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 create art and sculptures while fostering a supportive environment for aspiring artists. We are committed to empowering apprentice artists by providing the technical and practical knowledge they need to deepen their work in their chosen medium and subject matter.
The VIS Studio is a fully equipped professional art studio, offering a unique experience in Nanaimo. Here, participants can learn from experienced artists in a stimulating and enjoyable atmosphere. We offer a diverse range of sculpting workshops and art classes.
The VIS Studio is designed as an exclusive environment that encourages reflection and introspection, both essential to nurturing the creative process and developing your artistic style. We aim to inspire your imagination so each person can envision their projects and awaken their senses
Joel A Prévost biography - Owner, Director, “Maître d’Atelier”
Joël A. Prévost, a distinguished sculptor, was born in 1963 in the picturesque Lac-Saint-Jean, Quebec. In 1977, his family relocated to Nanaimo, where Joël embraced the opportunity to learn English. During his teenage years, he found solace and connection through music, which sparked a desire to explore dance at the Kirkwood Dance Academy in Nanaimo.
After completing his studies in Community Development in Nova Scotia, he returned to Nanaimo to contribute to the creative culture. As an autodidactic polymath, Joël honed valuable skills in a small-town setting. The city provided him with a unique opportunity to gain a comprehensive understanding of how to manage all facets of cultural events. As a facilitator, he seized opportunities to collaborate with non-profit organizations on the Island and across Canada, with a strong emphasis on planning, fundraising, and education.
Prévost transitioned from facilitation to becoming a promoter of music and visual arts and a producer of concerts, music series, and various cultural events. In Nanaimo’s Old City Quarter, he opened and managed the World Beat Cafe, promoting a diverse range of live music. During these years, he began sculpting, honing his craft, and developing a keen interest in the human form. He has over 25 years of experience as a sculptor and art educator.
In 2006, Prévost moved to Montreal, where he founded L’Atelier de Sculpture du Village, a learning centre. For 10 years, he taught sculpture to students from various artistic disciplines, including cinema, circus, 3D animation, video games, and visual arts. His emphasis on sculpting the human figure and using life models enabled him to instruct students at all levels effectively.
In 2017, Joël returned to BC, where he established the Vancouver Island Sculpting Studio, bringing decades of expertise in the arts and community development back to Nanaimo. At the VIS Studio, he continues to teach sculpture and refine his artistic expertise while adapting his approach to address contemporary challenges in the arts. He actively supports artists from Vancouver Island, helping them enhance the management of their own practices. His artistic and community engagement remains a focus, fostering a vibrant culture in Canada.
This is a workshop offered by Joel.
Dee Fontans biography - Event Co-host
Creativity is the driving force in Dee Fontan’s life. She is a skilled artisan specializing in metalwork, crafting both limited edition and one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces.
Fontans began her artistic education at Parsons School of Design in New York City, where she immersed herself in life and fashion drawing. Her creative journey took a transformative turn when she discovered a passion for metal and jewellery making. Graduating from the State University of New York in New Paltz with a degree in Gold and Silversmithing, Dee returned to New York City, ready to pursue her career in the arts. Like many artists, Dee adeptly juggled multiple roles, freelancing as a gallerist, life drawing model, jeweller, and support staff at the arts program at the 92nd Street Y and the American Crafts Museum.
In 1988, Fontans immigrated to Canada to marry jeweller Charles Lewton-Brain. Settling in Calgary, they co-owned the Lewton-Brain/ Fontans Centre for Jewellery Studies and Brain Press Publishing.
Dee is driven to support and develop culture in her community. With a years of tenure as a faculty member at the Alberta University of the Arts (formerly The Alberta College of Art & Design), Dee has profoundly impacted aspiring artists, guiding them in jewellery, wearable art, and performance art. In 2012, she served as a Cultural Ambassador during Calgary's designation as the Cultural Capital of Canada, fostering connections between the local government, the artistic community, and Team Calgary.
In 2016, choosing to redirect her energy, she retired from teaching and relocated to Nanaimo, BC. Living downtown, Dee is always walking around, keeping connected in the neighbourhood. She writes about her favourite independent businesses and local art happenings in the Nanaimo Magazine. She has shared her expertise with local creatives, volunteering backstage at the Port Theatre and OV Arts Centre, and at fashion events around town. Dee will continue her art adventure as co-host of exhibitions at the Vancouver Island Sculpting Studio.
Finding joy and fulfillment at the bench in her studio, Dee embodies the spirit of an artist, with treasure in her heart, metal in her genes, and silver weaving its way into her hair.
Brenda Ly biography - Event Co-Host
Born and raised in Regina, Saskatchewan, Brenda moved to Vancouver Island in 2009 to attend Camosun College. Since 2015, she has been a dedicated dental hygienist, but her passion for the arts has remained.
From a young age, Brenda has had a keen interest in various art media, particularly drawing and sketching. As an adult, she began to explore her creativity further by diving into clay sculpting at VIS Studio with Joel and experimenting with different painting mediums during her free time at home.
Outside her artistic pursuits, Brenda loves exploring the beauty of Vancouver Island and enjoys rock climbing as a thrilling hobby. Her diverse interests and experiences enrich our team's creativity and collaborative spirit.
VIS Studio Teacher Team
John Hofman biography
John has been drawing and sketching on location in Alberta and B.C. for many years. And while vacationing in other provinces and countries. He participated in many outdoor events, including the annual Grand Prix of Art in Qualicum Beach, Victoria, Ambleside, and Steveston, as well as in other locations on Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland.
He works mainly in pen and ink in a sketchbook, adding a watercolour 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.
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 some 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 some formal visual art courses, Darcy completed a Master's 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 all its elegant variety, is always present in her work.
Joshua Tuil biography
Josh is a figurative artist, caricaturist, and creative mentor based in Nanaimo, BC. Born in Paris, France, he immigrated with his family to Israel at age 9 before relocating to Canada in 2024. His multicultural background has deeply influenced his artistic perspective, shaping a practice rooted in observation, storytelling, and human expression.
Josh studied Screen Arts and Animation at the Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design in Israel, where he refined both his technical skills and his creative voice. Over the years, he has gained experience teaching children, teens, and adults, guiding students of all levels to strengthen their drawing fundamentals, build confidence, and discover their own artistic style.
His classes are known for combining professional artistic techniques with a warm, encouraging, and supportive atmosphere, making space for beginners and experienced artists alike to grow creatively. Whether teaching observational drawing, caricature, character development, or foundational skills, Josh emphasizes both discipline and self-expression, helping students connect with the joy of making art.
Inspired by storytelling, human connection, and community, Josh believes drawing is more than just a skill — it is a powerful tool for self-discovery, communication, and creativity. Through his work as both an artist and mentor, he aims to inspire others to see art as a meaningful way to connect with themselves and the world around them.
Hila Tuil Biography
Hila Tuil is an animator, illustrator, and caricature artist with expertise in classical animation and cinematic storytelling. Originally from Israel, she relocated to Canada in 2024 after completing studies in Screen Arts and Animation at the Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design. She further enhanced her technical skills through an exchange program at ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena, Los Angeles. Her work integrates technical discipline with an intuitive artistic sensibility grounded in movement, emotion, and human experience.
With nearly a decade of experience, Tuil has contributed to demanding studio pipelines and produced award-winning independent projects. As a director and co-creator, she consistently delivers high-quality work, earning international recognition for her versatility in storytelling.
Drawing on insights from parenthood and professional experience, Tuil cultivates an artistic voice that is grounded, authentic, and deeply human. She regards art as a means of both personal and external exploration. As an instructor, she guides others to move beyond technical concerns and discover their own authentic artistic expression.