An exploration of abstraction of form, colour and space, adaptable to different grade levels, abilities and materials. Using variations on the theme of forms in space we experiment with abstract arrangements of drawings and collage to create complexity and / or the illusion of 3 dimensional space. Please note: for in person workshops the artist must be within one hour travel distance from the school. You can check the distance by entering your school address on the Artist Directory page.

How to use the kind of acrylic paint that is usually available in schools: demonstration of ways of using it, possible supports (papers, board...), care of brushes, followed by a short painting project accommodating various levels of ability.

This is an acrylic workshop that centers on layering and movement while also using techniques like washing and shading.

This is a visual way for children to learn about geometry. Children will be given sets of rubber stamps with simple designs on them. They will then be taught how to rotate them at 90, 180, and 360 degrees to make unique patterns.

Day 1: Prepare Black Canvas & Design Individual Brilliant Birds 90 minutes Day 2 : Drawing Your Birds In White Chalk & Painting Our Brilliant Birds 90 minutes Day 3: Wash Off Chalk, Touch Up Eyes and Add Highlights. Finish Off with an "Art Gallery" in Classroom to Share Your Work. Celebrate Each Other's Unique, "Brilliant Bird" Paintings.

This project was designed to use ‘found papers’, that is, paper that you divert from the recycle bin! So it’s also environmental and budget friendly.The open ended nature of collage makes it perfect to be linked to any part of your current curriculum. Paper collage has been around as an art form since about 1910. It was started by artists Picasso and Braque. The term “collage” comes from the French word coller, or “to glue."

This project was designed to use ‘found papers’, that is, paper that you divert from the recycle bin! So it’s also environmental and budget friendly. The open ended nature of collage makes it perfect to be linked to any part of your current curriculum if you choose. Paper collage has been around as an art form since about 1910. It was started by artists Picasso and Braque. The term “collage” comes from the French word coller, or “to glue.”

The workshop presents a step by step approach to making a comic, from rough sketch, through character development, story line, and layout, to a finished one-page comic, or single finished page of a longer comic.

Learn beginner-intermediate embroidery stitches and create a fun piece of art. Workshop contains an embroidery lesson and steps to create an easy finished artwork. Tailored to the students' age/abilities.

We will study real animal skulls and make drawings based on our observations. We’ll use dry media like graphite, charcoal and pastel on paper.

Students will laugh at all the unique images, characters and stories they will create with just their black markers. problem solving, technique, observing , imagining, creating and story telling all come alive in a variety of drawing games, prompts, and inspiring teacher lead activity.

Drawing with Carbon Paper.
This class is highly beneficial for students who struggle with the shapes, composition, and detailed depiction of images.

We’ll explore the world of fantasy creatures, design our own and make a small sculpture.

Let's make fabric! Using wool fibre, soapy water and friction we can learn how to make felt - which is the oldest form of fabric. Elise will guide students in the creation of prefelt, the design & layout, and the finishing & fulling of a 2D work of art to hang in your classrooms, in the hallways or at home. Organizers will have the option to choose work within a theme (ie. special occasions/seasons) or student's choice. This project is great for all ages, is pandemic friendly (lots of soapy water), and a great way to get hands and minds having fun with a new task.

Let’s get wet felting! In this workshop students will create a fabric rectangle from wool-fibre which will be cut in half to create two bookmarks. Participants will use colour, texture and design to create their own work of art. Wet felting uses natural, easy to find materials and is fun and safe for everyone.

Each student will choose a fruit or vegetable to explore. They will draw it and then make a collage based on their observations, drawings and understanding. As an artist and chef, my inspiration for this project comes from a love for fruits and vegetables. I am excited to share the process of making collages inspired by local seasonal produce grown in Nova Scotia. Collage is a fun way to express the beauty of things. It is like a puzzle using different pieces to create a whole. It also teaches layering and planning.

A fun, accessible workshop for students of all ages. Lots of room for individuality and play within a structure that sets participants up for success The project uses safe, affordable materials and all the creativity you want to bring to it!

Students are introduced to game making and use these skills to produce a game that is fun on behalf of the player.

This is a visual way for children to learn about geometry. Children will be given sets of square rubber stamps with simple designs on them. They will then be taught how to rotate them at 90, 180, and 360 degrees to make unique patterns. This simple geometry makes up most of the patterns we see in life and nature! We will learn how to spot geometric repetition and how to create it too. As a kid who struggled with math as a child, but learned to love it as a creative adult, this workshop aims to give kids a different application for math than what it is typically used for. Math isn't always numbers on a page. Math is visual, and colourful, and has lots of room for play.

Introduction to watercolour painting and illustration

Let's learn about zines and make some self-made books!

Students will learn about Liberated Quilt Making. I use these techniques in my art practice. I will also cover where these quilt making techniques can be seen historically including Gee’s Bend, Amish and African Nova Scotian quilts.

Students are introduced to storytelling and how to make comics, then they make a comic pages and have the stories printed in a book for each member of the class to share.

Learn how to fold a single piece of paper into an eight-paged book for a mini-zine. Zines contain a series of images while mixing in words or poetry to connect a single idea or narrative.

Learning about modern art we will view a brief slideshow of its beginnings with Georges Braque and the influences of the modern age. The work of Acadian mixed media artist Francois Gaudet and Cree artist Jane Ash Poitras will be discussed in terms of the Elements of Visual Arts. Available for grades 6 - 12.

Learn how to sculpt with wool! Let's use natural fibres, imagination, and inspiration from nature to create a forest of woolly mushrooms.

Self care and self representation are foundational aspects of building an authentic sense of self, building self-esteem and self-confidence. It is also a necessity in navigating self-discovery as a youth. Self branding exercises can help introduce the habit in representing oneself with positivity and authenticity.

Create a Pop Art Bunny painting in black and white.

This workshop introduces students to rug hooking, and to allows them to create a finished individual piece. We are going to make “Mug Rugs” – a traditional kind of rug hooking project that is also seasonally appropriate.

This workshop can be offered in English or French.

This workshop is about sustainable fashion and repair. We will focus on a Japanese technique called Sashiko used to patch and repair clothing using unique stitching that creates beautiful art pieces. Each repair becomes a creative challenge and offers the sewer to express themselves while being mindful of textile waste.

Students will be given a short lesson in embroidery, with demonstration and explanation of a few basic stitches. They will then complete a small (approx. 3” diameter) circular piece of embroidery that will ultimately be backed with felt and turned into a pin-on patch. These embroidery pieces will be inspired by design prompts appropriate to the age, skill level and learning styles of the students participating and can be linked to curriculum that is being covered. Design prompts and degree of complexity of both stitching and design will be adjusted to suit the grade level participating.

Students will be given a short lesson in embroidery, with demonstration and explanation of a few basic stitches. They will then complete a small (approx. 3” diameter) circular piece of embroidery that will ultimately be backed with felt and turned into a pin-on patch. These embroidery pieces will be inspired by design prompts appropriate to the age, skill level and learning styles of the students participating and can be linked to curriculum that is being covered. Design prompts and degree of complexity of both stitching and design will be adjusted to suit the grade level participating.

Looking at the structure of the human skull and using a step-by-step process to make a 3D skull with clay.

In this workshop, students will be introduced to the oldest and most basic method for making functional pottery - the pinch pot!

Maps represent an interesting and wonderful wealth of visual information.