Long Pose Open Figure Painting + Drawing

Enjoy uninstructed time for drawing and painting with a figure model. This time is great for figurative artists who want to develop larger or more complete work. All drawing and painting media are welcome. Students can expect the same setup and model each week, and will be free to work at their own pace.

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Mini Comic Quest (Ages 9–10) – NEW!

Dream up your own cartoon heroes and send them on a quest in a mini-comic! We’ll explore the drawing techniques of favorite cartoons, discover the building blocks of a story, and assemble a 12-page miniature comic book from start to finish.

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Introduction to Freelance Writing

For the aspiring writer, freelance can be both rewarding and lucrative. Explore the world of freelancing, both analyzing and writing in a multiplicity of genres such as travel, pop culture, food, arts, profile pieces, humor, etc. We’ll study top–notch examples from well–regarded writers and complete weekly written assignments. Each session will offer valuable insights about […]

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Long Pose Open Figure Painting + Drawing

Enjoy uninstructed time for drawing and painting with a figure model. This time is great for figurative artists who want to develop larger or more complete work. All drawing and painting media are welcome. Students can expect the same setup and model each week, and will be free to work at their own pace.

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ONSITE: Introduction to Natural Dyeing

Learn about natural dyeing and the household materials make the most vibrant colors for your fabric! You will learn how to prepare your fabric, make mordant baths, dye with scraps, foraged goods, powdered pigments and items you can find in your kitchen. You will leave this class with a book of all of your dyed […]

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Watercolor + Gravity: The Art of Letting Go – NEW!

Free yourself from expectations and control in this relaxing watercolor class. We will practice “going with the flow” as we drip, wash, tilt, pool and splash alongside breathing and movement exercises. We’ll experiment with the wonderful material of watercolor along with salt, soap, oil and bubbles. You’ll practice experimental watercolor techniques such as tilting and […]

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Claymation – NEW!

Do you want to make things move? Enter into the realm of claymation where everything is alive. Create your own unique characters, intricate sets, foley or musical sounds, and piece together your imagined world through the hands-on process of stop-frame animation.

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Creating a Graphic Novel (Ages 13–14)

Explore the techniques and planning that go into creating a multi-chapter comic book. We’ll discover what makes a good story and how to best tell that story with drawings. Topics include comic history, drawing techniques and visual communication.

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Watercolor + Ink (Ages 12–14)

Develop a style all your own with ink and watercolor creations. We will observe the natural world and learn techniques to draw what we see in ink, then learn watercolor approaches to add depth and dimension to our pieces. We will bind a small book of your work based on observed nature.

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Using Veneer – NEW!

Some of the most prized wood is often cut into ultra thin slices called veneer. In this workshop, we’ll learn about cutting the thin strips and taping them together to make patterns or book match multiple sets to make a panel. We will learn about various substrates and edging. After preparing the substrate, we’ll press […]

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Create a Graphic Novel (Ages 13–14)

Explore the techniques and planning that go into creating a multi-chapter comic book. We’ll discover what makes a good story and how to best tell that story with drawings. Topics include comic history, drawing techniques and visual communication.

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Visual Journaling + Paper Exploration (Ages 9–10)

Create your very own visual journal to take home. Visual journals are an excellent home for introspection, drawing and a place to store all kinds of tid-bits. We’ll explore paper marbling, Gelli printing and creative writing. Your papers will be bound together and we’ll learn several book binding techniques. Finally, we’ll personalize our journals with […]

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Family Studio: Recycled Accordion Books – NEW!

Recycled Accordion Books: Finished with that box of cereal? Recycle it and learn step-by-step how to create an accordion book to draw in.

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Bookmaking and Mixed Media (Ages 11–12)- New!

Explore bookmaking using the piano hinge book form. We’ll cover this specific form of bookmaking and experiment with various media in order to make personalized, beautiful books. We’ll also touch on printmaking and photo collaging techniques.

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Create a Graphic Novel (Ages 12–14)

Explore the techniques and planning that go into creating a multi-chapter comic book. We’ll explore what makes a good story and learn how to tell that story with drawings. Topics include comic history, drawing techniques and visual communication.

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ONLINE: 100 Word Stories

In this 2-hour session, we’ll engage with one of the hottest new genres in writing: the super short form. We’ll tell stories that make us breathless, hopeful, and hungry. Many of us are familiar with the short story, but there’s a whole range of writings shorter than that. Take flash fiction, which is 500 words […]

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Community Build Exhibition Opening at VisArts on Friday Sept. 9, Explores Transformation of the Collective through Craft

The Visual Arts Center of Richmond presents, Community Build, an exhibition of work by and with Lukaza Branfman-Verissimo, Lil Lamberta, Valeska Populoh and members of their respective communities. The exhibit will open at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, September 9 and a performance by Open Space Education students, in collaboration with Lil Lamberta & All the Saints […]

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Pen + Ink Drawing – NEW!

Learn how to draw using black India ink, a dip pen and brush. We’ll cover techniques such as cross-hatching and stippling. You’ll learn the ins and outs of using a dip pen and brush, then we’ll go over drawing fundamentals such as value, perspective and line. We’ll also study the history of ink drawing by […]

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Pen + Ink Drawing (A)

Learn how to draw using black India ink, a dip pen and brush. We’ll cover techniques such as cross-hatching and stippling. You’ll learn the ins and outs of using a dip pen and brush, then we’ll go over drawing fundamentals such as value, perspective and line. We’ll also study the history of ink drawing by […]

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Glass + Wood Sculpture

Create a free–standing sculpture with both wood and glass elements. You’ll explore the sculptural properties of wood while learning some basic woodworking skills. Then, you’ll learn how to incorporate glass into your piece. This class is for students skilled in either glass or wood. Students can build upon the skills they know in one media, […]

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Mini Comic Quest (Ages 9–10) – NEW!

Dream up your own cartoon heroes and send them on a quest in a mini-comic! We’ll explore the drawing techniques of favorite cartoons, discover the building blocks of a story, and assemble a 12-page miniature comic book from start to finish.

View

Bookmaking and Mixed Media (Ages 11–12)- New!

Explore bookmaking using the piano hinge book form. We’ll cover this specific form of bookmaking and experiment with various media in order to make personalized, beautiful books. We’ll also touch on printmaking and photo collaging techniques.

View

Introduction to Freelance Writing

For the aspiring writer, freelance can be both rewarding and lucrative. Explore the world of freelancing, both analyzing and writing in a multiplicity of genres such as travel, pop culture, food, arts, profile pieces, humor, etc. We’ll study top-notch examples from well-regarded writers and complete weekly written assignments. Each session will offer valuable insights about […]

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Halloween Animation (Ages 9-11)

Get excited about ghosts and goblins in this hands-on, Halloween stop motion animation workshop. We’ll make paper puppets or clay figures like bats, pumpkins, cats, and friendly ghosts. Then, we’ll make them come alive using a free stop motion application on your phone or tablet.

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Intaglio Printing: Drypoint and Etching – NEW!

Learn the fundamentals of intaglio printmaking. Using acid–free techniques, we’ll learn non–toxic alternatives to traditional methods of plate making. We’ll combine linear and tonal methods to create and professionally edition a complete set of prints. You’ll gain the knowledge and skill set to incorporate intaglio into your existing studio practice.

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