Afternoon art classes coming to Harrowsmith and Verona

Jeff Green | Aug 30, 2017

South Frontenac Students interested in exploring painting, pottery, and printmaking will have an opportunity to take classes this fall.
Gabriel Deerman and Ashley Doucette Pilles operate Salmon River Studios out of Tamworth. Last year they started offering afternoon art classes in Tamworth, Enterprise, Centreville and Newburgh in Lennox and Addington and this year they are expanding to Frontenac.

The two artists are establishing their own practices out of their studio and one of their goals is to foster the arts in their community by offering the classes. It makes for a bit of a juggling act to keep making and teaching art while running a studio, and for Ashley even more so since she is also a supply teacher, but they love teaching art and exploring different materials and media with their students.
“We both taught oversees for four years, teaching art mostly.  We came home and we decided we wanted to try and start a private art teaching practice. We found that what was most valuable to parents is if we started working in the schools. It’s turned out to be a lot of fun.  A lot rural schools are lacking in arts programming, and that’s where we step in for families and kids who are interested,” said Gabriel Deerman.
Salmon River Studios is committed to arts education for all ages and all abilities. Workshops for adults in various media are being offered out of the studio, and the artists also work with special needs young adults in association with New Leaf Link in South Frontenac.

They are also looking into some other schools in South Frontenac where they might offer classes   
The classes take place once a week after school, at a cost of $50 per month. Students in all elementary grades (Kindergarten to grade 8) are welcome to join in.  There is a limit to class size, somewhere between 12 and 15 students depending on the room that is available and makeup of the classes.

Students at Harrowsmith and Prince Charles are encouraged to have a look at the Salmon River Studios website. Registration forms will be available at the school offices when school starts next week, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information about booking a spot.