Upchuckle Creative Workshops (UCW) provide a variety of art, animation & creative workshops to adults (18+). Only at Upchuckle Education in Barrie, ON
Explore your potential, discover your passion and find your creative voice at UCW. Upchuckle Creative Workshops, only at Upchuckle Education in Barrie, ON. Classes, programs and more.

EXPLORE YOUR POTENTIAL. DISCOVER YOUR PASSION. FIND YOUR VOICE.

Expert-led creative learning workshops and programs for adults

Upchuckle Education is the 2025 Canadian Choice Award Winner for Best Art School in Barrie, ON
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS

“Best Art School in Barrie”

Teen UCW (14-17)
UCW: Creative Kickstart is a free preview workshop for ages 14+. No commitment, just creativity. Only at Upchuckle Education in Barrie, ON
UCW: Creative Kickstart is a free preview workshop for ages 14+. No commitment, just creativity. Only at Upchuckle Education in Barrie, ON

Thursday, March 26th | 7pm - 8pm

Where Creativity Gets A Kickstart!

Spend an hour learning directly from an award-winning animation industry pro!

In this completely free 1-hour workshop, UCW: Creative Kickstart, you’ll learn how to draw expressive faces with structure and personality using animation-style character design techniques. It’s a hands-on taste of the UCW experience, designed to spark inspiration and build both your technical and creative confidence.

This relaxed, judgment-free session welcomes everyone eligible to participate in our UCW offerings (ages 14+)—from brand-new beginners to seasoned artists seeking fresh insight, or simply a creative outlet. Built on our firm belief that anyone can learn how to express their ideas through art, it’s the perfect way to get to know us, preview our teaching style, connect with other creatives, and leave feeling supported and inspired to keep on creating!

Click to meet your Instructor: Brad

Level: Everyone

Free Workshop

(Seriously! Free)

Take 2 minutes to fill out our Health & Safety

Enrollment Form in order to

Book Your Seat

(Your information is kept private & we loathe spam)

Enrollment closes:

Tuesday, March 24th @ noon

• Seats are limited (12 max)

• For Adults of any age and Teens 14+

• All materials included

• 1 UCW: Creative Kickstart admission per student (Lifetime Limit)

MORE COMING SOON! We’re currently developing exciting, new Workshops!

The UCW Catalogue

A library of our past signature Workshops. These offerings aren’t live right now, but they will return. Stay tuned!

Don’t see what you’d like to learn?

Let us know what you’re looking for!

Request a Workshop
Upchuckle Education presents UCW: Contours & Watercolour. This enlightening workshop for adults retrains our brains to draw what we observe. Then bringing it to life with pops of watercolour painting. Only in Barrie, ON
An image of a blind contour ink drawing with pops of watercolour (by local artist and instructor, Corrie Sherwin) for UCW: Contours & Watercolour where students retrain their artistic perception. Only at Upchuckle Education in Barrie, ON
Upchuckle Education presents a 6-part Workshop series, UCW: Intro to Character Design. Learn to design appealing and expressive characters from the ground up! Just like we do it to make movies and television shows.. Only in Barrie, ON
An image of an expressive female character being drawn by your UCW instructor for part of our 6-Workshop series, UCW: Intro to Character Design. Only at Upchuckle Education in Barrie, ON

The prerequisite introductory workshop for those taking the series

Upchuckle Education presents the first and prerequisite introductory animation series. Learn important animation fundamentals in our Flipbook Animator series with UCW: Bouncing Into Motion! Only in Barrie, ON
An image of an animated bouncing ball as the first part of our UCW series, Bouncing Into Motion where students learn to animate. Only at Upchuckle Education in Barrie, ON

Part 2 of an optional 3-part workshop series

Upchuckle Education presents part 2 of it's 3-part Flipbook Animator series with UCW: Leaping Into Action. Apply what you've learned to bring a character to life and animate important body mechanics! Only in Barrie, ON
An image of an animated character leaping as part 2 of our UCW series, Leaping Into Action where students learn important animation fundamentals. Only at Upchuckle Education in Barrie, ON

The finale to an optional 3-part workshop series

Upchuckle Education presents the finale of it's 3-part Flipbook Animator series with UCW: Walk This Way. Apply what you've learned to bring a character to life and animate your first walk cycle! Only in Barrie, ON
An image of an animated walk cycle as part of our UCW series, Walk This Way where students learn to animate. Only at Upchuckle Education in Barrie, ON

Meet Your UCW Instructor, Brad Ferguson

Upchuckle Education Founder and Director, Brad Ferguson who is also your Upchuckle Creative Workshops (UCW) Instructor in Barrie, ON

Award-Winning Experience:

Heavy contributor to multiple Emmy and CSA-winning television series, including Peep and the Big Wide World and Almost Naked Animals.

Local Recognition:

Barrie Arts Award for “Business Champion”, Voted “Best Art School in Barrie” (2025), Mayor’s Innovation Award nominee (2024) and Grand Prize Winner of the HBEC Grand Pitch Competition (2023).

Industry Expertise:

20+ years of professional experience as an Animator, Designer, Storyboard Artist and Director/Showrunner.

Educational Leadership:

Former Post-Secondary 4-year Animation Diploma Program Director and Instructor. Also your Founder and Director of Upchuckle Education.

Some Clients Brad’s made TV shows for:

Upchuckle Education-Clients Your Instructor, Brad Ferguson has worked with

Learn more about Brad HERE