August 8, 2012 
Vancouver Island School of Art Newsletter


Dear Friends of VISA,

We are all feeling a little overwhelmed these days: we are overwhelmed by all we have to do at any given moment and by all the choices we have. I find that sometimes the idea of choice can lead to a kind of paralysis of sorts. Whether it is deciding what brand of toilet paper to buy, what to make for dinner, where to travel, what course or workshop to take, or what book to read, its all a bit much. To continue with last week's theme of reading, I thought that each week I will post one of my favourite art articles that I have read over the past week. That way those of you who want to read about what is happening in contemporary art, but are overwhelmed about where to start, will always have one art article to read each week. The only choice you will need to make is whether or not to read it.

This week's reading is from the New York Times Magazine and highlights two really great Canadian artists: Janet Cardiff and George Bures Miller. I recently saw Janet Cardiff's piece 'Motet for 40 Voices' in the Rideau Chapel at the National Gallery in Ottawa. I would have to say that it was one of the most moving art experiences of my life. Who knew that out of all the art I saw in my month long art holiday,  that a sound art piece by a Canadian artist would be the one I found most moving. That is what I love about art. You never know how it will effect you.

Thank you to everybody for your kind comments about last week's letter. There are too many bland impersonal newsletters going out there that I have decided to make ours a little more personal.

Wendy Welch
Executive Director
Vancouver Island School of Art

Program Application deadline extended to Aug 31 


Are you looking for a change in your life? Perhaps you might consider enrolling in one of our university transferable programs: Certificate of Visual Arts or Diploma of Fine Arts.

The Certificate of Visual Arts can be done in nine months full-time or over four years on a part-time basis. The Diploma of Fine Arts is a three-year program full-time or can be done over five years on a part-time basis.

The minimum required amount of courses per semester for the Certificate of Visual Arts is two per semester and the minimum requirement for the Diploma is three per semester.

Click on above links for more information. If you'd like to discuss your options in person email the office to set up an appointment with the Director.

Plein Air Painting with Jeremy Herndl 

August 13-17, Monday-Friday, 10am-5pm

Jeremy Herndl uses the traditional genre of plein air painting to inform his contemporary art practice. Jeremy focuses on capturing the physical attributes of the landscape, in particular light and colour, as they change through a specific period of time. Any one of his plein air paintings can take six hours to two weeks and they are all done on site. They become records of physical sensations as experienced through time.

Jeremy will share his experience and knowledge about Plein Art painting, both in terms of the practical knowledge necessary for painting outdoors as well by providing exercises focusing on an intense investigation of space and training in the skill of looking. Classes will consist of field trips, hands-ons painting as well as technical  instruction and individual guidance. Jeremy taught this workshop as a six week course during our Spring semesters and I received extremely positive feedback from students about Jeremy's focused approach to teaching, his depth of knowledge and his genuine interest and concern for his students.

Note: You can register for this workshop for the entire week or for selected days. For example: if you just want to come on Monday, or if you want to do Tuesday and Thursday, you can pay the 'day rate' of $85 per day for the days you attend.

Tuition: $395.00 (30 hrs)

Summer Studio Space at VISA

Do you need a break from family, friends and relatives? Are you looking for some quality alone time to do artwork? VISA has bright spacious classrooms that you can use for $100/week. 

Contact the office for more info

Painting Space with Inga Rmer 

August 20, 21, 22, Mon-Wed, 10-5pm (Thursday & Friday, optional studio days)

 

Inga Romer  is coming from Berlin to teach two workshops at VISA this summer. If you haven't had the chance to experience Inga's teaching she comes highly recommended by many students. Not only does Inga bring a wealth of knowledge about contemporary European painting, in particular what is happening in Berlin, her kind demeanour and good humour make her a delight as an instructor. Inga conceived of this workshop in the early years of VISA and she also taught it as 12-week course. You will learn unique ways of seeing space and how to consider its importance in the dynamics of composition. A great workshop for students who are interested in taking a fresh approach to the challenges of making compositions with a persuasive sense of depth, drama and play. Artists include: Fiona Rae, Julie Mehretu, Eric Fischl, Franz Ackermann, and Matthew Ritchie.
Tuition: $250.00
(includes 18 hours of instruction and two optional studio days, Thursday & Friday)   

Supply List   



Image: Inga Rmer

Painting: Photographic Influence with Inga R�mer   

August 27, 28, 29, Mon-Wed, 10-5pm (Thursday & Friday, optional studio days) 

 

Many artists today are using photographs as source material to influence the content and meaning of their work. The photographic structure and subject often get transformed through the language and process of painting. This workshop explores various ways photography can be used in painting, both as source imagery, and a means of better understanding our relationship to narrative depiction. Artists include: Gerhard Richter, Vija Celmins, Glenn Brown, Richard Prince, Elizabeth Peyton, Karen Kilminik and Marlene Dumas.
Tuition: $250.00  

(includes 18 hours of instruction and two optional studio days, Thursday & Friday)  

Photographic Influence images

 

To register 

 

Image: Inga Rmer

 


Open Space: MAGIC LAB
Thursday, Aug 9, 7pm - 9pm

An exhibition of interactive media art that includes work by VISA instructor Tracey Nelson as well as of work produced by participants in MediaNet's Multi-media Art Group Interactive Collaboration Lab (MAGIC LAB)

ART INCOGNITO
Friday, September 7
7pm - 10pm

Save the date! Our very popular gala art sale with its fabulous cocktail reception is coming up soon.

We have lots of new artists this year including Toronto's Scott Everingham (image right). Click on the link above to see more of Scott's very interesting and unique work.

Tickets on sale now: $35

Call the office to reserve your ticket now
250-380-3500

To see a list of artists who are donating work check here ART INCOGNITO
ELEGANT OBJECT THANK YOU!

Thanks for everybody who donated such fantastic and beautiful objects for our 'elegant object fundraiser'. All the unsold objects were picked up by Kilshaw's and will be sold at auction. The representative from Kilshaw's was impressed with the high quality of goods on sale and agreed to take EVERYTHING that was unsold. Kilshaw's has generously agreed to reduce their commission fee to 10%. In addition to thanking all the people who donated objects from their personal collection we would also like to offer a special thank you to the following stores for donating objects to our fundraiser:
Click on the links above and support local business!
 


 


   





For more information about our courses or events contact
Linda or Jen at the office: 250-380-3500 or [email protected]
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