AFAC 2011 Conference Schedule

2011 Conference Agenda "At a Glance"

2010 Detailed Agenda

2009 AFAC Conference & Art Show

Display your art FREE! Art Show: March 5-12th, 2011 - and be seen by 3,500+ persons in downtown Toronto.

To participate in the Art Show FREE:
Be one of the first 100 artists to register for the conference (see below) and you can display your art FREE in the Art Show.
On first day of conference bring one of your paintings, framed sculptures or photographs (up to 24"wide x 30"high in size framed and ready to hang) - and identified with: title of work; price; artist's name and contact information attached. After a SPECIAL EVENT (to be announced later), it will be hung for you and displayed for 1 week FREE in the main floor Rotunda in Metro Hall, Toronto.

Artists must sign a liability waiver. Security staff will oversee the art show during the week and buyers will contact you directly.
PAY NO COMMISSIONS: Art For All Canada (AFAC) does NOT charge artists any commissions on sale of their work.

AFAC 2011 Conference, March 5-6th, 2011, 3rd Floor, Metro Hall, Toronto - the only conference of its kind!
This conference is packed with can't-afford-to-miss educational presentations and workshops by successful professional artists (painters, sculptors, photographers) as well as demonstrations of the latest products from leading art materials suppliers. Attendees will learn how to become more successful artists, discover new techniques to sharpen their skills, gain more media attention and benefit from better marketing opportunities to show and sell their work through:

Conference is seating is limited. Don't miss this once-a-year opportunity to network with your peers over a complimentary buffet lunch each day. Full 2-day Conference fee is only $199 (until 31st January). There is an option to attend for only one day at a cost of only $125. Artists are strongly recommended to attend both days so as to be able to see as many different presentations and demos as possible. Avoid disappointment, Register now to attend.

The conference will have presentations, demonstrations and workshops on 3rd Floor in Rooms 304, 303, 302 and 310 in Metro Hall, John Street, Toronto. You may attend as many sessions as you wish. Note: seating is limited to 50 persons per session.

Day 1: Saturday March 5th, 2011
8:30 - 9:30 Main Floor Rotunda: Registration Opens Artists Deliver Paintings for Art Show
9:30 Rotunda: Opening Remarks by Sheila J. Mitchell, Executive Director, Art For All Canada, Inc.
+ SPECIAL EVENT in Rotunda - a "World's First" - all artists attending this conference are eligible to participate!
10:00- 3:30 R310 Alla prima Painting Workshop:* A Shorthand Approach to Portraits from Life by Juan Martinez
10:00-10:30 R304 Public Relations and Community Volunteerism: The Other 50% of a Successful Career by Ben Benedict
10:45-12:00 R304 The Potential of Pastel by Ruth Rodgers
10:00-11:00 R303 Art Has Many Colours - Pigment & Materials by Ann Kruzelecky
11:15-12:00 R303 My Magic Finger by Anne Abbott
10:00-10:30 R302 Looking for Light - The Evolution of an Image by Pasquale Marco Veltri
10:30-12:00 R302 Contemporary Expressive Drawing – or is it Painting? by Gwen Tooth

12:00 -1:00 Room 308 Free Buffet Lunch, Prize Giveaways and Sponsor Exhibits

1:00-1:45 R304 Marketing yourself and your artwork by Suzie Boudreau
2:00-4:00 R304 The Business of Art by Cristian S. Aluas
1:00-1:40 R303 The Agony and the Ecstacy of the Commissioning Process by Andrew Benyei
2:00-3:45 R303 Oil Painting in the 21st Century by Doug Purdon (sponsored by Winsor & Newton)
1:00-2:15 R302 Mixing Any Colour in Acrylics by Peter John Reid (sponsored by Tri-Art)
2:15-3:00 R302 Power Carving Community Story by Dorsey James
3:00-4:00 R302 Improve Your Creativity: attend this Blissful Sleep Workshop by Donene Lashbrook

Day 2: Sunday March 6th, 2011
9:00 R308 Registration Opens
9:45 R309 Opening Remarks by Sheila J. Mitchell, Executive Director, Art For All Canada, Inc.
10:00-12:00 R310 High Realist Painting with Acrylics by Doug Purdon (sponsored by Winsor & Newton)
10:00-11:00 R304 How to be a successful Fine Artist by Rea Kelly
11:00-11:30 R304 Art as an Instrument of Healing by Herbert Pryke
10:00-11:00 R303 Creating Raku Murals by Barbara Van Sickle
11:00-12:00 R303 Japanese Brushstroke Painting - The Ink Sings & the Brush Dances by Roslyn Levin
10:00-11:15 R302 Building your career as an Artist Entrepreneur by Lisa Rotenberg
10:30-12:00 R302 Encaustic painting demo by Kathryn Bevier (sponsored by Enkaustikos Wax Supplies)

12:00-1:00 Room 308 Free Buffet Lunch, Prize Giveaways and Sponsor Exhibits

1:00-2:30 R310 How to use Corel Painter Software and Tablet to Design your Work of Art by Joanna Turlej
1:00-2:30 R304 Marketing Art Online by Allen Class
2:30-4:00 R304 Photographing your art Workshop by Kevin Backs
1:00-2:00 R303 Living with clay demonstration: Wheel thrown and altered clay by Brenda Sullivan
2:00-3:30 R303 Self Expression Through Abstract Art by Janice Brown
1:00-3:00 R302 Water Soluble Oil with Palette Knife by Valerie Kent
3:00-4:00 R302 Painting in the Wild by Beverley Richardson

The conference will have presentations, demonstrations and workshops in Rooms 304, 303 and 302 in Metro Hall, King Street, Toronto. You may attend as many sessions as you wish. Note: seating is limited to 50 persons per session.

8:30-9:30 Main Floor Rotunda: Registration Opens + Artists Deliver Paintings for Art Show in Rotunda

9:30 Rotunda: Opening Remarks by Sheila J. Mitchell, Executive Director, Art For All Canada, Inc.
+ SPECIAL EVENT in Rotunda - a "World's First" - all artists attending this conference are eligible to participate!

10:00- 3:30 in R310 Alla prima Painting Workshop:* A Shorthand Approach to Portraits from Life by Juan Martinez
During the morning of all-day workshop, artists will observe a demonstration of an approach to painting of the live model. The instructor will provide tips and strategies on what to look for and what to avoid when working quickly to capture a likeness and create an appealing image in a short time. Then, using their own materials*, artists will be invited to put into practice what they have just learned.
Juan is a painter and a senior instructor at Toronto's Academy of Realist Art. He has received numerous awards and recognition and for his work and has been featured in publications including International Artist, American Artist, and Canadian Brushstroke Magazine. Juan also appeared in Season 1 of Star Portraits.

10:00-10:30 R304 Public Relations and Community Volunteerism: The Other 50% of a Successful Career by Ben Benedict
A presentation and discussion (Q & A) on my own personal career as well as generic tools and skills that a successful cultural worker should have in today's changing socio-economic and media climate including the importance of volunteering within the sector as a means of creating opportunity and working with local media to gain visibility for your work.
Ben Benedict of Benedict Creative Communications is a writer/editor, visual artist, cultural consultant, public relations and business communications professional and noted interviewer with over 1,000 publishing credits on arts, heritage, and culture with extensive experience in media including writing for magazine, newspaper, radio and television can be reached at www.bcreative.ca

10:45-11:55 R304 The Potential of Pastel by Ruth Rodgers
Although pastel is one of the most permanent of media, many have the misperception that it is merely a sketching or amateur medium. This presentation will trace the history and development of soft/dry pastel up to exciting recent developments. Expect to be surprised and inspired by the possibilities!
Ruth Rodgers, current President and signature member of the Pastel Artists Canada (PAC), has exhibited her pastel works in numerous juried and solo shows. Her website (www.ruthrodgers.com) includes a blog of recent activities. The organization's website (www.pastelartists.ca) gives information about the benefits of membership.

10:00-11:00 R303 Art Has Many Colours - Pigment & Materials by Ann Kruzelecky
This presentation will discuss the following aspects of pigments and materials:
What are Pigments?; Look Back to Early Man (Paint & Pigment and Petroglyphs); Mineral vs Biological Pigments;
Materials: Encaustics; Tempera; Gouache; Oil Paints; Watercolours; Pastels; Acrylic; Liquid Acrylic; Synthetic Pigments; Toxicity; and What’s Next for the Colour of art?
Ann Kruzelecky is immediate past-President of Beaconsfield Artists Association, Acting Quebec Regional Representative, Associate member and Director of the SCA and an executive member of the Baltic Artists Association of Montreal. She paints traditional subjects in a variety of media, thus finding new sources of inspiration in each piece. She is completing her BFA at Concordia University and paints every day in her home studio.

11:15-12:00 R303 My Magic Finger by Anne Abbott with communication assistant.
My presentation will focus on how I developed my craft; Not only my style of painting but the unique way I decided to use my index finger to apply the paint to the canvas. I will also explain why certain artists like Frida Khalo and Toulouse Lautrec inspired me.
Anne: "I began to paint when 3 years old and she never looked back. Born with Cerebral Palsy my movements are very uncoordinated but I use this to my advantage in my artwork. I have had seven art shows and have had articles written about me".

10:00-10:30 R302 Looking for Light - The Evolution of an Image by Pasquale Marco Veltri
This presentation discusses the evolution of personal image making ans considers: What is an Image?; Connecting images into a series; Finding an audience; Documenting your life and Perspective; Moving beyond your Style; Storytelling and Metaphoric images.
Marco Veltri is a Canadian filmmaker and photographer whose unique vision crosses the boundaries of culture and language. Producing, directing, cinematography and writing has given Pasquale a well rounded, integrated, and holistic approach to the art of cinema. His films have screened in Canada, Britain, France, Italy, and Egypt. He has published a book, been interviewed in both local and Italian Canadian television and his work has been shown in exhibitions throughout his career as an artist.

10:30-12:00 R302 Contemporary Expressive Drawing – or is it Painting? by Gwen Tooth
The artist will introduce approaches to expressive drawing in a contemporary context, including references to the production of current artists. She will display examples of her own experimentation with drawing materials and will provide a handout listing books and options for further study.
Gwen has been studying art and art history for almost forty years, including workshops with American and Canadian artists. She regularly exhibits her paintings, drawings and prints in both solo and group venues. She teaches Approaches to Expressive Acrylics, Contemporary Drawing, and Collage.

Ý 12:30 -1:30 Room 308 Buffet Lunch, Prize Giveaways and Sponsor Exhibits

1:00-1:45 R304 Marketing yourself and your artwork by Suzie Boudreau
Suzie will discuss the online channels and tools that are available to promote your art and show you how use traditional medias to your advantage. She even shows you a sample artist’s marketing campaign.
Suzie Boudreault is a native of Montreal, Quebec. Her main studio is in Toronto (Ontario) and she also has a studio in St-Émile de Suffolk (Québec). She started painting in 1983 and became a professional full time artist in 2008, under the brand name SuzieB.

2:00-4:00 R304 The Business of Art by Cristian S. Aluas
Starting out in the art business, and making a successful journey in the art world, looking at opportunities for artists, how to get and do art exhibits, working with galleries, commissions, and budgeting.
Cristian S. Aluas is a full-time professional artist from the Ottawa area, with numerous exhibits, and artworks sold.

1:00-1:40 R303 The Agony and the Ecstacy of the Commissioning Process by Andrew Benyei
This presentation is about my experiences dealing with clients for whom I have done art commissions. I use slides to show the work and talk about how they were created, the challenges of understanding what clients want and reactions and responses of clients . The presentation takes on a humorous tone.
Andrew Benyei took only four decades to find his true passion, art. He graduated from engineering and business school, and carried his briefcase for almost 20 years. In 1990 he walked away from his career to complete a diploma at the Ontario College of Art and Design and pursued his art full time. Andrew is best known for his figurative sculptures that capture human dynamics as well as the human condition.

2:00-3:45 R303 Oil Painting in the 21st Century by Doug Purdon (sponsored by Winsor & Newton)
Oil painting has changed dramatically in the past few years. In this workshop you will learn about the exciting new mediums and colours that will allow you to achieve results never before imagined. You will also learn about technically correct painting practices and when and how to varnish an oil painting. If you are an oil painter you should not miss this presentation.
Doug is a professional painter and Educational and Technical Advisor for Winsor & Newton. He lectures on painting materials and techniques at colleges and universities including University of Toronto's School of Continuing Studies and Loyalist College. His work is exhibited in galleries in Canada, US and Britain.

1:00-2:15 R302 Mixing Any Colour in Acrylics by Peter John Reid (sponsored by Tri-Art)
The key to a good painting is 'looking good', whether it's colour or form you need to be able to see these components. In this presentation, sponsored by Tri-Art, artist and author Peter John Reid will discuss how to see and understand colour and how to mix ANY colour. It is guaranteed that after this presentation, you will be so 'good looking' you will have to fight admirers off.
Peter John Reid is a painter primarily in acrylics and author of the how-to book ‘Acrylics’ which is becoming a mainstay in the study of Acrylic painting. Peter’s fun, effective teaching style has inspired students in his popular Acrylic painting classes at Blue Mountain School of Landscape Painting and Southampton Art School.

2:15-3:00 R302 Power Carving Community Story by Dorsey James
The time will fly during this fascinating slide presentation of the carvings that the artist has created based on world mythology and legend and his teaching of at risk youth how to carve with high speed rotary grinders.
Dorsey James, now Canadian, was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. After four years as a jet aircraft mechanic in the US Air Force, he immigrated to Toronto and eventually studied Visual Arts and Education at York University. His sculptures have been exhibited across Canada as well as in the United States and Germany. Dorsey was awarded a commission by the Ontario Trillium Foundation and the City of Pickering for his waterfront sculpture installation entitled “Home Place”. As a former high school teacher he was also awarded The Outstanding Service Award for 2003 by The York Region District School Board.

3:00-4:00 R302 Improve Your Creativity: attend this Blissful Sleep Workshop by Donene Lashbrook
Blissful Sleep workshop is a fun and interactive program for discovering healthier sleep habits through: Awareness: Sleep challenges discussion pertaining to artists; Learn: Leading sleep experts' tips and advice; Discover: How to get your best ever sleep; Individualized Sleep Plan: Take home sleep worksheet for immediate implementation of specific sleep hygiene tips.
Donene Lashbrook is CEO, Recovering Insomniac and Inventor at the BestEverSleep Company. After years of researching and testing drug-free solutions and overcoming her own sleep apnea, insomnia, lethargy and deteriorating health challenges, Donene is passionate about helping others optimize creativity, vitality and a renewed zest for living. Member of: Beach Guild of Fine Art, Toronto Don Valley Art Club, Cafe Society, Toronto.

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Day 2: Sunday March 6th, 2011

9:00am Conference Registration in Room 308

9:45am Opening Remarks in R308 by Sheila J. Mitchell, Executive Director, Art For All Canada, Inc.

10:00-12:00 R310 High Realist Painting with Acrylics by Doug Purdon (sponsored by Winsor & Newton)
Winsor & Newton’s new acrylic colour is a heavy body paint that is excellent for traditional and realist painting. See the working properties of these previously unavailable acrylics and learn to use the new range of pigments effectively to create realistic paintings that equal the brilliance of oil colour. Doug is a professional painter and Educational and Technical Advisor for Winsor & Newton. He lectures on painting materials and techniques at colleges and universities including University of Toronto's School of Continuing Studies and Loyalist College. His work is exhibited in galleries in Canada, US and Britain.

10:00-11:00 R304 How to be a successful Fine Artist by Rea Kelly
An energetic chat about how to: stay inspired, promote yourself wisely, inexpensively and with the environment in mind; as well as how to network and participate in arts events around your area.
Rea began her art career pretty much when she could hold a crayon. Since '92/'93 after some OCAD courses in drawing and painting, she continued to expand into watercolour, oils, and most recently acrylics. She is an annual speaker for past ten years at OCAD U's 3rd year advertising students. She is also passionate about sharing her knowledge.

11:00-11:30 R304 Art as an Instrument of Healing by Herbert Pryke
Art reaches out and connects people. It makes us reflect and take a closer look at life. It changes our emotions. Scientists have proven our emotional well-being and our physical health are directly related. Art can heal.
Herbert is an artist, writer, publisher and founder of Artcures Inc. a non-profit organization creating events to help inspire people to live passionate and creative lives. Herbert uses his personal experience with art and cancer recovery to promote others to use their creativity to help others and in turn, themselves.

10:00-11:00 R303 Creating Raku Murals by Barbara Van Sickle
This demonstration will include design and preparation of paper template, preparing the slabs, transferring the design, creating the individual pieces, the drying process, firing and glazing techniques and assembling techniques in creating a raku mural.
Barbara has worked as a full time ceramic artist since 2003. Her work has been wide ranging including functional pottery, raku vessels and raku murals. Techniques include hand building and thrown and altered wheel pieces. Her work has been shown in a variety of juried exhibitions nationally and internationally.

11:00-12:00 R303 Japanese Brushstroke Painting - The Ink Sings & the Brush Dances by Roslyn Levin
This demonstration will not only cover the history of this beautiful and difficult art form, but also talk about the Four Gentlemen of brushstroke painting - Inkstone (suzuri), black ink (sumi), brush (fude) and rice paper (washi) - and demonstrate this painting technique. She hopes that at the end of her demonstration you, like her will say, "The Ink Sings and the Brush Dances"!
Roslyn, whose studio is in Dragonfly Arts on Broadway in Orangeville ON, is an award-winning Oriental Brushstroke painter in the sumi-e or Japanese tradition.

10:00-10:30 R302 Building your career as an Artist Entrepreneur by Lisa Rotenberg
The title of this lively, funny, presentation says it all. It's short, she thinks only the Pope or President should speak for longer!
Canadian artist Lisa Rotenberg has been a graphic designer, and account director, gallery owner, painter, illustrator, eBay Powerseller, print manager and recently, rolling all these skills into her rare coffee company business. She is funny, clever and always willing to share her secrets!

10:30-12:00 R302 Encaustic painting demo by Kathryn Bevier (sponsored by Enkaustikos Wax Art Supplies, Rochester, N.Y.)
Find out the just how versatile this wax based painting medium is and how you might find ways of incorporating it into your own art form. Kathryn will cover the basic working properties of encaustic paints. As time allows she will demonstrate how to create a variety of surface textures, as well as show how to use encaustics for an array of mixed media applications, printmaking and image transfer. Kathryn Bevier has traveled extensively throughout the US and Canada for Enkaustikos Wax Art Supplies to provide learning opportunities. Kathryn earned her BFA at Lyme Academy College of Fine Art where she was classically trained. As product manager for Enkaustikos she supervises paint production maintaining the highest quality control standards. Kathryn also tests and evaluates new pigments to determine their compatibility for encaustic painting.

Ý 12:00-1:00 Room 308 Buffet Lunch, Prize Giveaways and Sponsor Exhibits

1:00-2:30 R310 How to use Adobe Photoshop, Corel Painter Software and Tablet to Design your Work of Art by Joanna Turlej Unlock your creative “juices”, learning how Adobe Photoshop and Corel Painter can aid in designing your final piece of art without unnecessarily wasting money on supplies. Use the same painting tools you normally use or experiment with new ones right on your computer “canvas”, before you transfer your design onto a real canvas.
Joanna Turlej graduated from OCAD University, where she studied graphic design and fine art. She has had a graphic/Web site design business for many years. In recent 10 years, she has become a professional artist. This unique set of skills, allows her to use computer software to design her paintings.

1:00-2:30 R304 Marketing Art Online by Allen Class
This presentation is rich with real-life examples of artists who market their art globally and the approaches they have taken. It covers website design, email communications, blogging, use of social media like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, SEO, auctions, online galleries and sales fulfillment. You are sure to find this presentation entertaining as well as informative.
Allen Class has been involved with the Internet from the beginning. His popular presentation, Art and the Internet, has been delivered to every major art organization in the GTA. He writes a blog, called ArtGoneGlobal, about marketing art on the Internet and over 600 hundred artists subscribe to his weekly newsletter.

2:30-4:00 R304 Photographing Your Art Workshop by Kevin Backs
Catalogues, books, magazines, the web ... Besides hanging their work in galleries, artists need to show their creations in many media, both for the satisfaction of sharing and to increase sales. After this workshop you will make better photographs of your work. Kevin Backs is a self-taught photographer who doesn't always make art, but often creates photos that people enjoy looking at.

1:00-2:00 R303 Living with clay demonstration: Wheel thrown and altered clay by Brenda Sullivan
This talk will chronologically follow the life of Brenda Sullivan, ceramic artist - from early inspirations to production potter to studio potter with her own gallery to Medalta and the beginnings of ceramic sculpture. The Wheel demo will consist of throwing standard shapes on the wheel then altering them.
Brenda's career in ceramics started in Newfoundland and continued in Quebec, studying with Rosalie Namer at McDonald College and later with Pierre Legault. Three studio/galleries later, she now operates Dragon Clay Gallery in Port Hope where continues her ceramic work and has embarked on new studies in clay sculpture.

2:00-3:30 R303 Self Expression Through Abstract Art by Janice Brown
Learn techniques to assist in designing an abstract layout. Develop designs and learn how to use primary, harmonizing, monochromatic, contrasting, complimentary, monotones, colour schemes. Learn how to have fun with acrlic inks and how to seal the work. Take home enough ideas to last a lifetime of Art.
Janice is a well known artist, both here and abroad. She has a background in interior design and planning, as well as designing murals in commercial property. She has taught art and design for 16 years as a teacher and instructor in England.

1:00-3:00 R302 Water Soluble Oil with Palette Knife by Valerie Kent
Water Soluble Oil has all the qualities of traditional oils, but allows for a fuss free clean up with water. It is very versatile in terms of being functional for glazes, and with use for impasto and it can be applied nice and thick with a brush. This demonstration will be a landscape alla prima, without glazing, however, it will have a pre-applied complimentary coloured undercoat and be painted with a palette knife. As the artist is working she will talk about focal points (centre of interest) and various compositional shapes which might break up the space in a picture in pleasing ways, and direct the viewer’s gaze in a preordained direction. It will be explained how counterchange can focus the eye to the centre of interest and ways in which the viewer can be directed around the picture plane. As important as knowing the rules, it is also important to understand when to break the rules to get a fresh, innovative take on a tried and true scene.
Valerie Kent, B.F.A., B.Ed., M.F.A., O.C.T. is an award-winning artist and teacher. She studied at Ecole des Beaux Arts in Montreal, Concordia, U of Iowa, York, St. Francis Xavier, Toronto Universities and at the Ontario Studies in Education. Valerie facilitates workshops and courses in Canada, Italy and France. Her work is collected worldwide.

3:00-4:00 R302 Painting in the Wild by Beverley Richardson
Head out into the great outdoors and paint with confidence. Presentation will cover all aspects of getting started: equipment needed, personal safety, life on the road and in the wilds. Includes slide show, equipment display, and supply lists will be handed out.
Beverley Richardson studied creativity at York University, Hon. B.A. She graduated Isis Canada, and the European Graduate School, in Saas Fee, Switzerland with a Master's Degree in Expressive Arts Therapy. Beverley's studio has been in King Township for the past 16 years, and she enjoys traveling in her Artmobile, painting Canada's natural beauty wherever she finds it.

Conference SEATING IS STRICTLY LIMITED so Register now to avoid disappointment.
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