Centauri Arts Academy Blog
Book Recommendations for Teenagers
Our Semester 2 arts classes are now underway, and in our first Creative Writing Class we asked our teens to recommend a great book they had read recently. I am sharing their list here. Some of these books (like Sophie’s World) are classics really, while others are young adult novels. One writer recommended a book they read as a young child that stayed with them, and there are a couple of dense and challenging [...]
Announcing Julie Hartley’s New Novel: The Promise She Made.
Julie Hartley is co-director of Centauri Arts, and in addition to leading our creative writing workshops, camps and retreats she is also a successful author, writing historical fiction for Bookouture UK. While her books are marketed for adults, all content is suited to young adult readers too. We are thrilled to announce that her latest novel is out now in print and as an e-book. The Promise She Made It’s September 1940, and with [...]
2025 Summer Art Camps in Bloor West Village, Toronto
Registration Now Open for 2025 Summer Art Courses! Intensive, week-long fine art and digital art camp programs for kids and teens ages 9-17. Camps run throughout July and August, virtually and in our Toronto arts studio in Bloor West Village, close to Etobicoke, Swansea, High Park and the Junction. We are close to both Jane and Runnymede subway stations. Summer art programs run for four hours each day, and all [...]
2025 Summer Writing Camps in Bloor West Village, Toronto
Registration Now Open for 2025 Summer Writing Courses! Intensive, week-long writing camp programs for kids and teens ages 9-17 throughout July and August, virtually and in our Toronto arts studio in Bloor West Village, close to Etobicoke, Swansea, High Park and the Junction. We are close to both Jane and Runnymede subway stations. Summer writing prgrams run for four hours each day, and all courses are led by experienced arts [...]
2025 Day Camps in Bloor West Village, Toronto
Registration Now Open for 2025 Half Day Camps This Summer! Intensive, week-long day camp programs for ages 9-17 throughout July and August, virtually and in our Toronto arts studio in Bloor West Village, close to Etobicoke, Swansea, High Park and the Junction. We are close to both Jane and Runnymede subway stations. Summer Programs run for four hours each day, and all courses are led by experienced arts professionals. Immerse yourself in the arts [...]
Planning a Novel or Memoir. April 12 2025
Hybrid – join us on Zoom or in our Bloor West Studio Saturday 12 April 2025. 2pm to 4.30pm EST Open to adult writers, and teen writers 16+ Join us for a lively workshop on the process of plotting and planning a novel or memoir. We’ll cover Five Act Structure, the Three Peaks Method, Inciting Incidents and Character Transformation. We’ll also look at what makes a satisfying protagonist, how to choose your point of [...]
2025 arts classes start January 27th at Centauri Arts, Bloor West Studio.
After-school and weekend classes for kids and teens in Creative Writing, Acting, Film-Making and Fine Art start January 2025 in our Bloor West Village studio in Toronto and online! Creative Writing Classes for kids and teens Creative Writing Salons In our Bloor West Village Studio: Saturdays, 11.15am-12.45pm for ages 12-17: Tuesdays 5.00pm-6.30pm Ages 9-13 or Virtually, on Zoom: Wednesday, 7pm-8.30pm (ET) Our Creative Writing Classes bring together young people who love to write, and [...]
The Business of Writing. March 29 2025
Hybrid – join us on Zoom or in our Bloor West Studio Saturday 29 March 2025. 2pm to 4.30pm EST Open to adult writers, and teen writers 16+ Join us for an intensive workshop on the business of getting published. Learn how to prepare a manuscript for publication, and explore the options open to you once your book is ready. We will look at sample query letters and learn how to make your letter [...]
The Joy of Words: An Adult Writing Salon
Saturdays 9.30am-11.00am, ages 18+ only, Hybrid: In our Bloor West Studio or Virtual 5 weeks, starting Saturday 1 February Leave the cares of the world behind and reconnect with your creative self! There’s something in this writing workshop for everyone – seasoned writers hoping to rediscover the joy of writing, curious beginners and anyone who feels they have a story to tell. We’ll gather over morning coffee to write, laugh and share. Each week [...]
Reflecting on Our Creative Writing Retreat in Mexico
It is difficult to imagine a city more perfect for a creative writing retreat than Merida in Mexico. This was our fourth year running a writing retreat here, and it was spectacular. Our Creative Writing Workshops Each morning we began our writing workshops on a glorious, colourful terrace in our lovely boutique hotel, surrounded by flowers and greenery. As the sun rose over the walls ninety minutes or so into our writing workshops, we [...]
