MOOSE JAW — The artistic community in Moose Jaw is about to experience a cultural renaissance as internationally acclaimed Greek mixed-media artist Antonis Tzanidakis is returning for his third visit to teach a series of art classes this spring.
Tzanidakis will be instructing at the Moose Jaw Union Centre from Friday, April 11, until Sunday, April 13.
“His experience is nothing but love and acceptance for the mixed-media community. He works for (Budapest-based Stamperia International Kft.) where he teaches various techniques and methods all over the world,” said Denise Helland, a local artist and hairstylist who will be hosting Tzanidakis for the second time this year.
“The last (visit) was supposed to be his last tour to Canada, but he loves it here and he wants to come back,” she said.
Having made a name for himself across Europe and North America, Tzanidakis has gained a following thanks to his unique ability to merge classical Greek artistic traditions with contemporary techniques. His work frequently explores the themes of identity, history, and nature using diverse media such as acrylic, plaster, and recycled materials.
The upcoming visit goes well beyond just another set of art classes and provides a rare opportunity to learn from what has been described as one of the world’s most innovative creators. To date, he’s taught in over 50 countries and more than 300 cities around the world.
Helland first met Tzanidakis while attending one of his earlier classes in Winnipeg, Man., and was inspired by his creative process. When she asked if he’d visit Moose Jaw he simply asked her to reach out with details on when and where.
“When he teaches, he’s very positive and makes the experience lots of fun. He’s got a theory that there’s too much negativity in work,” she said, adding that he acknowledges individual creative differences and views something new as a creative expression rather than a mistake.
Tzanidakis’ five classes will be spread over three days, giving participants plenty of opportunities to dive deep into different aspects of mixed-media art during each five-hour session.
The upcoming classes will be called “Exotic Garden,” “Believe in Your Heart,” “The Art of Travel,” “Dreams,” and “Steampunk Balloon.”
Each session is designed to be interactive, combining hands-on practice with demonstrations from Tzanidakis. Guests can explore techniques such as layering textures, integrating found objects, and experimenting with colour to create striking multi-dimensional pieces.
Local art enthusiasts and those simply curious about mixed media creations are also encouraged to attend, as the sessions are tailored to accommodate everyone from beginners to well-seasoned artists looking for some fresh inspiration.
Everything will be supplied except for some personal tools including a paintbrush, pencil, and maybe a pair of scissors. If you want to purchase a few additional supplies, Helland recommends Scrappin’ With T, a local scrapbooking store located at 26B Main Street North. The store’s owner, Teresa Fellinger, also helps her organize some of the visiting artists’ classes.
To add to the excitement, Tzanidakis will be unveiling a new collection on his Facebook and Instagram pages on Wednesday, Feb. 12. In April, he’ll bring some of these works along with him.
Although Tzanidakis’ class prices have since gone up, he will honour the earlier price of $125 per class. To register, contact Helland by email at [email protected].
Helland is advising guests to register well in advance as limited spots are expected to fill up quickly.
To learn more visit ‘Handmade Fantasy’ on Facebook or view Tzanidakis’ collection at StamperiaB2B.com/Shop-By-Category.
The Moose Jaw Union Centre is located at 1402 Caribou Street West.
