Spring Break Art Camp

+ Materials
You will need to source your own supplies for your studio. The cost of materials will vary by studio, but on average, you can expect to spend up to $80 in studio-specific supplies. You are welcome to use materials you already have at home. A materials list will be provided prior to the start of the program.

+ Software and Equipment
ECU will provide access to the required equipment for on-campus courses.
Students registered for online studios are responsible for securing access to any devices required to participate in their studio. ECU will provide access to any required software(s) for the duration of the program.

+ Transportation
Students registered in on-campus studios are expected to cover their own transportation costs.

Course Withdrawal

Requests to withdraw must be received no later than seven (7) days before the course start date. You will be refunded less $35 administration fee per course. Refunds require up to four weeks for processing, plus mailing time. Refunds are issued to the original form of payment, or by cheque, made payable to the student. Please submit your request via email.

Switching Courses

If you have already registered and paid for a course and your change your mind, there is an option to switch courses. Requests to switch courses must be received no later than seven (7) days before the course start date and are treated as a course withdrawal and new registration. This means there will be a $35 administration fee per request. Please submit your request via email.

If a course you are interested in taking is full, you can request to be added to the waitlist. There is no cost and you are not obligated to register if a spot becomes available. You cannot attend classes if you are on a waitlist.

If a spot becomes available, we will contact you to determine whether you are still interested in registering. If you would like to attend, you will be asked for payment information in order to hold the spot.

About the Course

Drawing centres on observation, fostering creativity through imagination and the visual communication of ideas. Start an artistic exploration like no other, where traditional, technical, and experimental drawing techniques converge to help you perceive the world around you in exciting new ways. Through various exploratory in-class assignments and projects, you will learn different drawing techniques to expand your creative potential. From graphite and charcoal to pastels and mixed media, you will discover how to bring your vision to life through drawing, evolving from quick sketches to completed compositions that reflect your own style.

This course is suited for those new to drawing, as well as anyone who is wanting to discover new ways of making. Working in the drawing studios at Emily Carr University, you will respond to drawing prompts and exercises, and explore personal interests through assignments, while engaging in peer and instructor-led feedback.

Download the Course Outline to be prepared for your class.

2024 Schedule

This Spring Break course is scheduled to take place at the Emily Carr Campus, March 18th - 22nd, 9:00am - 12:00pm

Registration closed.

About the Instructor: Hayley Carruthers

Hayley Carruthers is an artist currently living and making on the unceded territories of the Coast Salish peoples including the S?wx?w¨²7mesh (Squamish), St¨®:l¨­ and S?l?¨ªlw?ta?/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh), and x?m?¦Èk??y??m (Musqueam) Nations. Hayley approaches making as a means of thinking, learning, and questioning. She works primarily in drawing and screenprinting. Her work takes a speculative approach to reflecting on subjective experiences of mental imagery, perception, and other neural phenomena. Hayley¡¯s work often entangles with ways of understanding from scientific knowledges within neuroscience and engages with histories of scientific renderings that visualize the invisible. In her process, she embraces ambiguity and what can¡¯t be seen ¨Cthe unknown¨C as a field of generative inquiry. Compelled by the wonder and strangeness in her subjective experience of being, Hayley draws upon her own internal space to pull out images from memory and give them a material presence. One of the challenges her work explores is how to resist making the strange familiar ¨Cto let these images exist in their strangeness. She uses drawing as a process to perceive the intangible internal moments of her reality, not looking to understand but to wonder -to arrive at more questions. To remember that not everything is as it seems.

About the Course

Painting is a rich part of human history and culture. Through the practice of painting, artists develop a heightened ability to observe the world around them, offering a powerful outlet for self-expression and unique perspectives. This course merges observation, creativity, and visual storytelling to elevate your creative abilities. Through a series of guided exercises and hands-on projects, you will learn essential acrylic painting techniques, unlocking the power of colour, texture and form to transform your unique style and artistic voice into captivating paintings. Whether you're new to painting or looking to explore a new medium, our Painting course is your gateway to a world of creativity and expression.

This course is suited for those new to painting, as well as anyone who is wanting to discover new ways of making. Working in the studios at Emily Carr University, you will respond to prompts and exercises, and explore personal interests through assignments, while engaging in peer and instructor-led feedback.

Download the Course Outline to be prepared for your class.

2024 Schedule

This Spring Break course has two sections. Both take place at the Emily Carr University campus.
Section 1: March 18th - 22nd, 12:30pm - 3:30pm
Section 2: March 25th - 28th, 12:30pm - 3:30pm

Registration closed.

About the Instructor: Cath Hughes (Section 1)

Cath Hughes is a British-Canadian visual artist who works in painting, drawing, collage and assemblage. She holds a BFA in Painting from the Ruskin School of Art, Oxford University, a MA in Museums and Galleries in Education from London University, and a Postgraduate Certificate in secondary art education from Goldsmiths College, University of London. Cath began her career in education as a high school art teacher in London, then worked for several years as a freelance gallery educator, programmer, researcher and writer in some of the foremost London galleries such as Tate Modern and the National Gallery. She moved to Vancouver in 2008 and now teaches at Emily Carr and at Burnaby Art Gallery.

About the Instructor: Kate Barry (Section 2)

Kate Barry is an artist, educator and curator. She holds a BFA from Emily Carr University of Art and Design and an MFA from the University of Ottawa. Her works have been performed or exhibited in galleries and festivals throughout Canada and internationally, including the National Gallery of Canada, Vancouver Art Gallery, Open Space Arts Society (Victoria), 7a*11d Festival of Performance Art (Toronto), Galerie SAW Gallery (Ottawa), LINK & PIN Performance Art Series (Montreal), World Pride Toronto and the Rider Project, NYC. In addition, she has self-produced work at the Muse d¡¯Orsay (Paris, France) and Art Gallery of Ontario (Toronto). Barry has contributed over 20 years to working in artist-run spaces committed to the exhibition of artwork outside of the mainstream. Kate Barry is represented by Vtape, Toronto.

About the Course

Illustration is a dynamic and versatile method of communication that transcends language barriers, making it a valuable means of conveying ideas, stories, and concepts. Illustration is all about storytelling, and in this course, you'll explore various methods of visual storytelling, using traditional hand-drawn illustration techniques. Develop skills in observation, line drawing, shading and color application, and discover how to convey emotions, messages, and concepts through your artwork. An illustration practice opens doors to diverse career opportunities, including graphic design, animation, comics, concept art, and more. Whether you dream of illustrating children's books, or working on animated productions, this course will introduce you with the knowledge and techniques to turn your ideas into captivating illustrations.

This course is suited for those new to illustration, as well as those interested in expanding an existing drawing practice. Working in the studios at Emily Carr University, you will work with traditional illustration media to create tangible projects that showcase your creativity and storytelling abilities

Download the Course Outline to be prepared for your class.

2024 Schedule

This Spring Break course is scheduled to take place at the Emily Carr Campus, March 18th - 22nd, 9:00am - 12:00pm

Registration closed.

About the Instructor: Stephen Pearce

Stephen Pearce is an inspired instructor who specializes in teaching foundational to advanced courses ranging from life drawing and color theory to animation and conceptual design for environments, creatures, and characters in traditional and digital techniques. Stephen graduated from the Animation programs at Capilano University and Vanarts, and has gained extensive experience in the animation and games industries, working as a 2D and 3D animator, conceptual design artist, and senior artist for several games, film, and TV studios. Stephen's diverse portfolio includes collaborations with notable studios such as Mainframe, Bardel, Dreamworks, A.K.A. Cartoon, Backbone Ent., and IUGO, on high-profile projects including Action Man, Heavy Gear, Joseph, Sonic Rival 2, Monster Lab, Bomberman Live, Knights and Dragons, and Walking Dead Road to Survival. Through his exceptional teaching and real-world experience, Stephen imparts his expertise to students at all skill levels, from beginners to advanced learners.

About the Course

Illustration is a dynamic and versatile method of communication that transcends language barriers, making it a valuable means of conveying ideas, stories, and concepts. Illustration is all about storytelling, and in this course, you'll explore various methods of visual storytelling, using traditional hand-drawn illustration techniques. Develop skills in observation, line drawing, shading and color application, and discover how to convey emotions, messages, and concepts through your artwork.An illustration practice opens doors to diverse career opportunities, including graphic design, animation, comics, concept art, and more. Whether you dream of illustrating children's books, or working on animated productions, this course will introduce you with the knowledge and techniques to turn your ideas into captivating illustrations.

This online course is suited for those new to illustration, as well as those interested in expanding an existing drawing practice. Assignments and projects accommodate a range of media suitable for use in the home, how to set up a space for creativity, and finding inspiration in the world around us. The course offers both virtual class time with instructors and peers, and self-directed work time to complete projects with the support of the instructor.

Download the Course Outline to be prepared for your class.

2024 Schedule

This Spring Break course is scheduled to take place online, March 18th - 22nd, 9:00am - 3:30pm

Registration closed.

About the Instructor: Joni Taylor

Joni Taylor is an artist / illustrator / writer, whose work is deeply informed by the eclectic influences of MAD Magazine (from the 70s, now known as Classic Mad), SNL (Roseanne Roseannadanna), the chaotic satirical work of Ralph Steadman, and the dynamic duo of Roald Dahl ¡ª whose characters and plots are always a little on the naughty side, and Quentin Blake ¡ª whose illustrations are decidedly quirky. Passionate about the plight of the underdog (takes one to know one), Joni¡¯s subjects are those who are unknown and unseen yet have incredible amounts to offer. From feminism to ageism and global warming, Joni feels strongly about setting the record straight ¡ª even if it¡¯s just in her own mind. Her work is imbued with her own hyperbolic sense of what¡¯s funny and what¡¯s possible to get away with.

About the Course

Characters are at the heart of storytelling. Giving them depth, personality, and a visual narrative can influence how they resonate with audiences. Discover how narratives and personality traits breathe life into characters, shaping their design and evolution. Drawing on principles of anatomy, proportions, scale and context, you will learn how to develop characters that can express personality and mood, capturing the essence of your character's story. Whether you dream of creating the next iconic superhero, beloved animated character, or memorable brand mascot, Character Illustration can help shape the stories that captivate hearts and minds.

This course is suited for those with some previous experience with drawing, painting or illustration techniques, with an interest in advancing their conceptual and stroytelling skills. Working in the studios at Emily Carr University, your instructor will guide you through prompts and projects, providing personalized feedback to support your creativity and exploration.

Download the Course Outline to be prepared for your class.

2024 Schedule

This Spring Break course has three sections. All take place at the Emily Carr University campus.
Section 1: March 18th - 22nd, 12:30pm - 3:30pm
Section 2: March 25th - 28th, 9:00am - 12:00pm
Section 3: March 25th - 28th, 12:30pm - 3:30pm

Registration closed.

About the Instructor: Hayley Carruthers (Section 1)

Hayley Carruthers is an artist currently living and making on the unceded territories of the Coast Salish peoples including the S?wx?w¨²7mesh (Squamish), St¨®:l¨­ and S?l?¨ªlw?ta?/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh), and x?m?¦Èk??y??m (Musqueam) Nations. Hayley approaches making as a means of thinking, learning, and questioning. She works primarily in drawing and screenprinting. Her work takes a speculative approach to reflecting on subjective experiences of mental imagery, perception, and other neural phenomena. Hayley¡¯s work often entangles with ways of understanding from scientific knowledges within neuroscience and engages with histories of scientific renderings that visualize the invisible. In her process, she embraces ambiguity and what can¡¯t be seen ¨Cthe unknown¨C as a field of generative inquiry. Compelled by the wonder and strangeness in her subjective experience of being, Hayley draws upon her own internal space to pull out images from memory and give them a material presence. One of the challenges her work explores is how to resist making the strange familiar ¨Cto let these images exist in their strangeness. She uses drawing as a process to perceive the intangible internal moments of her reality, not looking to understand but to wonder -to arrive at more questions. To remember that not everything is as it seems.

About the Instructor: Sophia Zarders (Section 2)

Sophia Zarders (she/her & they/them) is an illustrator, comic artist, and pop culture queen from Long Beach, California, and currently living in Vancouver, Canada. ?Sophia's longstanding career as an illustrator spans publishing, editorial, educational, entertainment, and public art. They're most recent book You're Funny For A: The Illustrated Guide to Trans Comedians, Non-Binary Comics, and Funny Women in the Comedy Scene was published by Silver Sprocket in 2022, and they have self-published an expansive library of zines and comics. Their work was recently selected for Notes From the Bathroom Line, a Harper Collins book about women and trans comedians. Sophia's editorial work has been featured in publications around the globe, including PRISM, The Nation, Zora, and the Socialist Review. Sophia was recently an in-house illustrator for the Simbi Foundation, a leading non-profit in educational children's books based in Vancouver. Numerous organizations and non-profits have commissioned Sophia for empowering posters and public art, including the ACLU, Arts Council of Long Beach, the LA County Office of Education, the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, and Forward Together. Their visual art has been exhibited in the residency program at Somos Art House in Berlin, Germany, and more recently at Haight Street Art Center in San Francisco.

About the Instructor: Joe Gianoglio (Section 3)

Joe Gianoglio is an experienced 2D artist with over a decade of experience across multiple departments and disciplines including 2D assets, concept art and UI/UX. He is fluent with Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and Indesign with additional knowledge on XD, Figma and Unity. His background in 2D illustration + User Interface + promotional/marketing graphics + digital painting has gotten him involved in many different projects across multiple platforms (Console / Desktop / Mobile).

About the Course

Bring imaginary worlds to life in a week-long exploration of Environment Concept Art. Designing imaginary worlds considers mood, functionality and believability, and can draw from a combination of fantastical, historical and cultural references. If you're passionate about illustration, live-action films, animation, and video games, this course is the perfect opportunity to begin creating captivating worlds and spaces through illustration and visualization. Explore various styles and aesthetics, delve into lighting, composition, perspective, and color, and bring your creative ideas to life from concept to reality. By the end of this transformative week, you'll not only have created amazing new imaginative worlds, but also discovered valuable skills for a future in various creative industries.

This course is suited for those with some previous experience with drawing, painting or illustration techniques, with an interest in advancing their conceptual and compositional skills. Working in the studios at Emily Carr University, your instructor will guide you through prompts and projects, providing personalized feedback to support your creativity and exploration.

Download the Course Outline to be prepared for your class.

2024 Schedule

This Spring Break course has two sections. Both take place at the Emily Carr University campus.
Section 1: March 18th - 22nd, 12:30pm - 3:30pm
Section 2: March 25th - 28th, 9:00am - 12:00pm

Registration closed.

About the Instructor: Joe Gianoglio (Section 1)

Joe Gianoglio is an experienced 2D artist with over a decade of experience across multiple departments and disciplines including 2D assets, concept art and UI/UX. He is fluent with Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and Indesign with additional knowledge on XD, Figma and Unity. His background in 2D illustration + User Interface + promotional/marketing graphics + digital painting has gotten him involved in many different projects across multiple platforms (Console / Desktop / Mobile).

About the Instructor: Stephen Pearce (Section 2)

Stephen Pearce is an inspired instructor who specializes in teaching foundational to advanced courses ranging from life drawing and color theory to animation and conceptual design for environments, creatures, and characters in traditional and digital techniques. Stephen graduated from the Animation programs at Capilano University and Vanarts, and has gained extensive experience in the animation and games industries, working as a 2D and 3D animator, conceptual design artist, and senior artist for several games, film, and TV studios. Stephen's diverse portfolio includes collaborations with notable studios such as Mainframe, Bardel, Dreamworks, A.K.A. Cartoon, Backbone Ent., and IUGO, on high-profile projects including Action Man, Heavy Gear, Joseph, Sonic Rival 2, Monster Lab, Bomberman Live, Knights and Dragons, and Walking Dead Road to Survival. Through his exceptional teaching and real-world experience, Stephen imparts his expertise to students at all skill levels, from beginners to advanced learners.

About the Course

Storyboarding is a crucial tool for planning and visualizing narratives, to make sure that storytelling is coherent and engaging. It helps facilitate collaboration among creators in fields like film, animation, and game design, to align everyone on the same page. Discover the possibilities of storyboarding, where each panel is a snapshot of a larger narrative. You'll learn to translate ideas and scripts into a sequence of drawn panels that guide the visual representation of stories. You will be introduced to the language of film as you explore camera movements, angles, and lenses to infuse emotion and drama into your storyboards. Through daily hands-on exercises, you'll refine your drawing skills and explore the principles of perspective for creating dynamic environments, sets, characters, and animated sequences. Whether you aspire to work in film, animation, game design, comics, or graphic novels, this course will teach you the skills to craft compelling storyboards.

This course is suited for those with some previous experience with drawing, perspective, painting or illustration techniques, with an interest in advancing their storytelling skills. It is also an excellent complement to Stop-Motion Animation. Working in the studios at Emily Carr University, your instructor will guide you through prompts and projects, providing personalized feedback to support your creativity and exploration.

Download the Course Outline to be prepared for your class.

2024 Schedule

This Spring Break course is scheduled to take place at the Emily Carr Campus, March 25th - 28th, 9:00am - 12:00pm

Registration closed.

About the Instructor: Joe Gianoglio

Joe Gianoglio is an experienced 2D artist with over a decade of experience across multiple departments and disciplines including 2D assets, concept art and UI/UX. He is fluent with Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and Indesign with additional knowledge on XD, Figma and Unity. His background in 2D illustration + User Interface + promotional/marketing graphics + digital painting has gotten him involved in many different projects across multiple platforms (Console / Desktop / Mobile).

About the Course

Industrial designers are the visionaries who shape the future by seamlessly blending aesthetics, functionality, sustainability, and user experience. They are instrumental in solving complex design problems and driving innovation. In an era of environmental consciousness, industrial designers also contribute to sustainable practices by creating eco-friendly products and solutions. Get ready to explore the creative design process, from the core principles of design and their practical applications in industrial design, to fundamental sketching, visualizing and prototyping techniques used by professional designers. Through engaging projects and real-world scenarios, you'll brainstorm innovative ideas and develop your problem-solving skills. Whether your goal is to design the next great wearable technology, or the most comfortable chair, industrial design opens doors to diverse career opportunities from the medical industry, to footwear, to toy and game design.

This course is suited for those new to design. It is also an excellent complement to experience design, interaction design and other human-centered design practices. Working in the studios at Emily Carr University, your instructor will guide you through prompts and projects, providing personalized feedback to support your creativity and exploration.

Download the Course Outline to be prepared for your class.

2024 Schedule

This Spring Break course has two sections. Both take place at the Emily Carr University campus.
Section 1: March 18th - 22nd, 9:00am - 12:00pm
Section 2: March 25th - 28th, 12:30pm - 3:30pm

Registration closed.

About the Instructor: Morgan Martino (Section 1)

Morgan Martino is an interdisciplinary designer, researcher and facilitator, whose work focuses on building and supporting communities that can foster caring relationships, critical learning, and informed social change. Her current research practice explores how everyday material culture and designed systems inform and reflect our complex relationships to care. Morgan graduated from Emily Carr University of Art + Design in spring of 2021, studying Industrial Design and Social Practice + Community Engagement, and was the student speaker for her graduating class. Morgan currently works as a research assistant for Emily Carr¡¯s Health Design Lab and coordinates the Roving Designers, a collective she founded in fall 2020.

About the Instructor: Keith Shapland (Section 2)

Keith Shapland is an industrial designer who specializes in the development of mock-ups and prototypes, both physical and digital. He has worked on projects ranging in scale from a full-size mock-up of a 747 to delicate medical devices. He has developed prototypes of aviation data recorder ¡°black box¡¯¡± systems and participated in the engineering destruction testing of the prototypes and production units. Keith has designed, fabricated and installed tradeshow booths and museum exhibits. He has fabricated architectural, topographic and engineering models. Keith also worked in the entertainment industry as an image compositor, utilizing his digital skills to extract 2D imagery from the 3D animations on such projects as Beast Machines and MTV¡¯s Spiderman.