When popular local artist Greta Guzek begins her painting class on July 9 she will be opening the 20th anniversary season for the Gibsons School of the Arts (GSA).
Every summer the organization puts on several four or five-day classes at the Arts Building in Lower Gibsons and they invite professional artists, some local like Guzek and Marleen Vermeulen and some from other Canadian locations, to teach small groups of students.
Organizer Donnie McAra has been with the GSA since 2000 and is proud of the way the art school has thrived into its 21st year. She recalls the work of the founders, particularly Peggy Small who passed away last November, and other dedicated local artists.
“We were fortunate to have good people,” McAra said, “and we’re carrying on into the future.”
Guzek’s course is full up – it was sold out two days after registration opened. Vermeulen’s course in art with texture and space is also sold out. GSA has a minimum of six participants to run a course and a maximum of 14. Verne Busby’s course in Small Abstracted Landscapes is still available. It runs July 17 through 21 and is billed as suitable for advanced beginners and up. McAra says that they don’t sign up many beginners; usually the students have some basic skills.
Busby led a course in Gibsons in 2016 and later wrote on his blog: “A well organized and fun workshop to have the privilege to lead on the Sunshine Coast.”
Nicholas Pearce’s figure and portrait workshop was cancelled because of low enrollment, but Kathleen Theriault’s Abstract Mixed Media Collage will run on Aug. 9 to 12. Born in Calgary, Theriault studied at the Alberta College of Art and is a signature member of The Federation of Canadian Artists.
Rex Beanland’s Urban Land-scape class in August is also fully booked. To see if your name can be put on a waiting list, see www.gibsonsartschool.net or phone 604-886-9349 or 604-885-2220.
