Place des Arts offers students of all ages and skill levels the opportunity to develop a deep appreciation of the visual arts. Our objective is to provide a friendly, non-competitive environment where creativity and innovation can flourish.

Dhanha is an interdisciplinary artist with a focus on sculpture, installation and social practice. She enjoys working with a wide range of mediums to communicate her ideas. Her social practice study involves working with persons with special needs and using art as a medium to build hope and confidence in a comfortable and fun environment – respecting each other’s ‘diversability.’

A founding member of the Vancouver-based GHIA Collective (Growing Hope Into Action), Dhanha holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Emily Carr University of Art and Design with a minor in Social Practice and Community Engagement.

Kenten is a comics creator, illustrator and graphic designer. In addition to publishing his own comics and comic strips and doing freelance storyboarding and character design for the television industry, he teaches weekly comics and cartooning classes. In his free time, Kenten is completing a graphic novel.

Lena Savic studied Art History at Belgrade University, and Fine Arts at Langara College and ECUAD. She  had worn many hats in art; from art critic, juror, curator, art dealer, gallery manager, to art instructor and practising artist in her East Side studio. She took part in artist’s residencies in Italy, Cuba and Vancouver’s schools.

For over 15 years Lena was involved as a volunteer, community art project-leader and an instructor in various art programs and events for children and adults across Metro Vancouver. Her interests are diverse, yet throughout all her work in photography, mixed media, installation, painting, drawing and earlier ceramics, she has been drawn to the texture.

As an instructor, Lena emphasizes formalism as a foundation of visual literacy and believes that, besides creativity, art stimulates focus, cognition, self-confidence, perseverance, resourcefulness….

Don Portelance is a master artist and teacher, working in a variety of media. Through the years, Don has received many awards and has exhibited in numerous solo and group shows. His work appears in private and corporate collections around the world.

Bernadette has been practicing yoga since 1984. She received her Yoga Teacher Certificate in September 2000 upon completing five years of yoga study with Om Sairam. Bernadette has also received her 500-Hour Yoga Teacher Certificate from Sandra Sammartino and her Canadian Yoga Alliance Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher Certification (CYA-E-RYT500). Bernadette has been teaching yoga to both adults and children since 1999, blending dedication, passion and joy into her teaching.

She is a member of the Yoga Alliance and, over the years, has continued to develop her yoga education through workshops, reading and practice. Bernadette is also a successful visual artist and teaches art to children.

Kenten is a comics creator, illustrator and graphic designer. In addition to publishing his own comics and comic strips and doing freelance storyboarding and character design for the television industry, he teaches weekly comics and cartooning classes. In his free time, Kenten is completing a graphic novel.

Kenten is a comics creator, illustrator and graphic designer. In addition to publishing his own comics and comic strips and doing freelance storyboarding and character design for the television industry, he teaches weekly comics and cartooning classes. In his free time, Kenten is completing a graphic novel.

Kenten is a comics creator, illustrator and graphic designer. In addition to publishing his own comics and comic strips and doing freelance storyboarding and character design for the television industry, he teaches weekly comics and cartooning classes. In his free time, Kenten is completing a graphic novel.

Kenten is a comics creator, illustrator and graphic designer. In addition to publishing his own comics and comic strips and doing freelance storyboarding and character design for the television industry, he teaches weekly comics and cartooning classes. In his free time, Kenten is completing a graphic novel.

Since 2005, Vanessa has enjoyed teaching all ages in drawing, cartooning, comics and animation. Her classes have been hosted throughout the Lower Mainland, including at the City of Burnaby’s Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, the City of Richmond’s Arts Centre and Place des Arts in Coquitlam.

Vanessa holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Arts from the School for Contemporary Arts at Simon Fraser University and an Associate’s Degree in Commercial Animation from Capilano University. Currently, Vanessa works as a storyboard artist on shows like Ready, Jet, Go! for PBS and Ghost Patrol for Disney.

Noelle is a ceramic artist and instructor who is passionate about sharing her love of clay with students of all ages. She has a BFA in Ceramics from Emily Carr and 18 years of teaching experience throughout the Lower Mainland at organizations such as Arts Umbrella, The Anvil Centre and The Surrey Art Gallery. Her studio practice focusses on whimsy, storytelling and colour as it relates to sculptural forms.

She believes that clay is a unique and magical material that allows unlimited possibilities in creative expression and finds great joy in supporting her students in finding their own unique art voice and vision.

Noelle is a ceramic artist and instructor who is passionate about sharing her love of clay with students of all ages. She has a BFA in Ceramics from Emily Carr and 18 years of teaching experience throughout the Lower Mainland at organizations such as Arts Umbrella, The Anvil Centre and The Surrey Art Gallery. Her studio practice focusses on whimsy, storytelling and colour as it relates to sculptural forms.

She believes that clay is a unique and magical material that allows unlimited possibilities in creative expression and finds great joy in supporting her students in finding their own unique art voice and vision.

Stan is an art practitioner with ten years of formal art training (MFA and MEd) and lifelong practice. His art adventure and passion has never worn out since the time he made a fantastic scribble of “Guernica” at the age of two. Stan started his teaching career over 30 years ago at The Public School of Fine Arts in Opole (Poland) and currently continues as an art instructor at Emily Carr University of Art and Design in Vancouver and here at Place des Arts.

Throughout the years, Stan’s work has been presented at individual and group art shows in Poland, Austria, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Hungary, South Korea, China and Canada.

Stan is an art practitioner with ten years of formal art training (MFA and MEd) and lifelong practice. His art adventure and passion has never worn out since the time he made a fantastic scribble of “Guernica” at the age of two. Stan started his teaching career over 30 years ago at The Public School of Fine Arts in Opole (Poland) and currently continues as an art instructor at Emily Carr University of Art and Design in Vancouver and here at Place des Arts.

Throughout the years, Stan’s work has been presented at individual and group art shows in Poland, Austria, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Hungary, South Korea, China and Canada.

Olga received her BFA from the Institute of Art and Design in Moscow. She has worked in a wide variety of media, including oil, watercolor, pen & ink, ceramic and puppet making. Throughout the years, her artwork has been presented at individual and group shows in both Russia and Canada. She has enjoyed her work as an art teacher for almost 20 years.

Olga received her BFA from the Institute of Art and Design in Moscow. She has worked in a wide variety of media, including oil, watercolor, pen & ink, ceramic and puppet making. Throughout the years, her artwork has been presented at individual and group shows in both Russia and Canada. She has enjoyed her work as an art teacher for almost 20 years.

Jocelyn Sanchez is a Vancouver-based interdisciplinary artist focused on visual development and storytelling through digital media and illustration.

A recent MA Animation graduate from the University of South Wales in the United Kingdom, she is currently working on a children’s book and short animation series.

She is excited to share her knowledge and passion of visual and media arts with the students of Place des Arts.

Jocelyn Sanchez is a Vancouver-based interdisciplinary artist focused on visual development and storytelling through digital media and illustration.

A recent MA Animation graduate from the University of South Wales in the United Kingdom, she is currently working on a children’s book and short animation series.

She is excited to share her knowledge and passion of visual and media arts with the students of Place des Arts.

Stan is an art practitioner with ten years of formal art training (MFA and MEd) and lifelong practice. His art adventure and passion has never worn out since the time he made a fantastic scribble of “Guernica” at the age of two. Stan started his teaching career over 30 years ago at The Public School of Fine Arts in Opole (Poland) and currently continues as an art instructor at Emily Carr University of Art and Design in Vancouver and here at Place des Arts.

Throughout the years, Stan’s work has been presented at individual and group art shows in Poland, Austria, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Hungary, South Korea, China and Canada.

Olga received her BFA from the Institute of Art and Design in Moscow. She has worked in a wide variety of media, including oil, watercolor, pen & ink, ceramic and puppet making. Throughout the years, her artwork has been presented at individual and group shows in both Russia and Canada. She has enjoyed her work as an art teacher for almost 20 years.

Jocelyn Sanchez is a Vancouver-based interdisciplinary artist focused on visual development and storytelling through digital media and illustration.

A recent MA Animation graduate from the University of South Wales in the United Kingdom, she is currently working on a children’s book and short animation series.

She is excited to share her knowledge and passion of visual and media arts with the students of Place des Arts.

Stan is an art practitioner with ten years of formal art training (MFA and MEd) and lifelong practice. His art adventure and passion has never worn out since the time he made a fantastic scribble of “Guernica” at the age of two. Stan started his teaching career over 30 years ago at The Public School of Fine Arts in Opole (Poland) and currently continues as an art instructor at Emily Carr University of Art and Design in Vancouver and here at Place des Arts.

Throughout the years, Stan’s work has been presented at individual and group art shows in Poland, Austria, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Hungary, South Korea, China and Canada.

Jane Appleby is an expressive painter inspired by the Canadian landscape, often painting outdoors in the plein air tradition of the Canadian Group of Seven. Her abstract and impressionistic work has been described as Emily Carr meets Gauguin, both spiritual in nature and colourfully unique.

Jane was born in the Czech Republic and immigrated to Vancouver in 1969 with her family and recalls the freedom she felt at experiencing the beautiful natural settings of the west coast.

She was previously an x-ray technician and fitness instructor and decided to follow her dream of painting professionally after studying art and learning from many prominent artists. The late Robert Genn, at one of his workshops, dubbed Jane a full member of “The 37 club” – fast and purposeful painting in 37 minutes and 37 strokes. She now teaches this method.

Along with taking numerous workshops, Jane obtained a Biology Degree from Simon Fraser University and a Fine Arts Techniques Certificate from Emily Carr University of Art and Design.

Jane has received several awards from the Federation of Canadian Artists, written articles for the Art Venues Magazine, and taken FCA members on Plein-Air Paint-Outs. She serves on the Port Moody Arts Centre Gallery Committee and instructs workshops at Place des Arts. On occasion she can be found teaching watercolours at sea on the Cunard Cruise Lines.

She has been painting for over 25 years and currently works in oils, acrylics and watercolours. Her work is available at Silk Gallery in Port Moody and Gallery 88 in Vancouver. She shares her inspirations and painting methods on her YouTube Channel: Jane_Appleby_Art and website janeappleby.com.

Through her work she hopes to inspire the artist in all of us.

Catherine Dumaine is a fibre artist living in Port Coquitlam, B.C. She has been teaching in art centers and institutions around the Lower Mainland and in local schools since 2007. Catherine’s Fibre Fun classes for children are among Place des Arts’ most popular programs, and she is also a regular art camp teacher, where she offers a variety of fibre arts classes to children and youth.

Catherine’s work has been exhibited in shows locally including at Place des Arts, in the Port Moody Festival of the Arts and at Leigh Square Community Arts Village. She also served as the curator for the Craft Year 2007 exhibit Au Naturel.

Catherine has led community engagement workshops for Place des Arts, both at the centre and as a Place des Arts representative at external community events. In 2013, she helped Place des Arts celebrate our 40th Anniversary with her community engagement Social Fabric Project, and in 2016, 2017 and 2018 as an artist in residence, she engaged thousands of school students to create lantern installations that were unveiled during our annual winter season event. Catherine continues to advance her skills through the multitude of fibre arts workshops she takes each year.

Catherine Dumaine is a fibre artist living in Port Coquitlam, B.C. She has been teaching in art centers and institutions around the Lower Mainland and in local schools since 2007. Catherine’s Fibre Fun classes for children are among Place des Arts’ most popular programs, and she is also a regular art camp teacher, where she offers a variety of fibre arts classes to children and youth.

Catherine’s work has been exhibited in shows locally including at Place des Arts, in the Port Moody Festival of the Arts and at Leigh Square Community Arts Village. She also served as the curator for the Craft Year 2007 exhibit Au Naturel.

Catherine has led community engagement workshops for Place des Arts, both at the centre and as a Place des Arts representative at external community events. In 2013, she helped Place des Arts celebrate our 40th Anniversary with her community engagement Social Fabric Project, and in 2016, 2017 and 2018 as an artist in residence, she engaged thousands of school students to create lantern installations that were unveiled during our annual winter season event. Catherine continues to advance her skills through the multitude of fibre arts workshops she takes each year.

Catherine Dumaine is a fibre artist living in Port Coquitlam, B.C. She has been teaching in art centers and institutions around the Lower Mainland and in local schools since 2007. Catherine’s Fibre Fun classes for children are among Place des Arts’ most popular programs, and she is also a regular art camp teacher, where she offers a variety of fibre arts classes to children and youth.

Catherine’s work has been exhibited in shows locally including at Place des Arts, in the Port Moody Festival of the Arts and at Leigh Square Community Arts Village. She also served as the curator for the Craft Year 2007 exhibit Au Naturel.

Catherine has led community engagement workshops for Place des Arts, both at the centre and as a Place des Arts representative at external community events. In 2013, she helped Place des Arts celebrate our 40th Anniversary with her community engagement Social Fabric Project, and in 2016, 2017 and 2018 as an artist in residence, she engaged thousands of school students to create lantern installations that were unveiled during our annual winter season event. Catherine continues to advance her skills through the multitude of fibre arts workshops she takes each year.

It is the tactile nature of basketry that inspires Kristen to continue learning and teaching basketry – and the practical side of her loves to create functional art that can be used and admired. Basket weaving is about creating something with your hands; there is a sense of satisfaction gained from looking at the finished product and saying, “I made that.”

Kristen has over 20 years of experience working with fibre, whether it be knitting, weaving or basketry. Kristen’s professional career is outside of the studio; to the classroom she brings with her years of experience teaching adults, a passion for learning and a love of creating.

Lena Savic studied Art History at Belgrade University, and Fine Arts at Langara College and ECUAD. She  had worn many hats in art; from art critic, juror, curator, art dealer, gallery manager, to art instructor and practising artist in her East Side studio. She took part in artist’s residencies in Italy, Cuba and Vancouver’s schools.

For over 15 years Lena was involved as a volunteer, community art project-leader and an instructor in various art programs and events for children and adults across Metro Vancouver. Her interests are diverse, yet throughout all her work in photography, mixed media, installation, painting, drawing and earlier ceramics, she has been drawn to the texture.

As an instructor, Lena emphasizes formalism as a foundation of visual literacy and believes that, besides creativity, art stimulates focus, cognition, self-confidence, perseverance, resourcefulness….

Catherine Dumaine is a fibre artist living in Port Coquitlam, B.C. She has been teaching in art centers and institutions around the Lower Mainland and in local schools since 2007. Catherine’s Fibre Fun classes for children are among Place des Arts’ most popular programs, and she is also a regular art camp teacher, where she offers a variety of fibre arts classes to children and youth.

Catherine’s work has been exhibited in shows locally including at Place des Arts, in the Port Moody Festival of the Arts and at Leigh Square Community Arts Village. She also served as the curator for the Craft Year 2007 exhibit Au Naturel.

Catherine has led community engagement workshops for Place des Arts, both at the centre and as a Place des Arts representative at external community events. In 2013, she helped Place des Arts celebrate our 40th Anniversary with her community engagement Social Fabric Project, and in 2016, 2017 and 2018 as an artist in residence, she engaged thousands of school students to create lantern installations that were unveiled during our annual winter season event. Catherine continues to advance her skills through the multitude of fibre arts workshops she takes each year.

Dawn Livera is a visual artist primarily working in textiles and mixed media, with a focus on “freestyle weaving,” a style of weaving in which “there are no mistakes.”

Dawn studied weaving with a master weaver for many years and completed the Fashion Arts program at Vancouver Community College. She also has a BSc from UBC.

Community engagement is an important part of Dawn’s practice. She believes that making art should not be the private domain of the talented or learned few. Rather, everyone should feel free to explore their own creativity without worrying about whether their art is good enough.

Rosie Kerschbaumer has a BA from the University of Alberta and a Fashion Arts and Technology Diploma from Kwantlen Polytechnic. She also worked in the garment industry for several years. She is a member of the Coquitlam and the Greater Vancouver Weavers’ and Spinners’ Guilds. Rosie is captivated by the way weaving blends different fibres, techniques and structures to create endless unique results.

Jocelyn Sanchez is a Vancouver-based interdisciplinary artist focused on visual development and storytelling through digital media and illustration.

A recent MA Animation graduate from the University of South Wales in the United Kingdom, she is currently working on a children’s book and short animation series.

She is excited to share her knowledge and passion of visual and media arts with the students of Place des Arts.

Jane Appleby is an expressive painter inspired by the Canadian landscape, often painting outdoors in the plein air tradition of the Canadian Group of Seven. Her abstract and impressionistic work has been described as Emily Carr meets Gauguin, both spiritual in nature and colourfully unique.

Jane was born in the Czech Republic and immigrated to Vancouver in 1969 with her family and recalls the freedom she felt at experiencing the beautiful natural settings of the west coast.

She was previously an x-ray technician and fitness instructor and decided to follow her dream of painting professionally after studying art and learning from many prominent artists. The late Robert Genn, at one of his workshops, dubbed Jane a full member of “The 37 club” – fast and purposeful painting in 37 minutes and 37 strokes. She now teaches this method.

Along with taking numerous workshops, Jane obtained a Biology Degree from Simon Fraser University and a Fine Arts Techniques Certificate from Emily Carr University of Art and Design.

Jane has received several awards from the Federation of Canadian Artists, written articles for the Art Venues Magazine, and taken FCA members on Plein-Air Paint-Outs. She serves on the Port Moody Arts Centre Gallery Committee and instructs workshops at Place des Arts. On occasion she can be found teaching watercolours at sea on the Cunard Cruise Lines.

She has been painting for over 25 years and currently works in oils, acrylics and watercolours. Her work is available at Silk Gallery in Port Moody and Gallery 88 in Vancouver. She shares her inspirations and painting methods on her YouTube Channel: Jane_Appleby_Art and website janeappleby.com.

Through her work she hopes to inspire the artist in all of us.

Stan is an art practitioner with ten years of formal art training (MFA and MEd) and lifelong practice. His art adventure and passion has never worn out since the time he made a fantastic scribble of “Guernica” at the age of two. Stan started his teaching career over 30 years ago at The Public School of Fine Arts in Opole (Poland) and currently continues as an art instructor at Emily Carr University of Art and Design in Vancouver and here at Place des Arts.

Throughout the years, Stan’s work has been presented at individual and group art shows in Poland, Austria, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Hungary, South Korea, China and Canada.

Vin is a graduate of Emily Carr University of Art and Design (ceramic arts). He currently manages his own studio and teaches both youth and adult pottery and ceramics. Vin has gained valuable teaching experience working with the Learning Through the Arts program. Whether through painting, sculpture or pottery, he enjoys sharing his passion with students of all ages.

Dawn Livera is a visual artist primarily working in textiles and mixed media, with a focus on “freestyle weaving,” a style of weaving in which “there are no mistakes.”

Dawn studied weaving with a master weaver for many years and completed the Fashion Arts program at Vancouver Community College. She also has a BSc from UBC.

Community engagement is an important part of Dawn’s practice. She believes that making art should not be the private domain of the talented or learned few. Rather, everyone should feel free to explore their own creativity without worrying about whether their art is good enough.

Rosie Kerschbaumer has a BA from the University of Alberta and a Fashion Arts and Technology Diploma from Kwantlen Polytechnic. She also worked in the garment industry for several years. She is a member of the Coquitlam and the Greater Vancouver Weavers’ and Spinners’ Guilds. Rosie is captivated by the way weaving blends different fibres, techniques and structures to create endless unique results.

Vin is a graduate of Emily Carr University of Art and Design (ceramic arts). He currently manages his own studio and teaches both youth and adult pottery and ceramics. Vin has gained valuable teaching experience working with the Learning Through the Arts program. Whether through painting, sculpture or pottery, he enjoys sharing his passion with students of all ages.

David Lloyd taught at Kwantlen Polytechnic University for 24 years before retiring to raise a child. He acquired a wide range of forming, firing and decorating techniques with the belief that you have to be ready to try everything in the diverse field of ceramics. Making things is fun, and making things really well is highly satisfying. With good teachers, we can all learn to make things better than we thought we could. Enjoy Making.

Dan Severance first did wheel throwing in high school in Burnaby and was lucky to have potters as teachers who encouraged him to take classes at the Shadbolt center in Burnaby. But like most youth, it was adventure time and clay work was put aside.

27 years later in 2004, Dan decided to try wheel throwing again. He took a beginners course with Gillian McMillan at the Port Moody Arts Center, followed by more courses taught by Clive Tucker.

Dan Severance’s work has now shifted to handbuilding functional wares decorated with brightly colored under glazes. Dan is a member of the BC Potters Guild and the Tri-City Potters’ Group. His work can be seen at the Gallery of BC Ceramics on Granville Island and Kizmit gift gallery in Fort Langley.

Almost 20 years ago in a dim corner of industrial Yorkshire, Clive Tucker strayed from his appointed path. After years of study completing two science degrees, Tucker found himself slaving in one of England’s “dark satanic mills.” Disillusioned, he cast his job aside and fled to the exotic east.

In 1993, he landed in Durness, Scotland to apprentice with Lotte Glob at The Far North Pottery. There, he learned the art of throwing and dreamed of becoming an artist. Immigrating to Ontario in 1994, it was not long before he became a self-sufficient potter.

In 1998, restlessness struck once more, and he moved to Vancouver to attend Emily Carr University of Art and Design. Upon graduating he was invited to be artist in residence at the Port Moody Art Centre. Late in 2008, Clive and fellow potter Jacqueline Sheridan opened their own studio, Straight Up Studios in Port Moody.

Clive believes in a playful, yet poignant approach to art. He is very focused on keeping elements of play and whimsy in his work with a light sprinkling of irony. For more information about Clive and his work, visit his website here.

Vin is a graduate of Emily Carr University of Art and Design (ceramic arts). He currently manages his own studio and teaches both youth and adult pottery and ceramics. Vin has gained valuable teaching experience working with the Learning Through the Arts program. Whether through painting, sculpture or pottery, he enjoys sharing his passion with students of all ages.

Bernadette Rollin was born and raised in Switzerland where from early childhood she loved to draw, paint and do crafts. In 1977, she moved and immigrated to Vancouver.

In 1982 Bernadette began exploring decorative painting which she had fully enjoyed for ten years and by 1992 Bernadette then moved on to discover the beauty of watercolour painting.

Since 1999 the technique and mediums of her art have evolved to include pastels, oils, acrylics, ink stamping and layering of porous material, all of which have challenged her to further explore the inner-depths of her art and creativity. Through the inspiration of Bernadette’s love of gardening, outdoor activities and nature these themes are now being incorporated throughout her art work.

Over the years, Bernadette has continued to develop artistically exploring a variety of techniques, perfecting her skills through studies in drawing and painting courses. Bernadette’s current works incorporate painting larger, semi-abstract mixed media on canvas with varied surfaces complete with bolder and brighter colours.

Bernadette was a Founding Member of the Art Focus Art Group as well as being an Active Member of the Federation of Canadian Artists. Over the years, Bernadette has participated in many selected solo and group exhibitions with Bernadette’s art work being purchased by a number of Government agencies as well as by collectors around the world.

Currently Bernadette also teaches painting to children and adults, in conjunction with being a yoga instructor.