Aaron Alviano: An Interview

Aaron Alviano has headed our Fine Art Department at Centauri Arts Camp for 7 years now. It wasn’t hard to get his answers to these questions, because he also works with us part time in the camp office!

Julie: What is your history at Centauri?

Aaron: Unlike many staff, I was never actually a camper at Centauri Arts Camp. I didn’t know about it back then! My years as a Camp Counsellor began in 2003. I graduated with a degree in Visual Art, and every since then I’ve been on the teaching faculty at camp.

Julie: When did you fall in love with art, and why? When did you realise you wanted to be an artist?

Aaron: At a very young age I realised I had a talent for expressing myself visually, either through drawing, building sculptures or painting. Art was always my passion, though it wasn’t until late high school that I realised if I was to harness my artistic talents at a post secondary level, so many other opportunities would arise. Even to this day those opportunities continue to grow, whether it be through illustrating web comics, designing advertisements,  creating animations or holding an art show. My passion is visual art. It shows in everything I do, and I love it. I love being an artist.

Julie: Why do you love teaching?

Aaron: I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for those who encouraged me at a young age. So to pass that on, to share what I know and encourage learning in the next generation, is the most exciting and rewarding occupation I can imagine.

Julie: Tell us about some of the Fine Art achievements you are most proud of.

Aaron:  There are so many! Winning a sculpture competition and being published for it.  Having photographs I’ve taken published and sold. Being given the opportunity to build a 10 foot tall, 15 foot long dinosaur sculpture to be displayed in public. However, I don’t think anything compares to putting together a very successful solo art show right here in the city of Toronto.

Julie: Do you have a non-artistic side? What do you like to do in your free time that has nothing to do with the arts?

Aaron: I love Math and solving problems involving numbers like Sudoku. I also enjoy board games, and I have a closet full of the most obscure ones.

Julie: What do you look forward to most about teaching at Centauri?

Aaron: Meeting new faces and seeing those I’ve known for years. Witnessing the tremendous amount of talent we have at camp, and seeing the incredible artwork our campers create.

Julie: You’re running  programs with us this summer… do you have any teasers to offer your campers, about what they can expect from your program?

Aaron: In Session Two, I’m thrilled to be running a design program where campers will design and build an entire urban neighborhood! The Painting and Sculpture programs are exciting, too, because of the totally original work that will come out of them. I’m also excited to see the visual narratives my campers come up with in the Stop Motion Animation component of Digital Photography in the fourth session!