The Gibsons School of the Arts Society wrapped up its eighth season this year with the highest number of students ever registered - 61 painters over five workshops, held in the Family Place building.For the first time this year, the school also presented a $1,000 scholarship to a local Capilano College student to pursue her art studies. Gosia (Malgorzata) Kopania of Gibsons is now in her third and final year at the college and was presented with the bursary at the spring annual awards ceremony. Kopania, who would like to find a career in graphic design upon graduation, has shown steady growth in the last few years. Before attending art school she illustrated a children's book, Lil' Red, for local author Alexander Townsend. Now, she wishes she could do it all again using her recent training.One of her paintings, a depiction of Horseshoe Bay after the style of Group of Seven artist Lawren Harris, was selected for March's illustration in a calendar, Vancouver Impressions 06, published by the Capilano College Illustration and Design program as a fundraiser for student activities."I commute through Horseshoe Bay every day," she says, so she turned the familiar scene into a brooding mountain landscape. Kopania has also been inspired in her artwork by her aunt, Gibsons' Greta Guzek, although she has never actually taken a course from the professional artist. Kopania also worked on the cover design of the glossy calendar that is available for sale locally.The Gibsons School of the Arts gave out a number of awards and scholarships to encourage local artists. Suzy Naylor of Roberts Creek won a free course donated by satisfied participants Drs. Lisa and Steve Sroben of Tucson, Ariz. Denise Cymbalist, a student from Pender Harbour Secondary School, also won a free course by entering her artwork along with other students to be juried by a committee of members from the Federation of Canadian Artists.The art school is already planning for next season. It opens July 3, 2006, with a watercolour workshop from American artist Diane Maney, AWS, NWWS, and will continue through acrylic class from David Langevin, SFCA, oils from Doug Swinton, mixed media from Joyce Kamikura, SFCA, and oils and acrylic class from Mike Svob, SFCA. Registration and information can be found at www.gibsonsartschool.net.
