Explore your creative side at the Shadbolt
The study of fine arts in all forms helps us make sense of the world we live in through unique and creative learning opportunities at any age.
At the Shadbolt, our activities are designed to develop your artistic creativity and skills. Our instructors are renowned artists and skilled specialists who create curriculum that is geared to a variety of ages and abilities.
Looking for account details from our previous WebReg system?
You can view your customer account details from our previous registration system until December 29, 2023. Check your account details: Burnaby.ca/OldWebReg.
Fine arts at the Shadbolt
Ceramics
The only limit to clay as a medium is your imagination–and the size of the kilns! Discover how craft and art meet by getting your hands muddy in a variety of pottery classes for all ages and skill levels. More advanced students can participate in alternative workshops and firings such as crystalline, raku, wood, and soda firings to achieve unique surfaces and textures on their ceramic pieces.
Learn more about the wood-firing process in this video.
Some of our course names are changing for the fall as a result of our new online WebReg system. Learn more below:
Kiln rentals
The Shadbolt Centre has an unrivaled diversity of kilns on site–including our state-of-the-art Blaauw gas kiln, raku and sawdust kilns, a wood fired train kiln (Engine #13), a soda kiln (The Vault), and several electric kilns. We are pleased to offer our kilns for rent when available. Please check our kiln rentals page for more information.
Dance
The Shadbolt Centre Dance Programs teach dance as an art form. The process of creating is as important as skill development. Our programs are taught in a supportive and non-competitive environment that fosters creativity, diversity, individuality and collaborative ensemble.
The Shadbolt Modern Dance program focuses on developing improvisational skills and technique. Modern dance is distinguished by its use of expression, exploration and movement invention, working with live musical accompaniment.
The Shadbolt Ballet program follows the Royal Academy of Dance syllabus with a focus on dynamic alignment and technique to develop full body integration working with live musical accompaniment. (Please note: we do not do formal examinations)
The Shadbolt Tap program focuses on rhythm tap. Students explore rhythm tap while developing coordination and musicality working with live accompaniment.
There are many styles of Jazz dance, each one of our instructors bring their own personal experience with the focus on developing technique, rhythm and musicality.
Shadbolt’s dance company’s focus on modern dance composition and performance. Dancers are introduced to ideas, purpose and appreciation of dance as an expressive art form. Release-based contemporary techniques and improvisation are integrated into class to support dancing with intention and personal expression in a supportive and non-competitive environment.
| December 11, 2022 2 pm |
Youth in Motion & Continuum Dance Companies Coffee House |
| March 4, 2023 7:30 pm |
Footprints, Youth in Motion with special guests Tickets: $15 |
| April 29, 2023 11 am |
Art on the Spot, International Dance Day Tickets: Free |
| May 13, 2023 | Here and Now, Continuum Dance Company |
| June 8, 2023 | Adult Showcase Tickets: Free |
| June 9 and 10, 2023 7:30 pm |
New Expressions, Youth In Motion |
Creative writing
We are made of stories, not atoms. - Muriel Rukeyser
Creative writing programs help young writers learn to explore imagination and play with language and sound. Children and teens are supported to invent and explore different forms and consider their place in the evolution of language art. Our adult programs invite reflection and experimentation in a range of circles that support sustaining practices and communities of practice.
Media arts
The state-of-the-art media lab at the Shadbolt Centre offers technology-based fine arts courses for children and teens using Mac computers, pen tablets and smartboards to draw, paint and create worlds and stories through various software programs.
Music
Find your muse in the Shadbolt Centre’s music program where amazing things happen. Learn to play an instrument with one of our talented instructors, take a vocal lesson or try out an ensemble class. Enroll your teen in Drum Set Basics and then if you want, enroll yourself in a class–there’s something at the Shadbolt Centre for every age and ability level.
Private music lessons are available online, with some availability for in-person instruction.
View the complete listing of private music lessons
2023 music recital dates:
- Sunday, June 4, studio 103
- Sunday, June 11, studio 103
Theatre and film
Dramatic arts helps us tap into our imagination and the world around us at any age–especially preschoolers, children and teens who are just beginning their theatre arts training. Adults too–you’ll be surprised to discover how your confidence and ability to think on your feet grows as you practice lines and monologues, move your body and stretch your vocal range.
All of our theatre arts programs are adapted to the age and abilities of our students in classes that range from preschool to adults.
This learning experience takes our students through the process of producing a show–from the beginning idea right through to the fully staged public performance. Students don’t need previous experience–in this course you’ll work together to learn all the steps involved in creating live theatre.
Our students rehearse short musical numbers and acting sketches for a musical revue that shows the dance, singing and acting skills they’ve learned.
An original story created by the ensemble class is rehearsed and staged for a live audience. Off stage, the class learns about staging, lighting and how to use new media (like livestreaming video onstage) to make a good stage production great.
Learning speech arts gives us the skills and the confidence to communicate clearly in all kinds of speaking situations. In this course, our students receive voice training and they learn dramatic techniques and movement to give their words more impact in a performance, a debate or a speech.
This unique program doesn’t follow set lesson plans. Instead, it’s geared to the learning needs of the class. We introduce inspiring projects that show our students how they can stand up and be heard.
Speech Arts is available in 60-minute group lessons (maximum 6 students) and 30-minute private lessons. It’s also available as an online program.
Each season, we offer special workshops and programs in arts like puppetry, mask, monologue and improvisation. Our summer session includes week-long workshops.
Visual arts
Art-making allows us to express our inner experience of life. Shadbolt Visual Arts Programs for preschoolers, families, children, teens and adults are taught by professional artist/instructors who welcome you to art-making in a friendly and inclusive setting. Instructors encourage you to experiment, to find joy and fulfillment whether you are a beginner or an advanced student. Explore materials and techniques in a wide variety of mediums, build skills, take risks and develop your creativity in your own unique way.
Children and teens learn to visually express themselves in a fun, non-competitive environment, increasing confidence and independence in other areas of learning and life.
Specialty 1 or 2 day workshops are offered each session with Shadbolt and guest artists/instructors. These workshops allow our clients to expand their horizons with unique intensive art experiences. Please check our seasonal program guide for detailed information.
Allow yourself the time and space to create in our large art studios! Bring your enthusiasm, ideas and supplies to work independently on your own art projects in the company of other practicing artists (no staff support included).
- Open Art Studio is not offered during the summer session. We will resume in September!
Community programs
Shadbolt in Your Community offers satellite fine arts programs in SD41 elementary schools, community centres and at Burnaby community events; providing opportunities to sample multi-discipline programs at a more accessible cost. These programs are inclusive, support freedom of expression and give students the experience of working with arts specialists in a creative learning environment that supports community growth. Involvement in the arts fosters important skills developed through imagination; critical thinking, problem solving, social and emotional skills, self-confidence, self-discipline and verbal and non-verbal communication.
Contact us
| Coordinator – Fine Arts Tanya Rankin Phone: 604-205-3002 Email: [email protected] |
| Fine and Performing Arts Programmer – Ceramics Brit Bachmann Phone: 604-205-3012 Email: [email protected] |
| Fine & Performing Arts Programmer – Community Lia Miller Phone: 604-205-3013 Email: [email protected] |
| Fine & Performing Arts Programmer – Dance Jeannine Miller Phone: 604-205-3037 Email: [email protected] |
| Fine & Performing Arts Programmer – Creative Writing, Theatre and Film Joel DeStefano Phone: 604-205-3015 Email: [email protected] |
| Fine and Performing Arts Programmer – Media Arts and Music Ryan Clough-Carroll Phone: 604-205-3011 Email: [email protected] |
| Fine & Performing Arts Programmer – Visual Arts Marianne Otterstrom Phone: 604-205-3014 Email: [email protected] |