Artist Workshops
Hype Unique Gallery's workshop programme invites you into a dedicated creative space where small groups, practising artist-instructors, and all the materials you need come together for three hours of genuine making — no experience required, no pressure, just the pleasure of learning something new.
Service description
Our workshop programme runs year-round in our dedicated 60 m² studio at the rear of the building. Classes are kept small — a maximum of 12 participants — so every attendee gets genuine one-on-one time with the instructor. We offer sessions in watercolour, acrylic painting, linocut printmaking, and mixed-media collage. Instructors are practising Okanagan artists with years of teaching experience. All materials are included in the workshop fee unless otherwise noted.
Why Small Groups Change Everything
We cap every workshop at 12 participants. That is a deliberate choice, not a logistical accident. When a room stays small, the instructor can spend real time with each person — noticing where someone is hesitating, adjusting a technique, answering the question that felt too basic to ask in a larger class.
Our 60 m² dedicated studio at the rear of the building was designed with this in mind. There is enough space to work comfortably, enough quiet to concentrate, and enough proximity to feel the energy of other people discovering something alongside you. It is the same warmth that has defined Meridian since the beginning, applied to learning.
What You Can Learn Here
Our current programme covers watercolour, acrylic painting, linocut printmaking, and mixed-media collage. Each medium has its own rhythm and its own rewards, and our schedule includes sessions at beginner, intermediate, and all-levels designations — clearly marked so you can choose what genuinely suits where you are right now.
Every session runs for three hours, which is long enough to move past the awkward early stage and arrive somewhere that feels like progress. You will leave with a finished or near-finished piece, a printed technique reference sheet to keep, and — more often than not — a desire to come back for the next one.
Who Teaches and What They Bring
Every instructor in our programme is a practising Okanagan artist with real teaching experience. We do not hire people who simply know a medium academically — we work with makers who are actively producing work, exhibiting, and thinking about their craft every week. That currency shows in the classroom.
Because many of our instructors have also exhibited in our main gallery, workshops often become a natural bridge between making and showing. Students get to ask the kinds of questions you can only ask someone who is genuinely in the middle of an artistic life — not someone recalling it from a distance.
Everything You Need Is Already Here
All materials and tools are included in the workshop fee unless a specific session notes otherwise. You do not need to arrive with a supply list, a set of brushes you are not sure about, or anxiety over whether you have the right paper. Walk in, put on an apron, and begin.
Light refreshments — coffee, tea, and water — are provided throughout the session. We want the atmosphere to feel relaxed and unhurried, because creativity rarely thrives under pressure. The studio is set up before you arrive and cleared after you leave. Your only job is to show up and make something.
Private Bookings for Groups and Special Occasions
Private group bookings for up to 12 people are available Tuesday through Saturday. Whether you are planning a birthday celebration, a team event, or a gathering of friends who have always talked about trying something creative together, we will tailor the session to your group's interests and skill level across any medium in our programme.
Private bookings should be made at least two weeks in advance so we can prepare the studio and confirm the right instructor. The experience is entirely your own for the duration — no shared space with other participants, just your group and a practising artist giving you their full attention for three hours.
Booking, Cancellations, and What to Expect
Sessions for youth aged 8 to 14 run for two hours and are priced separately, making them an accessible entry point for younger makers. Multi-session series in the same medium are available for those who want to build on what they learn week to week rather than treating each class as a standalone event.
If your plans change, we ask for at least five days' notice for a full refund. Cancellations made two to four days before a session receive a studio credit valid for 12 months. For same-day cancellations, no refund is issued, but you are welcome to send someone else in your place — because we would rather the seat be filled and the experience shared than left empty.
What the service includes
- Maximum 12 participants per session
- All materials and tools provided
- Step-by-step instruction from a practising artist
- Printed technique reference sheet to take home
- Light refreshments (coffee, tea, water)
Price
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Single 3-hour session | $75 |
| 4-session series (same medium) | $260 |
| Private group booking (up to 12 people) | $720 |
| Youth session (ages 8–14, 2 hours) | $45 |
Gross prices are for guidance only. You will receive an exact quote before work begins.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need any prior experience?
No experience is needed for our introductory sessions. Each workshop listing on our schedule specifies the level (beginner, intermediate, or all levels) so you can choose what suits you.
What is your cancellation policy for workshops?
Full refund if you cancel at least 5 days before the session. A studio credit (valid 12 months) is issued for cancellations made 2–4 days prior. No refund for same-day cancellations, but you are welcome to send someone in your place.
Can I book a private workshop for a birthday or corporate team event?
Absolutely. Private group bookings for up to 12 people are available Tuesday through Saturday. Choose from any medium in our programme and we will tailor the session to your group's interests and skill level. Book at least 2 weeks in advance.