Arscura. School for Living Art

Arscura School for Living Art

Arscura School for Living Art clay modelling - term 3 Ars-scuro: unveiling the mysterious through art. Unveil the mystery of your Self. Unveil the mystery of the wisdom hidden in your biography. Discover the mystery of cosmic influences present in all human endeavor. Arscura invites you to take another step along your path of self development. 1

Art is the very heart of Arscura. The impulse of Arscura comes from a profound longing of creative spirits to reveal themselves in humans. Cosmic spiritual laws are manifested through earthly creations. In our creating we can discover our highest being. Neither arbitrary personal expression nor stifling archetypes inform the work we do at Arscura. We seek a healthy balance between the Universal (outer) and the Individual (inner). This is our intention, and we invite you to engage in art as a spiritual practice and as a celebration of soul in the world. Regine Kurek, Founder of Arscura Art is the fruit of human freedom. One must love art if one is to develop insight into its necessity for the development of full human potential. Life generally doesn t force one to love. But life is fostered by love. Life seeks its own being within the non-coercive element. Rudolf Steiner 2

Here s what students have to say and show Coming from a business background, I had absolutely no experience with art, in fact, some fear around even engaging in it. While I sometimes struggled with the medium, from water colour to clay, to drawing, the result always showed me something I would not otherwise have seen. Difficult places in my life I had worked on for years, began to have new meaning. My perception shifted. Dorothy LeBaron After graduating with a Masters of Fine Art, I left university disheartened and detached from the creative process. I knew something was terribly wrong. The overly conceptual nature of art in the mainstream left me unable to create for two years. I felt that a more spiritual approach to art might be the answer. I loved Arscura and knew I had met something unique. The warmth of the work nourished my soul and allowed me to enter into a new, exciting dialogue with art. I feel blessed to have experienced drawing, painting and sculpture in such a heart-centered way. Leigh Raney 3 During the veil painting term, I came to truly understand the meaning of the saying Sometimes you can t see the forest for the trees. My tendency is to get caught up in the details of my life to the point where I lose the bigger picture. While painting the delicate colour washes creating the veils, another veil was lifted from my eyes and I saw how life events could be turned around and seen in a new light. The exercises became pathways to explore the forest. I arrived at a broader vision and a deeper understanding of my life. Lynda J. Smith, Athea

creativity art What we re about exploration transformation consciousness learning communication painting drawing Metamorphosis, clay relief, term 6 Inspired by the mystery schools of antiquity, Arscura developed out of the work of Rudolf Steiner. The renewed mystery teachings that he shared are known as Anthroposophy. This literally means the wisdom of our humanity. Steiner was seeking to connect the human being with the cosmos. He identified the spiritual dimension of art as an important catalyst for healing and social development. Concurrent paths of any spiritual, religious or meditative practice can flourish alongside this work. Arscura welcomes anyone who is on a path of self development. Many students have no prior knowledge of Anthroposophy. Your interest at this time in your life may simply be directed towards self development or it may include an interest in working with others. The Arscura program is flexible, offering courses that may be taken out of personal interest or lead to certification in either Art for Healing or Biography Counselling. All our courses create an integrated yet flexible learning path and recognise the non-verbal artistic process as central to a meaningful learning experience. 4

The programs we offer 1. Art - Capacities for Life. This program is for anyone seeking creative expression, freeing the inner artist and developing confidence and objectivity in life through artistic expression. The focus is on the development of art skills and their application for growth and transformation. A commitment is required for the full year and renewed each following year. See program calendar pages 7-8 for list of courses. Entry: September 29, each year. Duration: Three 10-week terms each year, starting September, January & April. Format: Certificate program One full day (10 4). Diploma program One full day (10 4) and Wed. evg. (7 10). Homework: 4-6 hours weekly. Admission: Through personal interview. Participation in an introductory weekend is highly recommended. Diploma/Certificate: Students must attend 90% of classes and complete all Tuition: assignments successfully to receive the above. Certificate $2,000 per year. Diploma $3,000 per year, includes Core Studies. Additional expenses per year: Art materials (varies from term to term, approx. $250 per term in the first year, less in subsequent years) and handouts and reprotexts cost of approx. $160. 5 2. Biography - Life as Art. Independent Journey, Term 4 Art Show This program is based on the idea that our life is a creative piece of work, is in fact our biggest art piece and it happens daily as we live it. Letting the story and the events of our life reveal to us the miracle of our unique creation can be life changing and can lead us to redefine our path. Art, storytelling, and the study of specific themes enrich the journey. See program calendar pages 7-8 for list of Biography courses.

The Seasons of My Life, Biography Term 6 Entry: Beginning of each term, October, January & April. Duration: Three 9-week terms each year. Format: Certificate program One half day (10 1) Diploma program One half day (10 1) & Wed. evg. (7 10) Homework: 2-3 hours weekly. Admission: By telephone interview. Diploma/Certificate: Students must attend 90% of classes and complete all assignments successfully to receive the above. Tuition: Certificate $1,000 per year or $350 per term. Diploma $2,000 per year, includes Core Studies. Additional expenses per term: Art materials and handouts (varies from term to term but approx. $15 ). Reprotext $30. 3. Core Studies Life Skills Core Studies Life Skills, Term 6 Core studies provide students with essential skills that are relevant to both, the biography and the art program. These studies present an anthroposophical focus of the integration of our spiritual being with a universal spirituality and shed light on human evolution. By using art exercises, social, facilitative and interactive skills become more creative and readily applied. Art stimulates an accelerated learning mode in these various fields of study. See program calendar page 7-8 for list of Core Studies courses. Entry: Beginning of each term, October, January & April. Duration: Three 10-week terms each year. Format: Wed. evg. (7-10) Homework: Practice and reflection throughout the week. Admission: By telephone interview. Diploma/Certificate: Students must attend 90% of classes and complete all assignments successfully to receive the above. Tuition: Certificate $1,000 per year or $350 per term. Additional expenses per term: Art materials (varies from term to term but approx. $15 ) and handouts and reprotext cost of approx. $15. 6

Year One Term 1 Fall Sept. Term 2 Winter Jan. Term 3 Spring April Year Two Term 4 Fall Sept. Three-year Living Art Program Course Calendar Art - Capacities for Life Core Studies - Life Skills Biography - Life as Art Starts every fall Continous Intake (start with any term) Continous Intake (start with any term) BLACK & WHITE COURSE Experiencing light and darkness in art and overcoming the fear of drawing. The four elements as a diagnostic tool. CONCEPT ART Reviving the art of philosophy & contributing to a culture of enquiry. Learning how to study an anthroposophical text. LIFE CYCLES The seven-year cycles as described by Rudolf Steiner. Introduction to Biography. COLOUR COURSE Awakening to the emotional power of the individual colours in painting. Watercolour, egg tempera, and Goethe's colour theory. The seven soul gestures as awakeners of consciousness. COUNSELLING SKILLS COURSE Taking responsibility for one's learning through an understanding of the "seven life processes", according to Steiner. Speaking from the heart and engaging in a true encounter with another. PLANETARY QUALITIES The seven planetary qualities in their relationship to life cycles. CLAY COURSE Fundamental principles of sculpture. The power of three-dimensional space. The metamorphosis of will. MEDICAL LECTURES AND INNER PATH OF THE THERAPIST Introduction to anthroposophical medicine and its place for the therapeutic artist. LIFE BETWEEN LIVES The journey of reviewing, letting go, and beginning again. INDEPENDENT LEARNING COURSE Exploring the steps of the creative process on an individual journey. The "I" being as researcher and transformer. All three media. ART HISTORY AND THE EVOLUTION OF CONSCIOUSNESS The journey of the history of art reflects our own stages of development. From ancient to modern art. A spiritual approach. MALE AND FEMALE QUALITIES A deeper look at masculine and feminine qualities in everyone's life. Working towards an inner marriage.

Term 5 Winter Jan. Term 6 Spring April Year Three Term 7 Fall Sept. Term 8 Winter Jan. Term 9 Spring April VEIL PAINTING COURSE The water-colour technique that brings luminosity and transparency into painting and also into the soul. Introduction to Biography work. OBSERVATION To 'see' is to know. Enhancing one's powers of perception by truly seeing what is there and letting it speak to us. How can the 'supersensible' become sense perceptible? OVERCOMING POLARITY Qualities of form and dissolution in life patterns. Observing our own tendencies to polarise and learning to find balance. "THE ARTIST" Building a spiritual Goetheanum: Drawing, painting and modelling in the light of Rudolf Steiner's artistic impulse. Form drawing, capitals, and "growing" a painting. COUNSELLING SKILLS COURSE Deepening and extending the skills from the previous counselling course. TIME AS A PHENOMENON IN BIOGRAPHY Growing, developing and ripening are the result of four etheric forces. This theme and charting the biography of another are part of this term's work. "THE THERAPIST" & THERAPEUTIC PROCESS: The artist as healer. Moving from the seven steps of soul development toward the 12 spiritual capacities. Beginning to return the gifts learned. LEARNING FROM DESTINY Taking responsibility for one's reactions through an understanding of karma and reincarnation. Who is my double? FAMOUS BIOGRAPHIES & TWELVE WORLD VIEWS Charting an historical celebrity for presentation. Awakening 12 spiritual capacities in life and learning to stand in the middle of life's dynamics with a balanced overview. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: (PLACEMENT) Sharing what was learned with the outside world. Supervision. SPIRITUAL RESEARCH & CREATIVITY Defining and realising our lifelong spiritual quest and purpose. CRISIS IN BIOGRAPHY By revisiting past turning points we learn creative responses for the future and to meet challenging life situations. GRADUATION COURSE Written paper, case study, self & peer assessment and presentation from placement. Helping each other to look toward future steps. ANTHROPOSOPHY AS A SPIRITUAL PATH Anthroposophy could be called the biography of humanity. Working with the laws of a spiritual universe leads us to an understanding of our rightful place in the material world. BIOGRAPHY AND MID-LIFE QUESTIONS To be seen is as important as to see. How do I perceive my expression through the eyes of other and how can I grow from these insights. MONTHLY INTRODUCTORY WEEKENDS OFFERED email: regine@arscura.com or call: 905-763-1003

Additional Curricular Activities and Opening Celebration Every year on Sept. 29, from 8-9:30 p.m. we meet to celebrate our year opening, Fall Equinox and the Festival of Michaelmas. This is also a chance to meet old and new friends as well as the new students. Everyone is welcome! Open Houses and Art Shows Every term results in artwork that has arisen out of a deep inner process. To acknowledge the work that has taken place, and also to share it with a larger community, we host an art show and invite our friends and family, former students and interested newcomers. Open houses take place each term on the weekend following the last week of class, and require extra time, usually on Saturday evening and part of Sunday. Open house and Art Show at Arscura The healthy social life is found where in the mirror of each human soul the whole community finds its reflection and where in the community the virtue of each one is living. Rudolf Steiner 9

Requirements in the Life of the School The End-of-Term Review Every student writes a review at the close of each term. An important part of the program, the review serves to filter, evaluate and create closure around the course, before embarking on the next stage. Facilitation Practice An important aspect of the learning and self-development process at Arscura is the willingness to take others through an artistic learning process. Beginning in the second term, students are asked to share with someone a small part of their learning experience of the previous term. In this way learning becomes individualised. During the third year, in term eight, each participant experiences a placement practicum in a self chosen field of practice. This practicum is accompanied by weekly group supervision and peer feedback. Ceremonies of Recognition (Graduation) After the completion of the second year of study, students who have satisfied all requirements will be awarded a Foundation Studies certificate. Participants successful completion of the third year is recognized with a Diploma of Art in the Healing and Social Fields. On completion of all nine biography courses and required assignments students earn a Diploma in Biographical Counselling. 10

What it can lead to in the world... returning the gifts... In a group of recently retired professionals, where each person had many diverse interests and an initial impulse to have fun through art, a common question was discovered. Who am I in this time in my life? In the seven step process one female participant asked herself, Am I a fish out of water? In seven steps of a journey through water-colour painting, I saw her experience chaos, pass through darkness and find something new that she would take into her next life phase. This experience demonstrated for me that the seven-step art process holds true for everyone. It is an awe-inspiring journey leading us gently and powerfully towards balance. Susan Churchill Massage Therapist Arscura Graduate For my third year Arscura placement, I explored the healing power of colour with cancer patients at a hospice. Pam, a woman who is living with metastasized ovarian cancer describes her experience: It was fun to mix the colours and to become absorbed in the task like a child. On a deeper level, painting the colour circles enlivened me and I have carried that with me in my day to day activities. I now notice colour everywhere in a different way. It speaks to me emotionally and gives me joy. The process has helped me to be more at peace with myself. Vibeke Ball Hospice Volunteer Arscura Graduate 11

The Sacred Path May wisdom shine through me. May love grow within me. May strength penetrate me that I may arise a helper of mankind, a server of holy things, selfless and true. Rudolf Steiner 12

Our Studio: Located in the community room at: The Christian Community, 901 Rutherford Rd. Thornhill, Ontario. For registration and payment, call Regine Kurek at: 905-763-1003 or email: regine@arscura.com. You can print out a copy of the registration form from our website at: www.arscura.com or call and ask to have a copy sent to you by mail. Mailing address: Arscura, 23-81 Northern Heights Drive, Richmond Hill, ON, L4B 4C9 Payment: by cheque or cash. See registration package for full details. Major Mackenzie Dr. 13 Rutherford Rd. 901 Bathurst Street Hwy 7 Hwy 407 North Carrville Rd. Yonge Street Arscura School for Living Art Who we are: Regine Kurek, Director, Arscura Art Program Jef Saunders, Director, Counselling skills, Core studies Alexandra B. Guenther, Art History Dorothy LeBaron, Core Studies and Biography Timothy Cox, Consciousness Studies Veronica Koopmans, M.D. Medical Studies For updates see www.arscura.com or email regine@arscura.com Mail: 23-81 Northern Heights Drive, Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada, L4B 4C9

Arscura Network Many graduates have taken up the work of social transformation through art and are offering Arscura-based courses, group and individual work. See listing below for Arscura network members in your area. Area: Toronto, Ontario Dorothy LeBaron 416-465-2830 dorothy@arscura.com Area: Toronto, Ontario Stephanie Barwick, 416-694-7142 Area: Collingwood, Ontario Lynda J Smith 705-445-1031 ytene@yahoo.ca Area: Durham, Ontario Leigh Raney 519-369-1654 rumpapum@yahoo.com King City, Muskoka, Florida Vibeke Ball 905-833-7367 vibeke04@aol.com Area: Richmond Hill, Ontario Susan Churchill 905-787-1452 Mix and Match: An Overview of Programs The table below shows various options and combinations of our programs and certification or diploma received upon successful completion of required studies and assignments. Art - Capacities Core Studies Biography for Life Life Skills Art as Life Certificate of Attendance completion Certificate of Attendance completion Certificate of Attendance completion Diploma: Biographical Counselling completion completion Diploma: Art in the Healing and Social Fields completion completion Diploma: Art in the Healing and Social Fields completion completion completion Diploma: Biographical Counselling 14

More student comments Any artistic process, regardless of our skill level, sets in motion a journey through our inner landscape. Though this journey may have been inspired from the outside, that it is completely self-directed is beautiful Ilse Black, Early Childhood Educator Awakens the Senses, Enlivens the Soul, Stirs the Imagination! Being a student of Arscura has brought these gifts of renewal for me personally and professionally. L. Trajchef, Teacher I never truly understood the meaning of the saying you can t see the forest for the trees until I participated in the Arscura process. Lynda J. Smith, Athea, Inspirational Artist