Hi everyone,

It’s class-photo and Halloween week. Why can’t class pictures be taken on costume day? A question for another newsletter. For now: Our November–December courses begin next week—sign up this week to join us from the start! A few have sold out, a few are getting close, but there are still great options for you and your kids!

I sat in on yesterday’s editorial meeting for The Slice, where the kids were finishing ads, polishing puzzles, and scanning interviews and features for the first issue of Hot Pizza’s magazine. Final projects from other courses are taking shape, and it’s amazing to see what the 150+ kids in this term’s courses have dreamed up.

Trying not to eat the candy we bought for trick-or-treaters,
Brian

Last call for November–December courses—Kids

Our weekday Deep Dish sections have sold out at both locations, along with Comics and Creature Creation Lab at Osler. But there are still great options for your kids to get creative, learn new skills, and feel proud of making something by hand:

At 1152 College St.

Comics
Tuesdays, 4–6 p.m., Grades 3–7

Learn how images and words work together to tell strong visual stories—from character design and expressions to settings, panels, and pacing.

Soft Studio
Thursdays, 4–6 p.m., Grades 2–6

Design and construct stuffed animals, strange creatures, wearable pieces, even room décor! Kids will develop ideas through sketching, pattern-making, hand-and-machine sewing, embroidery, crochet, and fabric embellishment.

Deep Dish
Saturdays, 9:30–11 a.m., Grades 1–6

This open-ended studio, in which kids are guided through multiple activities each week, has sold out on weekdays for six semesters in a row. So now we’ve made it available on weekends, for kids with swimming, other sports, tutors, or other weekday activities.

Browse all kids’ courses at 1152 College St.

At 134 Osler St.

Soft Studio
Mondays, 4–6 p.m., Grades 2–6

Design and construct stuffed animals, strange creatures, wearable pieces, even room décor! Kids will develop ideas through sketching, pattern-making, hand-and-machine sewing, embroidery, crochet, and fabric embellishment.

Dungeons & Dragons Studio
Fridays, 4–6 p.m., Grades 3–8

Kids will design their own characters, then build the world around them by crafting game boards, maps, tokens, and props using a mix of drawing, collage, sculpture, and found materials. Then they’ll play the game together, using teamwork, storytelling, and problem-solving to guide the party through quests and surprises.

Browse all kids’ courses at 134 Osler St.

Last call for November–December courses—Adults

Kids shouldn’t get all the fun—at Halloween or in extracurricular activities. So I hope you’ve got a great costume idea and a desire to paint, sew, or learn some art-making fundamentals. We can help with the latter!

Back to Basics
Mondays, 6:30–8:30 p.m. at 1152 College St.

This relaxed, encouraging course is for beginners, art-curious adults, and anyone still recovering from a horrible high-school art teacher. Through playful projects and clear, approachable exercises, we’ll explore the fundamentals of drawing, colour, composition, oil pastels, painting, and more. No experience—and absolutely no artistic confidence—required.

Oil Painting
Wednesdays, 6:30–8:30 p.m. at 134 Osler St.

This class will explore the basics of oil painting, including colour theory, composition, and a variety of application strategies. All skill levels are welcome! Each class will build upon the previous session, and, because it mixes group instruction and one-on-one attention, returning students can continue where they left off!

Zero-waste Sewing
Thursdays, 6:30–8:30 p.m. at 1152 College St.

This is a hands-on course for making garments that fit you while using nearly every scrap of fabric. You will learn the essentials, including machine basics, taking measurements, cutting, seam finishing, and construction, in a supportive, community studio setting. We will complete three practical, style-forward projects, plus cover the basic care and maintenance of sewing machines.

Five interesting links

The other week, a neighbour mentioned enjoying the links I shared this summer, so here are five more things worth a little of your time. Have some fun, positive screen time exploring with your kids. If you find something you like, thank Charlotte!

• Guitoro. Choose your guitar, choose your key, and use your keyboard to strum away.

• Max Verstappen vs. 100 amateur go-kart racers. A little bit over-produced, but fun! Can he pass all of them in thirty laps?

• Local Wikipedia. Enter your postal code or click “use my location” and get a list of Wikipedia articles within walking distance of you. (Pro tip: the Wikipedia app has a Places tab that does the same thing—great for when you’re traveling!)

• All the ways to make bubble tea. Build your own, with twelve million possible combinations.

• Open Spaces. Yes, it’s a two-minute Burberry commercial. But it’s also a beautiful and oddly touching combination of choreography and music, made by a Parisian film-directors’ collective that has done music videos for Rihanna and others.