Art in the Park: Watercolour Workshop at Hawrelak Park

Art in the Park! Master expressionist drip-and-puddle watercolours at Hawrelak Park. All materials included. Limited spots—book early!
About this Event



The Experience: A Creative Journey

Introduction: Setting the Scene. Our journey begins by meeting at the fire pit right outside the Tiramisu Cafe by the lake, exactly 20 minutes before our session start time. As we gather our intimate group of creators, we will wander together to select the perfect scenic spot along the boardwalks of Edmonton’s newly redesigned William Hawrelak Park.

The Setup: Learning the Rules (So We Can Break Them). Once we are comfortably settled, I will guide you through a live, 10-minute demonstration. You will learn the secrets of high-water volume washes, managing dynamic "puddles," and how to translate the park's beautiful greenery and lakeside reflections into bold abstract shapes.

The Creative Groove. Then, it is your turn to play with gravity! The true magic happens as we enter the hands-on painting phase. This is the climax of our session—breaking completely away from rigid realism and letting your mood take over. You will apply the puddle and drip techniques, literally tilting your paper to play with gravity. Together, we will use colourful, expressive brushstrokes to capture the shifting atmospheric light of the park. I will be walking around to provide one-on-one guidance, helping you find your unique expressionist style.

The masterpieces: We will wind down by admiring the unpredictable, beautiful ways the watercolours dried, sharing our experiences as a collaborative community, and soaking in the relaxed lakeside atmosphere.

🎨 Few Ways to Experience the Park

Choose the atmosphere that inspires you most when selecting your ticket date:

• Weekend Afternoon Sessions (12:00 PM – 3:00 PM): Perfect for soaking up the vibrant midday energy, walking the boardwalks, and pairing your art day with lunch at the new lakeside restaurant.
• Sunset Vibe Evenings (6:00 PM – 8:00 PM): Designed to catch Edmonton's stunning summer golden hour. We will actively paint the shifting atmospheric twilight as the sun goes down over the lake.
• Please note that from August 1 to 3rd the parking lot at Hawrelak Park is closed, so that the session will be held at Kinsmen Park. We are meeting outside of the beautiful Walterdale Museum building.

🍂 Special Fall & Autumn Format (September – October)

As the air turns crisp and the park transforms into brilliant shades of gold, amber, and deep red, our autumn sessions shift to a cozy, two-part indoor/outdoor experience so you can enjoy the fall beauty without getting cold!

• Part 1: The Brisk Autumn Gathering (15–20 Mins): We will start with a brief, refreshing stroll through Hawrelak Park to soak in the autumn air and collect striking fallen leaves, twigs, and textured nature finds.
• Part 2: Warm Still-Life & Expressionist Watercolour: We will then move into a cozy, indoor space where I will demonstrate simple, approachable tips for drawing and painting from still life. Using our collected leaves, you will learn how to capture rich fall colours and organic shapes with expressive watercolour washes, puddle techniques, and rich autumnal palettes.

No need to worry about the chilly weather—you get the crisp outdoor inspiration paired with warm, comfortable indoor painting time!

✨ What You Can Expect

• A Relaxing, Social Vibe: This is a collaborative community space, not a top-down, rigid classroom. Bring your own knowledge, chat with locals and visitors, and enjoy a creative escape.
• ✨ All Materials Included in your $50 ticket.

You will be provided with premium, professional-grade watercolour paper, brushes, and easy-to-use paint sets. Everything you need to create your landscape artwork is completely covered!

• Intimate Group Size: Strictly capped at 8 participants per session to ensure plenty of individual instruction. We can also make spontanious decisions like taking a snack break at the cafe or take a paddle boat rental.
• Expert Guidance: Learn directly from Mariam Qureshi, an internationally exhibited contemporary visual artist specializing in abstract expressionism and biophilic art.

🎒 Logistics & What to Bring

• Seating: There are chairs available at the park, and these expressionist techniques can easily be done standing up! However, you are highly encouraged to bring your own favourite lawn chair or a cozy picnic blanket for your ultimate comfort.
• Weather: We paint rain or sun! The park's atmosphere is gorgeous in all weather, so please come dressed for the elements. We will use a shelter when it rains.
• Timing Note: Sometimes if the group hits a magical creative rhythm, we love to keep the paint flowing and stretch our time together for an extra 30 minutes! Try to arrive early enough to allow everyone to find the right spot for plein-air.