Monthly Programming
These are the activities we run each month. Click on the tabs for more information, dates for 2026, and for registration.
Open Studio: Saturday, 10 – 3 PM
Jan 17th, Feb 7th + 21st, March 7th + 21st, April 4th + 18th, May 2nd + 16th, June 6th + 20th, July 4th + 18th, August 1st + 15th, Sept 5th + 19th, Oct 3rd + 17th, Nov 7th + 21st, Dec 5th. (First and Third Saturday of the Month)
Twice a month, Sunbury Shores offers an opportunity to engage with others in the shared space of the Main Studio. These sessions are not topic driven and no artist will lead. Instead, it’s time for creation in a collaborative environment. Bring your own materials and artworks in progress and share ideas and skills. For all levels of experience. Coffee and tea provided.
Open Studio
RegisterTuesday Talks: 6 PM – Free
The speaker and theme of the talk will be released throughout the year. See here for more info
Its A Draw: Drawing exercises: Sunday, 1 – 3 PM
Feb 8th, March 8th, April 12th, May 10th, June 14th, July 12th, August 9th, Sept 13th, Oct 11th, Nov 8th, Dec 13th (second Sunday of the month)
It’s a Draw is a group led session for drawing practice and exploration. It’s similar to life drawing, but instead of deciding on the type and duration of poses together, exercises will be selected from the provided box of prompts with suggested times. These prompts will range from drawing warmups to different types of exercises with a focus on experimental drawing and observational drawing. Think of it as a social drawing exercise session. The loose and messy companion to figure drawing.
It's a Draw: Drawing Exercises
Buy nowLife Drawing: Sunday, 1 – 3 PM
Jan 25th, Feb 22nd, March 29th, April 26th, May 31st, June 28th, July 26th, August 30th, Sept 27th, Oct 25th, Nov 29th, none in December (Last Sunday of the month)
Practice drawing the human figure in our monthly Life Drawing sessions. Warm up through a series of short poses then work on proportion, gesture, and shape through longer studies. This is a great opportunity to practice anatomy as well as observational skills to improve your drawing practice, no matter the subject.
Bring your own supplies, easels and boards provided. Model may be clothed or nude.
Please note: If we are unable to have a model for the session, the session will go ahead with participants taking turns volunteering to pose for hand studies, portraiture, and so on. These sessions will be discounted to $15. If you have already registered, we will issue a partial refund.
Life Drawing
Buy nowHands On: A directed craft or art project for all ages: 1 – 3 PM
The activities will be released throughout the year. See here for updates
- Feb 28th, March 28th, April 25th, May 30th, June 27th, July 25th, August 29th, Sept 26th, Oct 31st, Nov 28th, none in December (Last Saturday of the month)
Hands On: A Directed Craft/Art Project for All Ages
Buy nowReinforcing the Basics
Instructor: Florence Small
UPDATED DATES: January 24, 31, February 7, 14, 21, & 28, 2026
Time: Saturday, 1:00 – 3:00pm
Max students: 6
Materials: included
Description
This class is for students who have taken beginner throwing classes and are looking for some extra time to practice throwing basic forms like, bowls, plates, cups, and pots. The aim of the class is to build confidence, and refine throwing techniques like centering and pulling.
Course Fee: $295
Course finished…until another year…
Artistic Growth Studio
Instructor: Theresa MacKnight
Date: June 30th – July 4th, 2025
Time: Monday – Friday, 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
Max students: 12
Materials: Bring your own
This is a unique workshop for people who wish to develop and grow their skills in painting and/or drawing and wish to work at their own pace or have specific goals or projects they wish to work on. Developed by the late Jay Dampf, a long-time artist instructor at Sunbury Shores, it’s an opportunity to enjoy dedicated time to work on your own practice while also benefitting from individual attention, guidance and critiquing with Theresa. Students bring their own work (drawing, painting in acrylic and oils, and watercolour), either in progress, or ready to start. At the beginning of the week Theresa will meet with each participant and discuss what they wish to accomplish, then start working toward their goals in a supportive, individualized way. Students may choose to work in the excellent studio space at Sunbury Shores or may even choose to work plein air. Both options with be accommodated.
Theresa MacKnight is a highly accomplished artist art teacher. She has won numerous awards and been exhibited widely across New Brunswick and elsewhere. Theresa
has an extensive knowledge of working in different mediums, and teaches with patience, encouragement, and consideration of individual needs. She has spent many years involved with
SSANC as instructor, student, and exhibitor.
Course Fee: $575
Course + Accommodation & Meals Package available
This course is full. Please contact info@sunburyshores.org for waiting list options
Throwing on the Wheel 1: Bowls, Plates & Cups
Instructor: Florence Small
Dates: October 4, 11, 18, 25, November 1, 8
Time: Saturdays, 1.00 – 2.30 pm
Max students: 8
Materials: included
Learn the basics around wheel throwing, creating beautiful and practical pieces for everyday use.
Course Fee: $255 (materials included)
This course is full. Please contact info@sunburyshores.org for waiting list options
Throwing on the Wheel 2: Pots & Vases
Instructor: Florence Small
Dates: September 30, October 7, 14, 21, 28, Nov 4
Time: Tuesdays, 6.30 – 8.00 pm
Max students: 8
Materials: included
Learn the basics around wheel throwing, creating beautiful and practical pieces for everyday use.
Course Fee: $255 (materials included)
Drawing for Beginners
Instructor: Sophie McIlwaine
Date: Oct 23, 30 & Nov 6, 2025
Time: Thursdays, 6.oo – 7.00 pm
Max students: 10
Materials: included
Description:
Join architectural artist Sophie McIlwaine for an introduction to drawing, designed for complete beginners and those looking to refresh their skills. Over three sessions, we’ll cover the fundamentals of drawing: line, proportion, perspective, and composition. Through quick, playful exercises and longer studies, you’ll learn to see differently and translate what you observe onto paper. The course emphasizes drawing as a tool for looking closely at the world rather than striving for perfection. You’ll leave with a set of techniques to build confidence and enjoyment in drawing, and a collection of your own sketches to take away.
Materials:
Essential:
- Sketchbook or drawing pad (A4 or A3, plain cartridge or mixed-media paper)
- Pencils: 2B and 4B (optional: 6B for softer lines)
- Eraser
- Sharpener
- Fineliner or ink pen (waterproof if possible, e.g., Micron or Uni Pin)
Optional:
- Coloured pencils or water-based markers for colour and texture
- Ruler for straight lines
Course Fee: $75
Monthly Activities
Find details on the activities we host every month here!
Keep scrolling for more information!
- Tuesday Talks: 6 PM – Free
Feb 10th, March 10th, April 7th, May 12th, June 9th, July 14th, August 11th, Sept 8th, Oct 13th, Nov 10th, Dec 8th (Second Tuesday of the month) - Open Studio: 10 – 3 PM – $15
Jan 17th, Feb 7th + 21st, March 7th + 21st, April 4th + 8th, May 2nd + 16th, June 6th + 20th, July 4th + 18th, August 1st + 15th, Sept 5th + 19th, Oct 3rd + 17th, Nov 7th + 21st, Dec 5th. (First and Third Saturday of the Month) - Its A Draw: Drawing exercises and activities: 1 – 3 PM – $15
Feb 8th, March 8th, April 12th, May 10th, June 14th, July 12th, August 9th, Sept 13th, Oct 11th, Nov 8th, Dec 13th (second Sunday of the month) - Hands On: A directed craft or art project for all ages: 1 – 3 PM – $15
Feb 28th, March 28th, April 25th, May 20th, June 27th, July 25th, August 29th, Sept 26th, Oct 31st, Nov 28th, none in December (Last Saturday of the month) - Life Drawing: 1 – 3 PM – $25
Jan 25th, Feb 22nd, March 29th, April 26th, May 31st, June 28th, July 26th, August 30th, Sept 27th, Oct 25th, Nov 29th, none in December (Last Sunday of the month)
Unless otherwise stated, all activities take place in the classroom/general studio. First room on the left upstairs.
Artist and Full Studio memberships receive free access to Open Studio or It’s a Draw. This option will be selected when new memberships are purchased or on next gallery visit if they renewed before January 2026. Free access to the selected activity is not interchangeable month to month.