What does Nelson's Shoebox Theatre have in common with the likes of The New York Times, The Economist, The Walrus, Newsweek, Reader’s Digest and Billboard? For one, they all have good stories to share, but for another, they have all benefited from the illustration talents of Nelson artist Pete Ryan.
Pete Ryan, a self-proclaimed art nerd, hails from a farm in Southern Ontario, and like many other talented and adventurous people, he has found a home to feed his soul while creating his art here in Nelson. A multi-award-winning illustrator (a gold medal in 2020 and two silver in 2024 and 2016 from the Society of Illustrators in New York, among many other accolades), Pete has almost 20 years experience making images for books, magazines, packaging and advertising, and as a former art director (Corporate Knights, The Walrus).
But aside from his prolific creative output, he also derives great joy in instruction, helping shape the path for future artists as a teacher for Sheridan College’s Illustration program for a decade, as well as a stint at Selkirk College’s Digital Art program, which brings us back to The Shoebox Theatre connection. Missing the creative collaborative environment of teaching and working with young artists, Pete and all of us at NCTS are super excited for him to be helming this year’s Sketch Camp.
Sketch Camp is a two-week summer intensive designed for youth ages 12-18 who are passionate about drawing and visual storytelling. Whether you're into intricate illustrations, expressive characters, or bold comics, Sketch Camp offers the tools, techniques, and inspiration to grow your artistic voice.
Over its four years running, each Sketch Camp program has been led by a professional guest artist with deep experience in illustration, design, and creative education. Through daily projects, skill-building exercises, and hands-on mentorship, participants learn how to turn ideas into images, iterate fearlessly, and tell compelling stories through their art. The program encourages creative risk-taking and celebrates the process as much as the product. The camp concludes with a zine showcase of original visual stories — each one a reflection of the artist's unique perspective and progress.
For this year’s camp, Pete will be focusing on projects that dig into students' love for drawing, expanding their skill set, and looking for ways to tell their own stories through image making. Pete's approach embraces iteration, hard work, having fun drawing, and making lots of mistakes on the path towards sustainable creativity.
Sketch Camp runs weekdays between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Aug. 5-15. Space is limited. Any interested future illustrators should register early at civictheatre.ca/sketchcamp and get ready to draw, explore, and create alongside fellow young artists! One of two bursaries is still available.
Jason Asbell is the NCTS’ cinema nerd and programming director. Large Popcorn, Extra Butter appears monthly.
