MAC SCHOOL FOR THE CREATIVE ARTS
At the MAC our goal is to help you learn to express yourself freely through art. We believe the art of creating is more important than the end product itself.
Creating art helps us achieve a deeper understanding and awareness of the world around us.
With that in mind, the MAC’s School for the Creative Arts programs encourage everyone to explore art as a means of expression, regardless of their experience and skill level.
School for the Creative Arts Faculty
Margery Blom, Faculty Director
Margery Blom BFA is an oil paint artist specializing in scenes from Vancouver Island. Margery displays in galleries all over the Island, is an active member of FCA, and has a BEd degree. You can find Margery as Resident Artist at the McMillan Arts Centre.
Margery has been instrumental in sourcing instructors for the MAC’s School for the Creative Arts programs and is also a member of the MAC’s Gallery Committee.
Rhonda Roy, Faculty Administrator
Rhonda Roy is a Zentangle artist and Certified Zentangle Teacher (CZT). She has a BEd. Degree, has taught in public schools and privately, and as a School Trustee, was part of developing educational policy at the school district level. Rhonda is also a Resident Artist at the McMillan Arts Centre.
Rhonda believes we are all born with a need and an ability to create, and that it’s important to awaken that creative side in us all.
School for the Creative Arts Programs
Art Bites Program
Coordinators: Margery Blom & Rhonda Roy
A variety of 2-hour introductory classes, with materials included, designed to let individuals try out different mediums to see what they like.
Creative Kids Program
Coordinator: Alex Carr
Our goal is for kids 8-12 to have fun through creative expression while learning some basic art elements, art principles and art history.
Art Gems Program
Coordinators: Margery Blom & Rhonda Roy
A dynamic and ever-changing selection of 4-hour art workshops for all levels of art experience.
ART Therapy Open Studio
Coordinator: Heidi Abbott, Art Therapist
Making art together can support us to move through life’s challenges, address creative blocks, free ourselves to find our unique style of expression and release self-judgement.
Join us, it’s drop in, by donation and supplies are provided.
Digital Literacy: Apple Technology Workshops
Coordinator: Dan LaRocque
Workshops to help you get the most from your Apple devices, for beginners and beyond.
Youth Art Lab
Youth Art Lab is designed to provide secondary students with a special interest in art a chance to study particular subject areas in more depth with MAC Artist Instructors.
Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the principles of art and how they might apply to their own art practice.
Aging Artfully Program
Coordinator: Ann Tardiff
A free art program for seniors in the Oceanside area sponsored by the Oceanside Community Arts Council (OCAC)
Summer Plein Air Journeys
Plein air painting provides unique opportunities and challenges, and is a wonderful way to enjoy the outdoors. This program offers the experience of painting outdoors in a variety of local settings with the aid of an experienced plein air painter.
All levels of experience are welcome and all materials provided.
Associate Faculty
Associate Faculty are those instructors who hold regular classes and workshops at the MAC, including our popular Art Bites program.
Heidi Abbott
Multi-Media Artist, Art Therapist
ART Therapy Open Studio Program Coordinator
Margery Blom
Oil Painter- Art Bites, Art Gems, and Workshops
Art Gems and Art Bites Program Coordinator
Rita Blom
Zentangle and Fibre Artist – Art Bites
Crystal Burgess
Multi-Media Artist – Creative Kids
Peggy Burkosky
Watercolour Artist –
Art Gems
Alex Carr
Visual Artist – Art Bites
Creative Kids Program Coordinator
Kat Cearns
Visual Artist – Creative Kids
Darrell Giraldeau
Textile Artist – Art Bites
Laurel Karjala
Visual Artist, Writer – Art Bites
Nancy Lyon
Watercolour Artist – Aging Artfully
Michelle Manke
Fibre Art and Mixed Media Artist – Art Bites and Artist Trading Cards
Lynn Orriss
Multi-Media Artist – Faculty Advisor
Carol Ann Owers
Multi-Media Artist – Art Bites, Art Gems, and Workshops
Megan Riera
Multi-Media Artist – Creative Kids
Carolyn Shaw
Textile Artist – Art Bites
Ann Tardiff
Acrylic Artist
Aging Artfully Program Coordinator
Mary Unger
Acrylic and Alcohol Ink Artist, Art Bites
The McMillan Arts Centre is located on the traditional territory of the Coast Salish Nations, home to the Snaw-Naw-As First Nation
and the Qualicum First Nation