Art and Sculpture Classes 

Fall Schedules 2025

The VIS Studio presents a series of workshops, providing an immersive experience in art and sculpting.

Located in Nanaimo, the Vancouver Island Sculpting Studio stands as a fully equipped professional art space that is home to professional artists and sets the stage for creativity and growth.

Our participants have the privilege of learning from professional artists within an environment designed to inspire and nurture artistic expression.

Our diverse range of art workshops ensures that there is something for everyone.

Secure your spot for the upcoming sessions of art and sculpture classes as soon as possible, as availability is limited.

Upon registration, a $50 non-refundable administration fee is required. This fee will be applied to the total cost of the workshop.

On the Road Workshops

Bringing Sculpting to Your Community

At Joel A. Prevost's VIS Studio, we are thrilled to offer our sculpting workshops to your community! If you’re interested in hosting a workshop in your area, we warmly invite you to submit your request.

"When reaching out, please include your contact details, the name and address of the potential hosting venue or organization, and your preferred dates and times for the workshop."

Let me know if you need further adjustments! We look forward to collaborating and sharing the art of sculpting with your community!

Meaningful Play with Mixed Media 

A Collaborative Exploration with Judith and Darcy

THIS IS A 6-HOUR WORKSHOP: 2 WEEKLY SESSIONS OF 3 HOURS

Sunday, November 23 and 30 FROM 1 PM -4 PM

LEVEL: BEGINNERS AND INTERMEDIATES

MAXIMUM: 10 STUDENT PER CLASS

Co-Head: Judith Tye & Darcy Johnson

Course Description:

This course offers an opportunity to explore making meaningful art using a variety of mixed-media techniques and materials. Students will gain insights and experience in the visual arts’ capacity to express both the personal story and its universal appeal. 

Judith Tye and Darcy Johnson will co-teach various techniques to create layers of colour, marks, patterns, photo images, and text in mixed media art. We will experiment with creating and combining separate ‘layers’ into a personal piece of artwork that each student will take home. Students will also end up with extra materials they can use in the future and the knowledge of how to use them in various ways. This is an opportunity to explore your visual language through creative play. 

We will begin with an abstract layer in acrylic paint by choosing a colour palette that creates a unique mood and atmosphere. There will then be time for spontaneous mark-making that will later add a layer to enhance visual balance and movement. Finally, students will be given several techniques for transferring photographic images and/or text to finish the art piece. Throughout the workshop, there will be opportunities for gentle and positive critique.

Techniques Covered:

• Colour mixing from primary pigments to create different colour harmonies, a student can choose from.

• Composition: creating balance, space, and movement in an artwork using line, shape, and pattern.

• Collaging using acrylic mediums to combine made and found images

• Experimenting with techniques photo transfer, Gelli plate printing, stamping, and stenciling.

This course is suitable for both beginners and experienced artists. Students will walk away with at least one painting and a deeper knowledge of mixed media and creating art with personal meaning. Come and explore your creative process and unique responses to visual art. You are encouraged to bring a willingness to try new things and a courageous mindset for exploration and play. 

Materials: Judith and Darcy will provide various drawing materials, paper, paint, ink, mediums, and brushes. Please bring any painting materials that you like to use. Also, bring images or objects that have colour palettes you enjoy. Any photos you wish to use should be photocopied to transfer them. Also, consider bringing magazine images that can be transferred using a different process.  

Cost: Registration fee $210. + Materials $35. + GST

Total: $267.75 tax included

TO REGISTER: Please fill out the registration form and we‘ll get back to you

Christmas Tree Workshop

Craft Unique Christmas Ornaments Using the Slab Technique

6-hour workshop split into two weekly sessions:

first session is 3 hours, followed by a 3-hour second session.

Saturday, November 29 / FROM 1 PM - 4 PM

Saturday, December 13 / from 1 to 3 pm

LEVEL: BEGINNERS AND INTERMEDIATES.

8 Students per class

instructor: Joel A. Prevost

Join us for our exciting 'Christmas Tree Workshop' and get ready to create beautiful and unique Christmas tree ornaments! This workshop is specifically designed for students with no prior experience working with clay - it's a fun and playful way to learn the slab technique.

Under the guidance of instructor Joel A. Prevost, you'll begin by learning valuable techniques for preparing and handling slabs as well as building techniques on an armature. Throughout this delightful introductory hand-building workshop, you'll acquire essential skills for constructing a variety of ceramic projects.

By the end of the workshop, each participant will have successfully created their own textured Christmas tree ornament. It's a wonderful opportunity to immerse yourself in the festive spirit and craft something special for the holidays.

The price includes clay, glaze, and Kiln firing.

Registration fee: Registration fee $120.00 + Materials $35.00 + GST / Total: $162.75 tax included

TO REGISTER: Please fill out the registration form, and we will get back to you

Christmas Private Clay workshop party

Please note that the Christmas tree workshop can be offered for a staff party or as a delightful gathering for a group of friends. The private Party workshop starts on November 17.

Welcome to our workshop line for winter 2026

Sunday January., 18, 25, and February 1 from 1pm to 4 pm

The Fungus Workshop — Create two hand-built giant mushroom sculptures, each 30–42 cm (12–14 in) tall. Participants will work at scale using ~10–12 lb (4.5–5.5 kg) of clay per piece and learn armature building, bulk‑building, safe hollowing, and texturing.  Emphasis is on surface texture and mark‑making to achieve realistic or stylized fungi, with guided hands‑on practice. 

Suitable for beginners and experienced artists, this intensive covers studio workflows for drying, finishing, and preparing pieces for firing. 

Limited spots — a one‑time offering; don’t miss this opportunity.

Registration fee $310. + Materials $65. + GST / Total: $393.75 tax included

Garden Of Eden

Evening sculpting workshop with a Female Live Model

LEARN HOW TO SCULPT A MONUMENTAL PIECE

This is a 15-hour workshop: 5 weekly sessions of 3 hours.

Tuesday, February 17, 24, and March 3, 10, and 17

from 7 pm - 10 pm

Level: beginners and intermediates.

Maximum: 8 students per class

Teacher: Joel A Prevost

Sunday, March 15, 22, 29, from 1 pm to 4 pm

Non‑Figurative Clay and Porcelain Workshop 

Explore the differences between earthen clay bodies and porcelain, and develop practical ways to work with each. Participants will experiment with techniques that reveal and emphasize negative space in three‑dimensional work, using pinching, slab, and additive/subtractive approaches tailored to each material. 

This workshop places the medium first: process, surface, and structural choices drive the work rather than a prescribed subject. Suitable for all levels; guided hands‑on practice builds confidence with both clay and porcelain.

Registration fee $310. + Materials $45. + GST / Total: $372.75 tax included

TO REGISTER: Please fill out the registration form, and we will get back to you

  Urban Sketching …Travel Sketching Workshop

Techniques and Tips for Elevated Achievement

THIS IS A 9-HOUR WORKSHOP: 3 WEEKLY SESSIONS OF 3 HOURS.

Sunday, May 3, 17, and 24 (we are skipping May 10 for Mother's Day)

from 1 pm to 4 pm

LEVEL: BEGINNERS AND INTERMEDIATES. 

MAXIMUM: 8 STUDENTS PER CLASS

Instructor: John Hofman

Join us for an engaging Urban Sketching/Travel Sketching Workshop led by instructor John Hofman. This workshop delves into the essential elements of urban sketching and provides methods for properly depicting urban scenery on paper. All presentations will cater to beginner and intermediate levels, fostering an enjoyable drawing and painting experience.

We will explore various techniques to initiate a sketch, including identifying shapes, estimating object proportions, and achieving credible perspectives of buildings without relying on rulers. Throughout the workshop sessions, we will touch upon compositional principles and the editing of scenery, which will complement each of the topics above. To bring your drawings to life, we will examine techniques for applying tonal values and effectively using colour. Emphasis will be placed on utilizing waterproof pen and ink in conjunction with watercolour.

Some basic materials will be provided for your use. Additionally, we will dedicate time to discussing recommendations for acquiring art materials and equipment that align with your preferences while remaining within a modest budget.

Registration fee $310. + Materials $30. + GST / Total: $357.00 tax included

TO REGISTER: Please fill out the registration form and will get back to you

3D Dog Portrait

Learn how to sculpt a dog head from a photo

Starting Date is:

This is a 21-hour workshop: 7 weekly sessions of 3 hours.

Dates: TO Be ANNOUNCED

Level: For intermediates and Advanced: Maximum: 6 students per class

This workshop is taught in a group structure where each individual will have the opportunity to deepen their knowledge and skill. Individuals will receive one-to-one sculpting instruction using water-based clay.

You are encouraged to learn the structure of the dog's muscles, and skull to develop your own creative style.

In this workshop, the participant will work with the photos of their dog. We will learn to sculpt the structure of the skull, the musculature, eyes, and muzzle, as well as how to sculpt dog hair.

Professional sculptor Joël A. Prévost teaches the techniques and use of tools that you need to carve a freestanding dog's head and hair, taking you step-by-step through adding, subtracting, and polishing.

COST : REGISTRATION FEE $882.00 + MATERIALS $90.00 + GST (INCLUDES KILN FIRING) TOTAL: $926.10 tax included

The student should have clear photos of their subject, taken from different angles. To help you photograph your dog, we have created a resource sheet:

Vancouver Island Sculpting Studio: Refund and Cancellation Policies

Upon registration, a $50 non-refundable administration fee is required, which will be applied to the total cost of the workshop.

Refund Policies: 

- Cancellation requests made 7 days or more before the first class will receive a full refund, with the $50 administration fee deducted.

- The registration fee will not be refunded if the cancellation is made less than 6 days before the first scheduled session.

- Cancellations made on the same day as the workshop will not be eligible for a refund or rescheduling.

Missed Classes:

- If you have missed any classes, you can make them up by booking a 2-hour Studio Drop-In session, which includes private teaching

- There is a fee of $75. + GST for this service.

Please note that the Studio Drop-In session must be scheduled within two weeks of the missed classes.

Workshop Cancellation Policy: 

- Vancouver Island Sculpting Studio reserves the right to cancel or postpone workshops due to enrolment, instructor illness, inclement weather, or other unforeseen circumstances. 

- If a workshop is canceled, you have two options: you can transfer to another workshop or receive a full refund.

- Participants will be notified of any cancellations as soon as possible.

- Full refunds will be issued to participants without delay.

Please note:

- The decision to allow make-up classes is at the discretion of the studio management.

- This decision is made to balance the requests based on availability and scheduling constraints.