Creating Space
Arts Programs
Explore creativity, community, and personal expression in a meaningful setting.
The Caetani Cultural Centre invites community members of all ages to explore creativity, reflection, and expression through its Creating Space Workshop Series, running from February to June 2026 in Vernon, BC.
This season’s offerings span visual art, creative writing, poetry, and theatre, led by accomplished local artists and facilitators in the inspiring surroundings of the Caetani grounds.
Tracing the Inner Myth: A Creative Journey with Sveva Caetanifacilitated by local artist Destanne Norris is a five-part monthly painting workshop, starting February 21st, for artists aged 13+. Drawing inspiration from Sveva Caetani’s art and life, participants will explore symbolism, narrative, and personal expression while developing one to two finished paintings, with the opportunity to exhibit at the Caetani Centre.
For those seeking creativity as a wellness practice, Writing for Wellbeing with published author Hannah Calder, offers a six-session series starting February 19th, focused on journaling and creative writing for emotional resilience, mindfulness, and self-discovery. Open to writers and non-writers alike, the workshop emphasizes reflection over critique in a supportive, low-pressure environment.
Poetry for All with local poet Michelle Doege, starting March 7, is a seven-session poetry workshop grounded in community, storytelling, and craft. Participants will read, write, and share poems while developing strong poetic skills, culminating in a celebratory group reading.
Theatre offerings, beginning in April, include an 8-week Youth Drama Class (ages 9–13) and a 6-week Adult Drama Class (16+), both led by actor Amelia Sirianni. These outdoor classes introduce acting techniques, improvisation, character development, and collaboration, with youth participants creating an original theatrical piece by session’s end.
All workshops take place at the Caetani Cultural Centre, Vernon, BC, with select sessions held in the Caetani Gallery, the Ninfa Studio, the library or outdoors. Workshops require minimum enrollment to proceed. Financial subsidies are available on a case-by-case basis to support accessibility.
For more information and subsidy inquiries, please contact the Caetani Centre at: programs@caetani.org.
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In this workshop series, we experiment with creative writing and journaling techniques that foster self-discovery, mindfulness, emotional resilience, and creativity.
Let your writing do your emotional and mental heavy lifting!
Many of us use journaling, poetry, and storytelling to cope and to thrive. In Writing for Wellbeing, we explore how and why writing benefits us emotionally, mentally, and even physically. Using insights from various writers and writing-for-wellness experts, including Kathleen Adams, James Pennebaker, and Deborah Ross, we discover how writing can change our lives for the better.
Classes include group discussion, writing time, and reflection. The writing exercises involve short entrance meditations that bring us into the writing calmly and with intention. Each technique we practice is designed to promote wellbeing.
Participants are not required to share any of their writing with the instructor or group – unless they want to. Instead, we reflect on and discuss what we have written, how it made us feel, and/or what it made us think about. Although one outcome of this course may be that we reach our creative goals with more ease, our purpose together is not to hone our writing skills. Non-writers, occasional writers, and writers with terrifying internal critics are all welcome!
Home practice is encouraged but optional.
6 Sessions**
WHEN:
Thursdays, 6:30-8:30 pm
Feb 19, Feb 26, Mar 5, Mar 12, Mar 19, Mar 26$250.00***
WHERE:
Caetani Cultural Centre Gallery, Vernon, BCWHAT TO BRING:
Pen and paper / notebook
Registration closes February 17, 2026
**Please note this workshop has a minimum number of required attendees to proceed. Refunds will be issued if this threshold is not met to the facilitator’s requirements. Maximum 10 participants per class.
***Financial subsidies are offered on a case-by-case, as-needed basis for Creating Space Workshops. Please email programs@caetani.org to apply.
****Important: After registering for a workshop, please go to your cart and complete the checkout process. Your registration is not confirmed until payment is received.
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this five-part workshop offers painters an opportunity to engage with the art and life of Sveva Caetani while creating artwork inspired by this encounter—art that is interpretive, self-reflective and meaningful. Held at the Caetani Cultural Centre, with access to the Caetani Museum, participants will explore Sveva’s work and writings and draw inspiration from its symbolism, narrative depth, and expressive qualities.
Through guided sketching and compositional development, participants will create preliminary drawings that form the foundation of their paintings. Instruction will focus on composition, value, shape, and line, encouraging thoughtful observation and intentional design. Working in acrylic or oil, participants will then be supported through each stage of their painting process. Individual guidance and feedback will be provided throughout the workshop to help each artist strengthen their expressive voice and refine their technical skills.
The workshop is designed for both emerging and experienced artists who are 13 years of age and older. By the conclusion of the it, each participant will have completed one or two paintings suitable for inclusion in a culminating exhibition at the Caetani Centre.
WHEN:**
Saturdays, 9:30 am–12:30 pm
February 21, March 21, April 18, May 23, June 13$200.00***
WHERE:
Caetani Cultural Centre, Vernon, BCWHAT TO BRING:
Sketchbook or drawing journal, graphite pencils, eraser
Acrylic or oil paints, mediums, brushes, canvas
Apron or smock
Enthusiasm and openness to the creative process
WHO SHOULD ATTEND:
Acrylic and oil painters, from beginner to advanced levels, seeking a structured yet exploratory creative experience.Registration closes February 18, 2026
**Please note this workshop has a minimum number of required attendees to proceed. Refunds will be issued if this threshold is not met to the facilitator’s requirements. Maximum 12 participants per class. Supplies not included in the price.
***Financial subsidies are offered on a case-by-case, as-needed basis for Creating Space Workshops. Please email programs@caetani.org to apply.
****Important: After registering for a workshop, please go to your cart and complete the checkout process. Your registration is not confirmed until payment is received.
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Poetry belongs to ALL people. Historically, people have created, captured and expressed their lives and dreamings into poems (or stories) orated around fires and community gatherings. Everyone's voice and story matters as a part of the larger human web. This workshop will encourage and offer tools to help you value your own voice and story.
Together, we'll explore and learn about the art form of the poem, which also often tells a story. We'll read and learn from other poets' poems, but also, write our own. We will learn the skills and craft of writing strong and impactful poems with lessons/practice on details and images, using space on the page, the power of a good metaphor, etc.
Poems also come to life when we share them with others; somehow, this sharing completes the circle. In this workshop, we will share our poems with each other – workshopping our poems and reading them out loud. In the end, we will honor and celebrate our time together with a reading of our poems to our group.
Each week, you can expect:
Inspiration/Wisdom – towards writing poetry
Craft Lesson – to create greater impact in your poem
Read/Study -- other's poems focused on weekly lesson
Writing Exercise – to practice/develop poetic craft and skills
Community & Support – as we learn, practice, laugh & share together
To learn more about the facilitator, Michelle Doege, please visit: https://www.michelledoegepoet.com/
7 Sessions**
WHEN:
Saturdays, 9:30 am-12:30 pm
Mar 7, Mar 14, Mar 21, Mar 28, Apr 11, Apr 18, April 25 (in the Caetani Gallery)
$250.00***
WHERE:
Ninfa Studio, Caetani Cultural Centre , Vernon, BCWHAT TO BRING:
Notebook, Pen
Registration closes March 2, 2026
**Please note this workshop has a minimum number of required attendees to proceed. Refunds will be issued if this threshold is not met to the facilitator’s requirements. Maximum 10 participants per class.
***Financial subsidies are offered on a case-by-case, as-needed basis for Creating Space Workshops. Please email programs@caetani.org to apply.
****Important: After registering for a workshop, please go to your cart and complete the checkout process. Your registration is not confirmed until payment is received..
Discover how to merge your written expression with mixed-media art as you explore innovative ways to present your story. You'll be inspired by diverse examples and techniques that blend creative writing with tactile visual art.
For ages 13-19
Introductory Workshop Saturday, January 25th, 10:00am - 3:00pm.
Studio / Library drop-in sessions: Tuesdays, Jan 28, Feb 4, Feb 11, Feb 18 and Feb 25, 3:45 - 5:15pm
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This 6 week acting class is designed for adults of all ages (16+) and stages of experience in the world of theatre. Actors will focus on script analysis and character development, while also developing a foundation in improvisational work.
6 Outdoor Sessions**WHEN:
MONDAYS 7pm - 8:15pm
April 20 - June 1, 2026
• No Class Victoria Day - Monday May 18th
$130.00 per student***
WHERE:
Outdoors, Caetani Cultural Centre, Vernon, BCRegistration closes April 6, 2026
**Please note this workshop has a minimum number of required attendees to proceed. Refunds will be issued if this threshold is not met to the facilitator’s requirements.
***Financial subsidies are offered on a case-by-case, as-needed basis for Creating Space Workshops. Please email programs@caetani.org to apply.
****Important: After registering for a workshop, please go to your cart and complete the checkout process. Your registration is not confirmed until payment is received.
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In this 8 week session, students (ages 9-13) will be introduced to acting techniques and theatre skills - improvisation, character building, script analysis, creative movement, and vocal work. These young artists will work together to create, collaborate and direct an original piece of theatre for the end of term.
8 Outdoor Sessions**
$200.00 per youth***
WHEN:
MONDAYS 3:45pm - 5:00pm
April 13 - June 8, 2026
• No Class Victoria Day - Monday May 18th
WHERE:
Outdoors, Caetani Cultural Centre, Vernon, BCRegistration closes April 6, 2026
**Please note this workshop has a minimum number of required attendees to proceed. Refunds will be issued if this threshold is not met to the facilitator’s requirements.
***Financial subsidies are offered on a case-by-case, as-needed basis for Creating Space Workshops. Please email programs@caetani.org to apply.
****Important: After registering for a workshop, please go to your cart and complete the checkout process. Your registration is not confirmed until payment is received