Blog

Editing Photos of Your Artwork – NEW!

January 14, 2019

Learn to use Adobe Photoshop to retouch and format digital images of physical artworks. Do you wish photos of your work looked more like the real thing? Do your paintings and drawings look dull once you bring them into the computer? Do you wish you knew a little Photoshop, but don’t need to jump into […]

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Editing the Digital Photograph in Adobe Lightroom

January 14, 2019

Adobe Lightroom is a powerful program that allows you to catalog and enhance your digital photographs. We’ll cover its most useful features and show you how to add and organize, search for and edit your photographs. Learn how to adjust color and sharpness, apply local adjustments to only part of an image, straighten crooked horizons, […]

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Dye a Silk Scarf – New!

January 14, 2019

Learn how to dye a silk scarf using shibori techniques and synthetic dyes. This workshop will cover several types of shibori, including stitched resist and knotting. Students will leave the workshop with two dyed scarves.

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Drawing with Wool

January 14, 2019

Use needle felting to experiment with wool on a 2–D surface and “draw” an image of your choice. You’ll learn how to build different textures, mix colors through thin layers and how to utilize different needles to achieve a detailed image. Plan to go home with a felted drawing on linen or wool stretched around […]

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Encaustic and Photos – New!

January 14, 2019

Explore ways to incorporate your photos in an encaustic piece. You’ll learn how to add images to a panel as collage or attach the whole image directly to a panel as a basis for further work. We’ll try a pour, then explore layering and surface embellishments only possible with encaustic. Experimental ideas are welcome.

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Embracing Wood’s Natural Edge

January 14, 2019

Make a piece of live edge wood furniture, such as a stool, bench, or coffee table, using wood native to Virginia. You’ll learn how to work with the surprises wood presents, and we’ll introduce you to several simple but professional finishing techniques.

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Drawing with Wool

January 14, 2019

Use needle felting to experiment with wool on a 2-D surface and “draw” an image of your choice. You’ll learn how to build different textures, mix colors through thin layers and how to utilize different needles to achieve a detailed image. Plan to go home with a felted drawing on linen or wool stretched around […]

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Equinox Ginko: Poems & Pochoir – New!

January 14, 2019

Explore the poetic form known as ginko, or haiku walk— based around a walk in nature that’s typically held at the start of a season. As a celebration of the autumnal equinox, we’ll take a walk as a group, with notebooks, pens and pencils to take notes and collect images along the way. We’ll walk […]

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Encaustic Painting Workshop

January 14, 2019

Explore encaustic painting in this one day workshop. This process combines pigment, beeswax and dammar resin to harden the paint and give it shine. Demonstrations will include melting and fusing, creating layered patterns with unique rubber stencils, embedding paper, and leaf imprints. Have fun do all or pick and choose which demos to follow.

read more

Encaustic Painting Workshop

January 14, 2019

Explore encaustic painting in this one day workshop. This process combines pigment, beeswax and dammar resin to harden the paint and give it shine. Demonstrations will include melting and fusing, creating layered patterns with unique rubber stencils, embedding paper, and leaf imprints. Have fun do all or pick and choose which demos to follow.

read more

Encaustic Painting Workshop

January 14, 2019

Explore encaustic painting, an ancient method brought up to date with new equipment and materials. This process combines pigment, beeswax and natural dammar resin to harden the paint and give it shine. Demonstrations will include: melting and fusing, creating layered patterns with unique rubber stencils, embedding paper, leaf imprints and casts, as well as creating […]

read more

Encaustic Painting Workshop

January 14, 2019

Explore encaustic painting, an ancient method brought up to date with new equipment and materials. This process combines pigment, beeswax and natural dammar resin to harden the paint and give it shine. Demonstrations will include: melting and fusing, creating layered patterns with unique rubber stencils, embedding paper, leaf imprints and casts, as well as creating […]

read more

Encaustic Painting Workshop

January 14, 2019

Explore encaustic painting in this one day workshop. This process combines pigment, beeswax and dammar resin to harden the paint and give it shine. Demonstrations will include melting and fusing, creating layered patterns with unique rubber stencils, embedding paper, and leaf imprints. Have fun do all or pick and choose which demos to follow.

read more

Glass Bead Making Basics

January 14, 2019

Learn the basics of using a torch and mandrel to wind hot glass into beautiful beads that are perfect for jewelry.

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Furniture Finishing and Painting Techniques

January 14, 2019

Transform your furniture from trash to treasure. You’ll learn nine paint techniques including distressing, antiquing and applying metallic finishes. We’ll go over the differences between chalk, milk and latex paint and discuss how to select the best furniture pieces and make minor repairs. You’ll learn to paint and protect your finished product. We’ll practice on […]

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Glass Bead Making Basics

January 14, 2019

Learn the basics of using a torch and mandrel to wind hot glass into beautiful beads that are perfect for jewelry.

read more

Furniture Finishing and Painting Techniques

January 14, 2019

Transform your furniture from trash to treasure. You’ll learn nine paint techniques including distressing, antiquing and applying metallic finishes. We’ll go over the differences between chalk, milk and latex paint and discuss how to select the best furniture pieces and make minor repairs. You’ll learn to paint and protect your finished product. We’ll practice on […]

read more

Hot Glass Icicle Ornament – New!

January 14, 2019

From fire to ice, create glass icicles on the torch! You’ll learn how to create your very own borosilicate glass, clear or colorful twist to hang in your home or share as a gift.

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Grammar + Style Crash Course for Poets

January 14, 2019

You have to know the rules to break them! In this day-long intensive, we’ll review grammar and style rules for poetry. By highlighting common areas of confusion and error, you’ll learn to say what you mean more clearly, artfully and accurately. We’ll cover comma and dash usage, line endings and breaks, capitalization and more.

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Hoop Embroidery – New!

January 14, 2019

Learn how to transfer your own image to fabric, then learn simple, essential stitches to create your image in thread. Come with a sketch idea or create one in class. We’ll learn finishing and backing procedures so you are set to give your embroidery hoop as a holiday gift, and make many more!

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Imaginative Ceramic Teapots

January 14, 2019

Master the handle, spout and lid to make a clay teapot. You’ll use a variety of hand-building techniques and glaze applications to make sculpted pieces that push the limits of your imagination. We’ll spend time looking at historical and contemporary teapots for inspiration.

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Intermediate Digital Photography

January 14, 2019

Refine your digital photography aesthetic and technical skills. Learn how to process RAW images and create an effective workflow from capture to computer. We’ll discuss the work of master photographers and explore contemporary trends. Weekly assignments coupled with in-class discussions will help you troubleshoot problems, improve your composition and develop your personal vision.

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Intermediate Digital Photography

January 14, 2019

Refine your digital photography aesthetic and technical skills. Learn how to process RAW images and create an effective workflow from capture to computer. We’ll discuss the work of master photographers and explore contemporary trends. Weekly assignments coupled with in-class discussions will help you troubleshoot problems, improve your composition and develop your personal vision.

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Introduction to Blacksmithing

January 14, 2019

Explore the world of blacksmithing. You’ll learn the fundamental techniques of tapering, bending, and twisting metal. You’ll create items such as hooks and key chains, while learning the skills of the trade.

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