Upcoming events

Switch to Calendar View

• Ailsa Craig Creative Writers Group

  • Start
    Wednesday, May 15, 2019
  •  
  • End
    Wednesday, April 15, 2020
  • Schedule
    12 sessions
  • Location
    Ailsa Craig Arts Centre

  
  The group is a confidential , safe place to explore your creative writing goals with other supportive, like minded individuals.  This is currently an open group.

  They meet on the 3rd Wednesday of the month from 7 - 9 pm.

  There is no fee for the group with an annual membership in the Ailsa Craig Arts Centre.
  $35 Adults
  $30 Seniors (over 65)
  $5 Youth (under 18)
  $50 Family
  $100 Founding Members

  Show details
• Monthly Book Club

  • Start
    Monday, May 27, 2019
  •  
  • End
    Monday, June 29, 2020
  • Schedule
    10 sessions
  • Location
    Ailsa Craig Arts Centre

  

  The monthly book club meets on the 4th Monday of the month from  7 - 9 pm with a break for June, July & August.  This is currently an open group.

  For more information contact: 
  Jill Johnson 
  jill.adele1@gmail.com
  519-871-5455
  

  Book Club membership will be free with ACAC membership. Non Members $5 per session
  

  Annual membership in the Ailsa Craig Arts Centre.
  $35 Adults
  $30 Seniors (over 65)
  $5 Youth (under 18)
  $50 Family
  $100 Founding Members

  
  

  Show details
• Meditation

  • Start
    Monday, January 20, 2020
  •  
  • End
    Monday, March 16, 2020
  • Schedule
    8 sessions
  • Location
    Ailsa Craig Arts Centre: 160 D Main Street, Ailsa Craig
  • Registered
    Be the first

  Register

  
  

  

  The Ailsa Craig Arts Centre is very pleased to be able to offer the community the opportunity to study the practice of meditation with Peter Piasecki and Valerie Andrews; two life long practitioners.
  We offer this 8 week session at a modest cost only to help pay for the facility. Peter and Valerie are happy to volunteer their experience to teach and share the meditation practice with others. 
  People may bring mats or decide to sit on chairs to meditate.
  You may register and pay online or you can pay $2.00 if you want to Drop In.
  Members: 8 weeks $15     Non members: 8 weeks: $20

  Drop In $2.00

  Peter Piasecki is an enthusiastic lifelong practioner of meditation. He was introduced to Zen Buddhist Meditation in the 1970’s while living in Poland. In the 1980’s he met a Tibetan Buddhist teacher and followed these teachings for over 20 years. Peter started teaching meditation in the 1990’s in Edmonton, AB. He found the Tibetan teachings, personally, very useful but felt the methods might feel foreign to novice Western meditation practioners. He felt an inner pull to search for methods that would be simple, non-denominational, not mixed within a cultural context and that any person would find easily accessible. After moving to Calgary, AB and opening a yoga studio he continued teaching and practicing meditation while his search for a simple direct method continued. In 2015 he attended his first 10 day silent Vipassana Retreat in Ontario. He continues to practice Vipassana meditation. 
  Peter compares meditation to a ‘gym for the mind’. In his classes he offers tools to work with the mind and to help the practitioner establish positive and solid meditation practice. There is no dogma or specific beliefs linked to his approach. Participants are encouraged to try the tools, evaluate their experience and choose what is useful and working for them.

  Disclaimer:  Meditation is not a substitute for medical care.  If you are looking to treat any ailment, physical or mental, please consult your physician.

  
  

  Show details
• Punch Needle Landscapes with Wool and Altenative Fibres

  • Start
    Friday, February 28, 2020
  •  
  • End
    Saturday, February 29, 2020
  •  
  • Schedule
    2 sessions
  • Location
    Ailsa Craig Arts Centre, 160D Main Street
  • Registered
    1 registrant

  Registration is closed

  Often referred to as instant gratification, punch needle rug hooking is simple, exciting and fun to learn!  In this class we will explore special techniques for creating beautiful landscapes, using richly coloured wool yearns and alternative fibres.  Create four small landscapes reflecting each season.  They will be punched into ready to display frames and will look gorgeous hung together.  

  Alternatively you may choose to create one larger lovely landscape using various yarns and fibres, in which ever season you prefer.  We'll learn about punching techniques, colour planning, mood, landscape design, alternative fibres and methods to creating beautiful texture and depth to your piece.

  No experience is necessary.  This class is suitable for beginners and advanced students!

  Register on this website.  Payment can be made on the website with a credit card.  You can mail a cheque to Ailsa Craig Arts Centre, PO Box 132, Ailsa Craig ON N0M 1A0.  Or you can drop a cheque off at the Arts Centre on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday from 1 - 4.

  Cost:  Members:  $90 + HST, Non Members:  $110 + HST

  Registration payment must be made two weeks prior to the beginning of the class or you will not be considered registered.  Cancellations by registrants two weeks prior to the class will be refunded with a $10 administration fee deducted.  Cancellations two weeks prior to the class will not be refunded.

  Kit Fee:  

  1.  Four Small Landscapes:  $70 + HST.  Includes all materials to complete the four projects such as quality backing with patterns pre-mounted in frames, hand dyed yarns, alternative fibres, handouts etc.

  2.  Large Landscape:  $70 + HST.  Includes pattern on quality backing, plus a good selection of hand dyed yarns and alternative fibres to get started on their landscapes during class, with printouts.  Students will require additional fibres to finish the larger landscape which and be new or recycled fibres.

  Students may use their own punch needles (#14 or #13 Oxford fine and #10 Oxford Regular are recommended).  Beginners may borrow punches from the instructor during class time and purchase them afer if they wish.  Those doing the larger landscape will require a rug hooking frame - gripper frames are recommended.

  
  

  
  

  Show details
• Feelings and Fibres - Knit a Wisdom Wrap

  • Start
    Saturday, February 29, 2020
  •  
  • End
    Saturday, March 07, 2020
  •  
  • Schedule
    2 sessions
  • Location
    Ailsa Craig Arts Centre, 160 D Main Street

  Registration is closed

  
  

  Every woman has a life story that can be defined as a complex tapestry woven from the textures of experience and the colours of change. Sharing time with other women in a safe and supportive space, gather ideas and techniques through writings, poetry and stories. As a knitter, stretch your imagination and experience a unique artistic process in the creation of a beautiful wearable art shawl – a “wisdom wrap” . Without the confines of a pattern, use different sized needles, strips of favourite fabrics, natural and synthetic yarns, feathers, fur, shells, stones, jewellery, and other meaningful materials in an exploration of the creative process through the use of colour, texture and story. Discover and rediscover your innate creativity through ongoing freedom to ‘be with’ varying fibres, textures, colours and stitches. Trust your imagination and be inspired by the natural surroundings, through the use of story and music, and by the reality of endless possibilities. Instruction is suitable if you can knit, purl and cast on stitches. You do not need to be able to read patterns.

  Students need to bring:  knitting needles, ideally circular size at least 6.5mm..the larger the needle the faster the project.  A selection of yarns ,varied textures ,tones, weights (partial balls encouraged)with an idea of what main background colour will be.  Bring any fabrics from special keepsakes, jewelry that has an important history or other meaningful material.

  Register on this website.  Payment must be made by February 22, 2020.  You can pay with a credit card on the website, mail a cheque to Ailsa Craig Arts Centre, PO Box 312, Ailsa Craig ON N0M 1A0, or drop a cheque off at the Arts Centre on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday from 1 - 4.  You can cancel your registration before February 22.  A $5.00 administration fee will be deducted from your refund.  If the class is cancelled by the Arts Centre, no administration fee will be deducted from your registration fee.

  Members:  $125 + HST; Non Members $150 + HST.

  Ardath Finnbogason-Hill's Biography:  I have been a fibre artist for many years and sell my work in a variety of venues.  In my many years of experiencing Women’s Wisdom in workshops focused on the Creative Process, I never cease to be amazed by the beautiful energy which flows from   Voice to voice, hand to hand. My own discovery of innate creativity began in the Caribbean where I lived for 2 years. Beautiful years. There was an awakening to colour, vibrancy individualism and authentic Be-ing in the moment

  
  

  Show details
• Not Your Average Portrait Class

  • Start
    Saturday, March 21, 2020
  •  
    1:00 PM
  • End
    Saturday, March 28, 2020
  •  
    3:00 PM
  • Location
    Ailsa Craig Arts Centre, 160D Main Street, behind Ye Old Town Hall
  • Spaces left
    2
  • Registered
    4 registrants

  Register

  
  

  Not your average portrait class! 

  A new take on painting portraits and the human figure.  While not required, some basic knowledge of painting and drawing is helpful.   The final product will be abstracted, loose and figurative, so don’t let the subject scare you.  Rebecca Christine Pettit will lead the class and show you that you can do portraiture!
  

  Student Supplies:  Photo of a face or figure of someone special (face or front facing body picture), sketch book, pencils, eraser, charcoal or conte stick, paints, canvas not smaller than 24 inches, acrylic paint

  Cost:  $150 Members, $175 Non Members

  Please note the class must be paid for 2 weeks prior to the class or you will not be considered registered.  Payment can be made on this website with a credit card, cheques an be mailed to Ailsa Craig Arts Centre, PO Box 312, Ailsa Craig ON N0M 1A0, or drop off a cheque to the Arts Centre on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday between 1 and 4 PM.

  Cancellations by registrants prior to 2 weeks before the class will be subject to a $10.00 administration fee.

  
  

  
  

  Show details
• Wet Felting with Jane Jacobs

  • When
    Saturday, April 04, 2020
  •  
    10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
  • Location
    Ye Olde Town Hall, 160D Main Street (entrance around corner)
  • Spaces left
    7
  • Registered
    Be the first

  Register

  
  

  
  

  Learn how to complete two pieces using a wet felting technique, and how to 3D felt.  Textile Artist Jane Jacobs will lead this class and you will leave with a flat piece of felt suitable to make a purse, wall hanging or table mat. and a 3D piece such as a hat,  tea or bodum cover.  This class is for beginners as well as students with more advanced skills in wet felting.

  Jane Jacobs is a fashion designer and textile artist living in Newmarket just north of Toronto.  Her practice focuses on creating one-of-a-kind textiles with silk, wool, and handmade felt.  Using plant matter, minerals, ,metals and food waste, her various dye techniques give each garment a unique story

  Cost:  Members:  $80.00 Non Members:  $100

  Material Fee:  $25 per person, payable to the instructor on the day of the class.

  To Register:  Register on this website.  Payment can be made with a credit card on the website, you can mail a cheque to the Ailsa Craig Arts Centre PO Box 132, Ailsa Craig ON N0M 1A0 or drop off a cheque to the Arts Centre on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday between 1 and 4 PM.

  Please note that payment must be made 2 weeks prior to the class to be considered registered.   The class can be cancelled by the registrant any time before 2 weeks prior to the class.  A $10 administration fee will be deducted from your refund.  There are no refunds after 2 weeks prior to the class unless the Arts Centre cancels the class because of low registrations.  If the ACAC cancels, no administrative fee will apply to the refund.

  
  

  Learn how to complete two pieces using a wet felting technique, and how to 3D felt.  Textile Artist Jane Jacobs will lead this class and you will leave with a flat piece of felt suitable to make a purse, wall hanging or table mat. and a 3D piece such as a hat,  tea or bodum cover.  This class is for beginners as well as students with more advanced skills in wet felting.

  Jane Jacobs is a fashion designer and textile artist living in Newmarket just north of Toronto.  Her practice focuses on creating one-of-a-kind textiles with silk, wool, and handmade felt.  Using plant matter, minerals, ,metals and food waste, her various dye techniques give each garment a unique story

  Cost:  Members:  $80.00 Non Members:  $100

  Material Fee:  $25 per person, payable to the instructor on the day of the class.

  To Register:  Register on this website.  Payment can be made with a credit card on the website, you can mail a cheque to the Ailsa Craig Arts Centre PO Box 132, Ailsa Craig ON N0M 1A0 or drop off a cheque to the Arts Centre on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday between 1 and 4 PM.

  Please note that payment must be made 2 weeks prior to the class to be considered registered.   The class can be cancelled by the registrant any time before 2 weeks prior to the class.  A $10 administration fee will be deducted from your refund.  There are no refunds after 2 weeks prior to the class unless the Arts

  Show details
• Stitch a Penny Quilt

  • Start
    Wednesday, April 15, 2020
  •  
  • End
    Wednesday, April 29, 2020
  •  
  • Schedule
    3 sessions
  • Location
    Ailsa Craig Arts Centre, 160D Main Street
  • Registered
    2 registrants

  Register

  
  

  Stitch a beautiful penny quilt with Lynda Watson, London Embroiders Guild member and instructor.  Lynda has been stitching for many years and is eager to share her knowledge with others.

  Lynda will provide a kit that has all the materials needed, which includes an 8 x 10 piece of felted wool to use as background, felted wool pieces in a variety of colours,  Penny Quilt patterns, and everything else you will need.

  Students should bring threads (embroidery, pearl cotton, very light weight wool etc) and needles.

  Register on this website today!

  Members:  $60 + HST; Non Members: $80 + HST

  Kit:  $12.00 payable to the instructor on the first day of class.

  Wed. April 15, 22 & 29 from 1 - 4 pm

  Payment must be made 2 weeks prior to the beginning of the class, April 1, 2020, or you will not be considered registered.  You can pay with a credit card on this website, mail a cheque to Ailsa Craig Arts Centre, PO Box 132, Ailsa Craig ON N0M 1A0 or drop off a cheque to the Arts Centre on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday between 1 and 4.

  
  

   

  
  

  
  

  Show details
• Watercolour Painting Techniques

  • When
    Saturday, April 25, 2020
  •  
    1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
  • Location
    Ailsa Craig Arts Centre, 160D Main Street
  • Spaces left
    8
  • Registered
    1 registrant

  Register

  
  

  If you want to improve your watercolour painting, this class is for you!  Lynn Haygarth will lead you through several different techniques when using watercolours.  She will show you the best way to hold a watercolour brush,  how to make flowers glow,  how to make backgrounds stand out, changing colour value and more!

  Student Supplies:  watercolour paints and brushes.  We will provide the watercolour paper.  Note:  If you don't have watercolours or brushes, the Arts Centre can provide some for you for a $5.00 material fee, payable the day of the class.

  Register on this website.  You can pay with a credit card on the website, send a cheque to Ailsa Craig Arts Centre, PO Box 132, Ailsa Crain ON N0M 1A0.  You can also drop a cheque off at the Arts Centre on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday from 1 - 4.

  Cost:  Members:  $45, Non Members: $55

  Payment must be made 2 weeks prior to the class to be considered registered.  If a student cancels after paying, a refund will be made but a $10 administration fee will be deducted.  If the Arts Centre cancels the class (inclement weather or low registration), a full refund will be issued.

  Show details
• Tom Thompson - Northern River

  • When
    Saturday, June 13, 2020
  •  
    1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
  • Location
    Ailsa Craig Arts Centre, 160D Main Street (entrance off Jamieson)
  • Spaces left
    7
  • Registered
    Be the first

  Register

  
  

  Mary Lynn Smith will lead this journey into the techniques used by famed Canadian Artist, Tom Thompson.  

  Tom Thompson referred to Northern River as his "swamp picture" - an amusing if self deprecating label.  As with so many of Thompson's paintings, the subject is an ordinary one he might have found I almost any of the places he travelled.  He took an ordinary scene common to Algonquin Park and transformed it into a glimpse of autumn colours and their reflections on the river's surface through a receding mesh of branches.

  Register on this website.

  Members:  $100; Non Members $125

  Payment can be made on the website using a credit card.  Alternatively you can mail a cheque to the Ailsa Craig Arts Centre, PO Box 312, Ailsa Craig ON N0M 1A0, or drop a cheque off at the Arts Centre on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday between 1 and 4 PM.

  Payment must be made 2 weeks prior to the class to be considered registered.  If you cancel two weeks before the start of the class, a refund will be made, less a $10 administration fee.  If the Arts Centre cancels the class, a full refund will be issued. 

  Show details
• Ort Art: Using fabric scraps, yarn, ribbon, lace or other textiles to create a piece of personalized fabric

  • When
    Saturday, June 20, 2020
  •  
    10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
  • Location
    Ailsa Craig Arts Centre, 160D Main Street (entrance off Jamieson)
  • Registered
    Be the first

  Register

  
  

  Libby Valeriani is a quilter who has used her quilting experience to create new and unusual techniques in the fibre arts.  Discover Ort Art, and make your own fabric, wallhanging, table runner etc.!
  

  Ort Art

  The word “ort” comes from Middle English around the 1400’s.  It means morsel, particle, sample, scrap, shard, shaving, shred, slice, snippet…you get the idea.  In this workshop we will be creating either a table runner or a piece d’art for you to frame and hang on the wall.  This is a super easy and fun technique that has a multitude of uses!

  Supply List

  The boring part, but necessary…

  Sewing machine in good working order

  **Your sewing machine should ideally have the ability to drop the feed dogs, but if not, I do have a work-around for that.

  Owner’s manual for above machine  (really important – believe it or not)

  Free-motion or hopping foot for the sewing machine.  (must have)

  Lots of pins with a big head on them

  Spare sewing machine needles (universal size)

  2 metres of water soluble stabilizer (Fabricland)

  Thread that matches the colors in your chosen colorway of your project.

  Now for the fun part…

  Scraps of fabric, yarn, thread, feathers, lace, ribbon, tulle, satin, lame’, organza, petals or leaves from artificial flowers, etc.  All of the above chosen with your colorway in mind.

  I have sourced a lot of my fibre art materials from Dollarama, Value Village, Walmart, Fabricland and so on.  Grab a woven placemat and deconstruct it for the fibres.  A Halloween wig can be given a haircut and those strands can be used.  There is no end to the possibilities!  As long as your sewing machine can sew through it, then you can use it!

  **If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call me.

  Libby Valeriani 226-663-6135

  To Register:  go to upcoming classes on this website.  Payment can be made on th website with a credit card.  You can send a cheque to Ailsa Craig Arts Centre, PO Box 132, Ailsa Craig ON 0M 1A0 or drop a cheque off at the Arts Centre from Monday - Wednesday from 1 - 4 PM.

  Members:  $50 + HST; Non Members $75 + HST
  

  Payment must be made 2 weeks prior to the class to be considered registered.  If you cancel two weeks before the start of the class, a refund will be made, less a $10 administration fee.  If the Arts Centre cancels the class, a full refund will be issued.  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  Show details