Did you know that Comox Valley Art Gallery offers even more than contemporary art shows and a gift shop full of local handmade gifts?
Art education events are an integral part of the gallery’s programming. Each month, you’ll find offerings of art classes for kids, teens, adults as well as lectures and slideshows.
For December, CVAG presents Custom Print Comics with local artist Mary Anne Moore. This two-session course is for teens aged 12 to 17 and takes place over two Saturdays — Dec. 3 and 10 from 10 a.m. to noon.
Inspired by a favourite story or the imagination, students will use linoleum to make block prints and create their own comic book, story book or graphic novel! Lino block prints can also be used to make prints for cards, frame-able and shareable art or artist trading cards.
Cost of the workshop is $55+HST. Students will also need to bring $20 to purchase a supply kit from the instructor.
Moore is a Vancouver Islander who has always been drawing, painting and making art. She believes everyone is creative and it starts from childhood. The trick is to encourage and support the little artists so they can rely on and be confident in their ideas.
Mary-Anne attended the Victoria College of Art and received a Diploma in Fine Arts, she was taught by her parents and grandfathers and now teaches those skills to people of all ages; she is delighted to share this love of art.
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The gallery offers an Art Talk this Saturday from 2 to 3 p.m.
Currently exhibiting artists Bill Friesen and Marci Katz will present a slideshow and lecture detailing the making of The Boxing Match. This exhibit opened on Nov. 10 and is on display until Dec. 31.
The Boxing Match is a collaboration by life partners Friesen and Katz. They were interested in the broad concept of containment and its presence in areas of personal, cultural, social, political and working life.
The artists state that for them, containment suggests issues of power, repression, violence, concealment, escape, and freedom. A key element of the project was an awareness of how their social conditioning, specifically gender differences, would influence the artworks.
The overall tone of the artworks tends to be humorous, even though most of the works reference serious ideas and issues. Admission to the talk is free or by donation, and all ages are welcome.
For details or to register for the workshop, visit the gallery in person at 580 Duncan Ave. in downtown Courtenay, online or call 250-338- 6211.
— Comox Valley Art Gallery