Department Heads - animation, photography, video game design, acting, visual special effects instructors/teachers in Vancouver

VanArts’ stellar faculty are second to none. Their credits include work with such prestigious studios as Disney, Dreamworks, Weta Digital, Pixar, Electronic Arts, Industrial Light and Magic and many more. We have hand-picked those who have an exceptional capacity to transfer their success to others—a gift for drawing out peoples’ creative best, for mentoring the next wave of unforgettable talent. If you share this passion and dedication to your own art, this same commitment to the pursuit of excellence, then you have come to the right place!

Bill Dwelly - Head of Visual Effects

William (Bill) Dwelly’s film credits include multiple Oscar-winning Avatar as Lead Technical Director at WETA Digital; I Robot & King Kong as Senior Animation Technical Director and Oscar-winning animated short Ryan. Bill has worked in the film and entertainment industry since the late 1980’s and is the author of two books; Modeling in Maya and Character Rigging in Maya.

Alan Harrison - Head of Game Art

With over twenty years of experience working with industry leaders Electronic Arts, Mainframe and CIS Rainmaker, Alan’s career has covered everything from national television commercials, music videos, feature films, simulator rides, television series and video games. Some of Alan’s key roles have been Creative Director, Senior Animator, 3D Animation Supervisor and Senior Technical Artist.

Chilton Crane - Co-Head of Acting

Chilton has been a professional actor for over 20 years, with many lead, recurring and guest star credits including X-Files, Supernatural, Outer Limits, L Word, Cold Squad, Beggars and Choosers, and many other series and feature films. She has directed for both film and stage, very passionate about acting and teaching, and has always been lucky enough to find a balance of both crafts.

Greg Kean - Co-Head of Acting

Greg Kean has been a professional actor since receiving his MFA in Acting from Cornell University in 1985. Greg's credits include movies Summer Dreams, the Story of the Beach Boys, Air America and Saved. On television Greg has starred on many shows including Dead Like Me, Da Vinci's Inquest, Smallville and many others.

Christa LeCraw - Program Manager, Digital Photography

Christa has been working in the visual and production arts for 10 years, beginning with a BA from Queen's University. After her career in film and television production brought her to Vancouver she began her career in photography.

Wayne Gilbert - Head of Animation

Wayne Gilbert’s animation career spans 35 years; he has two Clio awards and has worked on productions ranging from commercials, television to feature films like Star Wars, Mummy 2 and award-winning video games. Wayne has worked for Disney, Industrial Light & Magic and Electronic Arts where he worked as Senior Animation Director on the award-winning games Skate and Skate II.

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