Donald Teuma-Castelletti
PORTAGE DU FORT
May 12, 2018
A hub for the arts in the Pontiac welcomed potential students to an open house event on Saturday, showcasing the upcoming summer classes.
The Stone School Gallery opened their doors in the evening, where interested and budding artists joined the summer teachers for an opportunity to ask questions and sign up for a variety of courses.
Filling one of the gallery rooms that evening were three of the four teachers, including printmaking teacher Robert Hinchley, floor cloth artist Tina Michaud and screenwriter Jennifer Mulligan. Absent that evening was Linda Girard, who will be teaching watercolour painting.
Hinchley’s printmaking has seen the return of an introductory course this year, out of requests from potential students. He explained that while he has had continued interest from past pupils, there’s been a renewed interest from new students.
“People have been interested because there’s quite a few people in the Pontiac doing printmaking,” he continued.
He said that the Stone School Gallery is a great chance for the experienced and beginners alike, because of the tools on-site. Students will have the chance to try out both relief and intaglio printing, amongst other methods, in classic and contemporary styles.
Michaud is another returning teacher, bringing her ever-popular floor cloth lessons back for another summer.
“Generally, [students] are very amazed they’re able to create something,” said Michaud, with a laugh.
Providing simple guidelines, most of a student’s design is based upon what they want to create, as it will hopefully become a part of their home décor.
“It’s functional,” said Michaud. “They’ll take it home, put it on the floor and use it.”
Mulligan’s screenwriting boot camp is a new one for the gallery but has piqued the interest of many theatre and movie fans alike.
Mulligan said she plans to focus on writing short stories and feature films, with a possibility of some writing for TV. Being a screenwriter and film maker herself, with a number of feature films pitched to production companies, she looks forward to offering guidance to interested students.
“I think it will be really exciting and fun to get people involved with this style of writing,” she said.
She also plans to build the course around what her students want, so that they’re constantly wanting to write more during her course.
France Lamarche, a member of artPontiac, the organizing body behind the courses and many other art-related events throughout the summer, explained that Girard’s watercolour courses proved so popular last year, there was a need for more classes this year.
“There were lots of students involved, so that’s why we’ve expanded on it,” she added.
Still, there is always a chance that with enough interest, more courses in a variety of mediums can be added to the summer line-up.
“These are the courses we’ve planned,” explained Lamarche. “But if there’s an instructor and enough people for another course, it’s always possible.”
Following the open house, the monthly art social took place. At this, artists hold a potluck and enjoy the meal while working in their choice of medium. These gatherings take place every second Saturday of the month.
