Academy Archives - Centauri Arts

Fabulous Fabric Arts

In our Bloor West Village Studio: Wednesdays 7.00pm to 8.30pm, Ages 11-17 Semester 2 (14 weeks) 29 January- 14 May Make original art with fabric in this exciting new program! Learn to knit, sew, embroider and weave… or if you have tried these before, take your skills to the next level. Explore natural dyes, up-cycle clothing and paint on fabric to create amazing, original designs. Reflect your personality in fashion illustrations and exciting wearable art. From collage to crochet, this program has it all! Create amazing art pieces and functional objects, collaborate with others and go solo, as you have fantastic fun with fabulous fabric arts! (Students in this program will be asked to bring a shirt or T shirt in their own size [...]

November 22nd, 2024|Fine Art Classes|

How to Raise an Introvert

For too long in our society, introverts have played second fiddle to the extroverts among us, and even in 2024, many people still see introversion as something to counteract. Is your child an introvert? If so, what does that mean? Read on to find out. What is an introvert? Being introverted is not the same thing as being shy! Introverts are often confident people. They can be terrific public speakers, and great leaders. So what is an introvert? Imagine two people attend a busy family event packed with people, where there is loud music and constant conversation; one of these people is an introvert and the other an extrovert. They may enjoy the party equally, and both engage with others throughout the event. However, the [...]

October 23rd, 2024|Academy, Parenting|

Special Effects Makeup Workshop

Saturday 26 October, 2 to 4pm. Ages 11-17 Join us at the Centauri Arts Studio in Bloor West Village for a 2-hour interactive workshop and learn how to create horror special effects in time for Halloween! This workshop will be run by Sydney Kowal, a professional SPFX makeup artist. You'll work in pairs, using makeup to create Special Effects such as shadowed contours, hollowed-out eyes, bruising and Zombie bites! Join us for two hours of Halloween fun and develop a new skill as we teach you how to look your WORST! This workshop will not use latex. All supplies are included, and we’ll use only materials you can find yourself, so you can replicate these effects yourself, for Halloween! Fee - $39+HST. Hurry Space [...]

October 7th, 2024|Academy, workshops|

How to Raise a Reader – 7 Tips for Parents

How do you raise children who see the value in books? It’s harder than ever these days, with so much technology out there to distract. Reading is an immersive activity that requires attention over a significant period of time, allowing a person to spiral down into an imaginative world. There is enormous value in reading; young people who read have better vocabularies, do better in school, have empathy for the experiences of others and deepen their understanding of human nature and the world in which we live. Here are seven tips to help you raise a child who reads: 1. Celebrate stories! Read to your child from an earlier age – and do so every day, as part of your family routine. Talk about the [...]

October 7th, 2024|Academy, Parenting|

2024 Fall classes start this week at Centauri Arts.

Weekly after-school and weekend classes for kids and teens in Creative Writing, Acting, Film-Making and Fine Art start this week in our Bloor West Village studio! Film Classes Film Production and Performance Ages 11-17, In our Bloor West Village Studio: Thursdays, 5pm – 6.30pm AND 7.00pm-8.00pm Learn – or review – the basics of film making: storyboarding, directing, camera operation, audio, lighting and production design. Each hands-on film course begins with a sequence of short film projects; by rising to challenges set by the instructor and critiquing the results, students further the skills they need to create their own short film. Discover how to tell a story visually, and how to create mood and tension through your manipulation of the film medium. Rotate between [...]

September 23rd, 2024|Academy, Bloor West Village|

Her Secret Soldier is now available!

Last year, one of our directors – Julie Hartley – signed a 2-book deal with an international publishing house (Bookouture). She was contracted to write 2 historical novels, and her first novel is now available! Her Secret Soldier is a World War 2 novel filled with mystery and adventure. It tells the story of a lonely 18-year-old girl living in a remote part of England whose life is forever changed when she discovers an injured German spy in the ancient woodland behind her home. Parts of the novel are also set in Toronto, and Algonquin Park. The novel is intended for adult readers, but the content is entirely suited to anyone aged 12+ Advance reviews of Her Secret Soldier have been excellent! One NetGalley [...]

September 13th, 2024|Academy, books|

Join our Year-Round Acting and Film Classes at the Centauri Arts Academy!

Our after-school Acting and Film Production programs begin again in mid-September with all-new content, and run for 15 weeks. Courses are available for ages 11-17 and taught by industry professionals. With arts programs facing more cuts in schools, and a creative mindset more important than ever, there has never been a better time to explore the arts! Join our Acting Ensemble! Our actors LOVE our caring and inspirational instructor, Marina Gomes. “This year we will be exploring how classic theatre techniques can be used to tell important stories that mean something to a modern audience,” Marina says. As part of this ‘ancient to modern’ approach, actors will explore comedy and tragedy, learning how to tell both kinds of stories in [...]

September 6th, 2024|Academy, Bloor West Village|

After-School Enrichment for Teens in Bloor West Village, Swansea, Roncesvalles and The Junction

With so much going on for teens in our area, we’ve decided to compile a list of some of the local enrichment opportunities for middle- and high-school students. When kids are younger, it’s easier to keep them occupied, but teens need high quality activities, with experienced instructors who understand how to inspire, and that can be hard to find. Centauri Arts is one of many local resources for teens; here, we’re showcasing a wide range of opportunities so this guide will be useful whatever the interests of your teen. Scroll down to the bottom for questions to ask the directors of these businesses, when you call to enquire. Music Schools Bloor West Music Studios BW Music Studios has been around for three decades [...]

September 3rd, 2024|Academy, Bloor West Village, Resources|

After-school Acting and Film Production programs

Our after-school Acting and Film Production programs begin again in mid-September with all-new content, and run for 15 weeks. Courses are available for ages 11-17 and taught by industry professionals. With arts programs facing more cuts in schools, and a creative mindset more important than ever, there has never been a better time to explore the arts! Join our Acting Ensemble! Our actors LOVE our caring and inspirational instructor, Marina Gomes. “This year we will be exploring how classic theatre techniques can be used to tell important stories that mean something to a modern audience,” Marina says. As part of this ‘ancient to modern’ approach, actors will explore comedy and tragedy, learning how to tell both kinds of stories in the characters they create. They’ll [...]

August 12th, 2024|Academy, Bloor West Village|