Places in Halifax to Create Art
Written by Emily Chian
Photo by bodobe on Pixabay
Do you want to learn how to create art but don’t know where to start?
There are many places in Halifax where you can explore different artistic mediums. There are also many places you can learn online too without having to leave your house. If you’ve been meaning to to improve your artistic abilities, and get your creative juices flowing, look no further. This handy guide is meant to give a beginner a starting point with art. However, you might also find this article helpful if you’ve already started exploring art and are looking to pick up a new medium. There is something out there for everyone - whether it is sketching, sculpting, painting, designing, photography, or doodling- regardless of your skill level. You can learn at the following places - and remember that it is always good to support local!
Whatever art form your interests lie in - traditional or digital, acrylic paint or copic markers, realistic or cartoon, anthropomorphic or anime, when inspiration strikes sometimes it can take you to all sorts of places. By exploring art forms you might not have previous experience with, you can create, colour, and fix with your hands. Make something to mark your university days or a gift to give to a friend - you might discover things about yourself you never would have before!
Local Platforms
What better place to start than Halifax’s greatest art institution? Learn from experienced faculty members and alumni at NSCAD through their Extended Studies program. They are offering public online classes right now - from introductory drawing, photoshop, to professional practice. They offer classes all year round and you need to sign up while spaces are available. Classes range from $160 - 280 for a total of 7-8 weeks.
The instructors at the Centre for Craft Nova Scotia are professionals and experienced in their area of specialty and during various times of the year, they sometimes hold art fairs downtown. There are registrations for in-person classes limited to 5 students per class. There is an introduction to ceramics class, throwing, bookbinding, and embroidery offered on the weekends. They even have Thursday and Friday Fun nights for making bowls, mugs, and tumblers. Most classes are around $60-120 and they can range from a single day to 8 weeks. Material of around $85 is added to the cost. Registration is by phone and classes are located at the Mary E Black Gallery on 1061 Marginal Rd or Centre for Craft's Ceramic, Wood, and Jewellery Studios on 1096 Marginal Rd.
Clay Cafe is the perfect place to go on a night out or a lazy afternoon with your friends. You choose a piece of pottery (ranging from $5 to $45), and then you choose your colours, and paint away! After you finish, you can pick it up in a week after glazing and firing. Then it is ready to take home. It is an easy and stress-free way to create some artwork. The staff are also friendly and there to help you.
This is another really neat place. Formerly known as ‘Paint Nite Halifax’, they now hold paint nights on Zoom every Friday and Saturday at 8 pm. The instructor shows you how to paint the portrait through their camera and is there to help you through screen sharing. So you can stream while painting, snacking, and drinking the evening away from home for only $15.
Photo by Eddy Klaus on Unsplash
Online Platforms
There are also many websites that might help kickstart your love of art-making. First, I highly recommend Skillshare. Skillshare is a site with thousands of classes and tutorials where you can learn how to draw and create, grow your business. This is also a great place where you can learn some things to boost your resume such as how to code or use certain software and programs you may need in the workplace. The classes are taught by excellent, qualified instructors. From illustration, to website design, to marketing, can you learn so much just by going to this site. The teachers are clear and to the point and the lessons are divided into steps highlighting learning objectives. There is a yearly subscription of about $100 CAD, while monthly is about $11 CAD. The tutorials are pre-recorded, but you are still able to ask your teachers questions whenever you need.
Another online option is Class101. I haven’t personally tried it yet, but word has it this is also very good place to learn. It is a site that specifically offers digital art, illustration, and lifestyle classes. To participate,you pay for a class taught by an artist or influencer of your choice. The best partis that you can take the class at your own pace. There are a lot of anime, semi-realism, and urban sketching options. For example, you can learn pixel art and architectural drawing. The site is based in Korea.
Not to forget, Youtube! There are hundreds if not thousands of videos that can teach you how to do any form of art. From tutorials to speed drawing, it is free and accessible.
Social Media Platforms
Another great way to get involved in art is to participate by following social media hashtags such as #drawthisinyourstyle, #artchallenge, #Inktober2020, or other drawing challenges and contests. There are many out there. This is a great way to challenge yourself, and sometimes you can win some nifty prizes! For example, many contests offer a free commission from big artists in the field. These are run by individual art accounts. Some accounts you can follow for fun are maruti_bitaman, yuumeiart, rempenx, kari_drawz, and birduyen.
Not only are online competitions fun, but they also allow you to show off your artwork to your followers. One suggestion is to participate in fun zines. Zines are digital art books to showcase things that interest you. Many are created for a TV series or center around an idea. Importantly, the community on Instagram and Twitter is very active. Some have admission screening, meaning that you have to show the organizers a portfolio of past work. Many zines are created with the purpose of raising money for some awareness. Often, when zines are finished, the funds are donated to charity too! They have deadlines and it is a great way to showcase yourself and get your name out there!
If you have a favorite artist or find a piece that really strikes you, see if the artist has a social media account and give them support and a follow. Someone could be your muse or be someone whose work simply makes your day better. I currently find inspiration at this exhibit’s site. recommend these local Nova Scotian artists of Inae Kim, Katelyn Mose, and coffeecreamdesigns.
Doing art will be messy but have fun and there are lots of ways to get involved. Browse these sites and find what interest you. Some might be surprised with how it turns out and how therapeutic it can be dong art during the busy midterm season. This is also another great way to spend quality time with a friend. Share your work online and you will certainly get lots of likes and support from your friends!