Classes & Workshops

Learn to love your art!














Upcoming Workshop

Taste is personal and so is artistic style.


In this painting class you will learn how to identify, love and develop your own style without fear or judgment. Your instructor, Carleton Place Gallery artist Nancy Brandsma, is fully bilingual. Classes will be a mixture of group discussions, class exercises and fun challenges alongside your personal painting projects. 

DATES: 4 Fridays, April 19, 26 & May 3, 10 from 1pm – 3:30pm
COST: $125 per person  |  More event information

Get your tickets!  

Teaching Approach

Her approach.

Be Authentic.
Follow your instincts.
Break all the rules.
And most importantly... have fun!

Nancy challenges her students to step outside their comfort zone so they can identify, develop and learn to love their own style.

Who? Everyone.

Classes are for people of all ages — from children to seniors. Her approach and teaching style are always tailored to suit the needs and interests of the student(s).

Worried about your skill level? Don't be. This is for everyone... "artists" and "non-artists."

Where? Anywhere.

• Classrooms
• Community centres
• Retirement homes
• Private homes
• Special art events

Nancy will bring the class to you and tailor it to your needs. Contact her to discuss details.

Testimonials

Les participants guidés par Nancy ... ont utilisé leurs créativité et les parents étaient fières de leurs réalisations.

"La coalition des familles francophones d’Ottawa des personnes avec déficience intellectuelle ou handicap de développement (CFFO) avons fait une session de peinture avec l’artiste Nancy Brandsma le 15 octobre à l’île Pétrie après notre randonnée automnale. Les participants guidés par Nancy ont réalisé des belles peintures sur les roches , ils ont utilisé leurs créativité et les parents étaient fières de leurs réalisations. Très belle expérience d’art ! Merci Nancy !" 

Mouna Saim Al Dahr

Présidente de la CFFO
Orleans, ON

Nancy est une artiste francophone enthousiaste et toujours tres engagée à répondre aux besoins du groupe avec lequel elle travaille.

"J'ai pris plusieurs cours de peinture avec Nancy dans les dernières années. Nancy est une artiste francophone enthousiaste et toujours tres engagée à répondre aux besoins du groupe avec lequel elle travaille. Elle est positive et encourageante. Ce que j'aime particulièrement c'est qu'elle me fait souvent voir mon œuvre d'un autre perspective et m'encourage toujours à me laisser aller dans mon processus de création."

Nancy is an enthusiastic Francophone artist who is always very committed to meeting the needs of the group she works with.

“I’ve taken several painting classes with Nancy over the past few years. Nancy is an enthusiastic Francophone artist who is always very committed to meeting the needs of the group she works with. She is positive and encouraging. What I particularly like is that she often makes me see my work from another perspective and always encourages me to let go in my creative process.”

Rachel Amyotte

Orleans, ON

Nancy conveys her knowledge, ideas, and most importantly her passion for art with all her students.

"For the past two years, I have been taking art lessons with the talented artist, Nancy Brandsma. I have learned so much in her classes! Nancy conveys her knowledge, ideas, and most importantly her passion for art with all her students. Nancy has taught me new techniques and has challenged me to surpass my expectations from which I have gained so much confidence in my talent and skills."

Sylvie Lamoureux-Dion

Orleans, ON

Nancy's patience and encouragement really helped me to explore and develop my own artistic expression.

"Although in the past I enjoyed many forms of creativity, I had zero experience with painting before working with Nancy. Although I was a little apprehensive at first, Nancy's patience and encouragement really helped me explore and develop my own artistic expression and style through use of acrylics. Rather than requiring me to paint a specific object or use a particular tool, she supplied a variety of tools and materials, demonstrated several interesting techniques, and then assisted me with the ones I wanted to learn.

Her approach and exercises get you hands-on right away. It's ideal because it lets you quickly grasp different concepts such as use of colour, textures and more. She never takes over your work. So you end up with a product that is 100% your own. You remain your own artist, and your work is a true reflection of self. I highly recommend Nancy as a teacher. Whether you have zero experience and want help getting started or if you have dabbled a bit before and want to enhance your skills. You will explore, create and have fun! " 

Stephanie Melin

Ottawa, ON

Training & Teaching Experience

Audience and training• Nancy's group classes and private sessions have been held with seniors, adults, teenagers, young children and the disabled
• Ten-plus years experience as an art teacher (in-person/virtual)
• Ten-plus years of art education at the Ottawa School of Art (OSA)
• Thirty hour Artist Educator Foundation Course presented by the Royal Conservatory
• Level 3 - Vulnerable Sector Police Record Check

Classes and workshops (current and previous)• Rendez-vous des aînés francophones d’Ottawa (RAFO)
• Mouvement d'implication francophone d'Orléans (MIFO)
• Conseil des écoles publiques de l'Est de l'Ontario (CEPEO), Festival Vision’Art, guest artist at De La Salle High School, Ottawa 
• Ottawa School of Art (OSA) volunteer teacher’s assistant for students between ages 9 to 11
• La Coalition des familles francophones d'Ottawa ​​​​(CFFO) de personnes avec déficience intellectuelle ou handicap de développement
• Revera Living
• Private Classes

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