Sidi Schaffer (standing) has been leading an art class at the Weinberg Residence since last October. <\/i>(photo by Vanessa Trester)<\/i><\/p>\n
Sidi Schaffer, a well-known Vancouver artist and art teacher, moved to the Weinberg Residence last August. \u201cMy husband passed away in June, and I didn\u2019t want to be alone in our big house,\u201d she told the Independent<\/i>. \u201cHere, I\u2019m not alone.\u201d \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n No matter where she lives, Schaffer is an artist at heart, and her art always finds an outlet. In this case, it is a class for Weinberg residents.<\/p>\n \u201cI approached Vanessa [Trester, manager of the Weinberg Residence], and suggested I start an art class,\u201d Schaffer said. \u201cI\u2019ve been an art teacher for decades. I have so much to share with my students.\u201d<\/p>\n Trester agreed with the suggestion and Schaffer\u2019s sessions started last October.<\/p>\n \u201cThe official name of the class is Fun Exploring Art with Sidi Schaffer,\u201d said Trester. \u201cBesides the opportunity to learn about art and artists, the students can tap into their creativity with Sidi\u2019s direction. The class provides the residents with joy, lifts their spirits, and brings connectivity through their shared stories.\u201d<\/p>\n Participation in the Monday classes fluctuates between eight and 12 people. \u201cNot everyone can come all the time,\u201d said Schaffer. \u201cThe residents here are not young. Someone has a headache or a doctor\u2019s appointment, or their family is visiting. But people come when they can. We put on classical music in the background. I bring some art supplies \u2013 I have a lot of brushes and paper and paints \u2013 plus what Vanessa bought, and we have fun. As long as my students are happy, I\u2019m happy.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Her class makes many attendees happy. One of them, Helen Sankoff, told the Independent<\/i>: \u201cI don\u2019t have any prior experience creating art, but I used to knit, do needlepoint and make jewelry as a hobby. Now, I attend Sidi\u2019s class because she is a wonderful artist and teacher. She introduces us to many different artists and ways of painting, and I find her art class very relaxing. We have classical music playing in the background, and it\u2019s my favourite time of the week.\u201d<\/p>\n As an experienced teacher, Schaffer doesn\u2019t set impossible goals for herself or her students. \u201cI\u2019m not trying to teach them deep painting techniques,\u201d she said. \u201cThey don\u2019t have to create masterpieces. I\u2019m trying to show them how to express themselves through artistic means. Creating art is not a focus in this class, it is a side benefit. The focus is to enjoy it.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n She enjoys it too and uses famous artists and art history as inspiration. Her artistic education is extensive: first in her native Romania, then in Israel and, finally, in Canada. She has lived, studied and worked in all three countries.<\/p>\n Schaffer shares her love for various art movements with her students.<\/p>\n \u201cWe started with Van Gogh. I brought Van Gogh\u2019s reproductions to the class, and some sunflowers,\u201d she said. \u201cFirst, I told them about Van Gogh, his life and his art. Then, I set up the sunflowers and the students painted them.\u201d \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n From Van Gogh, she proceeded to Paul C\u00e9zanne. \u201cHe painted landscapes and still life, and I brought apples to the class to paint,\u201d said Schaffer.<\/p>\n One class was an introduction to Claude Monet and his waterlilies. \u201cI had some photos, and some of the students saw those paintings when they visited Paris years ago,\u201d she shared.<\/p>\n After French impressionists, Schaffer decided it was time for Canadian art, particularly the Group of Seven. But, she started with Ted Harrison and his Northern Lights, bringing in his books. She had her students imitate his style.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI want us to have a field trip to the Vancouver Art Gallery, to see Emily Carr\u2019s paintings. It will probably happen as soon as we have some volunteers available,\u201d she said.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In the meantime, Schaffer has switched to Australian aboriginal art, where every image is comprised of dots. \u201cIt is amazing what can be done in this technique,\u201d she said. \u201cIt is very suitable to my students, an easy technique, as each one of them is over 80 years old. Some suffer from arthritis and have trouble holding a brush.\u201d<\/p>\n One participant\u2019s paintings \u201care similar to each other, no matter which artist I tell them about,\u201d said Schaffer, but they enjoy the class, \u201cand that is the most important outcome.\u201d<\/p>\n Schaffer\u2019s classes are eclectic, covering a variety of styles, materials and methods. In one class, she concentrated on First Nations artist Daphne Odjig. Another time, she talked about avant-garde artist Georgia O\u2019Keeffe. She has focused on the importance of perspective in painting.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI want to have a class about painting body and face. I want to buy some clay for a sculpture class and we\u2019ll have a mask-painting class for Purim,\u201d she said before the holiday. \u201cI push my students not to be realistic \u2013 to express their inner world, not copy the street outside. Art should be playful.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n One of her favourite techniques is collage that uses dry flowers and leaves. \u201cThey are so beautiful, so transparent, like visual poetry,\u201d said Schaffer, who has albums of material. \u201cI\u2019ve always wanted to preserve their beauty, have done it since childhood. The designs on each leaf are unique. Some of them remind me of a place or a time.\u201d<\/p>\n Schaffer has \u201cno end of ideas for new classes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOther artists \u2013 Chagall, Picasso \u2013 and other techniques,\u201d she said. \u201cI want to get some old magazines and art books to cut for collages. Perhaps the Waldman Library has some for sale. We\u2019ll have fun in that class.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n