Courses

(Non)conformity in Theatre History

This course is a survey of (non)conformity in the history of Western theatre. We will investigate the selected plays and performances on a historical and sociopolitical palette to see how (non)conformity was conceived in each period.

3D Animation Studio 2: Intermediate Blender

In partnership with Ontario College of Art and Design (OCAD) - this course builds on the skills from 3D Animation Studio 1: Introduction to Blender exploring advanced modeling techniques, character rigging, and visual effects (VFX).

Advanced Methods in Portrait Drawing with Graphite

This class is for students who have a good grasp of portrait drawing but would like to challenge themselves in developing their facial drawing skills.

Detail of a Kasai velvet tapestry, hand-woven by the Kuba tribe people of the Kasai district of the Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire).

African Indigenous Designs in Textile Arts

This course involves the manipulation of lines to create innovative designs that would be used for decorations. It also includes the adaptation of African indigenous motifs, signs, symbols, patterns, and art forms to develop African designs.

Black and white photo of birds flying around a building.

Alfred Hitchcock's Pure Cinema and Film Noir

Alfred Hitchcock defined the concept of pure cinema, during his career in the time of silent films, developing ways to tell stories using only pictures. He stated that he was putting pieces of film together like notes of music in a melody.

Meeting with Sappho, ancient greek poet.

Ancient Greek Classics for Writers of Prose and Poetry

What do Succession, Breaking Bad, the wildly successful Percy Jackson series, the best-selling novels Circe and Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller, and the classic novel, The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood all have in common? They were all inspired by the ancient Greek classics.

Arabic Script and the Art of Calligraphy

This course delves into the intricate beauty and spiritual significance of Arabic calligraphy, examining its profound ties to the Qur’an, Islamic arts and architectural design.

Art and Culture on the Silk Roads

Learn the history of the Silk Roads through artifacts and narratives, exploring how this network of long-distance trade routes facilitated the expansion of exchanges among diverse cultural groups connected along these routes.

Art Now: An Introduction to Contemporary Visual Art

Art Now will examine contemporary visual art through a thematic framework. Students will gain exposure to a wide range of artists and practices while developing skills with which to unpack and analyze contemporary works of art.

Artist Book: From Start to Finish

Over the four weeks, you will engage in the process of creating your own hardcover and bound artist book, working from idea to finished product. Come with your own ideas, or be inspired by contemporary artists presented in class.

Photo of artist book and supplies laid out on table.

Artist Books: Four Techniques in Four Weeks

Artist books can be intimate, share ideas and hold memory. You will learn introductory book binding and folding methods to make your own artist books.

Barrel House, Boogie Woogie, Honky Tonk and Stride

This series of lectures accompanied by live piano performances illustrate the rich history and evolution of piano music from the “Gay Nineties” to the blues traditions of New Orleans that were popular through the “Dirty 30s” and continue to be a soulful influence on the music today.

Basic Design Principles

In partnership with Ontario College of Art and Design University (OCAD) - This studio course introduces students to fundamental design principles. These principles that underpin two dimensional space will be explored using typography, photography, and drawing.

Basic Observational Drawing with Graphite

Using graphite, you will explore the elements of drawing through mark making, line, shape, texture and volume. We’ll study basic perspective, work towards understanding positive and negative space and understand how light and shade is applied on various forms and surfaces.

Beginner Guitar

You will learn to develop the basic guitar skills to set you on the path of achieving your musical goals.

Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald

Two rival big bands with two legendary singers. Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald were at the top of their game and though their styles were polar opposites, the two became friends

Buffy Sainte-Marie and Gordon Lightfoot

Buffy Sainte-Marie and Gordon Lightfoot both placed in the top five of CBC’s recent list of Greatest Canadian Songwriters of All Time. Explore their lives and their music to discover why these artists and their works continue to endure as legendary.

Photo of woman taking landscape photo of beach at sunset.

Capture Better Smartphone Photos

Learn to capture stunning photos with your smartphone. Improve your composition skills and learn to capture and control the light.

Cashing in on Your Photography

Photography is a fun and enjoyable hobby, but it can be a potential way to make money as well. Learn how your photo skills can translate into a side gig or even a full-time business.

Cattail Hat Weaving

In this course, the skill of basketry will be employed in hat-making to create a beautifully woven broad-brimmed hat.

Classics of Film Noir

What is film noir and why are we still fascinated by it? You will view clips from 6 classic film noir films from the key era of 1944 to 1958, starting with Double Indemnity, The Killers, Gilda, The Big Sleep, Out of the Past, and ending with Orson Welles' film, The Touch of Evil, all considered key films of the classic period.

Classics of Film Noir II

In this follow-up to the Film Noir course offered this past fall, we will view clips from six classic film noir films from the years 1941 to 1949, starting with The Maltese Falcon, followed by Shadow of a Doubt, Mildred Pierce, Detour, The Blue Dahlia, and ending with Rudolph Maté's film, D.O.A., all considered key films of the classic period.

Classics of Film Noir III

What is film noir and why are we still fascinated by it? In this course, you will view six classic film noir films from the key era of 1944 to 1958, including Black Angel (1946), Road House (1948), Kansas City Confidential (1952), The Hitch-Hiker (1953) and The Big Combo (1955).

Collage – Value, Colour and Design

This course will inspire you, whether you are just discovering the medium of collage or would like to add to your knowledge and skills. We will cover different approaches to collage using colour, surface treatments, typographic elements, photographs, found objects, ephemera and image transfer.

Collage: Ideas, Materials and Process

This class combines the use of collage and mixed media techniques with a free spirit of experimentation. We will be working from both our imaginations and observation of the natural world.

Comics and Graphic Novels Studio

In partnership with Ontario College of Art and Design University (OCAD) - In this interdisciplinary workshop series for writers, artists, and designers, students will experiment with the comic medium as they explore the interplay between image and text, form and content.

Contemporary Art Around the World

Since the 1980s, global artists, designers and architects have used their work to convey messages about who they are, where they come from, and which issues are impacting their communities.

Contemporary Chinese Brush Painting

This workshop is designed for people who are interested in the oriental painting medium. Both traditional and contemporary techniques of Chinese brush painting will be introduced. You will learn about Chinese ink, rice paper, colour, texture, composition, and the aesthetic principles of Chinese brush painting.

A composite of various line drawings by Caterine Carey, February James, Matt Louscher and Andre Butler

Contours: A Creative Journey

Immerse yourself in a six-week contour drawing course, where creativity intertwines with technique. Explore the art of contour and cross-contour drawing, honing your observational skills while infusing vibrant colour into your artwork.

Creating a Visual Workbook

Create a personalized piece of art while gaining a deeper understanding of your sources of inspiration.

Creating Comics

In this course, we will explore what comics are and how they work. We'll look at text and image combinations, panel composition, and different ways to use colour to create innovative and exciting comics.

Creating Illustrated Children’s Books

This course will assist you in creating books for children aged one to eight. They can be fiction or non-fiction, read-aloud and/or early readers books. Students will learn about plot, content, heroes and villains, and themes that are age appropriate for their readers.

Closeup of someone writing in a notebook.

Creative Nonfiction: Writing from Everyday Life

Creative nonfiction employs the art of personal narrative to engage readers in stories from real life. It seeks to reflect the rich and multilayered details of lived experience.

Creative Writing: The Writer's Craft

Through online and in-class writing exercises, cross-genre readings and engaging discussion, you will explore everything from the structural integrity of the sentence and the symbolic unity of word sounds, to the archetypal patterns in narrative and verse form.

Digital Photography: Shifting to Manual

Is your camera Automatic or Autocratic ?

Documentary Photography: Creating the Personal Project

By learning and applying the techniques of documentary photographers to your personal photo work, you will create a project that will allow you to explore your creative side while improving your general photography and camera-handling skills.

Drawing and Art History

Each class will introduce important visual themes in Western art history and then apply these ideas to hands-on drawing exercises. We will begin by considering underlying structures and line in late medieval art, before moving towards anatomy and perspective in the renaissance period.

Drawing and Collage

Delve into drawing through the unique lens of collage. Collage serves as a step, offering a foundation for our drawings and provides a gateway to an imaginative realm.

Photo of artist workspace with sketchbook, pencils and paints.

Drawing and Painting for Beginners

Acquire essential skills in the foundational components of drawing and painting, such as line, form, space, and colour.

Drawing Basics

Through accessible hands-on exercises and projects in a range of drawing media, artist Connie Morey will support participants with the development of skills, confidence and individual creativity. Unleash your creative potential while drawing from life and imagination with pencil, charcoal, ink and watercolour pencils.

Drawing for Absolute Beginners

In this fun, hands-on course, Victoria artist Trace Nelson will give you a working knowledge of drawing introducing a variety of different techniques and materials.

Mature hand seen drawing a portrait of a woman tourist.

Drawing for All

A back-to-basics course for those who have not drawn in a while and aren't sure where to start. We will look at still life and landscape compositions, and sharpen our observational drawing skills in a range of drawing media—pencil, charcoal, pen and ink, and watercolour.

Drawing Fundamentals

You will be introduced to the five basic skills of representational drawing. The focus will be on basic shapes and forms, architectural perspective, human figure, head structure and drawing from life.

Closeup photo of woman sketching in notebook sitting on bench outside.

Drawing in the Urban Landscape

Drawing outdoors, in public spaces, presents numerous challenges such as overcoming the fear of being seen and observed.

Easy Mini Watercolours: Birds and Dragonflies

These little paintings will explore dry brush painting and layering. Come with some images of birds and dragonflies that you can use as a reference.

Easy Mini Watercolours: Colourful Mandalas

These little paintings will explore washes and layering of colour as well as negative space painting. Come prepared to experiment and it is fine to use coloured pens in combination with the watercolour paints.

Watercolours of pine trees covered in snow, 2 snowmen, a snowy landscape of a river and mountains.

Easy Mini Watercolours: Snow People and Snow Landscapes

These little paintings are Play with a "capital P." We will create characters using monochromatic (one colour) painting techniques and salt.

Editing Your Words

Editing your own writing can be difficult. In this course we will review the five major types of editing: content and developmental editing, structural editing, copy editing, line editing, and proofreading.

Exhale: Discovering the Great Mystery

In this course, join Richard Van Camp as we explore family medicine together and engaging with the healing power of stories. We will practice giving back what we have gathered and learned from in our stories.

Hands shaping a clay sculpture with pottery tools in the foreground.

Experimental Clay Modeling

Explore various ways to shape clay, a malleable material that activates our senses while connecting us to the earth. Work with clay through a different approach, an experimental method using unconventional tools available to anybody.

Different isolated colourful icons on white background

Exploring the Storytelling Power of Everyday Things

This course explores the art of object biography. You will learn how tracing the 'life' of an object can help you find a new way to tell the stories that matter to you. Students are encouraged to bring along a selection of objects for each of the six in-class writing exercises.

Fabulous Fiction

Did you know that there are over 140 types of fiction? By the end of the course, you'll have a solid understanding of what goes into your novel of choice, and how to create a novel that readers will love.

Film Noir Classics: The Deviant Genre

The course will provide an opportunity to analyze and discuss elements that make up film noir, and discover how a brief period of mostly B-movies become one of the most influential movements in film history.

Chinoiserie bird poster. Placards with traditional oriental botanical elements, flowers or herons. Elying animals. Blooming trees. Asian garden

Flower and Bird Painting

Learn to paint flowers and birds, or any animal or insects you see in your everyday experience, in the style of Chinese flower and bird paintings. We will use watercolour instead of the traditional Chinese ink and colour.

From Journal to Story: Using Life Experience to Create Fiction

Through writing exercises and discussion, participants will draw on their own lives and memories to find new story ideas, create compelling characters and write powerful and engaging stories for readers of all ages.

Fundamentals of Perspective Drawing

Are you looking to better understand illustration and general representational art making? From still life to environmental spaces and basic human forms, this course will give you the tools to move forward with more accuracy and realism in your art making.

Get Paid to Write What You Love

In this interactive course, we'll cover the myths on writing for pay, recognizing your passion and knowledge for profit, and ways to promote yourself online.

Great Adaptations - Classic Plays

Read classic plays and watch their film adaptations on your own schedule before meeting in person to discuss them. You will also have access to articles about the works studied, as well as readings about the art of adaptation.

Halls of Music

The world’s most beautiful classical music comes alive in the world’s great concert halls. From Lincoln Center to the Rudolfinum, the most iconic halls have their own histories, personalities and teams of musical artists who make magic happen.

Hard-boiled Fiction in Film Noir

What is film noir and why are we still fascinated by it? In this course, we'll study six classic film noir movies from 1942 to 1950 that came from the pens of hard-boiled writers such as Raymond Chandler and Dashiell Hammett.

Her Story: Women Making Art

We will focus on the work of women and gender nonconforming artists throughout western art history, spanning from the 1500s to our current day.

History of Jazz Piano

In this course, we will explore the recordings and styles of history's famous artists like Diana Krall, Oscar Peterson, Mary Lou Williams, Bill Evans, Chick Corea and Marion McParland.

How to Listen to Classical Music

This course offers an in-depth tour of the workings of harmony, rhythm, melody, form and more, in easy-to-understand language for people without musical training.

How to Listen to Jazz

Ever wonder why your favorite jazz songs and artists might be different from the opinions of your friends and family? Do you think a deeper understanding of jazz might enhance your enjoyment of the music?

How to Write a Song

Veteran songwriter Jan Randall reveals how to unlock your creativity in this hands-on group music workshop series.

How to Write Fast-Paced Novels

Writing novels like thrillers and mysteries require a fast pace combined with strong characters, believable situations and plenty of twists and turns. This four part course includes detailed handouts as well as in-class and take home assignments.

Image Transfer

Learn a range of techniques to transfer your photographs onto printmaking paper, acrylic skins and other surfaces that be can incorporated into your paintings, collage or mixed media artwork.

In Vibrant Black and White

This class pushes colour aside for six weeks, opting instead to see in monochrome—the elimination of colour being a creative choice. Monochrome images are fundamentally abstract and tonally streamlined versions of reality, comprised of light and shadow.

Photo of instructor Richard Van Camp. Image credit: William Au.

Inhale: Recovering Family Medicines Through Storytelling

Led by renowned Tłı̨chǫ Dene author Richard Van Camp, this course will explore the power of storytelling in recovering family medicines. Through a series of lectures, readings, workshops and interviews with Indigenous artists, actors, storytellers and writers, students will be invited to consider the power of their own stories: personal, familial and community-based.

Inspired Writing

Inspiration can be a challenge at any stage of the writing journey. This course takes novel approaches to crafting plots, creating characters, honing intrigue and mastering the nuts and bolts of the writing process.

Intermediate Guitar

Join a musical community with fun jam-sessions mixed with practical instruction on technique, repertoire building and relevant music theory.

Introduction to Collage

This course will inspire you, whether you are just discovering the medium of collage or are looking to add to your knowledge and skills. We will cover different approaches to collage using colour, surface treatments, typographic elements, photographs, found objects, ephemera and image transfer. No experience is required, just your enthusiasm!

Introduction to Digital Photography

Learn how to get the best possible photographs from your digital camera and find out what all those mysterious buttons and settings really do!

Closeup photo of vintage metal letterpress.

Introduction to Letterpress Printing

Using the Mearns Centre – McPherson Library’s special collections of letterpress printing presses, learn to hand-set metal and wood type, mix ink, and use letterpress printing presses in this hands-on, technical course.

Portion of a mixed media collage showing cherubs, the eyes of a woman

Introduction to Mixed Media

Learn to incorporate mixed media into your art practice. Explore combining both wet and dry media together. Techniques covered include collage, decollage, frottage, grattage, automatic drawing, image transfer, glazing, monoprinting and layering.

Introduction to Music Theory: Level I

This course will cover the basic rudiments of classical music theory, dealing with rhythm, time signatures, clefs and staff notation, scales and keys.

Introduction to Portrait Drawing with Graphite

In this introductory course, we will explore the complex topic of portrait drawing and break it down into manageable concepts. With easy-to-follow exercises, we’ll examine the face in sections and focus on understanding how to get more accurate proportions.

iPhone as an Artist Tool

With an iPhone/iPad and a few choice apps you can push your photographs beyond the ordinary to the extraordinary.

Dome mosaic pattern of the Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, Isfahan, Iran

Islamic Art and Architecture: Masterpieces Across Time

We will explore the art and architecture of six major Islamic empires (Ilkhanids, Timurids, Mamluks, Mughals, Safavids and Ottomans) that controlled vast regions of Iran, Transoxiana, Egypt, South Asia and Anatolia, from the 13th century to the early 20th century.

Islamic Geometry Patterns

Dive into the mesmerizing world of Islamic Geometry Patterns. Over the course of this immersive study, participants will uncover the historical significance, mathematical precision, and aesthetic beauty of traditional Islamic designs.

Joni Mitchell and Leonard Cohen

Two Canadian folk music icons that changed the course of musical history on the world scene: one, a prairie girl with small town roots; the other from the Jewish community in Montreal.

Keeping a Sketchbook for Travel and Fun

In this six-week course, Victoria artist Trace Nelson will demonstrate various techniques for keeping a travel sketchbook.

Let's Sing! Level 1

This is a course for anyone wanting to learn to sing. We will concentrate on the fundamentals of vocal technique, and work on developing good breath control and proper placement of the voice.

Let's Sing! Level 2

This course follows Let's Sing Level 1. We will continue to build on basic vocal techniques, and we will learn how to take and support breath correctly, and use resonance to improve vocal quality

Life in Medieval Cities

In the medieval period, many societies built the foundations of the biggest cities in the world today, or reshaped ancient port and market towns into busy metropolises.

Photo of urban crosswalk with blurs of people crossing the street.

Listening to the Music of Urban Landscapes

In this workshop, we will discuss different ways of listening and our experience of sound in an urban landscape.

Person walking along a body of water with an urban skyline on the other side of the water.

Lost and Found: A Field Guide

Join us for an immersive workshop by interdisciplinary artist Laurel Terlesky. Dive deep into sensory awareness exercises, mindful walking and navigational mapping as we navigate the urban terrain.

Low Impact Basketry

In addition to hands-on learning of basketry techniques, we will consider ethical/sustainable collection of basketry materials. Using non-native, and non-endemic, plant species (previously collected by the instructor) you will be supported through the process of making a beautiful woven object.

Memoir: How to Write Your Own Life Story

You are the main character in your life story, and it's a story that needs to be told. This course will encourage you to have your story heard.

Miracle Numbers in Music

Explore the fundamental nature of music through the lens of mathematics and physics. No previous experience required.

Music for the People

When society controls, promotes, consumes, restricts, enables, or imposes a music narrative on its people, music and musicians have no choice but to respond to the challenge.

Music of the World

Explore music from around the world, as we learn about the folk and art music scenes of different cultures.

Natural Light Portraiture Made Easy

Learn how to photograph people on location. If you have wanted to learn the professional secrets to getting a great portrait then this class is for you.

Navigating the Novel

If you want to write a novel but you're unsure of how to pull it all together, this 14-hour course will guide you through everything you need to know to complete your first draft!

Observational Drawing

In this studio course, you will address drawing fundamentals and develop an understanding of line and form. Classes will focus on the development of observational drawing while implementing the ideas of gesture, contour and positive and negative space.

Opera Unveiled: Classics and Modern Magic

This season, immerse yourself in the drama, passion and beauty of opera with a vibrant selection of works. Our series features a rare live performance of Mozart's Clemency of Titus by Pacific Opera Victoria, alongside high-definition broadcasts from the Metropolitan Opera of Offenbach's The Tales of Hoffmann, Verdi's Il Trovatore, and John Adams' Dr. Atomic.

Photographers review contact sheets on a table with various cameras, lenses and equipment.

Organization and Backup of Images

In today’s digital age, we take thousands of photos, making it essential for modern photographers to learn how to select, organize and back up images on their computer. This course will introduce simple methods, and review the best applications available for effective image management.

Female artist works on abstract oil painting, Moving paint brush energetically she creates modern masterpiece.

Painting Colour and Space

In this studio course you will address painting fundamentals. You will develop an understanding of colour, line and form.

Palace of Music

The world’s most beautiful classical music comes alive in the world’s great concert halls. From The Concertgebouw to Carnegie Hall, the most iconic halls have their own histories, personalities and teams of musical artists who make magic happen.

Personal and Foundational Stories

According to Thomas King, “the truth about stories is that that’s all we are.” In this course we will explore what that says about truth.

Graphic design artist editing photo on computer

Photo Editing with Integrity

In photo editing, using programs such as Photoshop or Lightroom, we can enhance images or render them unrecognizable as photographs—hence the term ‘Photoshop’ is lauded and scorned in equal amounts.

Photography Plus: Understand Your Camera and Improve Your Photos

Do you love photography, but aren't always happy with your photographs, be they family, travel, landscape or other? This course will cover the basics of camera use and composition, and how to improve the photographs you want to take.

Pop Music, Then and Now

How have the pop hits from the 60's and 70's inspired and influenced the decades that followed? Join instructor Jan Randall as we explore the relationship between the songs of old, leading up to the songs of today.

Revisit and Revise Your Novel

Many writers have an old manuscript collecting dust in their drawer or forgotten in the computer. Don't shelve it, revisit and revise it and take your manuscript from good to great! Some stories need a few adjustments, while others have hidden brilliance that needs to be expanded.

An open book with glowing pages, surrounded by fluttering butterflies.

Romance Narratives: Writing the Love Story

Enemies to lovers, fake dating or a classic love triangle? Take your pick in this survey course on romance narratives in fiction, film and TV. You will learn how to use tropes effectively, create dashing romantic interests and how to write heartbreaking plot twists.

Romancing the Keyboard

Learn what sub-genre works best for you and how to create a great story line. Discover the importance of settings, character development and satisfying the reader. Learn about tropes and how to use them, as well as creating tension through action and dialogue

Screenwriting

This course is for anyone who loves movies and is interested in learning what it takes to write a screenplay. Film is a visual media, but it all starts with a great idea and a well-written script.

The back of a music producer working at a computer, electronic studio and a microphone

Self-Management for Musicians

Musicians need entrepreneurial skills more than ever. This workshop helps performers and composers find, seize, and create opportunities, be confident in the music business, and lead balanced lives.

Self-publishing Your Book

In this course, we'll study how the book publishing industry has changed, where the money goes, how to organize your book, where to publish, who to use for help (editors, illustrators, proofreaders) and why you need an online presence.

Photo of a clothing rack with garments of various colours and textures.

Sentimental Affects: Textiles, Wearable Art and Urban Life

This lively and informative presentation is designed to encourage you to think deeply about textiles and the role they play in shaping not only our own lives but also the urban landscape.

Short Shorts

This course focuses on micro, flash and short shorts from 100 to 2,000 words. You’ll also learn where to submit your short stories.

Simply Poetry

Always wanted to write a poem, but never known where to start? Written a handful, but unsure where to go next? Each week we will write, read and discuss contemporary poetry, breaking poems down to their bones to understand the basics of sound and image, line and metaphor.

Songwriting: An Introduction

"Without a song, the road would never end...". Whether you are a musician, singer, composer or author, the world may be waiting to hear your song!

Silhouette of a person walking outside with headphones on.

Soundscape Appreciation and Creation

When we stop listening to our environment and only hear it, we begin to miss the beauty and magic of life. In this immersive workshop you will learn how to listen to experimental sound art and soundscapes through soundwalking, sound collecting and intro audio editing.

T.S. Eliot's Four Quartets

Four Quartets has been called T.S. Eliot's spiritual autobiography. Drawing on personal and universal symbolism and addressing themes of time, reality and the conditions of self-knowing, this series of four poems takes readers on an exploration of the deepest questions of human existence.

Taking Great Travel Photos with Your iPhone/iPad

This course covers: which apps to use and when; how to plan your itinerary with specific photo destinations; how to produce stunning 360-degree panoramas; and the creation of watercolour-style artwork images for cards

Tell Your Story

You’re never too young or too old to write your story. This course helps you decide on the different options including autobiography, memoir or travelogue, publishing your diary or journal, or writing essays or letters.

Colour pencil drawing story board animation comic cartoon, design creative scene layout at studio.

Telling Our Stories Through Comics

This course is for anyone with a story to tell who would like to explore the medium of comics to achieve that end. No previous experience in storytelling, writing or drawing is expected.

The 8-Week Photo Club v 6.0

The 6th iteration of this evolving course pursues a theme of images in our midst − atmospheric, relatable, created largely in-camera.

Two overlapping speech bubbles filled with various pieces of printed text.

The Art of Dialogue

Delve into the art of the dialogue for writers of prose, screenplays and creative non-fiction. A scene is the unit of action, but the scaffolding is dialogue.

Vintage themed image of a Edwardian gun, snuff bottle and pearls on a old wooden table

The Art of Murder: Mystery Writing 101

Murder mysteries are one of the oldest, and most enduringly popular, recognizable literary genres. But what makes a good mystery? And how do you write one?

The Art of Type

In partnership with Ontario College of Art and Design University (OCAD) - This design studio course is an introduction to the potential and expressive qualities of contemporary typography.

The Artful Photograph

Think analog, act digital is the rallying cry of this creative photography course. You will examine new methods of modulating tone, focus and composition – each which can be achieved in-camera without extensive post-editing.

Man listening to music with a smile on his face.

The Emotional Language of Music

Why does music affect our moods and control us the way that it does? This course demonstrates and explains the connections we have with songs and recordings and breaks down how they reach us on such deep, emotional levels.

The Life and Times of Bob Dylan

Is Bob Dylan a poet or a songwriter? Did he nearly die in a 1966 motorcycle accident? What do his lyrics mean? There are more questions than answers about the enigmatic Mr. Zimmerman, but the only things that do matter are his music and his lyrics.

The Poetry Workshop

This ten-week poetry workshop will equip you with the foundational tools of the craft through in-class writing exercises, readings, discussion, and workshop.

Three Chords and the Truth: The Story of Country Music

Country music is not—and never was—one style of music. It has always been a mixture of many styles, springing from many roots and sprouting many new branches to create a complicated chorus of voices.

Illustration of a woman looking out of a spyglass.

Through a Woman's Lens: Writing with Photographs

This course offers a toolkit for all writers in a piece of creative nonfiction writing. You will explore the work of various women photographers and historians and discuss why photographs are important to them.

Travel and Street Photography

How do I learn to overcome shyness when photographing people? Why are my landscape photos pale and lifeless? How do I select photos for Instagram presentations or printed travel photo albums?

Type and Image Studio

In partnership with Ontario College of Art and Design University (OCAD) - Students will explore the relationship between type and image across print and digital media.

Photo of man in shadow with silhouette outlined by light.

Understanding Light in Photography

Light is photography’s visual vocabulary, used to convey what we see in our viewfinders. It shapes our subject aesthetically while also influencing mood in a subliminal context.

Urban Sketching

Celebrate spring in Victoria with on-location drawing. You will learn some basic drawing techniques and ways to approach drawing on location.

UVic Chorus

Join the School of Music choral ensemble, comprised of up to 150 singers, along with music majors, non-music majors and other members of the Victoria community. The UVic Chorus performs significant works from the classical canon as well as contemporary and newly commissioned works.

UVic Concert Band

Join this large community wind band to perform a range of classic and newer works including traditional concert band repertoire, jazz, popular music, movie and media soundtracks. This new, large concert band aims to create a fun and friendly environment for all players.

Victorian Medievalism Walking Tour

This walking tour will introduce you to tangible manifestations of the 19th century medieval revival movement in Victoria, B.C.

Voci Belle Choral Ensemble

This is a continuation of Sing, Level 11, to further enhance your vocal skills. Repertoire will include harmony and individual songs from different genres of music such as folk, classical, musical theatre and modern.

Watercolour for Beginners Workshop

This course introduces novice painters to watercolour painting. We will review everything from the correct side of the paper to use, to how to hold a brush, how to clean your brushes, how to mix pigments together to create an abundance of colour choices, and washes (wet on dry and wet on wet).

Watercolour for Beginners: Level 2

This course will build upon the Watercolour for Beginners workshop offered by Joanne Thomson. There will be emphasis on experimenting with composition and balance, using line and colour, as well as strategies and tips for moving to a larger format.

A detailed section of carvings/sculpture depicting a scene of carnage in Rome. Vatican.

Western Art History: The Greatest Hits

A survey-style lecture class to explore the depth and context behind some of the most well-known artworks in Western art history. We will discuss Michelangelo's David, van Gogh's Sunflowers, and Frida Kahlo's self-portraits.

Write Now Again!

You've taken the Write Now! course and you are ready to Write Now Again!

Write Now! A Creative Writing Survey

This course gives both new and experienced writers the opportunity to examine and experiment with a variety of literary forms. There will be in-class writing and suggested weekly assignments to nurture the writing genie!

Write with Feeling!

Create a story filled with emotion that immerses the reader firmly in a believable world of your creation. You’ll learn how to gently incorporate all the senses: sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch to create a vivid world for your characters and story.

Illustration of a pencil with letters coming out of it.

Writer's Bootcamp

Take your story idea from a thought to having a solid plot, outline, timeline and great characters. You will gain a better understanding of what your story will look like, what you need to finish it and a basic understanding of editors, proofreaders, agents and publishers.

Writing a Memoir - Step by Step

You will learn the step by step process to write a successful memoir. The course contains eight lessons that will prepare your mind, organize your thoughts and motivate you to write.

Illustration of book with mythical dragons and adventures coming out of the pages.

Writing and Publishing Fiction for Kids and Teens

This 3-day intensive creative writing course focuses on writing and publishing early chapter books, middle grade novels, and young adult novels.

Illustration of ideas flowing out of a child

Writing Children's Fiction

From The Hobbit to Harry Potter, children's fiction includes some of the best-loved novels of our time. Each week we will examine a different aspect of children's authorship, including crafting plots, creating memorable characters, writing age-appropriate prose and dialogue, and approaching publishers.

Fantasy scene of a boy standing before a gate emitting a glowing blue light in a forest, illustrated in a digital art style.