Past Workshops and Events

All Beings Confluence - 4 Part Workshop

All Beings Confluence Join acclaimed textile artist Martha Cole to create a panel to add to the “All Beings Confluence” travelling exhibit. In this enriching 4-day workshop you will use [...]

All Beings Confluence Exhibit

All Beings Confluence is an ever-expanding, interactive, community-based textile installation that consists of fabric panels made on Gabriola and around the world, each representing a single living Being—a ladybug, bird, [...]

An Artist's Toolkit: Day Long Professional Development for Artists

9:00 am - CREATIVE ACTIVISM: A panel discussion »  Facilitated by Martha Cole, Fibre Artist and All Beings Confluence Creator Can art change the world? Is creativity the key to [...]

Art Arc Jr

Workshops for Budding Artists! Gabriola’s young artists are going back to school—Gabriola Elementary School, that is—for the 5th year in a row! Students will learn first-hand from professional artists about [...]

Artist Appreciation BBQ

Celebrate 10 jam-packed days filled with creativity on our Isle of the Arts, and give love to all the artists, art lovers, and members of the Gabriola Arts Council Share [...]

Arty Party

Let’s p-ARTy! Wear your smartest ARTfit. $6 ARTinis and free hearty ARTitizers. Croquet, crokinole, and other amusements. Bring something you made during the Festival and get a free drink. We give away this year’s Arty Award at 7:30pm.

Astrological Archetypes

Astrology is a tool that can offer potent psychological insights into why we choose to do what we do. You’ll learn how the 12 signs of the zodiac are archetypes [...]

Ay Lelum: Art Opening and Fashion Show

Work from Ay Lelum - The Good House of Design: art garments, painting, carvings, blankets, and bentwood boxes. Fashion show will feature natural, eco-friendly clothing that embraces West-Coast elegance and First Nations culture.

Basic Chainmaille

In this workshop Gail will teach you the basics of chainmaille.

Beginner Landscape Felting

Let the warm, comfortable and encouraging atmosphere Dinah creates guide you—and Gabriola landscape inspire you—to create a work of art you’ll be proud to hang in your home.

Beginners Metalsmithing

THIS WORKSHOP IS FULL. You can add your name to the wait list using the registration form. Learn the basics of metalsmithing: sawing, piercing, sanding, filing, polishing, patinas, and more. [...]

Blossom Night Market

Don’t miss Gabriola’s fabulous annual night market! Welcome the Spring blossoms while enjoying the Island’s finest art and artisanal wares under sparkling lights! Sample delicious food, enjoy atmospheric music, and [...]

Build It with a Box!

Discover the amazing power of imagination and have fun designing and building anything from  an Arcade to a Zebra…all with cardboard boxes! The sky’s the limit. What will you make? [...]

Character in Action - Cancelled

This workshop will explore what makes characters great—and how they are revealed by their words and actions. With exercises to free the imagination, you’ll spend the afternoon exploring the two [...]

Chinese Calligraphy

In this workshop, you will learn two things: how to write with a Chinese brush and ink, and how Chinese characters evolved. Basic Chinese characters from nature will be introduced. [...]

Composition Fundamentals

Artists/photographers working in two dimensions will learn how to enhance 2D images. Create work understanding the principles of composition such as centre of interest, value, mood, placement, and much more.

Contour Drawing

THIS WORKSHOP IS FULL. You can add your name to the wait list using the registration form. Have fun learning and practicing the most basic of drawing skills that provides [...]

Conversation, Process, and Artmaking

This workshop will illuminate the participants’ own inner-knowing, ground their experience of making and thinking about art, as they share their experience in conversational segments. You’ll make a piece of art guided by the process.

Copper Enameling Using a Micro Torch

THIS WORKSHOP IS FULL. You can add your name to the wait list using the registration form. Discover how to use a micro torch to hand-fire enamel onto copper discs. [...]

Create a Small Art Quilt

Create a small art quilt using traditional and new methods of piecing and adding small interesting pieces of fabric, yarn, ribbons, and decorative threads. Morag Orr-Stevens is an award-winning artist [...]

Create Your Own Peace Work

THIS WORKSHOP IS FULL. You can add your name to the wait list using the registration form. Working on a 6”x7” block, you’ll learn the steps required to create one [...]

Create Your Own Sanctuary Peace Work

Working in a 6 x 7” spruce block you’ll take your Peace Work from raw wood to a beautiful, shining piece of artwork that will be affirming and meaningful to you. We use many techniques and always have fun.

Create Your Own Shamanic Rawhide Rattle - 2 Part Workshop

The shamanic rattle is an ancient musical instrument that can be used for healing and is fun to play. During your time creating these together, you’ll learn some of the [...]

Creating A Braided Rug

Learn how to turn recycled textiles into your own unique, beautiful and practical braided rug.

Creating Flying Lanterns

Celebrate the light with a flying lantern. Have fun making lanterns for an interactive LED illuminated installation. Hang your lamps from the lantern tree, then take your lantern home to release into the night sky.

Dance ... a Jumpin’ and a Jivin’

Learn the basic steps in the Single Rhythm Swing dance. No partner is needed—you will focus on the rhythm, turns, and dance connection. Gwen’s goal for this course is for [...]

Design Your Own Tarot Cards

Design and create a set of creative cards that are significant to your own life and spirituality. You’ll also receive a basic lesson in the art of reading Tarot cards. [...]

DJ Gym Night: Retro Danceparty Workout Session

Dig up your legwarmers and neon leotards. Forget about those digital fitness devices. Let’s timewarp back to the 1980’s for some good old ‘retrosweat’ fun! Yup, it’s an eighties-inspired fitness night at the gym, complete with live DJ music, aerobic and spin classes, juice bar, and of course a disco ball. Guaranteed to be ridiculous.

Draw Life!

ONE SPOT LEFT!!! All skill levels welcome! Draw the human form using a variety of media. Have fun while stretching your drawing muscles. Be prepared for an adventure. A sense [...]

Drumming Together As One: New and Traditional Songs

Come together with Patrick to share drumming songs, stories, and gifts.

Drypoint Copperplate Printmaking

Create your own drypoint copperplate etchings! You’ll spend the first part of the class creating an image on copperplate using an etching needle, and then use a real etching press [...]

Easter Bonnet Show & Parade

Easter Bonnets go back as far as the 1870s where it was tradition in Europe for ladies to wear flowers on their hats in celebration of spring. The tradition grew [...]

Embellished Image Transfers

THIS WORKSHOP IS FULL. You can add your name to the wait list using the registration form. Learn how to transfer a toner-based image (photocopy) onto a hard surface using [...]

Exploring the Spirit of the Healing Sacred Drum

weaver teaches you how to deepen your spiritual relationship with your own drum - exploring healing, journeying and history of the drum, plus building a partnership with your drum. Have fun learning songs and chants.

Family Matinee: A Time For Making

Afternoon screening of an inspiring new documentary about Gabriola artisans, A Time For Making (60min). It explores the social significance of hand-making, as we follow 9 master artisans pursuing and [...]

Festival Launch - Stories at Sunset

With Joëlle Anthony, Lorna Crozier, and Monique Gray Smith, music by Jeremy Reynolds Join us for an extravagant evening of literary delights, where we satiate all palates with delectable readings [...]

Festival Launch: A Time For Making

Festival opening ceremony, followed by the island premiere of an inspiring new documentary about Gabriola artisans, A Time For Making (60min)

Finale Weekend Contradance

On the final Friday of the festival, enjoy an evening of folk dancing with Appalachian style old-time music. This is a fun and invigorating form of social dance that’s taking root on Gabriola. No experience necessary. More info: thecentregabriola@gmail.com

Gabriola Island Singers 40th Spring Concert

The Gabriola Island Singers present their 40th spring concert with many old and new songs and special guests. Join us in celebrating 40 years of song! The Gabriola Island Singers [...]

Giving Voice: An introduction to Vocal Sounding

The voice is a vehicle for expression, healing, transformation, and connection. Release your expressive potential, deepen your connection with others, and bring more of your uniqueness to the world in this safe, inclusive, playful, and supportive workshop.

Grey Matter! A Colour Workshop for Painters

THIS WORKSHOP IS FULL. You can add your name to the wait list using the registration form. In this workshop Elsa will share her techniques and methods of colour mixing [...]

Handmade Brushes & Mark Making Tools

Using found materials, such as grasses, twigs, leaves, and other fibres, we will create one-of-a-kind tools that can be used in your art practice or kept as stand-alone works of [...]

Harmonica in a Day

Learn to make great music with a harmonica. Learn how to buy one, how to hold a harp, different styles, how to get single notes, how to improvise, how to blend notes, maintenance and repair. And have fun!

Hildegard’s Ghost

Hildegard’s Ghost exists in the realm of the unusual. Each tune a story, implores listeners to visit their ethereal world of classically tinged contemporary jazz. Composer/pianist Roisin Adams performs with [...]

How to Write and Draw Cartoons

Come learn the basics of cartooning with a New Yorker cartoonist. Focus will be on process rather than results. Includes generating ideas and drawing techniques.

Improv Patchwork

Make a small quilt - no rules! Bring solid coloured cotton fabrics (and a zinger fabric that doesn’t match), and you’ll create a unique improvised machine-sewn quilt that carries your own signature in every seam.

Intro to Screenprinting

THIS WORKSHOP IS FULL. You can add your name to the wait list using the registration form. Discover the easiest way to screenprint at home. Learn photo emulsion and stencil [...]

Intuitive Art

Intuitive art is a way of tapping into your personal creativity free from the confines of planning, censoring, or judging—it’s an exploration based on process rather than result. Drawing and [...]

It’s More Than Just a Stamp

Discover more ways to use rubber stamps than just paper stamping! By the end of the workshop, you will make and take home one rubber stamp that you can use [...]

Kind Cuisine: Transforming Your Familiar Favourites with Vegeteers

Whether you’re getting started with plant-based meals or yearning to know more, come join us. Together we’ll chop, slice, grate, stir, blend, and simmer our way to a delicious meal [...]

Kitchen Arts

This hands-on food preparation experience celebrates the beauty and life force of local ingredients. As you chop, combine, and transform, you’ll discuss the nutritional, artistic, spiritual, and healthful properties of [...]

Landscape & Long Exposure

7:30am-9:30am and 4:30pm-7:30pm With Quinton Dewing this outdoors workshop will cover equipment, techniques, and location shooting. We will then meet to share and discuss our day’s discoveries. Quinton Dewing is [...]

Lantern Making for YOUTH!

Be part of Gabriola’s very first lantern making workshop and procession for youth! Learn how to build your own lantern with basic materials, to be lit by small LED lights. [...]

Layer Upon Layer

THIS WORKSHOP IS FULL. You can add your name to the wait list using the registration form. Explore abstract layering using cold wax medium, tube oils, oil sticks, powdered pigments, [...]

Learn and Practice Contradance

A patient, easy way to learn a wonderful form of social dance with long lines of dancers and a caller. Contradance is a folk dance that is popular around the world. No need to bring a partner; no experience necessary. Come contradance with us! For more information, email: thecentregabriola@gmail.com

Let the Sun Shine In: Fused Glass

Have fun and learn how to fuse glass and use decorative materials to make a mobile. You’ll go home with a glorious piece to catch the light in a favourite window. In this first session you’ll fuse glass.

Let’s Play Music!

Enjoy playing instruments and singing together, and learn some basic concepts and components of music. Gain musical confidence and take the next step. No experience necessary. Bring your own instrument if you have one.

Lighten Your Being with Raku | 2ND WORKSHOP | Session 1

Raku is an ancient Japanese ceramic tradition. Join Graham for three sessions and take a piece of featureless clay and transform it through your creativity, taught techniques and fire into a thing of beauty.

Lighten Your Being with Raku | Session 1 of 3

Raku is an ancient Japanese ceramic tradition. Join Graham for three sessions and take a piece of featureless clay and transform it through your creativity, taught techniques and fire into a thing of beauty.

Lighten your Life through Kind Cuisine

This workshop focuses on preparing foods that lighten our lives through consideration of nourishment, health, environment and other beings. Whether a beginner with plant-based food or yearning to know more about creating delicious and nutritious plant-based meals, come join us.

Mail Art and More

Create beautiful artistic correspondence. You’ll get a packet full of goodies of postal ephemera and interesting papers to inspire you to make your own mail art, create unique envelopes and you’ll learn how to write the perfect letter.

Making a Copper and Leather Cuff Bracelet

Enjoy your creativity with Cheryl as you learn to stamp and texture metal, texture leather and form it into a copper and leather cuff bracelet.

Making a Hand Bound Journal

In this workshop the student will create a blank journal with covers made from handmade papers.

Making a Shadow Puppet Theatre

We’re celebrating light with some shadow puppet fun! Come to the library to learn how to create your very own stage and shadow puppets to take home. We supply the materials; you supply the imagination! What story will you make?

Meditative Doodles

A meditative doodle is a creative endeavour that requires your full attention. You will create beautiful shapes and designs that are finished pieces of art in themselves. Let the world [...]

Metis Beadwork

The Métis are known for their exquisite flower beadwork. This hands-on workshop will take you on a journey through Métis beadwork history, then and now. Joy Bremner is Cree Métis, [...]

Multiple Intelligences: Finding The Artistry Within

According to neuroscientist Howard Gardner, artistic intelligence can be identified in  8 “intelligences”. In this guided workshop, you will delve into the depths of your own artistic talents, discover varied [...]

Nectar of the Gods: The Music, Paintings, & Poetry of Wine

For thousands of years, wine has been the creative nectar of humanity. Countless references to wine appear in paintings and literature. Enhance your experience of enjoying fine wine by viewing [...]

One Book, One Community - Reading & Reconciliation

THIS WORKSHOP IS FULL. You can add your name to the wait list using the registration form. Join friends and community members in reading, contemplating, and engaging in the stories, [...]

Painting with Wool: The Art of Needle Felting

THIS WORKSHOP IS FULL. You can add your name to the wait list using the registration form. Come have fun and explore the exciting art of painting with wool. You [...]

Paper Crane Community Project For Peace

The crane has been traditionally cherished and respected as a symbol of longevity in Japan. After Hiroshima, paper origami cranes have become a symbol of world harmony—let’s fold them together [...]

Patrick Olmsted in Concert

Original music on unique guitar family instruments that respect tradition, and reflect the rich physical beauty and the deep cultural heritage of the Salish Sea.

PHC Soup and Sing Concert

Singer/songwriter Paul Gellman brings his merry band of “Mutineers” from his popular weekly music workshop, for songs and singing after the Soup Social (11am). Feel free to bring your acoustic instrument, or just your voice.

Photo Composition

In this workshop, we will practice “seeing” photographically. During exercises and a short field-trip, we will learn how to frame our image in the camera to highlight and enhance our subject. We will also look at common composition errors and how to avoid them.

Photo Encaustic Techniques for Beginners

Learn how to select images for photo encaustic treatment, mount them, paint on them with wax (encaustic medium), and manipulate the wax to create a unique and durable presentation of your photos.

Presentation Excellence: Keep Your Audience Engaged

Prepare compelling and powerful presentations that will win over an audience. In this workshop, you’ll examine strategies to enhance your effectiveness in designing and delivering captivating presentations and talks. Bill [...]

Producing Storytelling

How do you tell a good story on camera? This workshop will walk you through the required elements—human interest, visuals, locations, audio—and demonstrate how to craft a story around these [...]

Raku Expression 3 Part Workshop

THIS WORKSHOP IS FULL. You can add your name to the wait list using the registration form. In this 3-part workshop, you will be guided through the creation of several [...]

Relax into Creativity: Yoga and Writing

with Amanda Lewis Good writing happens when you are relaxed. Amanda will guide you through a restorative sequence and meditation designed to stoke your creative fires. Then, through guided writing, you’ll frame your ideas, and build a strategy for next steps in your work.

Rug Hook a Little Mat - 2 Part Workshop

THIS WORKSHOP IS FULL. You can add your name to the wait list using the registration form. Learn the basics of pulling loops in the ages-old craft—and art!—of traditional rug [...]

Salish Sea Weaving and Stories

Weaving together cedar, stories, and sacred teachings, create a Traditional Coast Salish Cedar Basket with a master weaver.

Salish Sea Weaving and Stories | 2ND WORKSHOP

Weaving together cedar, stories, and sacred teachings, create a Traditional Coast Salish Cedar Basket with a master weaver.

Take Yourself Lightly: Clowning

When we let ourselves make life a game, our lives are transformed into a delightful theatre piece. Clowns give everyone (including ourselves) permission to laugh and play! In this workshop, we will play ourselves into greater self-acceptance.

The Afternoon of 100 Drawings

THIS WORKSHOP IS FULL. You can add your name to the wait list using the registration form. Over one afternoon, you will effortlessly create 100 drawings, and in the process, [...]

The Art of Change - Cancelled

Part personal exploration and part creative expression, this workshop is a great fit for those embracing or facing change. Look at the creative force of change, find visual metaphors that [...]

The Drumbeat of Reconciliation

THIS WORKSHOP IS FULL. You can add your name to the wait list using the registration form. We are in unique times. Many are asking what our role is in [...]

The Goddess Circle: Clay Sculpture for Women

In this workshop we’ll revive the ancient tradition of women who sculpted themselves in their own image. Inspired by ancient figurative art we’ll explore ideas about the female body from Paleolithic times to the relevance of these perceptions today.

The Mighty Uke

When the Owl and the Pussycat set out to sea in their beautiful pea green boat with a small guitar, it was definitely a relative of the “mighty Uke”. Learn [...]

Twilight Radio Theatre

1940's Radio Show Classics Live on Stage!

Two Books, One Community: Reading and Reconciliation

Inspired by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the 94 Calls to Action, and the powerful conversation in IOTA17, we’re encouraging Gabriolans of all ages to read not one, but two books this year: • Patti LaBoucane-Benson’s The Outside Circle (graphic novel) (12+, some swearing/violence). • Monique Gray Smith’s Speaking Our Truth: A Journey of Reconciliation (non-fiction) (9+).

Understanding Your Video Camera

Do you own a video camera and have an interest in shooting stories? Attend this workshop to learn the difference between having a camera, and knowing how to use it [...]

Vocal Play

Sing for joy with harmony, improvisation, and games in a joyful and playful afternoon of musical exploration. This workshop is geared towards intermediate/advanced singers who already love to harmonize and [...]

Weaving Without Boundaries

THIS WORKSHOP IS FULL. You can add your name to the wait list using the registration form. Throw out the rules and unleash your creativity! Explore the interlacement of threads [...]

Why Poetry Matters

THIS WORKSHOP IS FULL. You can add your name to the wait list using the registration form. Work with award-winning poet Lorna Crozier to understand why the world would be [...]

Words & Images: An Ekphrastic Writing Workshop

This workshop is for writers and artists, whether you are an artist interested in how people describe your work, you want to add words to your works, you are a [...]

Writing Yourself: Larger Narratives of Family, History, and the Earth

THIS WORKSHOP IS FULL. You can add your name to the wait list using the registration form. No previous writing experience required for this hands-on workshop—only a desire to find [...]