VICTORIA, BC — From animating wizard characters to designing custom magic effects, local kids are getting a unique entry point into digital art this August. Delivered by Alchemy VFX, the upcoming DigiCamp : Animation Magic workshops bring hands-on 3D creation to multiple Victoria locations. Offered as part of DigiBC’s DigiCamps program, supported by Netflix, the course is FREE for a limited number of students.

Running throughout the first three weeks of August, sessions are hosted at accessible community hubs and schools across Greater Victoria, including Quadra Village, Saanich, and the Selkirk area.

Rather than focusing on intimidating coding or complex industry software, the workshops introduce youth (ages 10–14) to the artistic principles of 3D design through playful experimentation.  Participants gain real insights into how game art and visual effects are produced, crafting short animated sequences complete with bubbling potions, spell casting, and even a pet dragon.

For Alchemy VFX founders Catherine and Jeff Kuipers, the mission is simple: get kids to activate their imaginations and tell their own stories. 

"Our vision with Animation Magic is to inspire and encourage young people to learn how to be creators, not consumers, of 3D content and art," says Catherine Kuipers, co-founder of Alchemy VFX. "

Engineered by Local UVic & Co-Op Talent

To make the program as mobile and accessible as possible, Alchemy VFX chose to build a custom application capable of running on budget-friendly Android tablets rather than expensive studio computers. 

Through DigiBC’s Work Placement Program (WPP), the studio hired local university co-op talent—including software and engineering students from UVic—to develop the app inside the Unity 3D game engine. The project gave post-secondary developers hands-on game industry experience while creating a lightweight tool designed to take 3D education anywhere. 

"It's been very rewarding to support our local students and graduates, and see them gain confidence and industry skills," says Jeff Kuipers, co-founder of Alchemy VFX. "We've enjoyed their energy and enthusiasm, and I'm proud of the work they've done on Animation Magic."

A Win for Local Families and Tech Talent

For Tectoria’s tech scene, the project hits two generations at once—giving university co-ops real game development experience while inspiring local kids who dream of making video games. Supported by DigiBC and Netflix, this collaboration allows a boutique Victoria studio to bridge the gap between industry funding and local community needs. 

Alchemy VFX is encouraging the local tech and business community to help get the word out by sharing these free summer opportunities with local families, neighborhood networks, and colleagues. By filling these seats this August, Victoria can demonstrate strong local demand for creative tech programs and support future growth of these types of  initiatives in our community. 

Program & Registration Details

• What: DigiCamp : Animation Magic (Ages 10–14)
• When: Sessions running throughout the first three weeks of August
• Where: Greater Victoria Locations (Quadra Village Community Centre, Saanich Commonwealth Place, and Selkirk Montessori School)
• Cost: Offered as part of DigiBC’s DigiCamps program supported by Netflix, the course is FREE for a limited number of students.
• How to Register: Families can view dates, choose their preferred location, and secure a spot at https://alchemyvfx.com/summer-camps-2026/