DRAWING

Obsessions: Who Said Fish Can't Dance?

Name: Obsessions: Who Said Fish Can't Dance?
Brand: VisualGZAS
Price: 225.0 CAD
Availability: InStock

Explore fish as symbols across art history, folklore and contemporary culture, then turn those ideas into a layered mixed-media artwork of your own. Across three hands-on sessions, you’ll use Jesus Rivera’s Easter Egg Theory to hide personal references, inside jokes and meaningful symbols within your work while experimenting with acrylic paint, collage, markers and 3D relief. You’ll finish with a textured 2D/3D panel that combines cultural symbolism with your own story and is eligible for UAC’s end-of-year gallery showcase.

All Materials Included

Acrylic paints, markers, collage materials, air-dry clay, modelling paste, adhesives, wooden panels and finishing supplies are provided.

ART HUB

Hands-on classes at the Urban Art Collective Art Hub.

Small Class Size

6 minimum · 12 maximum

SKILL LEVEL

All Levels

COURSE RUNDOWN

Day 1: History, Symbolism & The Secret Life Of Fish

Explore how fish appear across art history, folklore and contemporary visual culture through a mix of discussion, visual references and fast creative exercises. Experiment with collage and drawing while beginning to identify personal images, symbols and hidden Easter eggs you may want to work into your final piece.

Day 2: Cultural Roots, Semiotics & Composition

Dig deeper into cultural symbolism, folklore and personal meaning through collaborative exercises and group discussion. Develop the composition for your final artwork, then begin building the surface through background washes, collage and other foundational layers.

Day 3: Mixed-Media Studio & Reveal

Bring the work together using acrylic paint, fine-line details, collage and 3D relief elements. Spend focused studio time completing your panel with one-on-one feedback, then finish with a mini gallery walk where the group shares the hidden references and stories built into each piece.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN

By The End Of This Course, You Will:

Understand how fish have been used as symbols across art history, folklore and contemporary visual culture.
Use symbolism and semiotics to build additional meaning into your artwork.
Apply the Easter Egg Theory to incorporate personal narratives, memories and hidden references.
Combine acrylic painting, collage, markers and 3D relief techniques in one composition.
Develop a layered mixed-media artwork from initial ideas through final finishing.
Complete a finished wooden panel eligible for UAC’s end-of-year gallery showcase.

YOUR INSTRUCTOR

VisualGZAS

Jesus Rivera is a visual artist and storyteller who likes ideas with layers, symbols with purpose and images that reward a second, third and probably fourth look.

VIEW FULL BIO →

Personal References: Bring 1–2 photographs, images or other visual references that have personal meaning and could become part of your artwork.
Ephemera & Found Materials: Bring small flat objects, fabric scraps or sentimental materials you may want to incorporate into the piece.
Studio-Friendly Clothing: Wear clothes and footwear you don’t mind getting paint or adhesive on.

Have a question about the course or need to discuss accessibility or accommodations before class? Contact us at learn@urbanartcollective.ca.

Parking is available at 1088 Somerset St W at the UAC Art Gallery, as well as at 50 Bayswater Ave. The parking area at 50 Bayswater is accessed from Somerset St W, not from Bayswater Avenue.

Cancellation Policy

14+ days before the first class: Full refund to your original payment method.
7–13 days before: Full-value UAC LAB credit.
Less than 7 days before: No refund or credit.

Registrations can be transferred to another person at no charge before the class begins. Missed classes or sessions are not eligible for refunds, credits or individual make-up classes.

If UAC LAB cancels a class, you can choose a full refund or full-value UAC LAB credit. If we reschedule and the new date does not work for you, you may also request a refund or credit.

UAC LAB Class Registration, Cancellation & Refund Policy