Something New at Gallery Vertigo: Kids Drama!
with instructor Matt Brown
Planting the Seed: Kids Drama

Most of us have a “child” inside that likes to play and pretend.  Drama is that extension and invitation to safely express those feelings.  It’s an ageless interaction and activity that opens the body’s creativity.

The design of the children’s drama workshop is to extend, push and open what is already there and what is certainly the potential creativity and imagination of kids.  The term “theatre sports” is universal: a form of improvisational theatre, which uses the format of a competition for dramatic effect.  Learning the techniques of theatre sports is one of many goals and techniques in this class.

Kids, of course, are our future.  There is an obligation to our investment in this future and passing on knowledge is one of them.  Drama teaches not only use of “creative” tools, it instils confidence, performance and comradery. 

The classes will run for eight weeks meeting once a week for two hours. 

Each class will start with a fun fifteen minute game that takes away any outside focus and brings us to the class at hand and gets everybody ready to go.

Topics Covered:
1.      Impulse work – what is an impulse.  Recognizing an impulse and using it.  An introduction to and concentration of “theatre sports”.
2.   An interactive drama craft* example: Mask work – making masks and transforming the body to engage the mask.
3.   The “whole” picture – working with others and maintaining an even balance with “All”.
4.   The power of “One”- individual performance and learning confidence

Each topic will be explored for two weeks.  
At the end of the eight weeks there will be an optional performance night for all the parents and family.
*each eight week session will have a unique drama craft that is different from the last.

Nurturing the Seedling

As a follow up to “Planting the Seed” it is time now to grow the roots and nurture our seedlings. 

The initial eight week process is an opening and discovery process that allows the students to either relate what they already know about acting or be introduced to the idea of acting.  Where does it go from there?

If your child has not attended the“Planting the Seed” workshop, please no worries.
 
We will be moving in a direction that is fresh to my repeat students as well.

The focus of this class will be much more focussed on the “arc” of a story and story telling through the means of theatrical practice.  For example; we will be able to work on small fables to articulate many of the techniques we learned and discovered in the initial “Planting the Seed” workshop.

This workshop will have a much more in depth look at character work.  Some of the ways we will get into the character work is by using costumes, masks and make-up.  The treatment of our “set” will range from the simple use of the imagination to the incorporation of mixed media (lights, painting and props)

My goal is to be a part of our community as much as possible whether it is in community theatre or volunteering for different community organizations.  Part of that is being able to teach in various venues within Vernon’s community.  I have taught at the Powerhouse Theatre, Beacon Studios Inc, Gallery Vertigo, the Hub Arts Collective and Vernon Community Arts Center.  Our next stop is Gallery Vertigo with this upcoming workshop.

Each workshop consists of eight two hour sessions. In the last week of some workshop will be an optional  performance.
Class size is limited to 10 participants to ensure that each child is fully supported and receives a maximum amount of attention and care.

The cost for the class is $200 and covers all materials other than optional costumes that the kids are more than welcome to bring on the appropriate days given out by the instructor.
We have various methods of payment and arrangements.  I am very approachable and it would hurt me to know that a child who is rich with passion missed out on an opportunity based on situation.

Feel free to contact me directly, either via email or phoning myself. 
matt@prodigy88.com
or 250.550.6069

Otherwise, contact Judith at the Gallery Vertigo:
judithjurica@galleryvertigo.com
250.503.2297

IMPORTANT NOTE:
SMARTIES will take break after the August 15th session and begin again after Labour Day.
We'll keep you posted!

Welcome Back to Smarties!
Sundays from 2 to 4pm

Look what we have coming up at SMARTIES...more exciting classes with fully qualified instructors!
Gallery Vertigo invites families to come and enjoy making art together.
Everybody knows that art makes you SMART!
SMARTIES offers top notch instruction, fun ideas and all the stuff you need to do it!
A complimentary snack and drink is included - all for a small donation of $3 per person.

 
June 13- Crochet a Summer Scarf - with members of the Gallery Vertigo Knitting Circle
 
June 20 - Magazine Portraits - with instructor Angelika Jaeger
 
June 27 - Art as Sport - with instructor Miranda Aschenbrenner

July 4 - Acting up a Story- with instructor Matt Brown

July 11 - Banner Murals - with instructor James Postill

July 18 - Marbling - with instructor Christine Kashuba

July 25 - Jewellery Making - with instructors Starling Taylor and Robin Shanks

August 1 - People and Faces - mixed media - with instructor Tina Siddiqui

August 8 -Sock Puppets - with instructor Karen Meyer

August 15 - Mask Making - with instructor Matt Brown

IMPORTANT NOTE:
SMARTIES will take break after the August 15th session and begin again after Labour Day.
We'll keep you posted!

No registration necessary, just drop in for some fun... Everyone is welcome...wear old clothes and bring your imagination. We’ll supply materials, encouragement and smiles! Suggested Donation: $3.00 per person. Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Teens are welcome too. Volunteers interested in art are invited to come down and assist at the workshops. It happens every Sunday from 2 to 4pm.

Lots of enthusiastic volunteers always needed!
Please call the gallery (250-503-2297) if you would like to help. No experience necessary, we'll train you!

email: karenmeyer@ shaw.ca SMARTIES Coordinator
Or, call the gallery @ 250-503-2297

Can you help with a cash donation, or gift of supplies, equipment, etc?
Our program relies on the generous support of our community.
It's a great chance to help kids and adults enjoy affordable art experiences. ($3 drop-in fee suggested)
To show our appreciation, your logo will appear on all SMARTIES printed and e-materials

Knitting Circle At Gallery Vertigo
With Janet Armstrong and Allison Griswold
The first and third Saturday morning of each month

Drop in sessions for knitters of all experience levels are held at Gallery Vertigo the first Saturday morning of each month. These sessions are open to anyone interested in knitting, whether new or experienced. 

"These sessions are taking on a life of their own with knitters sharing their expertise and their stories. At our first knitting circle, one person picked up yarn and needles after a thirty year absence from knitting and her hands still remembered how. Another person picked up needles and knit for the very first time. Other knitters have years of experience. Everyone enjoys creating in a mutually supportive group atmosphere." (Judith Jurica, Director of Gallery Vertigo and new knitter).

There is a fee of $5.00 per person per session.  Registration is not necessary.  All proceeds will support the SMARTIES Sunday family drop-in art sessions held at Gallery Vertigo. Drop-ins are on the first and third Saturday of each month from 10am to noon.

Bring along yarn and needles, etc. and/or a project or two you are working on.

Allison and Janet are passionate, experienced knitters and love sharing their knowledge. Bring your knitting questions and problems, and they'll happily work out the solutions for you.

A warm welcome awaits you. Coffee and goodies are served. Donations of homemade goodies welcome.



Janet Armstrong can be contacted for interviews at 250-545-2474 or by e-mail info@janetarmstrong.com
www.janetarmstrong.com

Allison Griswold can be contacted on Tuesdays at Gallery Vertigo - 250-503-2297 or by email - ballisongriswold@shaw.ca

Call Gallery Vertigo for information. (250)503-2297 or info@galleryvertigo.com

About Janet Armstrong
Janet Armstrong believes that to be happy in life one must have a passion—hers is fibre, whether that be yarn, fabric or thread. In her workshops, she actively cultivates an atmosphere of invigorating creativity, encouraging discovery and invention amongst the participants. Janet coordinated the first Okanagan Knitting Retreat with colleagues Gloria Hanson and Wendy Henderson in 1999—the 11th retreat is scheduled this May. Janet has taught at national and international fibre art conferences.