Arts & Craft Programs
*In order to take advantage of Nord-Bridge member price for the programs, a current 2025 membership is required. The course registration fee must be paid in full prior to the start of class.
Beginners Watercolor (No Experience Required)
If you are one of many beginners who think they cannot paint or draw, this is the watercolor class for you. It will calm all your fears. You will be guided through different techniques and textures such as bubble wrap, facial tissue and salt, and show you how to properly use your brushes and mix color on your paper. By the end of seven sessions, you will have the confidence in your ability to paint on your own and to have lots of paintings to show your family. The first class will be an introduction to the world of watercolor. The participant is required to buy their own supplies before the class. Please pick up the supply list when registering.
Begins: Tuesday, Jan. 14 Ends: Feb. 25
Time: 9:30 am – 11:30 am
Location: Craft Room
Instructor: Denise Savard
Maximum: 8 students
Fee: Members: $50.00 Non-Members: $70.00
NEW Advanced Watercolor (Minimum of 4 years previous experience required)
This class is for those who have more experience in painting by themselves with proper paints and brushes and are able to paint with minimal supervision. We will be layering grass, defining color swatch of real flowers and compound strokes. The participant is required to buy their own supplies before the class. Please pick up the supply list when registering.
Session 1: Tuesdays, Mar. 4 Ends: Apr. 22 *No class March 18
Session 2: Tuesdays, April 29 Ends: June 10
Time: 9:30 am – 11:30 am
Location: Craft Room
Instructor: Denise Savard
Maximum: 10 students
Fee: Members: $50.00 (for each session) Non-Members: $70.00 (for each session)
Advanced Acrylic Painting (Min. of 5 years previous experience)
Those registering must have at least 5 years experience and knowledge of skills used in acrylic paint. The instructor gives suggestions to improve skills in color and details of composition. The participant is required to buy their own supplies before the class. A complete supply list will be given at the time of registration.
Session 1: Thursdays, Jan. 16 Ends: Feb. 27
Session 2: Thursdays, Mar. 6 Ends: April 17
Session 3: Thursdays, April 24 Ends: June 5
Location: Flex Room
Time: 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm
Fee: Members: $60.00 (for each session) Non-Members: $80.00 (for each session)
Instructor: Karina Mak
Beginners Acrylic Painting with Gordon Perret
Experiment with various techniques and styles used in acrylic painting. We will learn basic techniques in acrylic painting, such as blending, mixing colors, use of washes, dry brushing, and creating textures. We will also design elements important in painting like composition, use of line and texture and the use of color in painting using basic color theory, atmospheric perspective, color and mood. We will use the topics of still life and landscape to learn these skills. The participant is required to buy their own supplies before the class. *Please pick up a supply list when registering.*
Begins: Monday, Jan 13 Ends: Mar. 3 *No class Feb. 17
Time: 10:00 am – Noon
Location: Craft Room
Fee:$50.00 Non-Members: $70.00
NEW Sketching and Drawing with Gordon Perret
Drawing is an art form in itself but is a basic skill that really helps you be more successful in most media in art and crafts like painting, print making, sculpture, weaving, batik, etc. Basically anything where you are working from some kind of image. In this six week class while learning how to best use these drawing materials you will learn; Proportion in objects, people and animals, Use of line; contour, cross hatching etc. Composition (use of space), Shading and contrast. Perspective or depth in a drawing. We will be drawing from real objects, photos and your imagination. The participant is required to buy their own supplies before the class. *Please pick up a supply list when registering.*
Session 1: Mondays, March 10 Ends: April 28 *No class April 21
Session 2: Mondays, May 5 Ends: June 23 *No class May 19
Time: 10:00 am – Noon
Location: Craft Room
Fee: $50.00 Non-Members: $70.00
NEW White Animals on Colored Paper – Donna Gallant
We will use colored pencil or soft pastel pencils ( your choice) to drawing white animals on colored paper. Such a unique way to work by using the colored paper as one of our values for creating our animals and their environment. It’s almost a reverse way of drawing. The class is two weeks long and will be a great way to start off the New Year. This is for all skill levels. The participant is required to buy their own supplies before the class. *Please pick up a supply list when registering.*
Begins: Wednesday, Jan. 22 Ends: Jan. 29
Time: 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Location: Craft Room
Fee: Members: $30.00 Non-Members: $50.00
NEW Winter Landscapes in Watercolor – Donna Gallant
In this two week class, we will use salt and rubbing alcohol techniques to create snowy winter landscapes in watercolour. Some hints of color from leftover remnants of leaves and cool shadows will help define depth and form. We will also use wet into wet techniques to create those soft edges. These will be your winter wonderland paintings. This is for all skill levels. The participant is required to buy their own supplies before the class. *Please pick up a supply list when registering.*
Begins: Wednesday, Feb. 12 Ends: Feb. 19
Time: 1:00 pm– 3:00 pm
Location: Craft Room
Fee: Members: $30.00 Non-Members: $50.00
NEW How to Use Watercolor Pencils- Donna Gallant
Have you ever wondered how you can make a drawing into a painting? In this two week class you will discover the answer. So many advancements have been created in the last few decades in painting materials and tech-niques including the use of watercolour pencils. Learn how to use these pencils to create either a painting or just keep it a drawing or a little of both. They are fun and easy, just add water. These are great to work with on
location or traveling. This is for all skill levels. The participant is required to buy their own supplies before the class. *Please pick up a supply list when registering.*
Begins: Wednesday, Mar. 12 Ends: Mar. 19
Time: 1:00 pm– 3:00 pm
Location: Craft Room
Fee: Members: $30.00 Non-Members: $50.00
NEW Animal Features in Pen and Ink- Donna Gallant
In this two week class we will concentrate on animal features like eyes, noses, ears and mouths. We will keep it simple by using fine tips felt pens for our ink and colored pencil to fill in the coloured areas. It’s more of a close up look at these feature which make up our animal faces. A cat’s eye is different than a goats eye. Come and analyze them for yourself. This is for all skill levels. The participant is required to buy their own supplies before the class. *Please pick up a supply list when registering.*
Begins: Wednesday, Apr. 9 Ends: April 16
Time: 1:00 pm– 3:00 pm
Location: Craft Room
Fee: Members: $30.00 Non-Members: $50.00
NEW Sparkling Waters Using Watercolor Techniques- Donna Gallant
Learn several different techniques to create water that sparkles with watercolor in this two week class. Such as brush handling, keeping the white of the paper, how to bring back the white of the paper and mixing other mediums together to create that shimmering waters. Learning these techniques can also transfer to painting other sub-jects for future projects. This is for all skill levels. The participant is required to buy their own supplies before the class. *Please pick up a supply list when registering.*
Begins: Wednesday, Apr. 23 Ends: April 30
Time: 1:00 pm– 3:00 pm
Location: Craft Room
Fee: Members: $30.00 Non-Members: $50.00
NEW Colored Birds with Colored Pencil – Donna Gallant
This 2 week class will study and render colored birds using colored pencil. I think other than flowers, birds can have vivid and intense colors. Learn about how to work with colored pencils with blending and layered techniques. Learn about how to define bird shapes and textures. Learn how to procession the bird so they look natural in their environment. Any level can benefit from this class. The participant is required to buy their own supplies before the class. *Please pick up a supply list when registering.*
Begins: Wednesday, May 14 Ends: May 21
Time: 1:00 pm– 3:00 pm
Location: Craft Room
Fee: Members: $30.00 Non-Members: $50.00
NEW How to Start Drawing – Donna Gallant
This 4 week class will cover the basic elements of art making to help you begin to draw. Learning about line, value, shape, perspective, and texture. This class is designed to help you analyze and see what you are drawing with simple, easy exercises, explanations and examples to understand the form. This class is great for the beginner or a refresher for those who haven’t drawn for awhile. The participant is required to buy their own supplies before the class. *Please pick up a supply list when registering.*
Begins: Wednesday, May 28 Ends: June 25 *No class on June 4th
Time: 1:00 pm– 3:00 pm
Location: Craft Room
Fee: Members: $60.00 Non-Members: $80.00
Special Art Classes for a Limited Time!
NEW Ukrainian Easter Egg Painting – Three Hour Workshop
Back by popular demand we are happy to offer another Ukrainian Easter Egg Painting class. Come learn how to create your own Ukrainian Egg masterpiece just in time for Easter with Janet Tilbe who has many years of experi-ence! All supplies will be provided and no previous experience required. Morning or afternoon option available.
Begins: Tuesday, March 18
Time: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm OR 1:30pm – 4:30 pm
Location: Craft Room
Fee: Members: $30.00 Non Members: $50.00
Arts & Crafts Clubs- Members Only
NEW Handy Crafters
Come craft with us! Bring along any craft you enjoy doing. We also create cards together. This is an introduction to card making learning measurements and decorating using a manual dye cutting machine, paper, and embellishments. Some sup-plies. Some supplies included but please contact Connie for more info. Instruction for card making is provided on Wednesdays and “go at your own pace” classes are on Fridays. This group meets on Wednesdays at 9:00 am in the Flex room & Fridays at 9:00 am in the Craft Room. For information on this Club, please talk to the coordinator Connie Quintin at 403-795-7709. There is a member annual fee of $20.00 for Wednesday and $20.00 for Friday classes. Begins Jan. 3rd.
Art & Soul Watercolor Club
The Watercolor Club is a group of painters who have been meeting on a regular basis, sharing ideas, techniques and resources. While their primary purpose is to paint, it is important that the group retain its friendly, positive, encouraging atmosphere. The group plans occasional one day workshops, and would welcome artists who are willing to teach. The Watercolor Club meets every Tuesday afternoon at 1:00 pm in the new “Flex” room (located beside the pool room). For information on this Club, please talk to the co-coordinator Erika Bosters. There is a $20.00 fee for members. Begins Jan. 7th. This Club is FULL.
NEW Watercolor Club
This is the newest watercolor club similar to the “Art and Soul Watercolor Club” where a group of painters meet on a regular basis, sharing ideas, techniques and resources. The Watercolor Club meets every Friday afternoon at 1:00 pm in the new “Flex” room (located beside the pool room) There will be no club from September– December 2025. For information on this Club, please talk to the co-coordinator, Sandy Nowell. There is a $20.00 fee for members. Begins Jan. 10th.
Quilters Krafters Koffee Klub
This group of crafters is calling all knitters, crocheters, quilters, and crafters. They invite you to meet with them on a weekly basis for a social get-together. Bring your own work projects to work on, and ideas to share. The Club meets every Monday afternoon in the new Flex Room (located beside the pool room) from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm. For more information on this club please contact Lois Cicman. Begins Jan. 6th.
The Card Crafters
We have so much fun, you should really join us every Thursday morning (9:00 am in the Craft Room) as we make new creations from donated greeting cards. Our cards are then sold in the Gift Boutique as a fund-raiser for Nord-Bridge Seniors Centre. No special skills required except a good sense of humor and the ability to cut and paste and create. For more information, please talk with the coordinator, Pat Kincade.
Woodcarving
In this class you will learn the art of carving wood. You will be able to create your own carved projects. Beginning students who have little or no experience in carving are welcome. Come join in for an adventure in Woodcarving. This class is ongoing so you can register and join anytime on Mondays and Thursdays from 1:00 pm —3:30 pm in the Craft Room. There is a member fee of $20.00 and a Non Member fee of $40.00 for both Monday and Thursday classes. *No class on June 5th.
