills; now take them to the next level and get introduced to more advanced techniques and creative approaches, which will allow you to refine your style and produce more complex and expressive works. Investigate advanced methods, from glazing and layering to creating textures and interesting compositions. Please see your course supply list online. Be sure to come prepared for the first class.