Friday, January 12, 2007

The Brampton News: VAB youth classes return, expand

Brampton - Last Saturday, Visual Arts Brampton's (VAB) youth classes started up for the tenth year running. New is a class for six to eight year olds, added onto the two existing 9-12 year old and one teen time slots.

The youngest class, both in longevity and student age, is taught by Ilichna Morasky, currently a student at SheridanCollege. This soon to be BA of Art (Illustration) hold the distinction of being the most creative student Keith Moreau has ever taught.

Moreau has taught many hundreds of young students through the group's classes, but literally thousands of adult and youth across the GTA, feels that despite stiff competition, Ilichna easily earns the title.

There's been demand for a 6-to-8-year-old class ever since the inception of the youth division of the group, Moreau says. The only problem was a lack of teachers to take the role. While he could think of many possible candidates, Ilichna was the most consistent, interested, and willing. After guest teaching the weekend classes last year, he knew the concept had its match.

The studio was renovated over the Christmas break, allowing Keith and volunteers to install new flooring and remove dividing walls, opening the space up for more students. The group thanks manager Ray Bourque at RONA Home & Garden's Bramalea location for his continued support of the group.

The goal of the fifty week workshops are to build up the students skills in diverse artistic mediums, styles, and subject matters, instead of just one narrow-minded topic.

Despite the fact classes have already begun, art loving kids, tweens, and teens can still come on board. Either teacher will personally get them caught up with the rest.

Offered is Morasky's session at 9:30 to 11:00 am, for six to eight year olds, Moreau's two timeslots for nine to twelve year olds at 9:30 to 11:30 am or 3:15 to 5:15 pm, and his teen classes from 1:00 to 3:00 pm.Classes run at the VAB Creative Studios every Saturday until mid-December, for $250.

For more information on the classes, or to register, call (905) 453-9142, or email visualartsbrampton@gmail.com.


The article is still available on The Brampton News.