Visual Arts Instructors
Sean Alward
Sean graduated from the Nova Scotia College of Art & Design, did an exchange semester at Cooper Union in New York and an MFA at University of British Columbia. He has taught at UBC, Emily Carr and Kwantlan College. Sean is an internationally shown artist and a published writer for art publications and essays. He is currently teaching at the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts.Judith M. Atkinson
Judith graduated with honours in painting from Emil Carr Institute of Art and Design, trained at the Banff Centre School of Fine Arts, studied printmaking in Florence, Italy, and graduated from the Commercial Animation program at Capilano College. Judith has a long exhibition record of paintings, sculptures, prints and large multimedia installations. She has taught at the Shadbolt since 1979.Rebecca Donald
Rebecca graduated from UBC with a Masters of Fine Arts in 2006. She has taught Intermediate Painting at UBC and Advanced Painting at Emily Carr. She is a working artist with a long list of exhibitions & awards. Awards and scholarships include Painting on the Edge Opus Prize, University of British Columbia University Graduate Fellowship (UGF), and Zoe Prize in Fine Arts at UBC to name a few. Rebecca is currently teaching both teens and preschoolers at the Shadbolt Centre.Polly Faminow
Polly graduated from The Vancouver School of Art majoring in Printmaking. She is a mixed-media artist whose work has been exhibited in many exhibitions in Ontario and BC as well as private collections in Canada and abroad. Her extensive teaching experience includes being an Outreach Instructor for Emily Carr University, and teaching children’s classes at The Arts Umbrella. At the Shadbolt Centre Polly teaches Pencils, Paint and Plasticine for pre-schoolers, as well as Art Exploration for Adults. She introduces her students to drawing, painting, collage and sculpture while encouraging creativity and self-expression.
Tian-Xing Li
Born and educated in mainland China, Tian-Xing Li attended the Academy of Fine Arts in Guangzhou. For over 20 years he supported his family in Vancouver as a sign painter, graphic designer and art teacher. Tian works in both oil and watercolour. Although he is interested in many subjects, figures and still life are his favourites. Mr. Li is a member of the Federation of Canadian Artists and signature member of the California Watercolour Association.
Vendula Ralkova
Vendula is a fine art photographer based in Vancouver. She graduated from three photography schools. She received a diploma of Fine Arts at Langara College, a Bachelor degree from Emily Carr University and in 2008 she finished her Master degree on scholarship in Milan, Italy. During her internship in the celebrated Magnum Photo Agency in Paris, France, she worked with Josef Koudelka. Her latest solo exhibition called "Stolen Time" was in Prague in March/April 2009. Vendula's work is based in classical street photography and she specializes in traditional analog photography with emphasis on quality craftsmanship in the darkroom.Henri Robideau
Henri Robideau is a photographer with works in the collections of the Vancouver and Winnipeg art galleries, The Canadian Centre for Contemporary Photography in Ottawa, The Photographers Gallery in Saskatoon and the Canada Council Art Bank. Henri is the instructor for our adult photography workshops.Well-known artist/instructor Tony O'Regan's extensive background in art and design spans more than 25 years as an exhibiting artist, teacher and senior designer with a major architectural firm. Tony is an honours graduate in painting with a Masters degree in design, and has designed numerous civic buildings over the years, including the Richmond Library and Cultural Centre, Clearbrook Library, and many others. Tony teaches regularly at Emily Carr Institute of Art & Design and SFU City Program. His particular interest is in combining nature with the human figure and architecture, in both abstract and representative modes.
A popular member of our teaching staff for many years, Charles was educated at the Vancouver School of Art. He has also taught at U.B.C. and Arts Umbrella. Charles is a hard-working artist with a long list of exhibitions to his credit, both locally and as far away as West Germany and Japan. His vast knowledge of art and his own experience as an artist, make his classes a special opportunity for students.
Nancy Ruen-Fen Chen
Nancy was born in Taiwan where she studied under the master painter, Huei-Tung Chen. She also studied art in Montreal and continued her study of Chinese painting in Vancouver. She is a member of the Federation of Canadian Artists. Nancy works primarily in watercolours on Chinese rice paper combining both traditional and contemporary techniques and has shown both locally and internationally. Nancy conducts workshops and demonstrations throughout Canada and the United States.Anna Talbot
Anna is a graduate of Emily Carr University where she majored in printmaking. Her involvement in the arts has led her to work at the Shadbolt Arts Centre, the City of Burnaby Community Arts Development Program and in various community classes held throughout Burnaby. Anna has an active art practice which includes wearable art, textiles, printmaking, drawing and painting. Her classes focus on encouraging children and teens to explore the process of making art through a creative variety of mediums and techniques.
Born in China, Betty immigrated to Vancouver in 1968. She is a graduate of Burnaby College in Graphics and the Vancouver School of Art, majoring in painting and sculpture. Since 1974, Betty has taught a variety of fine art programs at Kwantlen and Langara Colleges and the Richmond Art Centre. Her work has won awards and been shown locally and internationally, in solo and group shows, in both private and public galleries.
