December 12, 2012 
Vancouver Island School of Art Newsletter
Dear Friends of VISA,

The novelist Zadie Smith has an article in the New Yorker about her changing and evolving responses to the music of Joni Mitchell. Its a really good read and really got me thinking about what artists I might not have liked at first sight and whose work has grown on me over the years. As a typical young art student back in the 1980's there was a lot of work I didn't like when I first started art school. I remember seeing Painter's Painting, a documentary about the New York School painters (Willem De Kooning, Frank Stella, Barnett Newman, Robert Rauschenberg, etc) and thinking that these artists couldn't be for real. I thought their work was just too simple. Not only did I grow to love all these artists' work but Painter's Painting is one of my all time favourite art documentaries of all time. I never tire of watching it. And Robert Rauschenberg has probably had more influence on my work than any other artist (the link above leads to Rauschenberg's obitiuary in the New York Times 2008 which happens to be one of the best artist obituaries ever). There are always going to be students who. when I show an image of an important (and often fabulous) work, ask 'why is this art?', and so rather than get frustrated by their response, I think to myself, one day they might change their mind and see this work in a entirely different light. I see this happen all the time. This could be one of the greatest pleasures of teaching: exposing students to new work and new ideas and seeing how over time, students open up their minds to the possibilities and excitement of contemporary art.

It would be impossible to think of Joni Mitchell at this time of year and not mention the song River. This is probably my second favourite Christmas song (the first being Fairy Tale of New York
sorry, the dark side prevails). I do love Christmas but I don't like the pressure to buy and receive things you don't really need. This year I thought I'd combine two things I think about a lot: (1) there are too many things being manufactured and purchased in the world and (2) we are all too busy all the time. This year I am giving gifts that involve 'experiences', whether it is a trip to Seattle, going to a play or concert, cocktails in the Bengal Lounge, dinner at a favourite restaurant, a cooking lesson or something as simple as taking someone out for a coffee. Whatever the event or occasion, it will be something that will include the experience of spending time with the person. After all in the end it is the personal experiences that we will remember the most: you don't ever hear somebody on their death bed wondering how their life might have been different as an owner of a KitchenAid mixer (although those mixer's are pretty good...)


  
Don't miss our Open House this Saturday, December 15, noon-4pm
Lots of great art, coffee, tea, baked goods, creative writing students reading and a 'make your own collage' table!  (Perhaps a handmade collage can be the perfect Christmas gift for somebody you love)           

 
Do you and everybody you know already own enough material 'things'?
Do you want to buy a gift that has low impact on the environment?
Here are some options for you to consider this holiday season:
  • Buy a one-day art workshop for a friend $125 (supplies included!)
  • Treat yourself to an art course for Christmas  
  • Make a tax-deductible donation to our  Bursary Workshop Fund so a needy high school student or senior can enrich their life with art   
Are you ready to give your drawing or painting a jumpstart this January?
We are opening up our advanced level courses to people who are outside of a program as long as they have some previous drawing or painting experience.  These 300 level courses are a be a great way to push your own work, participate in the critique process and expedite your artistic progress at an astonishing rate. See details below.
ADVANCED DRAWING 
Fridays, 2-5pm (Jan 11-April 5) 
In Advanced Drawing students explore their own direction in drawing. The course includes some instructor-driven projects to open up the creative possibilities in each student with regards to materials and methods, however the focus is on developing a series of drawings related to a particular thematic concern.  Course is supplemented with visual presentations and readings on contemporary artists who use drawing as a major component of their practice. While this course is open to people outside of the Certificate or Diploma program, it is expected that students registering for this course have some previous drawing experience. Students can expect to leave this course with a cohesive and comprehensive series of drawings as well as a short artist statement about their work.  Instructor: Danielle Hogan  Tuition: $395 for 36 hours of instruction. TO REGISTER
ADVANCED PAINTING
Tuesdays, 2-5pm (Jan 8-April 2) 
In Advanced Painting students explore their own direction in painting. The course includes some instructor-driven projects to open up the creative possibilities in each student with regards to materials and methods, however the focus is on developing a  series of paintings related to a particular thematic concern.  Course is supplemented with visual presentations and readings on contemporary artists who use painting as a major component of their practice. While this course is open to people outside of the Certificate or Diploma program, it is expected that students registering for this course have some previous painting. experience. Students can expect to leave this course with a cohesive comprehensive series of paintings as well as a short artist statement about their work. Instructor: Todd Lambeth
Tuition: $395 for 36 hours of instruction. TO REGISTER
Get your new year off to a good start and take an art course
WINTER COURSES & WORKSHOPS start the week of January 7

We have added some new Winter Courses such as a 12-week Creative Writing course as well as Understanding Colour I, Introductory Painting and a Saturday morning Introductory Drawing  to our schedule.

Our Winter & Spring Workshops have many new additions including two new printmaking workshops on three consecutive Thursday afternoons. Click on links above for updated schedules!

For more information or to register:

 


 


 
For more information about our courses or events contact
Linda or Jen at the office: 250-380-3500 or info@vancouverislandschoolart.com
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