Artists workshop series kicking off
Lakeside sessions offer intimate teaching environment
CHRIS@WHISTLERQUESTION.COM
When it comes to art, they say one’s surroundings inspire one’s work.
With that in mind, you can imagine what kind of pieces can come from spending a few days basking at the base of a few mountains or living lakeside. It’s that beauty that instructor Lori Goldberg is hoping to teach people to channel later this summer as part of the Whistler Arts Council’s (WAC) Art Workshops on The Lake series.
A regular instructor at the Emily Carr University of Art and Design, Goldberg has been participating in the WAC’s annual workshops series for three years now, teaching acrylic painting for beginners.
Situated at the Alta Lake Station House, Goldberg’s workshop is just one of many being offered this summer by the WAC in a variety of media.
And while she may spend much of her time teaching at Emily Carr, Goldberg said that it’s a completely different experience when she teaches up in Whistler.
“It’s incredibly wonderful, you couldn’t ask for a better set up,” she said. “You’ve got an intimate group, an incredible space right on the water and people who are hard-working and committed and want to try things out.”
Different from her normal teaching routine, Goldberg said that because students are actually staying at the station house, it allows for pure dedication to learning and creating.
“You’re right there, you have no distractions and you’re focused,” said Goldberg. “The students also have each other to help support one another.”
As for the teaching environment, Goldberg said she welcomes the opportunity to teach people in such an intensive environment.
“It challenges me on a new level, which I particularly enjoy,” said Goldberg, noting that her introductory course is great for people who have never really painted before in their lives, as well as those who have already dabbled.
“People that are a clean slate, they’re easier to teach than people who have knowledge from other instructors because they’re already slanted in one direction,” said said.
“I think the people that are more challenging to teach are those who already have had some sort of experience with paint, but the only reason they’re there is to open up and learn new things, so they’re just as great to have in the group.”
As for her own artistic background, Goldberg said that she’s been involved with the arts since she was young and hasn’t looked back since.
“It just came so natural and easy for me as opposed to reading and writing in school,” recalled Goldberg. “I’ve always been interested in visuals and it was something I was good at.”
Having focused on her art from an early age, Goldberg went on to win various awards for her work and after attending Langara College, she headed out east to further pursue art.
“Then it was about getting my work out there and getting people interested in my work in galleries,” she said. “And eventually, I began teaching as well.”
And it was the transition to teaching that Goldberg found to be the perfect balance for her life.
“The teaching, I’ve always loved to do that as well because I love people,” she explained. “Studio practice is a very lone experience, so it balances out my needs and it gives me great satisfaction knowing I’m doing something worthy on this planet while I’m here.”
Goldberg’s introduction to acrylics workshop is just one of many workshops being offered this summer by the WAC as part of their Artists Workshops on the Lake series. The workshops run from now until August and feature everything from photography and painting to sculptures.
Goldberg’s course takes place June 22 to 24. For those interested in signing up, and for more information on the other workshops, go to www.artswhistler.com.
“People who have never really tried to paint before, this is really a great one for them,” said Goldberg. “I’m used to helping people who say that they’ve never been able to paint and I find a way for them.”