Personal interest

Get out of your comfort zone and into the studio! AUArts Continuing Education offers tons of great studio-based art courses for adults. Cultivate your creativity in disciplines from arts, crafts, media, and design.

These courses are taught by practicing artists in the same well-equipped facilities that support our degree students. Whether you’re a beginner or practicing artist, these courses guarantee to inspire the creative in everyone. Courses include drawing, painting, ceramics, glassblowing, graphic design and more. If you’ve ever wondered if you have what it takes to be an artist, now is the time to get amongst like-minded people and find out.

Each course meets 6:30 - 9:30 one night a week for eight weeks.

We offer courses year-round! To see what's being offered now check your desired discipline.

Teen Courses
Art & Business
Book Arts & Writing
Ceramics
Design & Digital Media Arts
Drawing
Fibre Arts
Glassblowing
Jewellery & Metals
Painting
Photography
Print Media
Weeklong Summer Courses

Don't miss! Sign up now to secure your seat in the studio.

Take Personal interest courses as a bundle to spend more time focusing on your craft while earning a Certification of Achievement.

Please note: Courses appearing in red are currently available for registration.

student drawing on a tilted drafting table in an art studio

Available Courses by Discipline

Please note: Online registration closes 1-week before the first class meeting; however, our team can provide assisted enrollment up to 1-week after the first class meeting by reaching out to coned@auarts.ca.

Teen Courses

Course Name	Start & End Dates	Day & Time	Price	Instructor
NEW: Comic Book Studio	February 8 - March 29	Wednesdays: 6:00 - 8:30pm	$305 + GST	Jarret Hartnell
Learn the traditional process of hand drawing your own comics, and work on developing your own identifiable style, including environments and layouts, and characters. Give your characters expression and action and put them into a narrative to tell a story, as you work with your choice of media. Ages 12 - 17.

Art & Business

Course Name	Start & End Dates	Day & Time	Price	Instructor
NEW: Intro to Business	not available this term	Mondays: 6:00 - 9:30pm	$540 + GST	Marta Gorski
Introduction to Business will give students an overview of different business structures, operational differences, financial processes, and the importance of business culture. Students will gain a general understanding of both the internal and external factors which impact small business.
NEW: Strategic Marketing	not available this term	Thursdays: 6:00 - 9:30pm	$540 + GST	Darcy Parke
You’ve got some marketing instincts and a good creative mind, but how do you really self-brand and market yourself and/or your respective employer in today’s more evolved and sophisticated communications world? Strategic marketing will open your mind to understanding how to build a brand while creating an effective marketing platform, with a focus on the theoretical and strategic. You will participate in this course online through MS Teams.

Book Arts & Writing

Course Name	Start & End Dates	Day & Time	Price	Instructor
NEW: Scriptwriting for Beginners	March 8 - April 26	Wednesdays: 6:30 - 9:30pm	$355 + GST	Tawny Stokes
Learn the foundations of a screenplay, including 3 Act structure, and what makes for a good book to script adaptation. Dive deep into the elements of writing a solid first draft; including developing character arcs, goals, stakes, themes, and perfecting the opening scene. As you will be deconstructing an adapted script, this course is perfect for authors looking to adapt their own work or anyone looking to begin screen or scriptwriting. Note: This is an online course hosted via Microsoft Teams.
NEW: World Building for Writers	March 7 - April 25	Tuesdays: 6:30 - 9:30pm	$355 + GST	Tawny Stokes
Whether you’re writing a novel, a script, or even a game, world building is an integral part to creating a setting that readers will want to submerse themselves into for years to come. Where would the hobbits be without Middle Earth, or Jon Snow without Westeros? Use mythologies from around the world as a starting point to determine what kind of world you want to create. From there you will establish its rules and laws, describe the environment, determine its culture, history and language, and create characters to populate it, setting the stage to write your own epic story. Note: This is an online course hosted via Microsoft Teams.

Ceramics

Course Name	Start & End Dates	Day & Time	Price	Instructor
Ceramics Basics FULL	February 8 - March 29	Wednesdays: 6:30 - 9:30pm	$540 + GST	Amy Bouchard
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.

Design & Digital Media Arts

Course Name	Start & End Dates	Day & Time	Price	Instructor
NEW: Children's Book Illustration Online Registration Closed	February 8 - March 29	Wednesdays: 6:30 - 9:30pm	$355 + GST	Lyndsay Wasko
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. Note: Art experience is recommended, this is not a beginner course
NEW: Comic Book Basics Online Registration Closed	February 6 - April 3	Mondays: 6:30 - 9:30pm	$355 + GST	Jarret Hartnell
Create unique comic characters through a series of thumbnail sketches that you develop into final drawings for 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.
Colour Fundamentals Online Registration Closed	February 8 - March 29	Wednesdays: 6:30 - 9:30pm	$355 + GST	Shawn Chamberlain
Learn the fundamentals of colour theory and more. Colour is a key component in art, design, and illustration, setting the tone of what you are communicating. You will select colours to work for you, through a series of projects that will deepen your understanding of how colour is essential to your work’s effectiveness and success
Digital Lab for Designers Online Registration Closed	February 7 - March 28	Tuesdays: 6:30 - 9:30pm	$355 + GST	Samantha Haslam
Learn the basics of the Adobe CS6 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.
Illustration Online Registration Closed	February 6 - April 3	Mondays: 6:30 - 9:30pm	$355 + GST	Samantha Haslam
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.
not available this term
Graphic Design: Branding	not available this term	Weeknight: 6:30 - 9:30pm	$355 + GST	N/A
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.
Graphic Design Fundamentals	not available this term	Weeknight: 6:30 - 9:30pm	$355 + GST	N/A
Gain an understanding of visual communication design and the role of a graphic designer. Learn to problem solve and generate ideas through sketching and drawing, to further develop your skills. Emphasis will be on using the elements and principles of design effectively while you work on projects that push your creativity.
Typography	not available this term	Weeknight: 6:30 - 9:30pm	$355 + GST	N/A
Learn the principles of typography and typeface design and gain an understanding of how to improve your viewer's experience.

Drawing

Course Name	Start & End Dates	Day & Time	Price	Instructor
Abstract Drawing Online Registration Closed	February 6 - April 3	Mondays: 6:30 - 9:30pm	$355 + GST	Sarah van Sloten
Abstraction can be challenging... start with some basics in drawing to learn some ways to get there. Start with observational drawings that you break down by sectioning, enlarging, and distorting. Practice different drawing methods with a variety of drawing media. Discuss the approach of various abstract artist. Discovering the power of their works as you explore where images and ideas come from. Individual and group critiques will provide artistic growth through greater understanding of abstraction. Note: Previous experience with acrylic painting is recommended
Botanical Drawing Online Registration Closed	February 8 - March 29	Wednesday: 6:30 - 9:30pm	$355 + GST	Yana Emasheva
Learn the fundamentals of colour theory and more. Colour is a key component in art, design, and illustration, setting the tone of what you are communicating. You will select colours to work for you, through a series of projects that will deepen your understanding of how colour is essential to your work’s effectiveness and success
Drawing Fundamentals Online Registration Closed	February 7 - March 28	Tuesdays: 6:30 - 9:30pm	$355 + GST	Nick Rooney
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.
Perspective Drawing Online Registration Closed	February 7 - March 28	Tuesdays: 6:30 - 9:30pm	$355 + GST	Shawn Chamberlain
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.
Portrait Drawing Online Registration Closed	February 6 - April 3	Mondays: 6:30 - 9:30pm	$355 + GST	Aaron Sidorenko
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. Note: Previous drawing experience recommended
not available this term
Classical Drawing Techniques	not available this term	Weeknight: 6:30 - 9:30pm	$355 + GST	N/A
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.
Figure Drawing	not available this term	Weeknight: 6:30 - 9:30pm	$400 + GST	Aaron Sidorenko
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. Note: Previous drawing experience recommended.
Landscape Drawing	not available this term	Weeknight: 6:30 - 9:30pm	$355 + GST	N/A
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.
Pet Portraits	not available this term	Weeknight: 6:30 - 9:30pm	$355 + GST	N/A
We love our pets! Learn how to draw yours, whether it’s a dog, a cat, a bird, a snake, or a fish. You’ll start by sketching simple contoured shapes and move into portraying their likeness through careful, accurate observation. Focus on the head and how to draw the eyes, nose, mouth, etc... and how to capture your animal’s personality. You will also learn how to represent fur, feathers, or scales.
Portfolio Prep	not available this term	Weeknight: 6:30 - 9:30pm	$355 + GST	N/A
Focus on building a strong set of drawings to include in your portfolio for submission to AUArts or any other visual arts institution, through a series of drawings including: still life, landscape, the human figure, self-portraiture, and collage - all aimed at increasing your observational drawing skills.

Fibre Arts

Course Name	Start & End Dates	Day & Time	Price	Instructor
NEW: Silkscreening on Fabric FULL	February 11 - March 25	Saturdays: 9:00am - 1:00pm	$400 + GST	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 using water-based printing medium on natural fibres.

Glassblowing

Course Name	Start & End Dates	Day & Time	Price	Instructor
Glassblowing Basics FULL	February 8 - March 29	Wednesdays: 6:30 - 9:30pm	$585 + GST	Melanie Long
Learn the basic processes of hot glasswork, with a focus on solid and simple blow forms, in a studio environment limited to eight students; in order to give you optimum access to all equipment and instructor.
Glassblowing Beyond Basics FULL	February 11 - March 18	Saturday: 9:30am - 1:30pm	$585 + GST	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.

Jewellery & Metals

Course Name	Start & End Dates	Day & Time	Price	Instructor
Jewellery Fundamentals: Cold Connections FULL	February 7 - March 28	Tuesdays: 6:30 - 9:30pm	$540 + GST	Kelsey Merkeley
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.
Jewellery Fundamentals: Soldering Skills Online Registration Closed	February 8 - March 29	Wednesdays: 6:30 - 9:30pm	$540 + GST	Kelsey Merkeley
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!
NEW: Gem Setting: Flush Online Registration Closed	February 6 - April 3	Monday: 6:30 - 9:30pm	$540 + GST	Kelsey Merkeley
Learn flush setting, by making a constellation pendant. You will gain valuable skills in fabrication, layout, burring, seating, tightening stones and much more. Get ample time in the studio for in-depth work and experimentation of these techniques and have your instructor on hand for assistance and guidance and walk away with a beautiful zodiac pendant. Note: Foundational skills in sawing, piercing, filing, sanding, and soldering are recommended.
Open Jewellery Studio	February 25 - April 1	Saturday: 9:30am - 1:30pm	$540 + GST	Kelsey Merkeley
Here’s your chance to complete past projects in a jewellery studio week after week. You will have access to a professional jeweller for technical advice, guidance, and critical feedback, but should be able to work independently and have a strong jewellery and metals foundation. Note: Foundational skills in sawing, piercing, filing, sanding, and soldering are recommended.
not available this term
Jewellery: Chains & Clasps	not available this term	Weeknight: 6:30 - 9:30pm	$540 + GST	Kelsey Merkeley
Really hone your sawing, shaping, and soldering skills as you construct chains and clasps from metal wire. Your instructor will present different chain styles and simple clasps—s-hook, toggle, and keyhole with cap for you to practice and perfect.
Jewellery: Ring Basics	not available this term	Weeknight: 6:30 - 9:30pm	$540 + GST	Kelsey Merkeley
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.
Gem Setting: Prong	not available this term	Weeknight: 6:30 - 9:30pm	$540 + GST	Kelsey Merkeley
Learn a variety of technical stone settings used in jewellery making through detailed demonstrations and ample practice under the guidance of your instructor. Focus on prong setting in addition to channel setting and some theory.
Gem Setting: Heavy Bezel	not available this term	Weeknight: 6:30 - 9:30pm	$540 + GST	Kelsey Merkeley
Take your jewellery making skills to the next level and learn a basic (and oldest) stone setting technique — bezel. A bezel setting surrounds your gemstone and creates a unique look and a very secure set. Heavy bezel setting is the perfect next step after mastering traditional fine silver wire bezel setting. Watch detailed demonstrations and get ample time to practice with different shaped stones under the guidance of your instructor.
The Magic of Fine Silver Clay	not available this term	Weeknight: 6:30 - 9:30pm	$385 + GST	Kelsey Merkeley
Imagine being able to model with "clay", ending up with a fine silver object. With endless potential for jewellers, enamellists, ceramists, polymer artists, mixed media artists, and anyone interested in miniatures. You will be introduced to the basics of working with this innovative new materials and gain hands-on experience in the construction of flat and hollow forms, moving on to more complex forming and moulding methods.
Wire Jewellery	not available this term	Weeknight: 6:30 - 9:30pm	$540 + GST	Kelsey Merkeley
Even beginners can create wearable wire jewellery using simple tools and a little ingenuity! Learn basic wire manipulation techniques such as straightening, bending, wrapping, and twisting. Expand your options with a little forging. Learn to make your own ear wires, earrings, pendants, jump rings, neck hoops, beads, and more.

Painting

Course Name	Start & End Dates	Day & Time	Price	Instructor
Abstract Painting Online Registration Closed	February 8 - March 29	Wednesdays: 6:30 - 9:30pm	$355 + GST	Sarah van Sloten
Break free from representational painting! Let go and create abstract and non-objective paintings based on your interests. Get introduced to historical and contemporary examples and approaches to abstraction with an emphasis on the materials used, the process, and the impact of the relationship between form and content.
Acrylic Painting Basics FULL	February 6 - April 3	Mondays: 6:30 - 9:30pm	$355 + GST	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. Learn the basics of colour theory, paint mixing, application techniques, and composition while developing your skills AND confidence in your creative potential.
Figure Painting	February 9 - March 30	Thursdays: 6:30 - 9:30pm	$400 + GST	Aaron Sidorenko
The human figure has provided artists of all disciplines and skill levels with endless possibilities. Now you can concentrate on the figure as you paint from a live, nude model in the studio each week. You will discuss proportions of the figure while you also focus on tone, colour, form and the relationships of space within your surface. You will look at examples from art history and discuss how to add expression and emotion into your work. The use of oil or acrylic paints is optional and individual technical guidance will be provided for both mediums. Note: Previous experience with acrylic or oil painting recommended
Landscape Painting Online Registration Closed	February 6 - April 3	Mondays: 6:30 - 9:30pm	$355 + GST	Shawn Chamberlain
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. Note: Previous painting experience is recommended.
Oil Painting Basics Online Registration Closed	February 6 - April 3	Mondays: 6:30 - 9:30pm	$355 + GST	Nick Rooney
Discover the materials and techniques of oil painting through still life, landscape, and portrait assignments structured to introduce you to its language and practice. Explore the formal principles that enable effective design with the aim of developing your personal vision.
Oil Painting Techniques	February 9 - March 30	Thursdays: 6:30 - 9:30pm	$355 + GST	Nick Rooney
The very nature of oil paints allows for artists to work and re-work their paintings to create a wide range of textures from smooth, subtle, glowing finishes achieved by slowly building up thin layers of glaze; to rough, energetic, thick applications of paint that build up quickly and heavily on a canvas. Your instructor will lead you through a sequence of in class exercises that introduce you to a number of different techniques and how to achieve them.
Watercolour Painting Basics	February 9 - March 30	Thursdays: 6:30 - 9:30pm	$355 + GST	Lori Lukasewich
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

Course Name	Start & End Dates	Day & Time	Price	Instructor
Digital Photography Basics	February 9 - March 30	Thursdays: 6:30 - 9:30pm	$440 + GST	Haley Eyre
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.
Portrait Photography Online Registration Closed	February 8 - March 29	Wednesdays: 6:30 - 9:30pm	$440 + GST	Haley Eyre
Take better pictures of your family and friends with ease and assurance that you are getting the shot. Portraiture is no doubt one of the most popular forms of photography, yet many times these pictures are the hardest to take. You will learn how to improve your portrait photography skills, how to take advantage of available light, how to compose interesting shots, and how to effectively direct your subject to achieve the desired look. On location, hands-on demonstrations and in class shooting sessions will benefit students greatly. There will be a brief review of camera operations as well as an introduction to post-processing and design fundamentals. Note: Basic understanding of camera operations is recommended. DSLR only.

Print Media

Course Name	Start & End Dates	Day & Time	Price	Instructor
NEW: Linocut I	February 16 - April 6	Thursdays: 6:30 - 9:30pm	$355 + GST	Samantha Charette
Explore the possibilities of relief printmaking through linocut, as you work in a fully equipped studio. Learn how to safely carve your linocut, print with a single colour as you work up to reduction cutting and printing with multiple colours. You will print with a press and by hand, making it easy to continue your practice after the course.

Please note: Courses appearing in red are currently available for registration.

For more information please contact the Continuing Education office by email

Weeklong Summer Courses

Get into the studio for full days of constructive productivity away from your usual daily interruptions. 

These weeklong courses are intended for committed artists looking to work in a serious studio environment. You will participate in group discussions and critiques as you grow your practice and deepen your understanding of your work and how it is interpreted by others.  

All artists are welcome, whether you have been working on your practice for several years or several months.  

Course Name	Start & End Dates	Day & Time	Price
100 Drawings in a Week	July 2023	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	July 2023	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.
Open Jewellery Studio Week	July 2023	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.
Sketchbook Drawing Week	July 2023	Monday - Friday 10:00am - 4:00pm	$505 + GST
Your sketchbook is a place to work out ideas, collect your thoughts, hone your drawing skills, and be as a source of inspiration. Maintaining a daily sketchbook practice can boost your creativity and increase your productivity. Your instructor will work with you to create daily challenges and discuss how to keep up your practice, even on really busy days. You will sketch out and about around Calgary, and develop your ability to work on location.

Last Week to Register for Winter Courses!