2026 SPRING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SERIES: FINANCIAL SKILL

Wednesday, February 18th 

3.00 PM - 5.00 PM (PST)

Online via Zoom

Seminar Overview:

 Turn your creativity into a profitable, sustainable art business. In this engaging online seminar, Kevan Seng from Capulet Art shares over 18 years of experience helping artists maximize their revenue through smart business strategies. Learn how to leverage framing, art prints, rentals, and live events to expand your income, grow your profile, and spend more time doing what you love. 

What You’ll Learn:

• Framing as a Revenue Stream: Discover how professional framing can increase the value of your artwork, how to outsource framing at trade pricing, and how to turn it into profit.
   
• Art Prints & Cards: Learn how reproducing your work can generate recurring income, tips on editions, giclée printing, quality control, and where to sell.
   
• Art Rentals: Explore passive monthly income opportunities by placing your artwork in homes, offices, and commercial spaces, often leading to direct sales or commissions.
   
• Battle of the Brush: Gain recognition and expand your audience through live painting competitions, with opportunities locally and internationally.
   
• Building a Creative Business That Works: Position your art as a premium product and discover how outsourcing production allows you to focus on creating while maximizing profit.

About the Speaker: 

 Kevan Seng is the founder of Capulet Art, a Vancouver-based gallery and framing studio established in 2006. With over 18 years in the art industry, Kevan represents more than 400 artists through services including custom framing, art rentals, print production, and live painting events. His mission is to empower artists by providing professional tools and strategies to turn their creative work into sustainable income streams. Kevan’s approach blends artistic vision with entrepreneurial insight, helping artists build cohesive portfolios, expand their reach, and thrive in the evolving art market. 

Wednesday, February 25th 

3.00 PM - 5.00 PM (PST)

Online via Zoom

Seminar Overview:

 Varnishing is a crucial finishing step for both original artworks and prints, providing protection and enhancing visual appeal. In this practical session, artists will learn how to safeguard their work from environmental damage, dust, and discoloration, while enriching color, depth, and surface finish—whether glossy, matte, or somewhere in between. 

What You’ll Learn:

• Protection First: Understand why varnishing is essential for the longevity of your art, especially pieces not under glass or glazing.
   
• Enhanced Presentation: Learn how the right varnish can unify the surface, enrich colors, and elevate the overall appearance of your work.
   
• Techniques & Materials: Demystify the variety of varnishes and application methods, and discover how to confidently choose and apply the best finish for your artwork.
   
• Avoid Common Pitfalls: Gain tips for preventing mistakes that could damage your piece, empowering you to varnish like a professional.

About the Speaker: 

Trevor code is the Custom Service manager for Opus art supplies and has been working for Opus for 16 years and has been working within the Arts and with artists for over 20 years. At Opus He has been focused on educating staff, customers, and their community be creative freely and confidently.

Wednesday, March 4th 

3.00 PM - 5.00 PM (PST)

Online via Zoom

Seminar Overview:

 Shipping your artwork doesn’t have to be stressful, expensive, or confusing. This practical seminar is designed specifically for artists and creative entrepreneurs, whether you’re sending pieces to collectors or preparing for your first gallery show. Learn how to take control of the shipping process, protect your work, and save time and money. 

What You’ll Learn:

• Compare Rates & Save: Quickly evaluate top carriers to ensure you never overpay or rely on a single option.
   
• Smart Packaging: Tips for safely shipping delicate, oversized, and irregular artwork with real-world examples.
   
• Customs & Trade Simplified: Understand HS codes, CUSMA, and the forms you need to avoid delays.
   
• International Shipping Made Easy: Strategies for smooth cross-border shipments with confidence.
   
• Guaranteed Delivery & High-Value Shipments: When to choose extra protection for time-sensitive or valuable artwork.
   
• Handling Claims & Returns: Steps to manage lost or damaged art and streamline returns, consignment, and gallery deliveries.
   
• Freightcom Tools: Learn how to leverage enterprise-level shipping platforms, including rate comparison, label printing, and tracking.
   
• Support Resources: Access licensed customs brokers and in-house experts for guidance whenever you need it.

About the Speaker: 

Laura Magliocchi is an Account Executive at Freightcom and one of the most approachable, knowledgeable voices in the world of small business shipping.

Known for her straight-talk advice and passion for helping creatives succeed, Laura works closely with Canadian artists, small business owners, and entrepreneurs every day—guiding them through complex shipping setups, and best practices for shipping both domestically and internationally.

With a background in logistics, a love for creative problem-solving, and a knack for making the confusing parts of shipping feel simple, Laura brings the perfect balance of expertise and relatability to this seminar. Whether you're shipping your first painting or building a career in the art world, Laura is here to make sure your work gets where it needs to go—on time and intact.

Wednesday, March 11th

3.00 PM - 5.00 PM (PDT)

Online via Zoom

Seminar Overview:

 Learn how to turn exhibitions and art fairs into powerful tools for professional growth. In this seminar, Lisa Wolfin shares her experience as the founder of Art Vancouver and the Vancouver Visual Art Foundation (VVAF), guiding artists on how to navigate applications, present their work professionally, and maximize opportunities for exposure, sales, and long-term career development. 

What You’ll Learn:

• Art Fair Applications: Key criteria that fairs look for, common mistakes to avoid, and how persistence and strategic presentation can pay off.
   
• Professional Growth & Exposure: Connect with collectors, galleries, and curators while gaining feedback to refine your practice.
   
• Business Essentials: Learn how to price your work, invest strategically, and build a professional portfolio and online presence.
   
• Leveraging Art Fairs: Tips on booth design, audience engagement, follow-up strategies, and using events like Art Vancouver to expand your network.
   
• Success Stories: Insights and examples from past exhibitors on how exhibitions and fairs have accelerated their careers.

About the Speaker: 

 Lisa Wolfin is the Founder and Executive Director of Art Vancouver, Western Canada’s leading contemporary art fair, and the Vancouver Visual Art Foundation (VVAF), a non-profit supporting and promoting visual artists across BC. With years of experience connecting artists, galleries, and collectors, Lisa helps emerging and professional artists navigate exhibitions, grow their practice, and maximize opportunities in the contemporary art world. 

Wednesday, March 18th

12.00 PM - 1.00 PM (PDT)

Online via Zoom

Seminar Overview:

This is the workshop that brings it all together: business deductions, filing deadlines, saving money for tax, GST/HST registration, and keeping the right records. It’s all about avoiding the pitfalls and keeping CRA happy with the least amount of stress and fuss. At the end of this session participants will be forearmed with everything they need to know to stay out of trouble and get back to the work they love, ASAP.

What You’ll Learn:

• How to identify and claim business deductions effectively
• Understanding filing deadlines to avoid penalties
• Strategies for saving money on taxes
• When and how to register for GST/HST
• How to keep accurate and organized records
• Tips for avoiding common pitfalls with the CRA
• Practical steps to reduce stress while staying compliant
• How to focus on your art/business while staying tax-ready

About the Speaker: 

 Sunny Widerman has been a tax preparer and advisor since 2002, with a growing clientele of freelancers, business owners and professionals. Through her firm Personal Tax Advisors, Sunny specializes in helping clients take control of their tax planning by explaining the tax issues that affect them. She focuses on a gentle, non-threatening approach to financial issues and clear, jargon free language. 

Wednesday, March 25th

3.00 PM - 5.00 PM (PDT)

Online via Zoom

Seminar Overview:

Tax audits. Is there anything more terrifying? The bad news is, audits are much, much more common for self-employed people and business owners than they are for salaried people with regular jobs. Moreover even the most conscientious person can be audited.

The good news is, it’s possible to come through one reasonably unscathed. The secret lies not in how you react to an audit, but to the decisions you make months or even years before you’re audited.

Participants in this eye-opening session will learn the simple yet powerful secrets to preparing for the possibility for audits, and coming through the other side with a smile.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why self-employed individuals and business owners face higher audit risks
• Common triggers that can lead to a tax audit
• How early decisions impact your audit risk
• Practical strategies to “audit-proof” your business
• How to stay prepared and organized for potential audits
• Tips for handling an audit with confidence and minimal stress
• Ways to protect your business and come through audits unscathed

About the Speaker: 

 Sunny Widerman has been a tax preparer and advisor since 2002, with a growing clientele of freelancers, business owners and professionals. Through her firm Personal Tax Advisors, Sunny specializes in helping clients take control of their tax planning by explaining the tax issues that affect them. She focuses on a gentle, non-threatening approach to financial issues and clear, jargon free language.