Personal interest courses
Spring Registration Open!
Explore your creative side with a studio-based art course on our campus in Calgary, Alberta. Designed for all skill levels, Personal Interest courses offer hands-on learning in a variety of disciplines. Whether you're looking to develop new skills, refine your craft, or simply enjoy a creative outlet, our expert instructors and state-of-the-art facilities provide the perfect space to grow.
View our course listing below for Personal Interest courses offered from April through July 2025. Personal Interest courses require advanced registration and payment.
Don't see what you're looking for? Our Course Calendar helps you plan ahead by providing a year-long view of what is available by term.
Earn a Certificate of Achievement by taking multiple courses in your desired discipline.
About Personal Interest Courses
Personal Interest courses are taught by professional artists in the same well-equipped facilities that support our degree students. Located on our campus in Calgary, AB.
Weeknight courses run once a week for eight-weeks, from 6:30 - 9:30pm. Saturday course times vary.
Weeklong summer courses run from Monday - Friday (except holidays) from 10am - 4pm.
Welcoming artists ages 17 and up!
Our team can provide assisted enrollment (subject to capacity) up to 1-week after the first class meeting, by reaching out to coned@auarts.ca. Please note, assisted enrollment requests will be subject to an additional fee of $25. We encourage students to register online and on-time to avoid additional fees and secure their spot.
Ceramics
Learn hand building and wheel throwing techniques to create functional and sculptural pottery.
Course Name | Start & End Dates | Day & Time | Price | Instructor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ceramics: Wheel Throwing | May 6 - June 24 | Tuesdays: 6:30 - 9:30pm | $560 + GST | |
| 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 working at the wheel. Finish your projects by glazing and firing them as the final step in the process. | ||||
| Ceramics: High Fire Techniques | May 8 - June 26 | Thursdays: 6:30 - 9:30pm | $585 + GST | |
| Whether you're new to ceramics or have prior experience, this hands-on class offers the opportunity to explore both wheel-throwing and hand-building techniques using high-fire clay. Explore form and shape while experimenting with cone 9 glazes to achieve unique surface effects. Gain insight into kiln maintenance, proper loading techniques, and best firing practices to deepen your understanding of the high-fire process. | ||||
Design
Transform ideas into visual concepts using colour, text, and images.
Course Name | Start & End Dates | Day & Time | Price | Instructor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Comic Book Basics | May 5 - June 30 No class: May 19 | Mondays: 6:30 - 9:30pm | $370 + GST | |
| Create unique comic characters through a series of thumbnail sketches that you develop into final drawings whether it is a comic, book or graphic novel. Develop a personal style that becomes identifiable with you as you hone your drawing and communication skills. Use a variety of media including pen and ink, marker, pencil, and water-based colour to complete your comics. | ||||
| NEW: Design a Board Game | May 8 - June 26 | Wednesdays: 6:30 - 9:30pm | $370 + GST | |
| 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. | ||||
Digital Media Arts
Create visual art & media through a variety of digital technologies.
Course Name | Start & End Dates | Day & Time | Price | Instructor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
May 5 - June 30 No class: May 19 | Mondays: 6:30 - 9:30pm | $370+ GST | ||
| Note: A clear understanding of design fundamentals is recommended, this is not a beginner course. 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. | ||||
Drawing
Create artwork with traditional drawing materials such as graphite, charcoal, and conte.
If you are new to art or drawing, we recommend that you start with Drawing Fundamentals.
Course Name | Start & End Dates | Day & Time | Price | Instructor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
May 8 - June 26 | Thursdays: 6:30 - 9:30pm | $370 + GST | ||
| 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. | ||||
| Drawing II | May 6 - June 24 | Tuesdays: 6:30 - 9:30pm | $370 + GST | |
| Build on the drawing skills you acquired in Drawing I as you work through a series of projects aimed at increasing your hand-eye coordination and perspective drawing skills. In addition to exploring a variety of mark-making media, you will also be supported in developing a personal vision for your practice. Participation in group discussion and class critiques will help build your confidence and awareness. | ||||
May 5 - June 30 No class: May 19 | Mondays: 6:30 - 9:30pm | $370 + GST | ||
May 7 - June 25 | Wednesdays: 6:30 - 9:30pm | $370 + GST | Maedeh Mosaverzadeh | |
| Gain confidence and fundamental skills in drawing as you work through projects aimed at increasing 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. | ||||
May 6 - June 24 | Tuesdays: 6:30 - 9:30pm | $415 + GST | ||
| Note: Previous drawing experience recommended. The human figure is a fascinating subject for both beginners and experienced artists. 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. | ||||
May 7 - June 25 | Wednesdays: 6:30 - 9:30pm | $370 + GST | ||
| Draw landscapes 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. | ||||
May 5 - June 30 No class: May 19 | Mondays: 6:30 - 9:30pm | $390 + GST | Nicole Gruszecki | |
| Develop your ability to capture the likeness of an individual’s face. Gain a strong understanding of proper proportioning of the facial structure and learn how to accurately measure and transfer that onto paper. You will work from both live models and photographs as you experiment with different types of drawing media and techniques. | ||||
Fibre Arts
Make wearable art using natural or synthetic fibre, materials and dyes.
Course Name | Start & End Dates | Day & Time | Price | Instructor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Sewing Basics | Details coming soon | Weeknight: 6:30 - 9:30pm | $375 + GST | Kassia Tuffs |
| 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. | ||||
May 31 - June 28 | Saturdays: 9:00am - 1:30pm | $430 + GST | ||
| 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 using water-based printing medium on natural fibres. | ||||
Upcycle Your Clothes | Details coming soon | Weeknight: 6:30 - 9:30pm | $375 + GST | Kassia Tuffs |
| Reconsider 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 custom pieces that become meaningful to you. Bring your old shirts, jackets, pants, skirts, and more; and give them new life by deconstructing, reconstructing, and embellishing. Come away with simple design tips and tricks from your instructor that will allow you to make your clothes unique, stylish and fit better. | ||||
Glassblowing
Blow hot glass into beautiful objects and forms.
Course Name | Start & End Dates | Day & Time | Price | Instructor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
April 15 - June 3 | Tuesdays: 6:30 - 9:30pm | $595 + GST | ||
| Glassblowing & Coldworking Basics | April 16 - June 4 | Wednesdays: 6:30 - 9:30pm | $595 + GST | |
| 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 be for students to learn how to finish off their pieces properly in the coldworking studio and to critique their work. | ||||
April 26 -June 7 No class: May 17 | Saturdays: 9:30am - 1:30pm | $595 + GST | ||
| Prerequisite: Glassblowing Basics, or glassblowing experience. 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. Spend the last class meeting will be for students to coldwork only to finish their blown pieces and critique their work. | ||||
Jewellery & Metals
Design and fabricate jewellery.
Course Name | Start & End Dates | Day & Time | Price | Instructor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
May 5 - June 30 No class: May 19 | Mondays: 6:30 - 9:30pm | $550 + GST | ||
| 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. | ||||
May 6 - June 24 | Tuesdays: 6:30 - 9:30pm | $550 + GST | ||
| Note: Jewellery Fundamentals: Cold Connections must be completed before registering into Soldering Skills. 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! | ||||
Ring Basics | Details coming soon | Weeknight: 6:30 - 9:30pm | $550 + GST | TBD |
| Take your jewellery making skills to the next level. This course teaches students the basic techniques of ring making including measuring, piercing, texturing, filing, soldering, shaping, and finishing. Students will start with making a wrap-over ring or an open-backed ring and move on to creating a soldered ring. Expect to create original designs and walk away with two or more rings. | ||||
Painting
Learn a variety of painting techniques across acrylic, watercolour and oils.
Course Name | Start & End Dates | Day & Time | Price | Instructor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
May 5 - June 30 | Mondays: 6:30 - 9:30pm | $370 + GST | ||
| Prerequisite: Acrylic Painting Basics. You have a solid grasp of the fundamentals of painting; now continue working with acrylic paints as you focus on painting subject matter that you choose. Your instructor will work with you to help develop your own style, as you broaden your knowledge of composition and art fundamentals. | ||||
May 6 - June 24 | Tuesdays: 6:30 - 9:30pm | $370 + GST | ||
| From a craggy Italian hilltop to a golden Alberta prairie, landscape painting captures the spirit of a location. This course will give you a basic understanding of the challenges of painting the landscape through an analytical approach to perspective, composition, relationships between colour and tone, and manipulation of media. | ||||
May 8 - June 26 | Thursdays: 6:30 - 9:30pm | $370 + GST | ||
| Prerequisite: Oil Painting Basics. You have a good understanding of the fundamentals of painting; now deepen your knowledge of painting techniques and art principles while focusing on subject matter that you are really interested in. With support from your instructor, work towards developing your personal style. There will be weekly critiques individual and group. | ||||
May 8 - June 26 | Thursdays: 6:30 - 9:30pm | $370 + GST | ||
| Watercolours can be challenging to work with, especially if you are new to painting, but understanding some basic watercolour handling and techniques will guarantee success. Learn how to stretch paper, proper brush handling, how to work wet-on-wet or drybrush along with some tricks of the trade and gain skills as you work through projects. | ||||
Photography
Capture and create lasting images using your camera.
Course Name | Start & End Dates | Day & Time | Price | Instructor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No Photography courses available this semester. | ||||
Print Media
Produce and transfer your ideas onto a variety of surfaces.
Course Name | Start & End Dates | Day & Time | Price | Instructor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No Print Media courses available this semester. | ||||
Please note: The courses listed above are available for the Spring 2025 term. For a breakdown of what courses are available each term, please download our 2025 Course Calendar.
For more information please contact the Continuing Education office.
Weeklong Summer Courses
Registration will open soon!
Get into the studio for five full days of productivity.
Weeklong Personal Interest courses provide committed artists with dedicated time and space in a studio environment. In addition to course content and open studio time, you will participate in group discussions and critiques that will deepen your understanding of your work and how others interpret it.
All skill levels are welcome.
Course Name | Start & End Dates | Day & Time | Price | Instructor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
100 Drawings in a Week | Information coming soon | Monday - Friday 10:00am - 4:00pm | $505 + GST | |
| Get really creative and push yourself to complete 100 drawing in a week. You’ll improve your drawing skills through your sustained drawing practice as your instructor helps you move from concentrating on mostly formal issues to more conceptual ones. Be introduced to past and current artists who have strong drawing practices and participate in individual and group critiques which will aide in your artist growth. | ||||
Abstract Painting Week | Information coming soon | Monday - Friday 10:00am - 4:00pm | $505 + GST | |
| Take your abstract painting practice to the next level and spend an uninterrupted week in the studio! Work alongside other abstract painters and build community under the guidance of your instructor as you produce new work or explore a new technique or approach to what you’ve been doing. You will participate in individual and group critiques throughout the week. Acrylic paint will be the medium used as it is flexible and dries quickly. | ||||
Figure for the Week | Information coming soon | Monday - Friday 10:00am - 4:00pm | $555 + GST | |
| Learn a classical approach to drawing and painting the figure as you spend a full week in the studio working from a live model. All artists are supported by the instructor to work on honing their figure drawing and/or painting skills. You will participate in discussions about both the historical and contemporary figures in drawing and painting as well as addressing formal and technical issues. Both individual and group critiques play an important role in the workshop and serve as a valuable learning tool for all artists involved. All levels welcome. | ||||
Mixed Media & Collage Week | Information coming soon | Monday - Friday 10:00am - 4:00pm | $505 + GST | |
| Working with mixed media can be daunting but it can also be very exciting and freeing. Grow your understanding of working with different materials and techniques as you collage and layer, building up and scratching away your surface to create pieces that are totally unique. Learn about historical and contemporary artists who have used mixed media and the impact of their work within an art context, as well as participate in group discussions and critiques to stimulate your own practice. All levels welcome. | ||||
Open Jewellery Studio Week | Information coming soon | Monday - Friday 10:00am - 4:00pm | $675 + GST | |
| Here’s your chance to complete past projects in a jewellery studio, while having access to a professional jeweler for advanced instruction and guidance. Be prepared to generate your own projects. Your instructor will provide technical advice, critical feedback, and new skills demonstrations on request. Please Note: Previous metal fabrication, soldering, and jewellery skills and the ability to work independently is required. | ||||
Urban Sketching Week | Information coming soon | Monday - Friday 10:00am - 4:00pm | $505 + GST | |
| Capture the bustling energy of a busy street corner or the quietness of a single person on a bench, as you explore the downtown Calgary. Meet in a different location each day and draw from observation in your sketchbook. Please see your course supply list online. All levels welcome. | ||||
Watch and learn!
Note
Please note: Courses are subject to cancellation based on minimum enrolment levels.
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