Create with Kirshy
It is always a wonderful thing to see your peers and fellow artists making it happen for themselves, there are many reasons to celebrate the successes of our friends, by doing this it helps to propel them forward. In turn it propels all of us forward in a positive direction.
“Our kids loved it so much that they wanted to leave the cottage to go to art school. Shane inspired a beginner like my son and can polish up raw talent like my daughter. _Pamela C.
For many years I have worked along side my partner promoting his artwork, marketing and participating in comic cons and various related shows and events. In that time we have encountered and befriended a large number of creatives who are exceptionally talented and supportive of each other and although we are scattered across the continent we exist as a community and share in each others successes and failures alike.
One thing is for certain, as mentioned before when a fellow artist within this community finds a path and makes a run at it, this is something to definitely share and celebrate, so when one of our friends within this creative community branched out and opened an art school it was for sure worth mentioning as this is no small feat.
Shane Kirshenblatt, a multi-disciplinary artist, and instructor with over 20 years of experience specializing in sculpting, painting, animation development, toy design, comics, and graphic novels. His work can be seen in the award-winning Mark Twain's Niagara Vol.1, and SCI: Jewish Comics Anthology Vol. 2 (both by AH Comics), as well as the Joe Shuster/Canadian Comic Book Awards-nominated Toronto Comix Vol.3, and Hogtown Horror Vol.1.
Outside of his artistic practice Shane has partaken in extensive fundraising efforts for organizations such as WWF, Ronald McDonald House, and Canadian Cancer Society. Shane was a five-time recipient of the Ontario Arts Council Artists in Education grant which enabled Shane to run youth-oriented, arts-based programming at Ontario schools.
“Shane taught me drawing and mixed media and I learned some techniques that nformed my art practice and helped me become more confident in understanding composition, light, colour, and my capacity to receive criticism._Ashley K
As head of Creative Arts at Zodiac Day Camp he again was able to create youth-oriented, arts-based programming. Since 1998 Shane has also lent his leadership experience as development-counsellor in training programs and as a coordinator to special events at Paradise, Toronto Comic-Con, and Niagara Falls Comic Con.
Recently Shane opened an art school called Create with Kirshy. Create with Kirshy is an art school-program in Thornhill, Ontario, focusing on teaching children, teens, and adults, skills for traditional art. Skills such as drawing, painting, sculpting, comics, and animation. All programs are taught by industry professionals, sharing their extensive experience with participants to help them reach their personal goals and express ideas in a fun and supportive environment.
Create with Kirshy offers a variety of year-round programming including after-school arts activities for children 5+, as well as specialty camps during the summer, winter, March breaks, and some school Professional Activity Days. There is also drop-in programming and extensive courses with weekly sessions that run for 4-8 weeks. The school caters to participants of all ages and skill levels and offers a variety of art party package options, and other specialty workshops.
Create with Kirshy, and Shane’s success in opening his school is certainly worthy of mention. As an artist I respect, admire, and am excited for him, to see this next phase in his growth realized. After all that is what inspiration is all about, sharing in the successes of others. Shane is an incredible artist himself and with all the other transferable skills he as acquired over the years it is the perfect marriage of talent and organization to make his dream come true.
I salute Shane and encourage everyone to check out his new website at https://www.createwithkirshy.com . If you are eager to learn, do so from one of the best! Please note this is an Ontario GTA based school, however upon visiting his website I noticed and option for online/private zoom lessons, which is an excellent option for those who may be interested but are not in his area.
