UPCOMING WORKSHOPS
Our WORKSHOPS are designed as day-long or weekend-long classes for you to learn a new skill, technique, or medium of your choosing! They are structured for beginners, right up to advanced working artists. Feel free to peruse our available workshops below!
Students receive a 15% discount on art supplies on the day of the workshop! Shopping early? Show us your registration and we’ll honour the discount in advance. Please note: discount does not apply to items already on sale.
The Girl with the Pearl Earring: A Portrait Workshop Inspired by Vermeer
with Holly McWilliams
Step into the world of classical portraiture and create your own version of Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring in this oil painting workshop with artist Holly McWilliams.
You’ll learn traditional techniques like underpainting, glazing, and layering to capture luminous skin tones, expressive features, and soft, glowing light. Whether you’re a curious beginner or a more experienced painter looking to refine your skills, this class offers a deep dive into classical portraiture—with Holly’s warm, approachable teaching style at the heart of it all.
Leave with a beautiful painting and timeless skills to carry into your own work.
Mixed Media Mojo
with Annette Wichmann & Lynette Melnyk
Three days. Three colours. Three times the fun!!!
Unleash your creativity in this playful, hands-on summer workshop! Over three vibrant days, explore expressive paper painting, gel plate printing, and collage with instructors Annette Wichmann and Lynette Melnyk. You’ll experiment with just three colours to create layered textures and transform your handmade papers into a unique board book bursting with personality.
Perfect for beginners or anyone needing a creative reset—come find your mojo!
Summer Plein Air Painting
- On Location!
with Holly McWilliams
Breathe in the fresh air, soak up the sunshine, and paint the beauty around you!
Join artist Holly McWilliams for vibrant summer plein air painting sessions in South Calgary and area. These on-location sessions are the perfect way to challenge your skills, loosen up your brushwork, and capture the energy of the outdoors in real time. With live demos, personalized instruction, and a welcoming creative community, this is your chance to grow as an artist while having a whole lot of fun in nature’s studio.
Choose from 3 different sessions. Bundle 3 sessions for 10% off! Open to all mediums.
- Tue, July 15 and 29: Fish Creek Park
- Thu, July 24: Lineham House Galleries, Okotoks
JUL
31
Thursday
6 pm – 9 pm
$45
Acrylic Paint Night: Forest Scene
with Lisa Roberts
Join Lisa Roberts for a fun and relaxing 3-hour paint night where you’ll create a beautiful forest scene on a 14×18″ canvas using acrylic paints. This beginner-friendly workshop is perfect for anyone who’s never painted before but is curious about exploring the world of acrylics.
All supplies are provided—just bring yourself and your creativity! Whether you’re coming solo or with a group of friends, this class is a great way to unwind, try something new, and discover your inner artist.
Abstracting the Landscape: Florals, Fences & Found Forms
with Nadine Johnson
Explore abstract landscapes through shape, texture, and imagination in this immersive, hands-on workshop with Nadine Johnson. Over three days, you’ll use paint, collage, and mark-making to deconstruct natural forms—like florals, fence lines, and open fields—and reimagine them through expressive, layered compositions.
This workshop is perfect for artists ready to loosen up, take creative risks, and discover new ways of seeing and making. Expect to create expressive, textured pieces and leave with a renewed sense of freedom in your art-making.
All levels welcome. Just bring your curiosity and a willingness to explore.
AUG
17
Sunday
9 am – 12 pm
1 pm – 4 pm
$39
A Bear-y Fun Card Making Workshop
with Lisa Roberts
Join us for a cozy, creative session making adorable bear-themed cards—perfect for sending paper hugs! You’ll create three unique designs using stamping, stenciling, and watercolor backgrounds, with tips on layering and adding dimension.
All supplies are included, and you’ll leave with finished cards and a few extra goodies. No experience needed—just bring a friend and enjoy a relaxed, fun-filled crafting time!
Morning and afternoon class options available.
AUG
23
Saturday
1 pm – 4 pm
$65
Watercolour Practice
with Laura Gerein
Join Laura Gerein in this introductory watercolour workshop where we’ll explore beginner techniques in a pressure-free environment designed to maximize fun and play.
Topics will include different types of paper and brushes, as well as other painting accessories to help you make the best choices for your artistic journey into watercolour.
All Supplies included!
Collage Paper Lab
with Gloria Gelo
Join Gloria Gelo for a workshop focused on creating a distinctive collection of collage paper. Over three days, you’ll explore techniques like staining tissue, expressive writing, mark making, altering photos, printing on tissue, and monoprinting. This isn’t just about making beautiful paper—it’s about building a personal library of texture, tone, and visual language you can use in collage, mixed media, or as a creative practice of its own.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refresh your collage materials, you’ll leave with a unique portfolio that reflects your unique style.
SEP
8
to OCT
20
Mondays
6 pm – 9 pm
$250
Potter's Wheel
with Sowgand Nabipour
Six Mondays from Sep 8 to Oct 20 at 6-9PM, (skipping Thanksgiving week):
- Sep 8
- Sep 15
- Sep 22
- Sep 29
- Oct 6
- Oct 20
This introductory course led by Sowgand Nabipour offers a hands-on exploration of wheel throwing techniques. Through guided instruction and individual practice, you’ll learn the fundamentals of working on the potter’s wheel — from centering clay to shaping simple forms.
Perfect for those new to ceramics or anyone looking to build a solid foundation in this timeless craft.
All supplies included!
SEP
11
Thursday
6 pm – 9 pm
$95
Bob Ross® Soothing Mountains Oil Painting
with Tracey Leigh Crozier
Join Bob Ross Certified Instructor® Tracey Leigh Crozier in this fun evening workshop! All supplies are included in this wet-on-wet class where you will be led from the beginning stages to a complete oil painting in just a few hours!
You will be shown in a step-by-step manner how to prepare a white gesso canvas with liquid white, experience the art of mixing colour and learn how to use different painting tools to create a happy little landscape!
Unleash your inner artist! Beginners are welcome. There is no previous experience required–just the desire to paint or learn a new skill and have a great time! As Bob always said, “There are no mistakes, just happy little accidents!”
Watercolours
with Ralph Temple
If you think you would like to try painting in watercolour but don’t know where to start, just add the word “yet”! Join artist Ralph Temple and explore painting in watercolour. Ralph will cover topics such as: fundamental aspects of preparation, composition, sequencing, and painting techniques. Subject matter is the choice of the participant and any image is worthwhile.
Ralph Temple holds a B.F.A. in sculpture, is a 43-year member of the Canadian Society of Painters in Water Colour, a mixed media artist, art instructor, and a former museum technician and picture framer.
Inky Botanicals
with Allison Dawrant
Do you love the look of vibrant colours and fluid marks? Have you ever tried acrylic inks? If you love colourful flowers, this class is for you!
This workshop introduces students to the beauty and versatility of acrylic inks. Led by artist and instructor Allison Dawrant, we will focus on watercolour techniques while using acrylic inks, which are highly pigmented permanent inks.
Perfect for those who enjoy colourful, free-flowing compositions and are curious about experimenting with a new medium.
Illustration Station
with Colton Skye and Maddy Armagost
Calling all creative teens! Do you love comics, illustration, and expressing your artistic vision? Dreaming of a space where you can create freely, surrounded by art supplies and good vibes? We’ve got you covered!
Join Colton and Maddy for a super-chill, teen-only studio session designed to spark creativity. Whether you’re just starting out or already the star of your art class, this is your space to experiment and grow your creative skills.
No experience necessary—just bring your favourite supplies, your big ideas, and your awesome self. Everyone is welcome!
Students can purchase a supply kit discounted 15% in store.
Watercolour Palette Knife Painting
with Sherry Telle
Join Sherry Telle and unlock a whole new way of working with watercolours in this fun and freeing workshop!
Using your palette knife, large soft brush, and spray bottle, you’ll learn how to create expressive, spontaneous effects that breathe new life into your paintings.
Whether you’re looking to loosen up your style or explore fresh techniques, this hands-on session will show you how to get the most out of your watercolour paints—no perfection required, just play and discovery.
SEP
21
Sunday
10 am – 1 pm
$45
Acrylic Forest Scene
with Lisa Roberts
Join Lisa Roberts for a fun and relaxing 3-hour painting session where you’ll create a beautiful forest scene on a 14×18″ canvas using acrylic paints. This beginner-friendly workshop is perfect for anyone who’s never painted before but is curious about exploring the world of acrylics.
All supplies are provided—just bring yourself and your creativity! Whether you’re coming solo or with a group of friends, this class is a great way to unwind, try something new, and discover your inner artist.
SEP
25
Thursday
6 pm – 8 pm
$10
Acrylic + Coloured Pencil Workshop
with Kirsten Bollen
This Holbein, Legion Paper, & General Pencil Brand Ambassador Workshop is a hands-on workshop for artists of all levels and experience, from beginner to professional. Along with the instructor Kirsten Bollen, this guided workshop is a learning experience where attendees have the opportunity to experiment with and learn about many different materials.
In this Acrylic Family & Coloured Pencil Workshop, we will focus on several types of acrylic paint, including Holbein Heavy Body Acrylic, Fluid Acrylic, Acrylic Ink, “Mat” Matte Acrylic, Coloured Gesso, and Acrylic Mediums, as well as Legion’s Stonehenge Aqua and Yupo papers, an assortment of General Pencil materials, and Holbein Coloured Pencils.
Registrants get 30% off on Holbein, Legion, and General Pencil Products at Kensington Art Supply on the day of the workshop.
SEP
25
Thursday
6 pm – 9 pm
$95
Bob Ross® Nature Scene Oil Painting
with Tracey Leigh Crozier
Join Bob Ross Certified Instructor® Tracey Leigh Crozier in this fun evening workshop! All supplies are included in this wet-on-wet class where you will be led from the beginning stages to a complete oil painting of a pretty nature scene in just a few hours!
You will be shown in a step-by-step manner how to prepare a white gesso canvas with liquid white, experience the art of mixing colour and learn how to use different painting tools to create a happy little landscape!
Unleash your inner artist! Beginners are welcome. There is no previous experience required–just the desire to paint or learn a new skill and have a great time! As Bob always said, “There are no mistakes, just happy little accidents!”
Acrylic Abstracts
with Karin Richter
Abstract art is often what artists look to when all other art forms have been explored and a new way of expression is desired. Contrary to popular belief, painting abstractly requires an artist to be in command of one’s craft with a willingness to experiment and the courage to communicate one’s emotions.
Join Karin Richter in this workshop where we will explore the different ways an abstract painting can be approached. Bring your enthusiasm and a sense of adventure!
LetterPlay Studio: Part I
with Ann Purdy
Unleash your inner artist in this imaginative workshop with calligrapher and artist Ann Purdy where basic brush and monoline lettering meet whimsical illustration.
Whether you’re a beginner or looking to refine your style, this class will guide you through playful techniques using pens, markers, and pencil crayons.
Expect plenty of inspiration, creativity, and fun as you explore the art of turning words into visual charm.
Meet Professor Felix Scheinberger
with Hahnemühle
Renowned Berlin-based illustrator, author, and professor Felix Scheinberger is coming to Calgary! Known for his vivid sketching style and engaging teaching, Felix will demonstrate techniques, share insights, and inspire you to take your art to the next level.
This free, in-store event includes:
- Intro Talk (60–90 min): Felix shares stories, process tips, and material insights from his travels
- Break (30 min): Enjoy light refreshments and browse the Hahnemühle product table
- Sketch Walk (90 min): Join Felix outdoors for a hands-on sketching session
- Q&A time and a chance to meet other artists in your community
LetterPlay Studio: Part II
with Ann Purdy
Keep the creativity flowing in this joyful sequel, where hand-drawn letters and expressive doodles steal the spotlight!
Whether you are expanding your skills from LetterPlay Studio: Part I* or joining fresh, this workshop invites you to explore design, detail, and personal flair as you bring your playful lettering and decorative doodles to life with pens, markers, and pencil crayons in hand.
*Though not a prerequisite to Part II, feel free to join Part I on September 28!
