​OPEN HOUSE

Thursday, February 5th, 5:00 - 5:30 PM

Gordon Smith Gallery I 2121 Londsdale Street I North Vancouver

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​​Artists for Kids Studio Art Academy offers young artists immersive experiences where they develop thoughtful, independent perspectives on visual arts and culture. Through hands‑on learning with professional artists, visits to galleries, and access to high‑quality studio materials, students build a personalized portfolio that reflects their voice, skill, and growth.

This advanced Academy places art‑making at the centre of inquiry—encouraging creativity, communication, critical thinking, and collaboration. Working in the Artists for Kids’ Shadbolt Studio and the Gordon Smith Gallery, students gain the skills, independence, and confidence needed to thrive as emerging art practitioners. The year culminates in a professionally mounted exhibition showcasing their work.

Students explore a wide range of artistic processes, including drawing, painting, printmaking, and sculpture, offering both depth and breadth in studio practice. Intensive hands‑on work is complemented by artists in residence and post‑secondary and gallery collaborations, giving students a clear understanding of the skills, dedication, and pathways required for future studies in the visual arts.

The opportunity to engage with artists in residence each term enriches the learning environment and provides students with meaningful connections to the broader arts community. The Artists for Kids Studio Art Academy not only prepares students for post‑secondary success—it empowers them to see themselves as artists now.

Students in the Academy are encouraged to:​

• Explore identity, sense of belonging and express a personal philosophy of art through personally relevant imagery

• Reflect critically and respond to personal work and the artworks of others

• Enhance understanding of contemporary Canadian art

• Understand that growth as an artist is dependent on perseverance, resilience, refinement, reflection and risk taking

• Understand the career elements and habits required of professional artists

• Participate in a year-end exhibition