Friday, March 12
7-9 PM

Join us on Friday evening for Second Friday Sampler, a free sneak preview of what it’s like to take a class at VisArts. Please arrive early, as spots are limited! Choose from:

Clay Wheel Throwing:
Ever wonder what is was like to throw a pot? Come to the Friday night sampler, and have a hands on experience working on the potter’s wheel Focus will be on process not product, so come have some fun!

Mixed Media and Oil Pastel Experiments:
Try your hand at Oil Pastels, a versatile medium that offers the density of color of oil paints and the freedom of drawing! Using pastels, graphite and various grounds, we’ll work with still-life elements to create interesting and dynamic drawings.

Collectors Night 2010 will take place at VisArts on Friday, March 19. From unique experiences to the finest fine art, Collectors Night presents a variety of appealing auction offerings, as well as a delicious dinner, and raises funds in support of the Center’s programs and exhibitions.

For more information about the event and sponsorship opportunities, click here.

On display January 15 – March 21, 2010, Fragments of Our Imagination: Narrative Jewelry by the Collaborative Partnership of Kranitzky & Overstreet surveys the creations of Richmond artists Robin Kranitzky and Kim Overstreet.

Read more and view images from the exhibition here.

Read an article about the exhibition published in Style Weekly here.

Don’t overlook these two new Saturday workshops focusing on creativity. In February, Climbing the Right Mountains: Creating Your Personal Vision with John Sarvay:

And in March, try The State of Who You Are with artist Anne Chamblin:

Create a map of who you are, where you are, and where you’ve been. Using a variety of mixed media materials, we will create, or chart a map of ourselves, our lives, and our journeys. We will brainstorm using word association, color, and mark-making to illustrate a pictorial route of our personal journeys. The result will be a colorful and decorative description of our history.

Find details on these workshops and all the other classes on the Adult Classes pages.

As the creative head of her own company, Sandra Miller creates all of the knitwear designs. Graduating from Rhode Island School of Design gained her experience in pattern making, fitting and design.  Sandra’s original hand-loomed knit pieces are striking works of art and, at the same time, well-made and wearable fashions.

After receiving a MFA in Textiles at Rhode Island School of Design, Jeung-Hwa Park combines knitting and felting to create innovative scarf forms that bring a sculptural and textural sense of aesthetics to knitting.

Anna Shapiro’s refreshing non-traditional designs drape effortlessly over the shoulders. Styles range from elegant to eclectic and can be worn for a day at the beach or a black tie event. Each piece is created through original patterns and unconventional techniques on a manual knitting machine.

Meet these artists and dozens more at the 45th Craft + Design Show, Saturday and Sunday at the Science Museum of Virginia! You admission fee benefits the programs of the Visual Arts Center.

In his own words:

“I was drawn to working with hot glass due to its energy and the engaging nature of the process. The potential of the material excites me and has gotten me captivated with the possibilities. I applied for this residency to have the opportunity to use a more renewable / environmentally-friendly glass studio, as well as have access to facilities within a supportive community to develop my work.

“I find object making to be a very abstract form of story telling, the building blocks of a cultural identity. Whether it the richness of ancient objects worn with use or the crispness of modern design, it is how they capture a sense of time and place that speaks without words.”

Check out Ian and his creations at the 45th Craft + Design Show Saturday and Sunday, November 21-22 at the Science Museum of Virginia. Your admission fee supports the Center’s programs!

Visit the Craft + Design Show page to see an image from each participating artist as well as ticket and time details!

There are still a few openings in David Tanner’s Oil Painting Intensive, which meets 9 AM-5 PM daily 10/26-30. And we always have great Saturday workshops, too many to list! Visit the class listings for details and we hope to see you soon.