Arts Classes
At Niagara Creative Arts Centre (NCAC), we offer art classes for people of all ages in Niagara.
ANIMATION PROGRAM.
10- WEEK ANIMATION PROGRAM WILL START ON SATURDAY, JANUARY 13 - MARCH 23, 2024. (NO LESSON MARCH BREAK SATURDAY, MARCH 16)
Description: An introduction to the exciting world of animation for children. Discover some of the basic Principles of Animation, like Exaggeration and Squash and Stretch, and understand how they make cartoons better. Adventurous project themes will include dinosaurs, skeletons and robots, and will be inspired by an important short cartoon film in animation history. Learn how to design and create your own cartoon character using simple shapes. Drawing, painting, using pencil, paint, construction paper for collage as media. Students completing the course will have a beginner's comprehension as to what animation is and how animation is produced.
Age Group: 8-12
Time: SATURDAY, 10-11 AM
Cost : $200
ANIMATION FOUNDATIONS
New 8 week Art session starts:
THURSDAY, JANUARY 11 - FEBRUARY 29,2024.
See a full list of class descriptions below.
About Our Arts Classes
At NCAC, we offer classes taught by professional artists/educators, and small class sizes allow for individual guidance to students at all levels.
Our curriculum is varied to include teaching still-life, the figure, landscape, portraiture, cartooning, animation, and more. It teaches a student how to "see" in a new way and offers basic understanding of how to draw and paint.
Advanced students can use class time to work on independent artwork, explore new mediums or develop their portfolios.
Class Instructors:
IRINA CLAIRMONT
Irina Clairmont was born and raised in Leningrad (today - St.Petersburg), Russia.
In 1991 she graduated Nekrasov Teachers College as a Primary school teacher (art ) and in 1996 Irena graduated St. Petersburg Teacher's University.
Irina's passion for art sends looking for more opportunities to learn. Ms. Clairmont started taking private art lessons with Leonid Bashkov , a professor of art and a teacher of Graphics at The St. Petersburg Stieglitz Academy of Art and Design. Further to this she also studied art with Julia Daletskaja a head artist of a Child Magazine. Irena spent many years studying drawing with pencils, charcoal, pastels and painting with watercolor and oil. In 2018 Irina furthered her education by taking a 7-month course COLOR at Tatiana Shirbidova School and following that in 2021 graduates course LIGHT at the same school.
In 2001 Irina moved to Canada . Her many students have successfully entered prestigious Art Schools. Irina Clairmont had numerous exhibitions in Niagara, master classes and demonstrations. She was creating beautiful stage sets for Niagara Diner Company.
Irina's affirmation is "There is no end on the road to perfection. When you find an answer to one question you start looking for an answer to another. "She says: "Through my experience I learnt to see the world differently. All the colors fill my heart with joy. When creating a painting I have but one wish...to be able to bring this happiness to you, to make you feel as I do."
PAUL KEMP
Paul Kemp has taught at Mohawk College for the past five years in both the Art and Design and 3D Animation departments. Paul specializes in creative software education, 3D character construction, painting, rigging and animation.
Paul started his creative career at the University of Windsor, finishing the Honours Fine Arts program in 1997 with a major in painting and drawing. While working as a director and gallery owner for a fair-trade importing co-operative, Paul showcased his various artistic skills in painting, photography and print making through North American exhibits.
In recent years Paul has expanded his knowledge by adding computer skills to compliment his experience with making traditional art. Studies in graphic design and animation led to employment by virtual reality company Meemim creating 3D models for geographic information systems, followed by contract work for the City of Hamilton creating interactive 3D environments based on children's stories. Currently Paul is collaborating with prominent creators in the Canadian comic book industry developing animation pitches of their work.
TRICIA O'CONNOR
Art Classes We Offer
Mini Artists
Description: This program is for everybody who loves art. Classes are designed to encourage children to explore their imaginations and develop creativity while encouraging use of memory, cognitive and social skills. Young Artists are introduced to art concepts involving shapes, understanding of color and proportions. Symmetry and spatial applications are taught on the examples from nature. Explore different techniques and mediums (pencil, watercolours, pastels, acrylics, clay, paper Mache, and appliqué).
Age Group: 5-8
Time: Thursday 5 - 6pm
Cost : $160 (tax and materials included)
Start with Art
Description: Young artists are challenged to explore their creativity and develop an independent thinking. Principles of design and use of color will be applied to drawing, painting, collage and three-dimentional art. Artist will learn about Art history, different periods of art and artists. Artists learn basic rules of composition, understanding light/shadow and perspective. Experimenting with different techniques and mediums the Artist is able to produce several unique pieces of art by the end of the term.
Age Group: 9-14
Time: Thursday 6-7pm
Cost: $160 (tax and materials included)
Teen Art Masters
Description: Artist use art as self-expression simultaneously learning and applying design concepts, composition, negative and positive space, using color to channel emotions. Historical examples of artwork are discussed in order for the Artist to find their own unique style. Variety of techniques and mediums will be used to create artwork based on real life composition and from imagination. Discussions and peer critique of the completed artwork encourage social interaction and creativity. The Artist is able to start a multimedia art portfolio by the end of the term.
Age Group: 15 and older
Time: Thursday 7-8:30 pm;
Cost: $200 (tax and materials included)
High School Students: Portfolio Development
Description: Portfolio development for Artists who plan to apply to art schools and college programs. The sessions will include discussions of the styles, techniques, mediums and subject matters required in the portfolio. The Artists are guided to build the complete portfolio by creating and selecting appropriate pieces of art. Peer critique and instructor's advise is used to build confidence and to discover own unique artistic voice. The Artist has a solid understanding of the portfolio collection and continues with the independent creative process by the end of the term.
Age Group: N/A
Time: Thursday 7-8:30pm
Cost:$200 (tax and materials are included)
Can’t Live without Art!
Drawing / Painting / Art History (all mediums)
Description: This program is for everybody who loves art. Artists are taught to explore their imaginations and channel emotions through artwork. Mature artists have a chance to create in a relaxed casual atmosphere, discuss the artwork with the peers and learn composition, color theory, negative/positive space and proportions. Drawing still lives, from the photographs or imagination and beginning with the pencil sketching, the Artist will continue on with the water colors, pastels, acrylic or the favorite media. Self-expression and de-stressing are encouraged in a quiet supportive environment.
* No previous art experience required.
Age Group: Adults (15+)
Time: Thursday 3:30 - 5pm /OR 7-8:30 pm
Cost: $200