Skip to content
Join our Newsletter

Hone your painting skills virtually

Arts News: pop-up vintage shopping returns, kids camps set for The Point Artist-Run Centre 
Cary Lopes art 2
Cary Campbell Lopes is leading virtual art classes via Zoom. Photo submitted

Looking for a safe, fun activity to do with your friends? Maybe you just want to pick up a new hobby—or even brush up on your art skills in time for wildflower season. 

Cary Campbell Lopes—who you might know from her Paintertainment business—has just started hosting acrylic painting classes on Zoom. The sessions—which require a minimum three-person sign up—take place Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. 

However, groups of four can reach out to start new classes at different times as well. 

Classes are $120 per person for a set of three sessions. Participants will need a basic primary acrylic paint set along with burnt sienna (recommended), flat and round brushes, a small canvas, and carbon or transfer paper or white pastel for tracing (optional). 

To sign up, or for more information, email cary@paintertainment.ca. 

If you want to get a taste of what’s on offer you can also check out Lopes’ free downloadable paint session from the Lost Lake Dock as part of the virtual festivities for this year’s GO Fest. 

You can find that at greatoutdoorsfest.com

Pop-up shop returns

Remember the Dream Big Vintage Collective, a pop-up shop that showcased hand-picked vintage clothes and sold them alongside other local artisan goods? 

Well, Helen Hamilton is set to rebrand that concept as Strange Daze Collective after her partner left the company to pursue new projects late last year. 

First up: a three-day pop-up store inside Gone Eatery on May 20 (10 a.m. until 6 p.m.), 21, and 22 (10 a.m. until 4 p.m.). With public health orders keeping people from indoor dining, the shop will be set up in the dining area with all manner of pre-loved pieces for men and women, along with art prints, second-hand books, local jewelry and more. 

Tickets are available now for $5 at eventbrite.com for early access between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. with the ticket applied as store credit. However, walk-ins are still welcome. 

Hamilton, meanwhile, is also launching an online store to host her limited edition Strange Daze apparel. Head to instagram.com/strange.daze.collective.

Summer programming for kids at The Point

The Point Artist-Run Centre has a range of children’s theatre, music, and arts camps on the horizon for this summer—adhering, of course, to provincial health orders and guidelines. 

First up will be Into the Groove Music Camp with Papa Josh from July 12 to 16 and 19 to 23. Open to ages eight up to teens—and limited to eight participants—students who play any instrument are invited to join the band, develop their sense of rhythm, and “deepen their understanding of music,” according to the description. Early bird sign up is $300 then $350 after June 15. 

Then, from July 26 to 30, local children’s entertainer and performance coach Ira Pettle will be offering a week of Improv and Acting (for kids seven to 10) as well as a filmmaking program (ages 10 to 14) from Aug. 10 to 14. Early bird sign up is also $300 up until June 15 then $350 after that. 

Finally, Making Art with Nature with Kassandra Turmel is set for Aug. 17 to 20. 

That four-day camp will lead kids (capped at eight participants) in making natural ink and paint out of plant and earth pigments, exploring eco-printing with plants and flowers, and creating a group art project. 

Early bird prices for that session are $150 until June 15 and then $175 after that. 

For more, or to register, visit thepointartists.com/programs.html.