Classes and Workshops
Monday Monthly Classes with Ashley - Calgary (Youth/Teen)
Join Artist Educator Ashley Gaboury to express your creative inspirations while developing Drawing, Painting &/or Mixed Media skills. Whether you prefer a more realistic or abstract approach Ashley will guide you to develop your own ideas and help you grow your own unique style. This class is ideal for those who want to enhance their creativity, develop their art, or want to learn a new skill. All skill levels welcome.
Art Explorations (Pre-Teen/Teen)
Thursdays (Ongoing) 4:00 - 6:00 pm Sept - June
Immerse yourself in the creative process! Throughout this course Artist Educator Ashley Gaboury will guide young artists in an exploration of techniques and expose students to various processes related to artmaking. Students will learn everything from Drawing, Painting and Mixed Media over the course of the year. Not only will they build confidence, but they will also develop their skills and further their individual art styles. Supplies included.
Art with Ashley
Fridays (Ongoing) 1:30 -3:30 pm Sept - June
Join Artist Educator Ashley Gaboury to express your creative inspirations while developing Drawing, Painting &/or Mixed Media skills. Whether you prefer a more realistic or abstract approach Ashley will guide you to develop your own ideas and help you grow your own unique style. This class is ideal for those who want to enhance their creativity, develop their art, or want to learn a new skill. All skill levels welcome.
In this class she will also offer guided demos to further encourage your artistic exploration.
All dry and wet media welcome:
- Drawing (Graphite, Markers, Colored pencils, etc.)
- Painting (Acrylics, Oils, Watercolors, etc.)
- Mixed Media
See suggested supply lists or talk to the instructor for specific project needs.
Drawing for Teens
Fridays (Ongoing) 4:00 - 6:00 pm Sept - June
Join Ashley Gaboury to explore realistic and imaginative drawing styles while using mediums from graphite and charcoal to soft colored pencils and artist’s quality markers. This class is ideal for developing skills and building a dynamic portfolio. Ashley will work with each student at their skill level and help them to grow their unique style while using the elements and principles of art and design. We will focus on various subjects including animals, portraits, Manga/OC (Original Characters), fantasy, and open projects. Supplies Included.
Introduction to Gelitan Plate Printing
Join GOLDEN Artist Alumni Ashley Gaboury for a hands-on workshop that dives into the vibrant world of gelatin plate monoprinting. Whether you're new to printmaking or looking to expand your creative toolkit, this session is a fun and approachable way to explore the process.
You'll learn the basics of working with a gel printing plate and GOLDEN OPEN Acrylics, experimenting with layering techniques, textures, and composition. We'll also explore the use of iridescent paints to add shimmering, eye-catching effects to your prints.
Ashley will share tips on incorporating collage and layered elements into your own artwork, helping you find your style along the way.
This workshop is perfect for teens and adults who want to experiment with water-based media in a relaxed, creative environment. Some supplies are included, just bring your imagination and a passion to explore something new.
We will take a short break for lunch.
Masterful Animals - Drawing
Explore how to draw animals with both accuracy and expression in this engaging course inspired by the techniques of the Old Masters. Led by experienced wildlife artist and pet portraitist Ashley Gaboury, you'll build strong foundational skills while exploring how greats like Leonardo da Vinci, Albrecht Dürer, and Edgar Degas captured the life and spirit of animals. Through classical methods and creative practice, you'll gain the tools to draw with confidence, realism, and character.
From Degas’ dynamic horses to da Vinci’s anatomical studies, you’ll discover how to bring depth, structure, and movement to your animal drawings. You'll move beyond outlines to create convincing forms that feel alive and dimensional.
Using a mix of traditional exercises and guided projects, you'll develop a strong understanding of anatomy, gesture, light, and shadow, skills essential to both realistic and expressive animal art. The instructor’s own experience in wildlife and pet portraiture will offer practical insight into capturing likeness, personality, and presence.
Back to Basics: Intro to Artmaking for Teens and Adults
Whether you’re brand new to art or reconnecting with your creative side, this is the perfect introduction to artmaking for teens and adults. This course helps you build a solid foundation in visual art while exploring a variety of techniques and materials, from sketching and shading to painting with acrylics and watercolours.
Printmaking Essentials - Relief and Mono
Explore the magic of Printmaking! Relief printmaking is the oldest and one of the most accessible types of printmaking. It is a type of art that utilizes the ability to create multiple copies of a unique design. During this workshop participants will create their own prints as Ashley Gaboury leads them through the basic steps of carving, inking, and registering prints. They will learn take-home techniques for both relief printmaking and creating monotypes.
Teen Drawing - Portraits
Tuesdays (6 week session) 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Teen Drawing Courses:
Explore realistic and imaginative drawing styles while using mediums from graphite and charcoal to soft coloured pencils and artists’ quality markers. This series is ideal for developing skills and building a dynamic portfolio. Sessions can be repeated as Ashley will work with each student at their skill level and help them to grow their unique style while using the elements and principles of art and design. Each course will focus on various subjects, including animals, portraits, figure drawing /character design, fantasy, and open projects. Please see the supply list provided.
Portraits Course:
In this session, we will be developing rendering techniques while focusing on drawing realistic & stylized portraits. We will emphasize both proportion and shading to establish form.
Mixed Media and Faux Encaustic Effects
Delve into Mixed Media, including Collage and Image Transfer techniques. Utilize acrylics to create a myriad of Mixed Media and Encaustic-like effects. Artists are compelled by texture, but there are so many to choose from and a variety of techniques to use them effectively. Join GOLDEN Artist Educator Ashley Gaboury as she guides you in exploring the versatility of acrylics using Mediums, Gels and Pastes. This session will focus on utilizing and understanding different products, techniques, and tools. Ashley will demonstrate, give you the opportunity to try out the products and answer questions during this mini workshop. Students are encouraged to bring 4”x 6” printed images or drawings they’d like to transfer. Some supplies included. Teens and adults welcome. Beginners welcome.