 |
|
Paradise Found in River Heights
 For the past 16 years, Paradise Found Art School has been a valued member of Academy Road and an original BIZ member. Paradise Found is the place to go to learn how to channel your creative juices into a variety of mediums. They offer small group instruction in drawing, painting, and ceramic sculpture. Classes being offered include beginner, intermediate and advanced levels. “All classes have limited enrollment to permit personalized instruction and give each student a sense of direction in their work,” says Jeff Kerr, who along with his wife, Laura, are the owners and instructors at the school.
Although Paradise Found does provide some lessons for adults, their primary focus is with children aged 6 and up, who Jeff Kerr believes “deserve more than just arts & crafts.” Paradise Found has developed a program which gives children the opportunity to explore a variety of real art media in a creative setting. They encourage children to learn, exercise their imaginations and have fun through challenging, yet age-appropriate concepts. Growing up in River Heights, Jeff and Laura have a real sense of community. They do their best to convey this to the children in the school by providing a small, warm, homey feel to the studio. “Most of our students are here year after year and grow up with us,” explains Jeff. “We build and maintain relationships.”
The eye catching sculpture out front of Paradise Found, named “Discover,” was
created by the students of Paradise Found class of 2006, and consists of painted ceramic on wood. The intent of Discover was to create an actual public work of art - a sculpture intended not for a coffee table or the top of a TV set, but for all to enjoy. Future plans for the sculpture, which is in the shape of a “T”, include adding an “A” and “R” so that when complete the 3 letters will form the word ART.
Discover is actually more of an installation than a sculpture. It is site-specific and permanent. It represents 16 years of asking challenging questions, trying different approaches, making changes and growing. The challenge for Jeff and Laura is to never repeat the same project twice. The key lesson which they teach their students is to always remain positive and self-confident, even when they aren't sure what the final product will be. Although the students have to focus on the task at hand, a part of them has to stay open to the unexpected. Each student is unique, and each takes a different approach to discovery. Hopefully, gazing at this installation will give them that 'eureka' moment. The sculpture is dedicated to the enthusiasm, energy and imagination of the students of Paradise Found.
Fall and winter classes in drawing, painting and sculpture are 28 weeks in duration. Programs for children ages 6 - 11 are one and a half hours in length, and focus on the fundamentals of art. The advanced program is two hours in length and challenges children ages 8 - 11 with more complex concepts. Members of the Teen Art Program focus on observation and composition skills while developing ideas according to personal interests.
Contact Paradise Found for registration. Paradise Found Art School is located at 565 Academy Road, 488-5944. For more information visit them online at www.paradisefoundartschool.com.
back to top |
|
ATTENTION RESIDENTS:
A Call Out for Your Historic Photos and Stories
The Academy Road BIZ is looking for photographs and information about the history of Academy Road. The new sitting plaza at the corner of Academy Road and Wellington Crescent South features a stone cairn which will include 4 interpretive panels. It is to be installed in early 2011. These 4 panels tell the history of the Uptown Theatre (now
Academy Uptown Lanes at 394 Academy), The Julia Clark School (615
Academy), Academy Road Service (591 Academy) and St. Mary's Academy, for which Academy Road was named. More streetscaping projects are in the works. Projects will include more historical panels with the goal of interpreting the unique history of our neighborhood while enhancing the pedestrian experience of Academy Road. In addition to historical buildings, topics will include famous neighborhood houses, famous people associated with the neighborhood, the streetcars which used to operate on Academy Road, and many more. If you have photos or stories please let us know at info@academyroadbiz.com or contact Jeff at info@paradiseart.ca.
|
