Music & Art

LEARNING TO SLOW DOWN, OBSERVE, AND CREATE

Lena Savic brings a passion for art to The Arbutus Club using different modalities and inventive techniques in her classes.

Lena Savic studied Art History at Belgrade University and Fine Arts at Langara College and Emily Carr University of Art and Design. For 20 years Lena has been involved as a volunteer, community art project leader and instructor in various art programs and events for children and adults across Metro Vancouver. Lena's creative practice is diverse: photography, mixed media, installation, painting, drawing, ceramics, and poetry. She’s searching for ways to actively engage audiences, sometimes through collaborative work. Lena has worked as an art critic, juror, curator, art dealer, gallery manager, and art instructor. She is also a practising artist at her East Side Studio. Lena is a certified Expressive Arts Therapist (EXA) and has worked with people with specific needs, developmental disabilities, neurodiverse individuals, seniors, and children at risk, among others, and designed special programs for them. Lena believes art is an important part in maintaining one’s mental health and art therapy can offer support for individ-

uals dealing with grief, trauma, chronic stress, or conditions such as depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. In 2008, Lena brought her passion for art to The Arbutus Club with the introduction of private and group classes for adults and children, plus family workshops. Anyone who has taken an art class with Lena knows her to be a kind, caring teacher whose passion for the fine arts inspires children of all ages to freely express themselves through their own creative practice. Her programs have grown steadily over the years, often seeing many returning students. In her art programs at The Arbutus Club, Lena combines different art modalities and techniques, drawing and sculpting, mixed media, collaging, journaling, poetry, photography, mask making, movement, dance, and improv.

In her classes for children, participants acquire more than basic painting or drawing skills. Students learn how to calm their busy minds, focus, and to tap into their imagination without gadgets. We constantly watch the world around us, missing a lot while running through our hectic days. Art class is the time to slow down, to induce contemplation and mindfulness, to observe and process visual stimuli or one's own images and thoughts. The most important part of the art process is thoughtful quietude. Students are encouraged to pause, focus, think and feel, and to process their ideas and emotions. Mistakes are seen as unexpected opportunities and are resolved creatively. Lena is trying to transform frustration, insecurity, and fear of failure into resilience, persistence, and confidence. Every year brings a different dynamic. New and returning students can expect fresh lessons adapted to each new group. Lena's small group lessons allow more opportunities for oneon-one work. Children are encouraged to seek personal expression. Before each class they have a chance to hear a bit about the subject and see the artist famous for describing the same. The emphasis in art classes differs from the one in art therapy. The goal is to learn new technique, while learning a whole lot more. ♦

Stimulating creativity and imagination is our most powerful human resource that allows us to reconnect to ourselves and the world around us.

- LENA SAVIC

art teacher

Membership Survey Results Music & Arts

For more information on art classes view the Recreation Services Programs Brochure online at arbutusclub.com. If you have any further questions please contact the Registration Desk at: registration@arbutusclub.com 604-269-8800