By Lori Blight
Portage and District Arts Centre
There are several intriguing classes available for children at the Portage and District Arts Centre this fall. Starting on Sept. 8, we have FUN Music for Beginners for ages 2 to Grade 4. Call instructor Jennifer Ausman at 241-6261 for more information and to register. The goal for this class is to keep the FUN in music, encouraging children to become lifelong musicians.
The arts centre is also offering a Young Digital Photographers Class for ages 9-12; Sticky Fingers Art for ages 2-4; Young Potters on the Wheel for ages 8-12; Young Artists Mixed Media for ages 8-16; a Musical Art Workshop for ages 9-13 and vocal coaching for youth to adult. Contact instructor Laurel Ward directly at 857-7795 for more information and to register for the vocal coaching class.
Upcoming teen and adult classes
Are you interested in pursuing acting for stage and film or TV? Then why not sign up for professional acting classes, for ages 15 to adult. This is a unique opportunity to learn from long-time actors, directors and educators, Stan Lesk and Frank Adamson. In this class, students will learn various techniques to prepare for all aspects of acting on both stage and for film.
Perhaps learning painting techniques is more your style. If so, then register for watercolour painting classes with instructor Linda Hanneson on Wednesday evenings starting on Sept. 30 or choose an afternoon class with instructor Bernice Einarson on Thursdays starting Oct. 1 from 1-3 p.m. Other fall classes available include pottery, quilting, digital photography and yoga.
Weekend workshops
Introduction to Batik is the first workshop of the fall season. It is scheduled for Sept. 26 with instructor Mimi Berard. Visit our gift shop to see samples of Mimi’s work.
The arts centre is offering a variety of weekend workshops throughout the fall, including watercolour, acrylic and oil painting, framing and matting, drawing, documenting your art, and stained glass.
Drop by the arts centre to pick up a brochure for more details on each class and workshop. Become a member of the arts centre and receive discounts! Classes are cancelled if there are not enough people signed up so register early!
Still time to register for dance
Dance classes are starting to fill up, so hustle down to the arts centre to get registered as soon as possible. We are offering classes in ballet, hip hop, jazz and more for ages 3 to adult. The dance program runs for 24 weeks, starting with jazz on Sept. 26 and wrapping up with a dance recital in the spring. For more information regarding the dance program, contact the arts centre at 239-6029 or drop by. We are located within the William Glesby Centre; use the west entrance. Be sure to check out the dance apparel sale on Sept. 12 from 1-4 p.m. at the arts centre.
In the gallery
On display at the Portage and District Arts Centre from Sept. 1-Oct. 17 will be “Life Lines: A Story Keeper’s Daughter” mixed-media artwork by Chris Larsen. Larsen will be at the gallery on Sept. 3 at 7 p.m. to talk about her work.
Larsen is an artist of Métis descent, living and working near Carman. She is an art educator and instructs art in various media. The power of her mother’s Métis background has recently prodded her to change her artistic direction. Her exhibition examines the untold tales hidden within personal family histories.
Larsen researched her mother’s roots, and began working with multimedia and sculpture. She takes as her subject matter her mother’s fibrework and the ancient trees that surround her home revealing symbolic imagery situated in their forms and patterns. Larsen uses these arboreal allusions to reflect upon the unspoken stories of her own family background and culture.
Ultimately, “Life Lines: the Story Keeper’s Daughter,” is a body of artwork about the perseverance and persistence of spirit and heritage through adaptation, change and growth. Be sure to drop by the gallery to enjoy this inspirational and spiritual exhibit.
Upcoming events
The Portage and District Arts Centre is pleased to present performer Heather Bishop in concert at the William Glesby Centre on Oct. 22 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 and available at the arts centre. The admission price includes a reception with cash bar in the gallery following the show.
Bishop’s performance opens her oil portraiture exhibition, which will be on display in the gallery from Oct. 20-Nov. 28. Century 21 Andrich Realty locally sponsors this exhibition and performance.
The Portage and District Arts Centre is located at 11-Second St. N.E., Portage la Prairie, 239-6029. Office and gallery hours are Tuesday to Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Check out our website: www.portageartscentre.ca
