Course Overview
FIND YOUR LINE
A drawing and/or painting workshop and instructional canoeing week hosted by artists and MKC’s canoe instructors Yannick Victor & Ashleigh Smith. We believe the universe of creativity and flow are as much alive in the water as they are within ourselves. Can art teach us to look at paddling differently? Does our approach differ from a white page to a white wave? Through the unique lens offered from pairing whitewater paddling with creative practice, artists Ashleigh and Yannick will explore potential answers to these questions.
In this 5 day course, time will be spent evenly on and off the water. Painting and drawing workshops will focus on plein-air techniques and collaborative creation. The canoeing will be the same top-notch quality that MKC is known for – with a creative twist.
Who is this Course for?
This course is for the curious! Whether you’re taking your first strokes with a brush or a paddle, if you are interested in using both, and looking for an environment that will allow you to progress at your own pace and leave feeling inspired, then this is the course for you!
This course would be suited to both beginner and advanced paddlers and artists. Both the art Workshops and paddling clinics can be adapted to all levels. We expect a broad range of paddling skills, so get ready to work as a team on the river!´
Itinerary
A little about the instructors!
“I believe creativity lives in everything we do, it is innate in all of us, and I want to share how it can help us feel more comfortable, present and joyful on the water!”– Ashleigh Smith
Yannick has spent part of the past 4 years teaching at MKC, and guiding on rivers both in Canada’s far north and in the Southwest United-States. The beauty of the Ottawa and Madawaska Valleys always calls me back. Since completing my art degree at Concordia I have developed my painting practice to fit with my outdoor pursuits. Working mainly with tempera and water-soluble oils, I find inspiration in the natural world that surrounds me and the rivers that I love. I am very excited to be able to share both of my passions with you.
Australian born artist and river guide, Ashleigh Smith hopped hemispheres to find the promise of abundant whitewater and the incredible Canadian river community. She found it here, instructing with on the Madawaska! Ashleigh’s art education stems globally from painting workshops in Rome, to residencies in NYC. She is famous for her river expedition oil painting travel kit, so she can paint with oils no matter how long the portage was to get there.
You can see these paddling artists’ work here: Facebook: Art by Ash Smith, Instagram @Ashsmithart, yannickvictor.com
Cost
5 Day Whitewater Instruction $1075
Art Supply Cost $200
From $200-925. See below for various accommodation & meal packages
$425-475 (whitewater boat, paddle, helmet, life jacket).
Accommodation + Meal Packages
Shared Lodge Plan* | $925
Shared Cabana Plan* | $925
Shared Glamping Plan* | $925
Dormitory Plan* | $775
Camping Plan | $700
Camping No Meals | $200
Check In
The evening before your course between 7 & 10pm
Check Out
Fridays at 7pm
*For those booking for one for Glamping, Cabana, Lodge or Dorm: it is likely you will stay with other students of the same gender. As a wilderness resort we have chosen to not expand too far into our surrounding forest and therefore have limited indoor accommodations. To book a private room as an individual is an additional cost.
About our Meals
We take pride in serving healthy, hearty and delicious meals. As a proud member of FeastON, we source locally when possible and add our special touch with herbs and edible flowers from our own garden. Meals start with breakfast the first day of the course and include: 5 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 5 dinners plus an après-paddling snack. Coffee, tea and juice are complimentary. BYOB.
Locally roasted specialty coffee and homemade snacks can be purchased from our Riverside Shop & Café.
Group Discounts
We welcome groups of 4 or more at a discounted rate (conditions apply)
What do folks think of us?
What really sets them apart, is the quality of their instructors. As William Ward said: "The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires." We have both been inspired to keep paddling
Jake J
The facility has been lovingly maintained and was peacefully beautiful. The food was great: abundant, fresh, flavourful and healthy. Customer service is clearly a priority as all the staff from the instructors, administration and food services were smiling, accommodating and helpful.
Adam L + Mary-Lynne S
The Highlight of my program was the entire experience!! All the staff, the great food, the thoughtful layout of all the buildings and campsites. The camaraderie and the new friends I made. I enjoyed it all. Oops! Almost forgot to mention the river
Alex M
Amazing, organized and joyful. You can sense the passion here as soon as you pull up. Everyone loves what they do and it’s a very welcoming feeling
Brooke S
Women’s Week
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
$967.50 / Per person
Senior’s Week
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
$1075 / Per person
Family Week
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
$1075 / Per person
