Denise Lawson
The students enrolled in the North Island College Fine Art Diploma and the Emily Carr External Fine Art Degree programs are hosting an art event in Raven Hall and Shabolt Studio at the Courtenay campus, Nov. 15, from 7-11 p.m.
During the event there will be an opportunity to discover the passion and process of students, including works from Tesla Mayenburg and Terri Stelfox.
Mayenburg, who is in her second year, says that taking many art classes at Highland Secondary and being featured in local galleries paved the way for her art studies.
She strives to broaden her horizons and continue learning and growing in the North Island College Fine Arts Diploma program. Once she has completed her diploma Mayenburg plans on continuing her journey towards a Bachelor of Fine Arts at Emily Carr.
Her drawing, Buddha, reflects her passion for gardening, the outdoors, and her appreciation for naturopathy and alternative medicines.
Fourth-year Emily Carr External Art Degree student, Stelfox, entered her art studies after becoming a biochemistry technologist. While working at the University of Alberta, she took a drawing course. She loved the process and flow she experienced while creating a drawing.
Stelfox says that she discovered that a “bad day of art making was still a good day!”
Her husband’s decision to train as an air force pilot brought the Stelfoxes to Comox. Once settled in the Valley, Terri continued her art studies at North Island College. She fondly remembers her first courses were with accomplished artists John Hooley and Brian Scott.
After completing her diploma in 2006, Stelfox began her fine art degree. Halfway through her third year, her husband was transferred to Cold Lake, Alta. Terri took all the online courses she could, but she also needed studio courses to acquire her degree.
Even though art courses were no longer available, she began to show work in small galleries and enter art shows. Selling work and placing in juried categories spurred her to continue to expand her skills in printmaking, pastel work and oil painting independently.
This past summer the Stelfox family returned to Comox. Terri is now completing the studio credits she needed and will graduate the spring of 2015. She plans to make artwork that can “hang in people’s homes and be a part of their lives.”
Her love of luscious colours and unique references to the real world can be seen in her paintings, pastels and prints.
Plan to attend the NIC/ECAUD Art Event! Enjoy live music, great food and beverages while viewing a wide variety of paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints, and ceramics.