Vancouver Island Sculpting Studio
The VIS Studio operates on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Snuneymuxw First Nations, and we are grateful to operate on Snuneymuxw territory.
Our Educational mission
Our mission is to specialize in the creation of art and sculptures while fostering a supportive environment for aspiring artists. We are dedicated to empowering apprentice artists by offering them the technical and practical knowledge necessary to delve deeper into their chosen medium and subject matter.
The VIS Studio is a fully equipped professional art studio, offering a unique experience in Nanaimo. Here, participants have the opportunity to learn from experienced artists in a stimulating and enjoyable atmosphere. We provide a diverse range of sculpting workshops and art classes.
The VIS Studio is designed as an exclusive environment that fosters reflection and introspection, essential for nurturing the creative process and developing your own personal artistic style. Our intention is to inspire your imagination, so that each individual can envision their projects and awaken their senses
VIS Studio Faculty Members
Joel A Prévost - Biography
Born in Lac-Saint-Jean, Quebec, Canada in 1963, Joël A. Prévost spent a few years on Vancouver Island before moving to Nova Scotia to study Community Development. He continued his education and worked in Ottawa before returning to western Canada in the mid-80s.
Joël spent the next twenty years in British Columbia where he worked as a facilitator with non-profit organizations in planning and fundraising. This experience led him to become a promoter in music, the theatre, and visual arts, as well as taking on the role of a producer for concerts, music series, and cultural events. During this time he also learned how to sculpt.
In 2006 Joël settled in Montréal where he established L’Atelier de Sculpture du Village. There he taught sculpture to students whose backgrounds encompassed related art fields such as cinema, the circus, 3D animation, and video games. He also instructed visual artists seeking to perfect their skills in rendering the human form. Joël has recently relocated from Montréal and established the Vancouver Island Sculpting Studio, in British Columbia, a professional clay and plasticine sculpting studio. With 25 years of experience as a sculptor, he currently teaches sculpting using life models, to students at all levels.
His works can be found in numerous private and corporate collections in Canada, the United States, France, Italy, Switzerland, New Zealand, Australia, and China. www.joelaprevost.com
Darcy Johnson biography
Darcy Johnson has been a visual artist for over 25 years, working mainly in abstract painting and drawing. She has participated in a number of group exhibitions, artist residencies, and public lectures. Darcy has also organized and led various visual art workshops. She has artwork in private and corporate collections in the USA, China, Japan, Sweden, Germany, and across Canada
After completing a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a number of formal visual art courses, Darcy completed a Master in Art Education at the University of Victoria. She has taught high school Visual Art, Digital Art, and Science for over 20 years. Darcy is also a yoga and meditation teacher.
Darcy’s training and interest in biology and psychological science inform her artwork. She works abstractly in order to capture recurring patterns and impressions of natural processes and the organic world. Darcy's fascination with the way we remember and experience our environment in its elegant variety is always present in her work.
John Hofman:
John has been drawing and sketching on location for many years in Alberta and B.C. And while vacationing in other provinces and countries. He participated in many outdoor events such as the annual Grand Prix of Art in Qualicum Beach, Victoria, Ambleside, Steveston, and other locations on Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland.
He works mainly using pen and ink in a sketchbook with a watercolor wash when on location in a city, a town, or a landscape.
John has a background in engineering and developed basic drawing skills at an early age while attending a vocational school in the Netherlands.
He blogs his work on his website: johnhofman.wordpress.com and on Instagram: john.hofman.315.
Judith Tye Biography
With a ‘can do’ perspective and a need to create and push the boundaries, Judith Tye has always been a maker. Over the years, Judith has worked with materials such as fabric, acrylic paint, watercolour, plaster, text, encaustics, and clay. She has always enjoyed the collision and collaboration of different media. Solving problems, creating beauty, making connections, and searching for meaning have driven her artistic investigation. Judith earned a BA from the University of Guelph with a double major in Fine Art and English. She then went on to earn a BEd from Vancouver Island University and a Masters in Art Education from the University of Victoria. Judith has been part of many shows and has featured in solo exhibitions.
“Judith creates complex images from the rich artifacts of her unique life and reminds us that art reaches inside of each of us to find our own voice, our memories, and ourselves.” - Darcy Johnson
Ruben Galdames Biography
Ruben Galdames was born in Santiago, Chile in 1948. After graduating from the School of Architecture at the University of Chile, he moved to Canada in 1976. He has been practicing architectural design for many years on Vancouver Island, particularly in Nanaimo. He enjoys working on the heritage preservation and restoration of significant sites, as well as creating new structures that will endure for years to come.
After facing a particularly intense and challenging chapter in his life, dealing with his health and experiencing a life-threatening situation, he gained a new perspective on life. A few years ago, he discovered the medium of clay, which has provided him with an opportunity for self-expression that is manifested in most of his sculptures.
His sculptures are a reflection of his soul, his personality, and his fears. They represent stages of denial, anger, resentment, and ultimately, acceptance and peace. These emotions are evident in his work.
Creating sculptures has given him the chance to connect with viewers on a deeply sacred and intimate level, for which he is incredibly grateful. They have allowed him to touch other souls and communicate with people, while also helping him to explore and understand various aspects of his inner self.