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Literary Arts Festival - February-March, 2012

Thames Institute of the Arts is proud to present a LITERARY ARTS FESTIVAL. This workshop-based event offers exciting possibilities for personal discovery. Each of the 13 workshops totals 10 hours. Spaces are limited - early registration is always recommended. The workshops are:
The Art of Photo Storytelling Note: This is an EVENING workshop.


Workshop Description: In this workshop, April Colby brings out the storytelling power of images. Open to both novice and experienced photographers, this 4-session program covers technical aspects of camera use, application of Photoshop, effective lighting and situational factors, plus compositional and narrative goals. Participants explore the range of possibilities for sharing their finished works. This workshop is conducted in a positive ambiance of mutual support and encouragement. Perfect for scrapbookers, artists, storytellers and all photographers.

Workshop Presenter: April Colby got her first camera at age 10 and began her journalism career at age 18. Currently employed with Sun Media, April is also a professional photographer and has retained her fascination with the power of images to evoke feelings and impact lives. In this workshop, April helps participants use their own photographs to tell their stories.

Workshop Details: This workshop runs twice. There are 4 dates included in each run. Please note dates, times, course code, section number and class number to facilitate registering for this workshop.

1st Run: Wednesdays, Feb 1, 8, 15, 22; 7-9:30pm; Thames Campus; Course Code TIA 108N; Section# 550; Class Number 4797; Fee $84.75 ($75 registration plus $9.75 HST) [CANCELLED]

2nd Run: Tuesdays, Feb 28, Mar 6, 20, 27; 7-9:30pm; Thames Campus; Course Code TIA 108N; Section# 551; Class Number 4798; Fee $84.75 ($75 registration plus $9.75 HST) [CANCELLED]

The Art of Business Communication
Note: This is a DAYTIME workshop. This workshop runs MORNINGS as a Professional Development opportunity for Chatham-Kent business, service and professional groups. Interested groups are asked to register early.

Workshop Description: In this workshop, Bethany McFadden delivers a powerful professional development event. Effective business communication is the core activity of every successful business, but how do we stay on top of our communication every moment? This workshop has tips and techniques for communicating successfully and effectively. Topics range from creating quality memos, reports and emails to running meaningful meetings and giving presentations. The course will also touch upon conversation skills required for solving interoffice and interpersonal conflict and how great communication can build people and keep a workplace a pleasant place.

Workshop Presenter: Bethany McFadden attained a Communications Degree at University of Windsor, then went on to add a post-graduate diploma in Corporate Communications from Sheridan College. She is currently president of Chatham-Kent Toastmasters, as well as Marketing Coordinator at Hyland Seeds in Blenheim. Bethany looks forward to sharing the secrets of effective business communication in this 4-part workshop.

Workshop Details: Please note dates, times, course code, section number and class number to facilitate registering for this workshop.

Thursdays, Feb 2, 9, 16, 23; 9-11:30AM; Thames Campus; Course Code TIA 111N; Section# 550; Class Number 4799; Fee $84.75 ($75 registration plus $9.75 HST) [CANCELLED]

The Art of Writing a Novel Note: This is a DAYTIME workshop.


Workshop Description: In this workshop, Patricia Weaver Blonde simplifies the challenging process of novel writing into a series of steps that make sense. From getting ideas, to planning, to creating a first draft, she gives both beginning and experienced writers confidence in their ability to complete a novel. Maintaining a positive atmosphere that encourages participants to help themselves and each other through the tasks of revising, editing and proofing, Patricia makes achieving this personal writing milestone both rewarding and fun.

Workshop Presenter: Patricia Weaver Blonde has been writing novels and helping other people write novels for 10 years. The leadership she provides in coordinating an annual novel-writing activity for Chatham-Kent residents is appreciated by many people who would not otherwise have attempted so large a project. Recipient of a major community award for supporting literacy in C-K, Patricia is the perfect person to encourage anyone who is writing or wants to write a novel.

Workshop Details: Please note dates, times, course code, section number and class number to facilitate registering for this workshop.

Thursdays, Feb 2, 9, 16, 23; 1-3:30PM; Chatham Public Library; Course Code TIA 106N; Section# 550; Class Number 4800; Fee $84.75 ($75 registration plus $9.75 HST) [CANCELLED]

Note: Thames Institute of the Arts thanks the Chatham Kent Public Library (CKPL) for its partnership in providing an excellent venue for this workshop. Registration is to be done per the Registration Office at Thames Campus, St. Clair College the same as for other workshops.

The Art of the Spoken Word Note: This is An EVENING workshop.


Workshop Details: In this workshop, Delynn Miller encourages participants to enjoy exploring and using their speaking skills. Employing a variety of activities including pleasant jokes, personal anecdotes, news features and practical tips for effective speaking, this workshop recognizes and celebrates the skills and experience of each individual. Do you want to become a more effective speaker? Do you have a need to be heard? Do you wish you could inspire others? If your answer to even one of these questions is yes, this is the workshop for you.

Workshop Presenter: Delynn Miller is a big fan of the spoken word. Membership in Chatham-Kent Toastmasters and her responsibilities in Chatham-Kent Health Alliance’s Knowledge and Innovation Department provide lots of exceptional speaking opportunities. Lifelong resident of C-K, Delynn looks forward to helping participants in this workshop have fun developing their speaking skills.

Workshop Details: Please note dates, times, course code, section number and class number to facilitate registering for this workshop.

Thursdays, Feb 2, 9, 16, 23; 7-9:30PM; Thames Campus; Course Code TIA 107N; Section# 550; Class Number 4801; Fee $84.75 ($75 registration plus $9.75 HST) [CANCELLED]

The Art of Raising Literate Kids
Note: This is a DAYTIME workshop. This workshop runs MORNINGS to make it easy for parents to attend while their children are in school. If you have a group of parents interested in attending, registering early will reserve the spaces you need.

Workshop Description: In this workshop, Patrick Douglas shares tools and tips that parents and teachers can have fun using to help children read and write better and with much more enthusiasm. Lots of Patrick’s silly stories and poems are performed to demonstrate particular techniques for making literacy come alive for children. Patrick employs a model of dynamic literacy which makes words and sentences leap up off the page and dance around the way language is supposed to. This workshop is intended to be a starting point for having more fun and success with literacy in any family.

Workshop Presenter: Patrick Douglas loves to help parents raise literate kids. Author of many poems and short stories, he is also a storyteller and publisher of 50+ writing collections. From 1988 to 2010, he did presentations to students and teachers at 500 Ontario schools. In 2011, Patrick conducted WinterWords, an online poetry showcase for Chatham-Kent writers. Patrick and Linda Douglas live happily in Chatham-Kent.

Workshop Details: This workshop runs twice. There are 4 dates included in each run. Please note dates, times, course code, section number and class number to facilitate registering for this workshop.

1st Run: Fridays, Feb 3, 10, 17, 24; 9:30AM-12 Noon; Thames Campus; Course Code TIA 112N; Section# 550; Class Number 4802; Fee $84.75 ($75 registration plus $9.75 HST) [CANCELLED]

2nd Run: Fridays, Mar 2, 9, 23, 30; 9:30AM-12 Noon; Thames Campus; Course Code TIA 112N; Section# 551; Class Number 4803; Fee $84.75 ($75 registration plus $9.75 HST) [CANCELLED]

Young Writers Art Adventure
Note: This is a DAYTIME workshop. This workshop is for children age 8-13. It will run 3 times, each time from 10AM-3PM on 2 consecutive Saturdays. This workshop is for children who want to learn new ways to add artwork and visual impact to their writing.

Workshop Description: In this workshop, Patrick teaches young writers age 8-13 to combine artforms and graphics with their text. Lots of you-can-do-this practical demonstrations plus all the supplies needed to help children at this workshop discover how to make trading cards, build posters with artwork and writing, and plan-write-assemble little books of their own design. Lots of design, colour and format skills fill out this event, along with sharing of writing in a context where young writers encourage each other to do their best. Every child will find their writing confidence soaring.

Workshop Presenter: Patrick Douglas has helped over 60,000 children age 8-13 develop their writing talent. Author of Let’s Write with Patrick Douglas, We Like To Write, Silly Is Good and Secrets of Successful Communication plus numerous printed and audio collections of stories and poems for kids, Patrick and his wife Linda live happily in Chatham-Kent. Patrick also conducts Young Writers Camp at Thames Campus, St Clair College, every summer. Workshop Details: This workshop runs three times. There are 2 Saturdays included in each run. Please note dates, times, course code, section number and class number to facilitate registering for this workshop.

1st Run: Saturdays, Feb 4, 11; 10AM-3PM; Thames Campus; Course Code TIA 109N; Section# 550; Class Number 4806; Fee $75 (no HST on children’s workshops)

2nd Run: Saturdays, Feb 18, 25; 10AM-3PM; Thames Campus; Course Code TIA 109N; Section# 551; Class Number 4805; Fee $75 (no HST on children’s workshops) [CANCELLED]

3rd Run: Saturdays, Mar 3, 10; 10AM-3PM; Thames Campus; Course Code TIA 109N; Section# 552; Class Number 4804; Fee $75 (no HST on children’s workshops) [CANCELLED]

Personal Memoirs and Self-Publishing
Note: This is a DAYTIME workshop.

Workshop Description: In this workshop, Patricia Weaver Blonde shares a step-by-step process for bringing a personal or family story to a printed form. For beginners and experienced memoir writers alike, this workshop includes how to gather and organize information; how to create a draft text; how to revise, edit and proof for accuracy and clarity; and how to turn the finished manuscript into a book ready to share. This workshop will enable any memoir writer to create lasting memories that family and friends will appreciate.

Workshop Presenter: Patricia Weaver Blonde has been active in community literacy in Chatham-Kent for many years. A UWO graduate, she coordinates Imagination Ink literacy centre in Chatham, is editor/treasurer of the Kent Writers Guild, and a recipient of C-K’s prestigious Literacy Award. Patricia has written for numerous publications, has published several books, and has facilitated many families’ own memoir projects.

Workshop Details: Please note dates, times, course code, section number and class number to facilitate registering for this workshop.

Mondays, Feb 6, 13, 27, Mar 5; 1-3:30PM; Chatham Public Library; Course Code TIA 104N; Section# 550; Class Number 4807; Fee $84.75 ($75 registration plus $9.75 HST) [CANCELLED]

Note: Thames Institute of the Arts thanks the Chatham Kent Public Library (CKPL) for its partnership in providing an excellent venue for this workshop. Registration is to be done per the Registration Office at Thames Campus, St Clair College the same as for other workshops.

Playwriting with Mike McDonald Note: This is An EVENING workshop.


Workshop Description: In this workshop, Mike McDonald guides novice and experienced playwrights through the process of creating a play from initial inspiration, through the steps of research, rough draft, revision, initial readings and workshopping in preparation for the stage. Participants get to experience each element of the process and are encouraged to develop and extend their own talents and skills. Key topics in this workshop include personal writing styles, writing toward a deadline, and the importance of creative passion.

Workshop Presenter:Mike McDonald has been a professional playwright for 20 years. Specializing in historical plays centred in Chatham-Kent, Mike invests a great deal of time in research before starting a first draft, which he does longhand for the personal touch it affords. So Long Sweet Adeline, White Champ and Rainbows and Wings are 3 of Mike’s plays that have been performed by local theatre groups.

Workshop Details: Please note dates, times, course code, section number and class number to facilitate registering for this workshop.

Wednesdays, Feb 15, 22, 29, Mar 7; 7-9:30PM; Thames Campus; Course Code TIA 101N; Section# 550; Class Number 4808; Fee $84.75 ($75 registration plus $9.75 HST) [CANCELLED]

The Art of Writing Short Stories Note: This is An EVENING workshop.


Workshop Description: In this workshop, Bill Sloan encourages each participant to believe they have stories worth telling, and sets them on the road to putting those stories into sharable form. With a variety of short writing activities and lots of supportive interaction within the workshop, Bill brings out the author in each participant. The skills of clarity in writing, revision, editing and proofreading are given emphasis as keys to quality writing. Over the course of this workshop, each writer will find their own voice and look forward to creating great short stories.

Workshop Presenter: Bill Sloan has been writing short stories (and short stories as segments of novels) for only a few years. His popular series of 7 novels, 5 of which are already in print, feature an autobiographical character named Rory McClooster and other people animating his childhood and teen years. Bill and his wife Connie live on a farm just outside Bothwell, Ontario, where they operate Sloan’s Nursery.

Workshop Details: Please note dates, times, course code, section number and class number to facilitate registering for this workshop.

Tuesdays, Feb 21, 28, Mar 6, 20; 7-9:30PM; Thames Campus; Course Code TIA 103N; Section# 550; Class Number 4809; Fee $84.75 ($75 registration plus $9.75 HST) [CANCELLED]

Songwriting with Michael Schatte Note: This is An EVENING workshop.


Workshop Description: This workshop explores the age-old art of songcraft with relevance to today’s songwriter. Taught by well-known guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter Michael Schatte, this 4-session program examines why we write songs, how to approach song composition, techniques that enhance writing, and useful tips for evaluating both our own and other writers’ songs. Exciting live performance demos by Michael Schatte with analysis of his songs and those of world-renowned songwriters greatly enhance the participant’s experience.

Workshop Presenter: Michael Schatte is a Chatham-raised, Toronto-based guitarist, vocalist and songwriter operating in the rock, blues, folk and celtic musical genres. He has recorded four studio albums (including his latest Crow Filled Sky, lyrics from which have recently been published) and has performed on national television and annually at The CK Guitar Summit. See www.michaelschatte.com for more information on Michael’s work, performances and future plans.

Workshop Details: Please note dates, times, course code, section number and class number to facilitate registering for this workshop.

This workshop includes these 4 segments: Mon Feb 27, Tue Feb 28, Mon Mar 5, Tue Mar 6; All segments are 7-9:30PM; Thames Campus; Course Code TIA 102N; Section# 550; Class Number 4810; Fee $84.75 ($75 registration plus $9.75 HST)

The Art of Being a Poet Note: This is An EVENING workshop.


Workshop Description: In this workshop, Patrick Douglas shows how easy and how much fun it is to write poems. He destroys the notion that poetry is all about rules, and proves that poetry is all about freedom. Beginning poets, accomplished poets and people who haven’t written anything in years will all find something new in this workshop, something they like, something they can use. Filled with unforgettable comic and serious poems brought to life, this 4-session event opens new doors to personal expression and achievement through the writing of poetry.

Workshop Presenter: Patrick Douglas has written 1000+ poems ranging from silly kid stuff to thoughtful reflections on life. He enjoys the freedom of being a poet - the freedom to watch what often goes unnoticed, the freedom to create new poems, the freedom to share that poetry in new ways. Patrick and his wife Linda live in Chatham-Kent and are committed to encouraging their friends’ and neighbours’ artistic talents.

Workshop Details: Please note dates, times, course code, section number and class number to facilitate registering for this workshop.

Thursdays, Mar 1, 8, 22, 29; 7-9:30PM; Thames Campus; Course Code TIA 110N; Section# 550; Class Number 4811; Fee $84.75 ($75 registration plus $9.75 HST) [CANCELLED]

The Rainbows of Our Lives Note: This is An EVENING workshop.


Workshop Description: In this workshop, Sandra van Raay teaches adults how to use colour to express the unique qualities of their own individual life experience. Along with instruction in watercolour painting techniques including brush handling and colour mixing, each person receives personal encouragement in identifying memorable moments that merit being translated into colourful expression. For participants, this workshop is a time of discovery leading to a brighter appreciation of one’s personal journey and a confidence that an exciting artistic adventure has just begun.

Workshop Presenter: Sandra van Raay is a respected local artist known for great passion, talent and commitment to her art and the charities she supports. She has taught art to children and adults through the Cultural Centre, the Thames Institute, and at elementary schools. Her works are in private collections throughout North America, Europe and India. Watercolour and pencil are her preferred media. Sandra’s inspiration arises from the beauty of God’s creation and simple things that bring peace to our hearts.

Workshop Details: Please note dates, times, course code, section number and class number to facilitate registering for this workshop.

This workshop happens in 4 segments: Wed Mar 7, Wed Mar 21, Mon Mar 26, Wed Mar 28; 7-9:30PM; Thames Campus; Course Code TIA 100N; Section# 550; Class Number 4812; Fee $84.75 ($75 registration plus $9.75 HST)

The Art of Writing for the Community Note: This is An EVENING workshop.


Workshop Description: In this workshop, Jim Blake opens up the process of writing for the community to input and discussion from participants. Covering issues ranging from community services to the local economy, Jim shares noteworthy editorials on issues which have shaped C-K. Participants at this 4-session workshop are encouraged to express their own reasoned opinions by voice in session and in writing between sessions. This unique event is for anyone with a strong personal interest in Chatham-Kent’s past, present and future.

Workshop Presenter: Jim Blake is familiar to most Chatham-Kent residents as a person who cares deeply about his community. Longtime editor of the Chatham Daily News, Jim is a senior member of the local Sun Media team. An award-winning author of 3000+ editorials on issues relating to C-K, Jim has also been a member of the National Newspaper Awards Board of Governors.

Workshop Details: Please note dates, times, course code, section number and class number to facilitate registering for this workshop.

This workshop happens in 4 segments: Mon Mar 19, Wed Mar 21, Mon Mar 26, Wed Mar 28; 7-9:30PM; Thames Campus; Course Code TIA 105N; Section# 550; Class Number 4813; Fee $84.75 ($75 registration plus $9.75 HST) [CANCELLED]

To register for any workshop, click the Registration Form tab on this webpage.

Last updated 3/27/2012