Home » Arts & Life » Arts Issue » Take a break and unleash your creative side

Take a break and unleash your creative side

Take a chance and get in touch with your inner artist.
In the midst of exams and essays, many students find little time for artistic endeavours. However, while it may seem daunting to seek out an outlet for your creativity, finding a venue to draw, paint, sculpt or play can be beneficial to both your mind and soul. For students looking to find their inner Picasso or Rembrandt, you need not look further than the streets of London.
Below are a few opportunities where you can test your artistic skills and refine your talents.

Art Classes
Located on Aldersbrook Road, ArtVenture Art Studio offers drawing, painting and clay sculpting classes. ArtVenture is especially suited to individuals who crave freedom of direction, allowing artists to work alone during Open Studio time. This is particularly advantageous for students looking to develop a portfolio with the help of instructor feedback. ArtVenture Art Studio also takes submissions from local artists to showcase in its gallery space.
Other art studios in London: Forest City Gallery, the Arts Project, IMAGINE

Dance Classes
Students who want to venture into the more interpretive style of the arts can do so within the Western gates. Campus Recreation offers a variety of fitness classes, and also a number of dance classes. Whether you’re an intermediate dancer or a beginner who just feels the need to express yourself with your body, Campus Rec offers classes ranging from ballet and tap to modern dance and belly dancing. While students will get a small discount for these classes, be prepared to pay a fee.
Other dance studios in London: Dance Steps, Ballroom Blitz dance studio, Swan Studio Dance.

Writing Consultation
Penn Kemp, the Canada Council writer-in-residence at Western, holds weekly office hours for any writer from the university or the London community looking for feedback or consultation. Kemp requests works be submitted at least one week prior to your appointment, and accepts works of poetry, fiction, creative, non-fiction and drama.
Other writing opportunities: look around campus for publications that offer student submissions — you’ll be surprised to discover the number of avenues open to students.

Photography
Shutterbug — Western’s photography club — is a good opportunity for budding photographers looking to learn their way around a lens. The club welcomes students from a range of backgrounds, providing opportunities for even the most experienced to learn from their peers.

Cooking Classes
Creativity need not be confined to an easel — instead of mixing paints, you can mix ingredients to create a beautiful final product. Kiss the Cook on Richmond Street sells every utensil necessary to accommodate your cooking needs. For students willing to spend the dough, you can learn how to make a classy dish to impress your roommates in the cooking classes offered several times a week.
Other cooking lesson locations: Jill’s Table, specialty grocery stores such as Loblaws and your own kitchen with a group of friends and a cookbook.

If you’re looking for ways to get creative, your options do not end here. The city of London has a number of locations where any photographer, musician, artist, filmmaker or writer can thrive. Keep an ear out for speaker series, such as those offered at Museum London, or poetry jams and performances at various venues around London. After all, it is through appreciation of other people’s art that you can learn your own identity as an artist.

Follow the Gazette on Facebook and Twitter.