Art + Design Education Leaders
We're known for providing unique and flexible programs taught by professionals who have shaped art, craft, design, media and heritage studies in Canada. No other college offers students this breadth of creative programming.
Learn at campuses in Haliburton and Peterborough that provide a one-of-a kind, hands-on studio experience. Our certificate, diploma and post-graduate programs will help you build a solid portfolio to take you to the next step - whether that's continuing education, embarking on a career, or starting your own practice.
Featured Program
Build Your Foundation, Then Ignite Your Creativity
Earn a Visual and Creative Arts diploma in just three semesters with foundation courses and hands-on studio experience!
Apply Now-
Ceramics
Express yourself through clay! Our program provides a well-rounded foundation, from practical skills like wheel throwing to marketing and portfolio development.
Ceramics -
Drawing and Painting
Level up your studio skills in just 15 weeks! Get hands-on training and experience to take your creativity to the next level.
Drawing and Painting -
HSAD Continuing Education Calendar
We offer the creative experience you’ve been searching for. View our full range of art and design courses and find what ignites your passion.
HSAD Continuing Education Calendar
Art Certificates
Diploma Programs
Continuing Education
Centre for Making
Haliburton Accommodations
Diploma Program
Post Graduate Programs
Meet our Faculty
Gunnel Hag
Gunnel Hag studied Textiles in Stockholm, Sweden and London, England. Her clothing, interior fabrics and wall art have been represented at International Art and Design exhibitions. She has received many grants and awards for her work, including Ontario Arts Council grants and a Ministry of Industry and Trade Award. In her studio in Toronto she prints and dyes all the fabrics for her art work. Over the years she has printed and dyed fabrics for film and theatre companies in Canada and the United States, as well as producing a line of hand printed fashion. Gunnel was a professor in the Textile Studio at Sheridan College, School of Crafts and Design in Oakville, Ontario for twelve years, and has been a visiting lecturer at the National Institute of Design in Ahmedabad, India. She is an enthusiastic, innovative and creative teacher, who teaches workshops and gives presentations and lectures internationally. Gunnel has published two books: Creating Texture and Creating Texture: Soft Texture. Her concern with health and safety, both in her studio and in the classroom, has led Gunnel to actively promote her water based Colour Vie Pigment System. www.colourvie.com www.gunnelhagstudio.com
Joanna Turlej
Joanna Turlej graduated from OCAD University with an Honours degree and an Award of Excellence, followed by 25 years working as a fine artist and exploring various media. Since 2014 she has focused on paper collage, for which she has received numerous awards. Joanna has participated in Art Monaco, Human Rights, #H2O Exhibition, sponsored by UNESCO in Italy, and three times in The Artist Project, Toronto. She exhibits in juried exhibitions in Ontario and internationally and is an elected life member and President of CFS (Colour and Form Society). www.joannaturlej.com
Kirei Samuel
Instructor for:
Kirei Samuel's fascination with glass started purely by accident 25 years ago, when a friend gave her some scrap glass. For many years she travelled the Ontario art and craft show circuit and then, in 2009 she opened her studio/gallery which houses her one-of-a-kind pieces in jewellery, plates, bowls and artwork. In 2019 Kirei designed 550 pendants for the Women's Half Marathon in Wellington, ON. She also designed and built the bases for the pewter sculptures for the Dora Mavor Moore Awards for Toronto's annual theatre, dance and opera. She is happy to continue the Dora Award bases commission in 2023. Kirei has been a member of the PEC Studio Tour for the last 14 years.
Jeremy Laing
Jeremy Laing spent his childhood on an army base in Germany. He learned to sew at age 13 by watching his mother, and has been making clothes ever since. Jeremy's self-taught method, which combines organic and geometric approaches to pattern making and construction, was honed while studying in Toronto, on exchange at Westminster University in London, and through an apprenticeship with Alexander McQueen. Following his apprenticeship, Jeremy worked freelance developing showpieces for five of McQueen's collections, demonstrating his strength in innovative pattern making, garment construction, and the use of textile to create form. In 2011, Jeremy was a finalist for the prestigious ANDAM Fashion Award. In Jeremy's view, garments are a sum of parts, all functioning in relation to one another and, ultimately, to the body. His collections often stem from his elaborations on simple principles of construction and form, drawing simultaneously from couture and tailoring traditions. Jeremy currently lives and works in Toronto, Canada.
Rene Petitjean
Instructor for:
Rene Petitjean has been a maker of objects for more than 40 years. After attending Sheridan College, he bought Robin Hopper's Hillsdale, Ontario studio in 1975 and began a reduction-fired line of pottery, selling to stores throughout North America. Moving to Creemore in 1979, the business expanded to include a selection of salt-glazed pottery sold under the Bowerman's Hollow logo. In the late 1980's Rene developed a fascination for wrought iron, and eventually left the ceramics field and began to design and build architectural iron. Many of his projects have been large in scope and have taken over a year to complete. Currently, he takes commissions from selected architects, builders and interior designers. In 1998 he assisted with the design of the Haliburton School of Art + Design's Artist Blacksmith Certificate Program, of which he is a faculty member. Rene also teaches in the Ceramics Certificate Program.For More Information: renepetitjean.com
Kelly Gauthier
Kelly Gauthier is a Registered Art Therapist, RP (qualifying), PhotoTherapy Specialist, professional photographer and mental health radio show host. She has been in practice for over 13 years, working with individuals and groups in support of overcoming concerns such as anxiety, depression, trauma, abuse, addictions, and self-identify. Kelly has a passion for photography and has successfully incorporated photographs and projected imagery into her practice and her work with clients. For the past five years Kelly has dedicated a great deal of her time and her practice to supporting children and youth working through intergenerational traumas in remote communities and on First Nation reserves. www.pictureyourselfwell.com
Mary Pal
Mary Pal is a Toronto fibre artist best known for her cheesecloth portraiture, artworks that are made with sculpted cheesecloth that is stitched to a textile backing, using a technique she pioneered over a decade ago. The resulting portraits are meticulously detailed and exquisitely textural. Her work has been exhibited and collected throughout the world and published in numerous books and magazines. With over 40 years of teaching experience, she is a sought-after and popular instructor who enjoys sharing her knowledge and skills with her students around the globe. A past director on the board of the international organization, Studio Art Quilt Associates, Mary is an enthusiastic promoter of the burgeoning fibre art movement. www.marypaldesigns.com
Suzi Dwor
Instructor for:
Suzi Dwor has a Master's in Art Education and has studied in the US, Paris, and Mexico. An accomplished artist and teacher, she taught Fibre Design at Buffalo State University and is currently working in a program called "Learning Through the Arts" in the Niagara public schools. Her students describe her as extremely creative, intuitive, knowledgeable, and energetic. Suzi makes paper of incredible colour and quality that is used for collage and three-dimensional works of art. She trained in paper-making and fibre design at Kent State, Ohio; Cleveland Institute of Art, Fleming College, and Buffalo State University. Suzi also runs workshops for Wellspring Cancer Centre and Niagara Mental Health, as well as private retreats. Her achievements are many and include juried exhibits and workshops at the Albright Knox Gallery, Buffalo; Canada Koffler Gallery, Toronto; Rodman Hall, St. Catharines, Jordan Art Gallery; 100 American Craftsmen, NY; as well as across the US and southern Ontario. For More Information: suzidwor.com
Tanya Lyons
Instructor for:
Tanya Lyons graduated with honours from the Sheridan College glass program. She also studied at the University of Art and Design Helsinki, Finland, The Atlin Art Centre in BC, and the Toyama Institute of Glass Art in Japan. She taught glass at Sheridan College for four years, was a resident at the Harbourfront Centre as well as volunteering on the Board of Directors for the Glass Art Association of Canada. After 14 years in Quebec, Tanya has moved back to her hometown community to raise her daughter and continue her sculptural work with glass. Reflecting her passion for helping people find their way, she continues to teach in the glass program at the Haliburton School of Art + Design. She is the Co-Coordinator of the Madawaska Valley Studio Tour and a collaborating artist with the Ottawa Valley Community Arts organization. Tanya has always been a gatherer, collecting and taking in, objects, moments and memories. She uses glass in combination with natural and found objects to express and reflect her experiences, thoughts and questions about the world we live in and who we are. Her work has been exhibited throughout North America, Europe and Japan and is in many private and public collections including the Musee National des Beau-arts du Quebec. www.tanyalyons.ca
Nicholas Russell
Instructor for:
Nicholas Russell holds an Honours Degree in Music and also studied the art of guitar-making with Master Luthier Sergei De Jonge, designing and constructing a concert classical guitar under his tutelage. As a professional guitarist and music educator, Nick's musical style and knowledge spans genres, but his current exploration as a guitarist lies at the intersection of acoustic music, classic and contemporary jazz, and progressive rock. In recent years he has expanded his freelancing to include work as a composer (Dusk Dances Dance Festival, Arts Bournemouth University) and as a studio musician (Metalworks Studios, Escarpment Sound, Deschamps Studio). Numerous studio projects he has worked on have aired on national radio (CBC, Jazz FM, CFRU) and international television. Nick is officially endorsed by Godin Guitars (CAD) and Keeley Electronics (US). His most recent music release, ARCHTOP, was recorded on a 1949 Gibson L-7 Archtop guitar in 2021 and can be heard on all major streaming platforms.For More Information: @nicholas.on.guitar | nicholasrussell.ca
Saskia Wassing
Instructor for:
Saskia Wassing is an artist trained in embroidery and weave at Glasgow School of Art, Scotland. She creates joyful textiles, inspired by her past experiences, observations and memories. Referencing her sketchbook drawings, Saskia works freely onto a textile ground. Embroidering by hand and by using a basic domestic sewing machine as her drawing tool, layering fabric and thread into colourful narratives. Saskia has exhibited her work extensively and been commissioned to design and produce custom furniture, textiles, embroidery and prototypes for individuals and industry. Saskia teaches to all ages and levels and is currently faculty in the textile department of Sheridan College. For More Information: @saskiawdesigns | saskiadesigns.com Gunnel Hag
Gunnel Hag studied Textiles in Stockholm, Sweden and London, England. Her clothing, interior fabrics and wall art have been represented at International Art and Design exhibitions. She has received many grants and awards for her work, including Ontario Arts Council grants and a Ministry of Industry and Trade Award. In her studio in Toronto she prints and dyes all the fabrics for her art work. Over the years she has printed and dyed fabrics for film and theatre companies in Canada and the United States, as well as producing a line of hand printed fashion. Gunnel was a professor in the Textile Studio at Sheridan College, School of Crafts and Design in Oakville, Ontario for twelve years, and has been a visiting lecturer at the National Institute of Design in Ahmedabad, India. She is an enthusiastic, innovative and creative teacher, who teaches workshops and gives presentations and lectures internationally. Gunnel has published two books: Creating Texture and Creating Texture: Soft Texture. Her concern with health and safety, both in her studio and in the classroom, has led Gunnel to actively promote her water based Colour Vie Pigment System. www.colourvie.com www.gunnelhagstudio.com Joanna Turlej
Joanna Turlej graduated from OCAD University with an Honours degree and an Award of Excellence, followed by 25 years working as a fine artist and exploring various media. Since 2014 she has focused on paper collage, for which she has received numerous awards. Joanna has participated in Art Monaco, Human Rights, #H2O Exhibition, sponsored by UNESCO in Italy, and three times in The Artist Project, Toronto. She exhibits in juried exhibitions in Ontario and internationally and is an elected life member and President of CFS (Colour and Form Society). www.joannaturlej.com Kirei Samuel
Instructor for:
Kirei Samuel's fascination with glass started purely by accident 25 years ago, when a friend gave her some scrap glass. For many years she travelled the Ontario art and craft show circuit and then, in 2009 she opened her studio/gallery which houses her one-of-a-kind pieces in jewellery, plates, bowls and artwork. In 2019 Kirei designed 550 pendants for the Women's Half Marathon in Wellington, ON. She also designed and built the bases for the pewter sculptures for the Dora Mavor Moore Awards for Toronto's annual theatre, dance and opera. She is happy to continue the Dora Award bases commission in 2023. Kirei has been a member of the PEC Studio Tour for the last 14 years. Jeremy Laing
Jeremy Laing spent his childhood on an army base in Germany. He learned to sew at age 13 by watching his mother, and has been making clothes ever since. Jeremy's self-taught method, which combines organic and geometric approaches to pattern making and construction, was honed while studying in Toronto, on exchange at Westminster University in London, and through an apprenticeship with Alexander McQueen. Following his apprenticeship, Jeremy worked freelance developing showpieces for five of McQueen's collections, demonstrating his strength in innovative pattern making, garment construction, and the use of textile to create form. In 2011, Jeremy was a finalist for the prestigious ANDAM Fashion Award. In Jeremy's view, garments are a sum of parts, all functioning in relation to one another and, ultimately, to the body. His collections often stem from his elaborations on simple principles of construction and form, drawing simultaneously from couture and tailoring traditions. Jeremy currently lives and works in Toronto, Canada. Rene Petitjean
Instructor for:
Rene Petitjean has been a maker of objects for more than 40 years. After attending Sheridan College, he bought Robin Hopper's Hillsdale, Ontario studio in 1975 and began a reduction-fired line of pottery, selling to stores throughout North America. Moving to Creemore in 1979, the business expanded to include a selection of salt-glazed pottery sold under the Bowerman's Hollow logo. In the late 1980's Rene developed a fascination for wrought iron, and eventually left the ceramics field and began to design and build architectural iron. Many of his projects have been large in scope and have taken over a year to complete. Currently, he takes commissions from selected architects, builders and interior designers. In 1998 he assisted with the design of the Haliburton School of Art + Design's Artist Blacksmith Certificate Program, of which he is a faculty member. Rene also teaches in the Ceramics Certificate Program.For More Information: renepetitjean.com Kelly Gauthier
Kelly Gauthier is a Registered Art Therapist, RP (qualifying), PhotoTherapy Specialist, professional photographer and mental health radio show host. She has been in practice for over 13 years, working with individuals and groups in support of overcoming concerns such as anxiety, depression, trauma, abuse, addictions, and self-identify. Kelly has a passion for photography and has successfully incorporated photographs and projected imagery into her practice and her work with clients. For the past five years Kelly has dedicated a great deal of her time and her practice to supporting children and youth working through intergenerational traumas in remote communities and on First Nation reserves. www.pictureyourselfwell.com Mary Pal
Mary Pal is a Toronto fibre artist best known for her cheesecloth portraiture, artworks that are made with sculpted cheesecloth that is stitched to a textile backing, using a technique she pioneered over a decade ago. The resulting portraits are meticulously detailed and exquisitely textural. Her work has been exhibited and collected throughout the world and published in numerous books and magazines. With over 40 years of teaching experience, she is a sought-after and popular instructor who enjoys sharing her knowledge and skills with her students around the globe. A past director on the board of the international organization, Studio Art Quilt Associates, Mary is an enthusiastic promoter of the burgeoning fibre art movement. www.marypaldesigns.com Suzi Dwor
Instructor for:
Suzi Dwor has a Master's in Art Education and has studied in the US, Paris, and Mexico. An accomplished artist and teacher, she taught Fibre Design at Buffalo State University and is currently working in a program called "Learning Through the Arts" in the Niagara public schools. Her students describe her as extremely creative, intuitive, knowledgeable, and energetic. Suzi makes paper of incredible colour and quality that is used for collage and three-dimensional works of art. She trained in paper-making and fibre design at Kent State, Ohio; Cleveland Institute of Art, Fleming College, and Buffalo State University. Suzi also runs workshops for Wellspring Cancer Centre and Niagara Mental Health, as well as private retreats. Her achievements are many and include juried exhibits and workshops at the Albright Knox Gallery, Buffalo; Canada Koffler Gallery, Toronto; Rodman Hall, St. Catharines, Jordan Art Gallery; 100 American Craftsmen, NY; as well as across the US and southern Ontario. For More Information: suzidwor.com Tanya Lyons
Instructor for:
Tanya Lyons graduated with honours from the Sheridan College glass program. She also studied at the University of Art and Design Helsinki, Finland, The Atlin Art Centre in BC, and the Toyama Institute of Glass Art in Japan. She taught glass at Sheridan College for four years, was a resident at the Harbourfront Centre as well as volunteering on the Board of Directors for the Glass Art Association of Canada. After 14 years in Quebec, Tanya has moved back to her hometown community to raise her daughter and continue her sculptural work with glass. Reflecting her passion for helping people find their way, she continues to teach in the glass program at the Haliburton School of Art + Design. She is the Co-Coordinator of the Madawaska Valley Studio Tour and a collaborating artist with the Ottawa Valley Community Arts organization. Tanya has always been a gatherer, collecting and taking in, objects, moments and memories. She uses glass in combination with natural and found objects to express and reflect her experiences, thoughts and questions about the world we live in and who we are. Her work has been exhibited throughout North America, Europe and Japan and is in many private and public collections including the Musee National des Beau-arts du Quebec. www.tanyalyons.ca Nicholas Russell
Instructor for:
Nicholas Russell holds an Honours Degree in Music and also studied the art of guitar-making with Master Luthier Sergei De Jonge, designing and constructing a concert classical guitar under his tutelage. As a professional guitarist and music educator, Nick's musical style and knowledge spans genres, but his current exploration as a guitarist lies at the intersection of acoustic music, classic and contemporary jazz, and progressive rock. In recent years he has expanded his freelancing to include work as a composer (Dusk Dances Dance Festival, Arts Bournemouth University) and as a studio musician (Metalworks Studios, Escarpment Sound, Deschamps Studio). Numerous studio projects he has worked on have aired on national radio (CBC, Jazz FM, CFRU) and international television. Nick is officially endorsed by Godin Guitars (CAD) and Keeley Electronics (US). His most recent music release, ARCHTOP, was recorded on a 1949 Gibson L-7 Archtop guitar in 2021 and can be heard on all major streaming platforms.For More Information: @nicholas.on.guitar | nicholasrussell.ca Saskia Wassing
Instructor for:
Saskia Wassing is an artist trained in embroidery and weave at Glasgow School of Art, Scotland. She creates joyful textiles, inspired by her past experiences, observations and memories. Referencing her sketchbook drawings, Saskia works freely onto a textile ground. Embroidering by hand and by using a basic domestic sewing machine as her drawing tool, layering fabric and thread into colourful narratives. Saskia has exhibited her work extensively and been commissioned to design and produce custom furniture, textiles, embroidery and prototypes for individuals and industry. Saskia teaches to all ages and levels and is currently faculty in the textile department of Sheridan College. For More Information: @saskiawdesigns | saskiadesigns.com Gunnel Hag
Gunnel Hag studied Textiles in Stockholm, Sweden and London, England. Her clothing, interior fabrics and wall art have been represented at International Art and Design exhibitions. She has received many grants and awards for her work, including Ontario Arts Council grants and a Ministry of Industry and Trade Award. In her studio in Toronto she prints and dyes all the fabrics for her art work. Over the years she has printed and dyed fabrics for film and theatre companies in Canada and the United States, as well as producing a line of hand printed fashion. Gunnel was a professor in the Textile Studio at Sheridan College, School of Crafts and Design in Oakville, Ontario for twelve years, and has been a visiting lecturer at the National Institute of Design in Ahmedabad, India. She is an enthusiastic, innovative and creative teacher, who teaches workshops and gives presentations and lectures internationally. Gunnel has published two books: Creating Texture and Creating Texture: Soft Texture. Her concern with health and safety, both in her studio and in the classroom, has led Gunnel to actively promote her water based Colour Vie Pigment System. www.colourvie.com www.gunnelhagstudio.com