OUR VISION: Expression and connection through the arts.
OUR PURPOSE: To provide a centre for study in the arts, that inspires, explores, and encourages artistic practice.
OUR MANDATE: To inspire serious students and professional artists – in a stimulating natural environment – through workshops, hands-on demonstrations, mentoring, and studio practice.
OUR VALUES
Community: colleagues creating and sharing artistic knowledge and practice.
Creativity: exploration and connection inspiring artists and serious students.
Diversity: programs representing varied artistic disciplines.
Environment: a secluded natural environment inspiring artistic expression.
Generosity: reciprocity between instructors and students.
Partnership: local, national and international relationships supporting art and creativity.
OUR PRINCIPLES
Accountability: frame financial, human resource and governance structures around best practices.
Excellence: bring together high-caliber instructors in a fiscally responsible manner.
Experiential: offer hands-on, process-based arts programs.
Relevance: pursue emerging artistic ideas, techniques and concepts.
Transparency: clearly communicate what we offer and what we expect.
* Updated from the MISSA 2019-2022 Strategic Plan
It all started with the seeds of a vision and fueled by the passion of a small group of dedicated artists. That first summer in 1984 started with art instruction by, Robin Hopper (ceramics), Flemming Jorgensen (painting), Cheryl Samuel (tapestry and First Nations Art), Carole Sabiston (textiles) and Rona Murray (writing). Between them they offered five workshops to 53 participants. Over the years, MISSA has expanded to offering over 40 workshops to more than 400 national and international students and maintained a high caliber of instruction from visiting instructors.
Robin Hopper (1939 – 2017) – Founding member, Order of Canada (2016), ceramics
Flemming Jorgensen (1934 – 2009) – Co-founding member, painting
Cheryl Samuel – First instructor, weaving
Carole Sabiston – First instructor, textiles, Order of Canada (1992)
Rona Murray – (1924 – 2002) – First Instructor, writing
It was in 1984 that a small group of dedicated artists had a shared vision to bring together established artists and adult students to learn together in a unique westcoast environment. On the campus of Pearson College UWC, in Metchosin, BC, the Metchosin International Summer School of the Arts (MISSA) began. The first summer started with five courses and 53 participants and over the years has expanded to over 40 workshop offerings with more than 375 national and international students attending from as far away as Israel, South Africa and Mexico.
Through the years, MISSA has developed an excellent reputation for the calibre of its instructors, including local, national and international artists who form the foundation from which MISSA continues to operate year after year.
Since its inception, MISSA has adapted to meet the growing demand for resources and personnel. MISSA set up an office at Pearson College and since the early 90’s an Executive Director has been hired. The “Friends of MISSA” was established to build an on-going body of support and fundraising continues with the help of draws, auctions, grants and special events. These undertakings and activities have enabled MISSA to establish a bursary program that has allowed both established and emerging artists, to benefit from MISSA’s programs.
For the first time since its inception, MISSA will be moving it’s Summer Program to a new location in Shawnigan Lake, BC. MISSA 2022 will take place on the beautiful 300 acre lake-side campus of Shawnigan Lake School, a 100 year old boarding school that has all of the amenities and more that MISSA needs for a successful and engaging program. This is the perfect opportunity to expand and grow. Since 1984, MISSA is still in operation despite a global pandemic that closed our summer program for two years. We are still here and ready to continue on our creative journey!
As a not for profit arts organization MISSA relies heavily on volunteer involvement and is ever-grateful for the large cadre of volunteers whose commitment and enormous support, in so many ways, has contributed immeasurably to MISSA’s success.
MISSA Board Members for 2024-2025 (AGM is held in March)
MISSA would not be able to function without the help of its amazing volunteers but no other volunteers are as vital as the techs that return year after year. Techs hit the ground running helping to set up MISSA and are there at the very end helping to put everything away. There is a tech assigned to each class so that the instructors and class participants have everything they need and that everything runs safely and smoothly. These folks are the secret source of that “MISSA Magic.”
Keith Bacus, “Walla Walla” is a long time MISSA student who recently joined our tech team. He’s also responsible for bringing the Walla Walla sweet onions that make the excellent onion rings at Bodacious Gumbo Night. In “real life”, Keith is a BioMedical Electronics Technician, working for a hospital.
Dan Severance, is a long time MISSA student and supporter.
Island Arts Magazine
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Victoria News
Pearson College Newsletter
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