Dates:
Open Studios
Dates:
January: 11th & 25th, February: 8th & 22nd, March: 8th & 22nd, April: 5th & 19th, May: 3rd, 17th, & 31st, June: 14th & 28th, July: 12th & 26th, August: 9th & 23rd, September: 6th & 20th, October: 4th & 18th, November: 1st, 15th, & 29th, December: 13th
Time: Saturdays, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Price: $14 per session
Max 12 per session; RSVP
Twice a month, Sunbury Shores offers an opportunity to engage with others in the shared space of the Main Studio. Due to popular demand, and an extension of earlier Open Studio sessions with an artist (Feb 24, Mar 16), these new 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. A facilitator will be present. Coffee and tea provided.
Understanding Contemporary Art
Instructor: Kate Giles
Date: March 6th, 13th, 20th, & 27th
Time: Thursdays 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Max students: 12
Join us for a relaxed discourse, discussion and dialogue around contemporary art. This course explores how historical events shape art history, tracing contemporary artworks back through key movements. By connecting past and present, you’ll understand both art history and its lasting impact on today’s art.
Course Fee: $60 ($15 per session)
Ceramics: Advanced Hand Building
Instructor: Helen Stanley
Date: March 22nd & 23rd
Time: Saturday 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
Max students: 10
Materials: Included
For students with some experience – learn hand building skills to take your work to the next level.
Course Fee: $200
Foraged Plant Fibre/Basket Weaving
Instructor: Ralph Simpson
Date: April 19th
Time: Saturday 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
Max students: 10
Materials: Included
This is a one-day workshop, where each participant will create a basket woven with locally foraged plant fibres. Experience level is beginner, but intermediate students can be challenged with advanced weaving techniques.
Part of the experience will be learning about the plant fibres in use, their names, how to collect them, process, store, and prepare them for weaving as well as important aspects of environmentally sustainable collection methods. All materials necessary for this workshop are provided; however, students are asked to bring scissors, measuring tape, spray bottle if you have one, and a tea towel. Although not necessary, students are invited to bring any plant fibres or other textiles to incorporate into your basket.
Please bring your own lunch.
Course Fee: $150
Life-Size Life Drawing
Instructor: Stephen Hutchings
Date: April 11th-13th, 2025
Time: Friday 5:30 – 6:30 pm, Saturday/Sunday 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
Max students: 12
Materials: Bring your own (paper will be provided)
A weekend workshop drawing full size figures with live models – a great exploration of the human form.
Materials List:
Materials are also available for purchase from Sunbury Shores
Paper will be provided
- erasers (plastic and kneaded)
- different types of charcoal, especially willow charcoal sticks and compressed charcoal
Course Fee: $225
Sculptural Paper Collage
Instructor: Roisin Cadieux
Date: April 26th & 27th, 2025
Time: Saturday & Sunday 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
Max students: 12
Materials: Optional
This course is full. Please call (506) 529-3386 to be put on the waiting list.
Drawing on the artist’s archive of antique music scores, Roisin Cadieux will demonstrate the
ideas and process of papier mâché and collage. Participants will prepare a wooden canvas by
covering it with 3 coats of paper & letting it dry. Following this, participants will work on
prepared wooden canvases to design and create their own papier mâché paintings.
Course Fee: $165-$180
Students may bring their own paper as well
Throwing on the Wheel –
Instructor: Florence Small
Date: Tuesdays, May 6, 13, 20, 27, June 3, 10 2025 OR* Thursdays May 8, 15,, 22, 29, June 5, 12
Time: 6:30 – 8:00 pm
Max students: 6 per class
Materials: Included
Course Description
A 6-week class that concentrates on how to throw on the pottery wheel. Students will learn how to throw bowls, cups, and plates with basic throwing techniques Centering clay on the wheel takes concentration and patience with yourself. The muscles in your hands will develop the strength and skill to pull and shape your piece. A short demonstration is provided at the start of each session.
Instructor Bio
Florence Small is a graduate of Mount Allison University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography and Painting with a minor in Art History. She has spent much of her life in Charlotte County, New Brunswick, before and after graduation. She lives in St. Stephen and makes art in her spare time. From middle to high school, she learned to make pottery from a Nova Scotia-based ceramics artist, Danielle Sawada. Florence picked up the practice in pottery again after graduation at Sunbury Shores in 2018
Course Fee: $255
Week 1: Throwing bowls
Week 2: Trimming + Throwing a plate
Week 3: Throwing a cylinder (cups)
Week 4: Trimming plates and cups
Week 5: Trimming + Greenware decorating (Bisque, cone 8)
Week 6: Glazing (Glaze Fire, cone 6)
If there’s time, we will also explore:
- Sgraffito
- Making handles to turn the cups into mugs
- Making a Dip Dish (plate with a small bowl thrown in the centre)
Leatherwork
Instructor: Hal London
Date: May 17th
Time: 10:00 am – 4:30 pm
Max students: 10
Materials: Included
Saturday, May 17, 2025
10:00 – 4:30 pm
An accomplished leather craftsman with years of experience, Hal will lead participants through four different handiwork projects in leatherwork stamping, starting with a braid cuff, a leather bookmark, coasters, and wristlet key charm. This workshop is for beginners as well as more experienced crafters who enjoy working with leather. All materials and tools are provided, including extra leather for practising and the workbook Basic Leatherwork by Paul Burne. Bring a packed lunch or visit local take outs, coffee shops etc.
Course Fee: $85/person, $120/family (1 adult, 1 child)
Silversmithing Techniques
Instructor: Brigitte Clavette
Date: May 19th – 23rd
Time: Monday – Friday, 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
Max students: tba
Materials: tba
A fantastic opportunity to perfect old skills, learn new ones, and refine your metal work practice.
Course Fee: $450
Course + Accommodation & Meals Package available
Colour Confidence
Instructor: Maggie Rose
Date: June 9th – 13th
Time: Monday – Friday, 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
Max students: 12
Materials: Bring your own, list to be confirmed
In depth practical around the theory of colour, how to mix, apply and bring depth and vibrancy to your work.
Course Fee: $650
Course + Accommodation & Meals Package available
Painting Principles and Practices to Elevate your Work
Instructor: Maggie Rose
Date: June 16th – 20th, 2025
Time: Monday – Friday, 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
Max students: 12
Materials: Bring your own, list to be confirmed
Grow your practice and confidence with this in-depth focus on painting techniques and more.
Course Fee: $650
Course + Accommodation & Meals Package available
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
Acrylics Unleashed
Instructor: Vicky Lentz
Date: July 7th – 11th, 2025
Time: Monday – Friday, 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
Max students: 12
Materials: Bring your own
Join us for a dynamic workshop designed to unlock the limitless creative possibilities of acrylic
painting. This course highlights the versatility of acrylics, demonstrating their adaptability
across a variety of techniques, surfaces, and styles. Over five immersive days, participants will
explore how acrylics can be used to create textured, layered, and vibrant works.
Whether you’re a beginner excited to dive into new techniques or an experienced artist aiming
to refine your practice, this workshop will help you experiment boldly, expand your skill set,
and uncover new artistic directions.
Course Fee: $600
Course + Accommodation & Meals Package available
Note: A materials list will be provided upon registration. While basic painting skills in any
medium are recommended, all skill levels are welcome.
Drawing the Figure
Instructor: Stephen Hutchings
Date: July 21st – 25th, 2025
Time: Monday – Friday, 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
Max students: 12
Materials: Bring your own
Exploring multiple techniques and approaches with live models.
Materials List:
Materials are also available for purchase from Sunbury Shores
- graphite
- charcoal
- conté
Course Fee: $500
Course + Accommodation & Meals Package available
Porcupine Quillwork
Instructor: Tara Francis
Date: September 27th & 28th, 2025
Time: Saturday & Sunday, 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
Max students: 12
Materials: included
Create and experience artwork using traditional materials and stories that reflect and honour Indigenous culture.
Course Fee: $180
