6 ~ Wednesday, March 1, KAL OPRE TO TEACH COURSE 1989 - Capilano Chronicle Expand your vision with Capilano artist DON’T EXPECT to learn the ‘‘Kal Opre Method of Creating Art’? in the new Arts Expansion course taught by Capilano artist Kal Opre this spring at Delbrook Recreation Centre. ’ Opre thinks it’s unfortunate that ‘many art. teachers ‘‘teach themselves’’ and their own ways of painting or drawing. “T betieve in starting from the learner’s level of experience and taking it from there,"’ says Opre. He describes the course as ‘‘ex- panding your vision and_ tech- nique.’ “I will help people expand upon their own vision, instead of giving them mine. The idea is to show them within their own resources how to do it better,’’ Opre ex- plains. He welcomes artists to improve themselves in the medium of their choice, be it oils, watercolors, pastels or any other medium. And, judging from the variety of artworks displayed on Opre's walls in his Canyon Gardens home, he has himself. mastered numerous art forms. “T have tried, conscientiously, not to develop a style — an indi- vidual mark, yes,"’ he puts it. If Opre did have a style, it might be described as a combination of - precision and grace — attributes reflected in his home and his per- sonal appearance, which give an impression of neatness and light. There are many lfanguorous landscapes in his collection, but he confesses that a fascination with the human figure has been the common note throughout his life, Starting from his artistic training years ago in Hungary. Opre also began training as a “ mechanical engineer, ‘which was interrupted by the outbreak of the Second World War. Arriving in Canada in 1949, he soon made his way to the West Coast, where he began a career as a commercial artist. Opre worked for many years in Local produces WOULD ‘YOU produce a play as a hobby? Many people do, including Capilano-area resident Gerard Knapp. Knapp is the producer of Gilbert and Sullivan’s Pirates of Penzance, this year’s offering from the North Shore Light Opera Society. According to Knapp, a pro- ducer’s job includes finding the right people . for the .production staff,:such as an artistic director, musical’ director, choreographer, stage manager and set designer. However, “‘I never feel alone, or that I have to do everything,” said - Knapp. :“‘Putting a show together. is a lot of work, but it is a group effort.” Although he says he always had -. “|imited time offer “. expires March 31/8S 1362 Marine Drive - North Vancouver. - an artistic bent, having studied English at UBC and now owning a second-hand bookstore in. Bur- naby, Knapp had never been in- volved in theatre until joining the North Shore Light Opera Society three years ago. “I never had the confidence to : act or sing, but three years ago, my wife Gillian decided she wanted to sing with the North Shore Light Opera Society. She was too late to join the chorus, but joined the stage crew. I joined with her and we had fun.’’ . _ Following that season, Knapp the printing and publishing in- dustry and did one of the first col- or pages for a newspaper. His vast experience has also in- cluded a two-year study and development of the Britannia Beach Mining Museum, con- structed in 1974. He followed this with a series of paintings depicting miners ‘in variou:. aspects of their work. A more recent series of water- colors ‘focused on Edgemont Village, showing some of the well-known landmarks, as well as a few ‘‘behind-the-scenes"’ studies. Some cf Opre’s works will be on display in the North Vancouver District and City halls this sum- mer. Opre and his wife of 33 years, Betty, have lived in the Capilano area since the '50s and have raised two children. Opre’s arts expansion course will be offered Wednesday evenings, April 12 to May 10 and again, May 17 to June 12. For : further information call Delbrook Recreation Centre at 984-4181. ‘ GERARD KNAPP oo. “Putting a show together is a lot of work, but ft is a group effort.’’. _ Clip this coupon and save °4°° on our. regular price. Complete oil, ‘lube & filter. _@ Up to SL premium quality oil . © Install oil filter. oe, * -¢ Complete. chassis lube ¢16 point safety check: e Takes only 5-10 minutes MAF 8:30-5:30 - Sat. 8:30-5:00 ovithe photo Mike Wakafletd MULTI-MEDIA Capilano artist Kal Opre will be helping people find their individual artistic voice in his upcoming course offered through recCentre Delbrook. ased his singing experience the “Summer Chorus,’ ‘whi:h he says gave him the con- fidence to sing in the light opera suciety’s men’s chorus — ‘‘as a non-singer, it has been a challeng- ing and rewarding experience,” he commented. Knapp ‘volunteered or was vol- unteered”’ to the position as pro- ducer of Pirates of Penzance while he sat in on a meeting of the com-.- pany’s executive committee. ! Would he do it. again? “Although it. has-been a:lot. of work, it has been rewarding,” he © ta the Pirates of ase said. ‘‘I think that if I were to do it again it would require much less work, Whether that is true or not will have to wait till next year. Yes, I would probably do it again.”’ Pirates of Penzance opens this Friday evening, March 3, at North Vancouver Centennial Theatre. Performances run on March 3, 4, 10, 11, 16, 17 and 18 at 8 p.m., and on March 12 at 2 p.m. Tickets (adults $9, students and _seniors, .$7) are available from VTC/CBO ticket centres (280- 4444), recCentre Lonsdale (988- 6166), and all cast members. : Answers to Crossword From. page. 11. at ef + i F-fafel seta s wf al ale Bl