Classes & Workshops

Instructor: Yilu Xing
Dates: Tuesdays, September 9, 16, 23, and October 7, 6 to 9 pm
Location: Alberta Printmakers
A/P Studio, #460 42 Ave SE
Calgary, AB
Cost: $295

Visit HERE to register

Join us for this workshop and discover the joy of textile screen printing! This beginner-friendly class will introduce you to essential silk screen printing techniques and give you hands-on experience printing with various inks on fabric.

We’ll guide you through the entire process, from preparing a screen with photo emulsion to exposing it with different stencils and getting it ready for printing. With all the fundamental techniques covered, you’ll be well-equipped to start your own textile printing projects. You’re also welcome to bring your own clothes or tote bags made from natural materials to print your designs on.

What you’ll learn: ​​​​

- Understanding your screen, fabric, and squeegee options, so that you can make informed choices
- Demonstration of photo emulsion coating and exposure
- What to consider when designing imagery for printing on textiles and specific techniques for pulling prints on fabric
- A chance to try out some unusual inks and experimental processes
- Make prints that last! How to finish and care for your textile print.  
- Q&A time

About the instructor:

Yilu Xing is an artist-educator with a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts from the Alberta University of the Arts and a Master’s degree in Fine Arts from the University of Alberta, specialized in Printmaking. Xing is the recipient of grants and scholarships from the Canada Council for the Arts and the Social Science and Humanities Research Council, which support her research exploring themes related to culinary cultures, human connections, and the transmission of traditions within immigrant families. Her recent work includes public-based interactive installations, prints, drawings, ceramics, and videos. Xing has also taught art courses within the community and at the University of Alberta.

Website: https://www.yiluxing.ca

Instagram: @helloyilu

Instructor: Jonathan Creese, Jamie-Lee Girodat, Stephanie Hayward, Hannah Sandford, and Tracy Wormsbecker
Date: Saturday, September 13, 2025 from 10 am to 5 pm
Location: Alberta Printmakers
A/P Studio, #460 42 Ave SE
Calgary, AB
Cost: $135
Visit HERE to register

Want to learn more about the world of printmaking?

If you want to give it a go but have no idea where to start, this workshop is for you! You will get a hands-on taste of FOUR unique techniques, including screen printing, drypoint, linocut, and typesetting on a Nolan Proof Press.  Come away with four unique prints! This course is a perfect choice for those beginning in print or want to dabble in different techniques as a lead-up for taking further courses that Alberta Printmakers offers.

This workshop is for folks who are 18 years of age or older.

No experience necessary and all supplies are provided.

What is printmaking?

Printmaking includes a range of processes where ink is transferred from one surface (a matrix) to another (the substrate) to create an image. There are several printmaking techniques, including silkscreen, relief, etching, relief, letterpress, and lithography.

Printmaking has been used for both artistic and commercial purposes for hundreds of years (books, illustrations, artworks, newspapers, posters, textiles, etc), and it continues to be a popular and versatile medium for artists who print on various surfaces, such as paper, fabric, wood, and metal.

About each technique that you’ll learn in this sampler:

Drypoint is a process where a sharp, pointed tool is used to scratch a design into the surface of a matrix (often a copper or plexiglass plate). Ink is then applied to the plate and wiped off so that it remains only in the grooves before transferring the ink onto paper using a printing press that applies substantial pressure.

Participants will create, ink, and print their own 4”x6” plexiglass drypoint plate.

Typesetting: before digital applications like Microsoft Word or InDesign, compositions of text (as well as symbols, fancy decorative ornaments, and illustrations) were manually arranged and ‘set’ by placing movable physical pieces of ‘type’ onto a letterpress machine. The surface of the composed form is then inked and transferred onto paper.

Participants will work in small groups to compose a line of text using wood type before printing the text using a Nolan Proof Press multiple times.

Silkscreen is a process where ink is pressed through the openings of a fine fabric mesh (the screen, which was traditionally made of silk) onto a flat surface beneath using a squeegee.  Images are made by creating stencils that block some areas of the mesh, while leaving other areas open for the ink to pass through, resulting in a printed design.  

Participants will design and prepare vinyl stencils that they will attach to a silkscreen to print their own unique compositions onto paper.

Linocut is a process where the surface of a linoleum plate is carved into using special tools to remove areas of the linoleum. The areas that are not removed result in a raised design. Ink is then applied to the surface design and printed onto paper either through pressure applied by hand or using a printing press.

Participants will each carve and print a 4”x6” linocut plates by hand, as well as by using a table-top relief press.

What’s included with your registration:

- A directed drypoint carving, inking, and printing session on 4 x 6″ plexiglas plates
- A demonstration on type setting, followed by collaborating on a composition on the press
- Pulling your own prints off the Nolan press with the assistance of staff
- Designing and printing lino using a 4 x 6″ block
- Screen printing your own design using cut stencils

This event includes all project supplies, participants are recommended to prepare:

- Image ideas for drawing and carving
- Bring reading glasses if you need them for fine work.
- Wear suitable clothing for working with ink and/or a work apron.
- Wear close toed shoes and avoid overly loose long sleeves.
- Tie back long hair when operating machinery.
- Personal PPE (if uncomfortable with Shared Studio PPE)

Additional Notes:
Event limited to 16 Participants
This event is open to only participants of 18 years of age

The Alberta Foundation for the Arts (AFA) is pleased to announce a series of free webinar workshops for those interested in applying to the Visual Arts and New Media Individual Project Grant or the Indigenous Arts Individual Project Grant funding streams taking place during the month of August 2025.

These funding opportunities are available to independent artists or collectives only. The deadline to apply for both of these programs is September 2, 2025.

Our consultant Kari McQueen will provide a free webinar for those interested in applying. She will be providing tips and other useful information to apply for all project types, helping applicants develop their funding application and increasing their chances of success.

Dates and times for these workshops are listed below. To register for these workshops, please click on the registration links for your preferred date below.

Workshops for the Visual Arts and New Media Individual Grant

Tuesday, August 5, 2025 at 6-7:30 pm
Thursday, August 14, 2025 at 6-7:30 pm

Workshops for the Indigenous Arts Individual Grant

Wednesday, August 13, 2025 at 6-7:30 pm
Monday, August 18, 2025 at 6-7:30 pm

Pre-deadline Q&A Informal Webinars

In addition to the workshops above, Kari McQueen will also be offering free informal webinars for both grant programs being held just prior to the September 2, 2025 deadline to answer specific questions that may arise as applicants are working on and finishing up their applications. 

Applicants can register for those workshops at the links below.

Visual Art and New Media Individual Project: Monday, August 25, 2025
Indigenous Arts Individual Project: Tuesday, August 26, 2025

Registrants of these workshops are encouraged to take a look at the funding guidelines for the Visual Arts and New Media Project Funding and the Indigenous Arts Individual Project Funding streams, respectively.

PUPPET POWER 2025

October 18-19, 2025
In-person held at Calgary's Centre for Newcomers

INSPIRE, INFORM, GALVANIZE

Puppet Power 2025 (PP25) will delve into the complex subject of immigration, offering a creative and innovative perspective through the lens of puppetry.

WP Puppet Theatre is excited to share the amazing work being done by puppeteers from around the world, showcasing empathetic approaches, impactful interventions and inspiration as well as the challenges, failures and recoveries. Their three key goals are:

• To raise awareness of the many interconnected forces that shape global and local immigration
• To provide a platform for newcomers and those working in immigrant-serving organizations to share their personal stories
• To offer practical and inspiring methodologies for impactful interventions using applied puppetry practices.

The two-day hybrid event will feature: 

• Four live-streamed watch parties + quick puppet making activities
• A vibrant community-building evening event + dinner + professional puppet performance
• A puppet-infused Rapid Ideation session for Calgary social agencies working with immigrants
• In-person master puppet making workshops
• Post conference recordings and resources
• Saturday lunch, Saturday dinner and Sunday lunch.

PP25, the 13th iteration of WP Puppet Theatre’s signature festival, is designed as a call to action and professional development for adults, students, teachers, social workers and ‘helping professionals’ who are seeking mentoring and training in using puppetry in applied settings. 

With Calgary hospitality the friendly event also supports mental health and wellness through creativity, self-realization and connection.

For more information and to register for this event, please visit their website.

July 29, 2025

SU25 Grant Lab

Member Price

$199.00

General Admissions Price

$399.00

In this lecture-based course, participants will learn the fundamentals of grant writing specifically for independent filmmakers and media artists in Canada, and write a proposal in real-time during class. Participants will have the opportunity to workshop answers, timelines, and ideas with peers.

Led by Monica Gate, attendees will explore how to properly research and prepare for grants, write strong and compelling project proposals, create a clear and accurate budget, as well as appropriate supporting material.

Over the four weeks, we will learn how to write a Stream 1, 2, and 3 Individuals and Collective grant with for the Edmonton Arts Council. AFA and CCA grants will also be discussed, providing participants with experienced perspectives and advice. By the end of this course, participants will have a first draft of their grant proposal.

Participants are encouraged to have a grant-ready project upon entry to this course.

Register today on FAVA.ca