MAC School for the Creative Arts

Join us for an art class or workshop hosted by McMillan Arts Centre in Oceanside on Vancouver Island in Parksville / Qualicum Beach (PQB).

We have Art Bites, Art Gems, and Creative Kids classes and workshops throughout the year.

MAC School for the Creative Arts

Art Gems - Limited Colour Palette - BC Landscapes with Dorota Goede Sat Oct 25, 10 am - 2pm Artworks often lack in colour expression due to too much, or too strong, colours used. The best works of art are created by strategically placed neutral greys beside, and around, the...
Art Bites -Textures in Acrylics with Michelle Manke Sun Oct 26, 10am-12pm This class is an exploration of different acrylic texture mediums to create different effects in acrylic and mixed media.  Students can choose to create a sampler, abstract or image painting. All materials provided for this class. About the...
Art Bites - Miniature Painting with Lynn Orriss Sun Oct 26, 1-3 pm Miniature Painting: A painting of very small dimensions, anything represented on a greatly reduced scale.  We will be working in watercolour and ink to explore creating a true miniature painting. All materials provided for this class. About...
Art Gems - Fantastic Florals with Gelli Plates - Linda Greig Sat Nov 1, 10 am - 2pm We will start in the morning by creating unique papers using a gelli plate and a variety ofmaterials. During the afternoon session we will create an abstract floral painting using acrylic paint...
Art Bites - Intricate Dotillism with Jolene Hassard Sun Nov 2, 10 am-12 pm Learn the techniques of pointillism, and the basics of making consistently sized dots to create an image. We will cover pattern layout, the techniques of dot making, and making patterns to create floral images.  The end...
Art Bites - Slow Stitch with Margie Davidson Sun Nov 2, 1-3 pm Learn how hand-stitching can be a relaxing, creative, mindful art practice and how it connects to the “slow movement” culture.  All materials provided for this class. About the Instructor: Margie Davidson is a quilt artist and surface...
Art Gems - Coastal Harbours - Watercolours with Peggy Burkosky Sat Nov 8, 10 am - 2pm With a simplified palette and tips on good design, we will paint landforms, trees and common clouds typical of our west coast. All materials provided About the Instructor:  Since 1973, Peggy has experienced...
Art Bites -Paint & Play with Watercolours with Carol Ann Owers Sun Nov 9, 10 am-12 pm Dive into the world of watercolour in this fun, beginner-friendly art bite class.Discover how to create beautiful washes, blend colour, and add unique textures with simple, easy-to-learn techniques. By the end of the...
Art Bites - Alcohol Ink with Mary Unger Sun Nov 9, 1-3 pm In this session you will create with colourful alcohol ink using various tools and techniques while making free flow abstract designs.All materials provided for this class.About the Instructor:  Mary Unger was raised on the east coast of...
Art Gems - Mosaics with Debra Hagen Sat Nov 15, 10 am - 2pm Feel like experimenting with a medium that’s been used for thousands of years?! In this class students will have the opportunity to use the most coveted of mosaic material, Italian smalti. This glass tile comes in...
Art Bites - Fascinating Fluid Art with Barbara Townsend Sun Nov 16, 10 am-12 pm Create a fluid art painting using acrylics and a variety of pouring mediums. You’ll find out how to guide and work the mixtures to create the desired results, and finish your unique piece of fluid...
Art Bites - Fabric Collage with Margie Davidson Sun Nov 16, 1-3 pm Explore collage using fabrics to create abstract or realistic compositions.  Three different fabric attachment techniques will be covered to create fabric collage compositions, and examples of both abstract and realistic compositions will be shared. You’ll finish class...
Art Gems - Wire Fairy Sculpture with Sheena McCorquodale  Sat Nov 22 10 am - 2pm Create your own wire fairy sculpture, approximately 18” high, suitable for garden decor and more.  No experience needed and tools and pre-cut materials supplied.   All materials provided (bring your protective gardening gloves) Sheena...
Art Bites - Playful Portraits with Michelle Manke Sun Nov 22, 10am-12pm This class is a fun, casual approach to drawing  proportionally pleasing faces, then adding colour and embellishments to create unique portraits of real or imaginary people.  Students will be able to draw several faces and create one canvas...
Art Bites - Bold, Opaque Watercolours (Gouache) with Carol Ann Owers Sun Nov 23, 1-3 pm Discover 'gouache' (opaque watercolour) in this fun, hands-on class. You’ll learn to create stunning pieces on both white and black watercolour paper, exploring how colour and contrast bring your work to life. Perfect for...
Art Bites - Indigenous Medicine Bag with Barbara Townsend Sun Nov 30, 1-3 pm Learn the meaning and the story of the traditional medicine bag, while creating your own unique piece using leather, glass seed beads and traditional tools.   All materials provided for this class.About the Instructor:  Artist and...
Art Gems - Wire Angel Sculpture with Sheena McCorquodale  Sat Nov 29 10 am - 2pm Create your own wire angel sculpture, approximately 18” high, suitable for garden decor and more. No experience needed and tools and pre-cut materials supplied. All materials provided (bring your protective gardening gloves) Sheena says, “These...
Double Art Bites: Wet Felting an Illuminated Vase with Darrell Giraldeau Sun Dec 7, 10 am-2pm Explore the art of wet felting and create a holiday themed illuminated vase.  When your wet felted vase cover is complete, you’ll be able to add lights and have a lovely holiday centrepiece or...
Creative Kids:  After School Art Club Thurs Sept 18, 2025, 4pm-6pm Ages 8-15 years old Location:  MAC Studio Welcome to the Creative Kids After School Art Club. We are going to be making and learning all fall with awesome art projects, paintings, comics, art games and more. Every week we...
Creative Kids:  After School Art Club- Comic Book Class Thurs Sept 25, 2025, 4pm-6pm Ages 8-15 years old Location:  MAC Studio Welcome to the Creative Kids After School Art Club. We are going to be making and learning all fall with awesome art projects, paintings, comics, art games and more....
Creative Kids:  After School Art Club- Art Painting Class Thurs Oct 2, 2025, 4pm-6pm Ages 8-15 years old Location:  MAC Studio Welcome to the Creative Kids After School Art Club. We are going to be making and learning all fall with awesome art projects, paintings, comics, art games and more....
Creative Kids:  After School Art Club- Art Sketchbook Class Thurs Oct 9, 2025, 4pm-6pm Ages 8-15 years old Location:  MAC Studio Welcome to the Creative Kids After School Art Club. We are going to be making and learning all fall with awesome art projects, paintings, comics, art games and more....
Creative Kids:  After School Art Club Thurs Oct 16, 2025, 4pm-6pm Ages 8-15 years old Location:  MAC Studio Welcome to the Creative Kids After School Art Club. We are going to be making and learning all fall with awesome art projects, paintings, comics, art games and more. Every week we...
Creative Kids:  After School Art Club Thurs Oct 23, 2025, 4pm-6pm Ages 8-15 years old Location:  MAC Studio Welcome to the Creative Kids After School Art Club. We are going to be making and learning all fall with awesome art projects, paintings, comics, art games and more. Every week we...
Creative Kids:  After School Art Club Thurs Oct 30, 2025, 4pm-6pm Ages 8-15 years old Location:  MAC Studio Welcome to the Creative Kids After School Art Club. We are going to be making and learning all fall with awesome art projects, paintings, comics, art games and more. Every week we...
Creative Kids:  After School Art Club Thurs Nov 6, 2025, 4pm-6pm Ages 8-15 years old Location:  MAC Studio Welcome to the Creative Kids After School Art Club. We are going to be making and learning all fall with awesome art projects, paintings, comics, art games and more. Every week we...
Creative Kids:  After School Art Club Thurs Nov 6, 2025, 4pm-6pm Ages 8-15 years old Location:  MAC Studio Welcome to the Creative Kids After School Art Club. We are going to be making and learning all fall with awesome art projects, paintings, comics, art games and more. Every week we...
Creative Kids:  After School Art Club Thurs Nov 20, 2025, 4pm-6pm Ages 8-15 years old Location:  MAC Studio Welcome to the Creative Kids After School Art Club. We are going to be making and learning all fall with awesome art projects, paintings, comics, art games and more. Every week we...
Creative Kids:  After School Art Club Thurs Nov 27, 2025, 4pm-6pm Ages 8-15 years old Location:  MAC Studio Welcome to the Creative Kids After School Art Club. We are going to be making and learning all fall with awesome art projects, paintings, comics, art games and more. Every week we...
October 8, 2025 MAC Studio B 4:00 - 5:30pm Learn to back up, sync, and secure your data across iPhone, iPad, and Mac in this beginner-friendly workshop
October 15, 2025 MAC Studio B 4:00 - 5:30pm Learn the basics of macOS, manage files, customize settings, and build confidence with your Mac. Perfect for beginners
October 22, 2025 MAC Studio B 4:00 - 5:30pm Discover how to get the most from Mail, Messages, FaceTime, Photos, and more in this hands-on follow-up workshop.
October 29, 2025 MAC Studio B 4:00 - 5:30pm Master the Photos app on Mac or iPhone! Learn to organize, edit, and share images with ease using powerful tools and simple tips
Art Gems - Abstract Expressionism with Patricia Carroll Sat April 18, 10 am - 2pm When viewing abstract paintings one might feel that abstracts are easy. Well… anyone can throw paint on a surface, but making that surface personally satisfying is not so easy. Join me in creating an abstract...
Spinner