Blog

ONSITE: The Noir Portrait: Drawing with Charcoal

February 13, 2024

Learn how to make realistic portraits using the beautiful, painterly medium of charcoal on toned paper. This class teaches traditional academic concepts, but in an encouraging open environment conducive to learning. We will examine how to successfully represent form and capture a likeness from life. This class teaches Realist techniques that were taught in the […]

read more

ONSITE: Rigid Heddle Loom Weaving (B)

February 13, 2024

Learn how to weave on a rigid heddle loom! We'll warp a rigid heddle loom using the direct warping method. This method is unique to rigid heddles and quick to set up so you can start weaving in no time. You can expect demonstrations on maintaining straight selvages, dealing with weft tails, changing colors, and […]

read more

ONSITE: Secrets of Classical Drawing: The Still Life

February 13, 2024

Learn skills taught in ateliers and academies in centuries past and put them to use to create your own fresh artwork. You'll learn tricks of the trade and classical drawing techniques like proportion, value and form-building in two dimensions. These skills can be used to capture traditional subjects like figures and nature scenes, or they […]

read more

ONSITE: Silver Metal Clay Jewelry

February 13, 2024

Learn to work with metal clay, a malleable, metal-bearing material that is perfectly suited for creating jewelry. Use your hands to shape it and a variety of tools to add detail and texture. You’ll fire the metal clay to transform it into a silver object. Add a new skill to your repertoire each week and […]

read more

ONSITE: Rigid Heddle Loom Weaving (C)

February 13, 2024

Learn how to weave on a rigid heddle loom! We'll warp a rigid heddle loom using the direct warping method. This method is unique to rigid heddles and quick to set up so you can start weaving in no time. You can expect demonstrations on maintaining straight selvages, dealing with weft tails, changing colors, and […]

read more

ONSITE: Polymer Clay: Miniature Foods

February 13, 2024

Learn techniques to sculpt miniatures from polymer clay and resin which can be turned into keychains, magnets, or ornaments. Students will gain knowledge about safety while working with clay and resin, sculpting techniques, and resin tinting and curing. Hand tools will be used to aid sculpting and the use of ovens and UV lights will […]

read more

ONSITE: Stone Setting Basics

February 13, 2024

In this 6 week course, students will learn a variety of basic stone setting techniques including bezel setting, tab setting, prong setting, flush setting, and bead setting. Each week we will introduce a new setting skill. Over the 6 weeks students will be asked to design jewelry that houses any of the stone setting techniques […]

read more

ONSITE: Writing Poetry

February 13, 2024

Explore the fundamental elements of poetry, through the reading and writing of poems. We'll read and discuss poems written by other people, then write poems of our own, with special attention to elements of line, image, and syntax. Students will learn how close readings of other poems may inspire their own work, and how they […]

read more

ONSITE: Traditional Drawing Techniques: Cast Drawing

February 13, 2024

Cast drawing is a traditional method of teaching drawing that was popularized in the 19th Century. Students will draw from casts of sculptures and learn materials handling, methods to master proportions, and techniques for depicting form using line and shading. The main objective of the course is to teach students how to see in a […]

read more

ONSITE: Tapestry Frame Weaving

February 13, 2024

Learn to weave tapestry on a portable frame loom. Students will learn 2 different warping techniques for a sampler and a finished piece. This class teaches traditional tapestry techniques with an emphasis on experimental weaving. We will explore color hatching, joins, basic shape construction, eccentric weft, rya knots, and more! You will construct your own […]

read more

ONSITE: Woodworking: Make a Picture Frame

February 13, 2024

Get introduced to the basics of woodworking as it pertains to picture framing. You'll learn woodworking techniques like measuring and calculating dimensions, cutting and joining molding, reinforcing a miter joint with splines, and basic woodshop safety. We'll also cover the framing process including matting art or floating with spacers, putting together the frame, and installing […]

read more

ONSITE: Poetry as an Act of Grieving

February 13, 2024

We all suffer loss. It is not easy, but healing is necessary. This course explores spoken-word as a vehicle for expressing grief and processing trauma. Let's heal through art. This program is led by poet laureate Douglas Powell/Roscoe Burnems and was forged out of his proces.for losing his mother. It will be an experience centered […]

read more

ONSITE: The Basics of Oil Painting

February 13, 2024

Gain a solid and hands-on foundation in oil painting, Drawing from my extensive experience studying the medium across various sources, students will have the knowledge and confidence to pursue independent painting endeavors if they so choose. Individual progress will vary based on each student's interests and goals.

read more

ONSITE: Sewing from a Pattern

February 13, 2024

We’ve all dreamed of making our own clothes. For the non-professional, we’ve got patterns! Sam Christian will provide some sewing know-how for students to spin unique garments using a combination of pre made patterns. We’ll learn to read and comprehend patterns, choose the right fabrics and make a garment we’ll be proud to show off!

read more

ONSITE: Painting + Screenprinting

February 13, 2024

In this multimedia class, we will create layered imagery while learning the basics of watercolor, acrylics, and screen printing. Our first class will cover abstract painting, creating colorful washes, shapes, and textures to serve as the background of our prints. In our second class, we will create line drawings to expose onto a screen. The […]

read more

ONSITE: Watercolor Your Home

February 13, 2024

In this beginner class, you will learn basic drawing techniques that will enable you to draw your home or another building. We'll dive into our watercolor paints and bring your drawing to life. Learn multiple watercolor techniques as we paint together each week!

read more

ONSITE: WTF (Woman, Trans, Femme) Woodworking: Make a Stool

February 13, 2024

This class is a safe space for women, trans, and femme folks to learn introductory woodworking techniques. You'll learn to make a simple stool and be able to customize it. Gain experience using the table saw, mitre saw, band saw, jointer and planer. We will respect marginalized identities, be patient with one another, use accessible […]

read more

ONSITE: The Magic of Color Mixing + Color Theory

February 13, 2024

This class explores color theory and its application to painting. We will learn about primary colors, cool and warm colors, how to use a color wheel, and how to match almost any color with a limited palette of paints. This course will culminate in a colorful still life or still life inspired painting that utilizes […]

read more

ONSITE: Watercolor Primer

February 13, 2024

Jump start your watercolor painting with this inspirational class! Students will be led through a series of watercolor painting techniques including dry wash, wet wash, wet-on-wet washes, gradients, color blending, and brushwork. Demonstrations will include glazing and layering techniques. Students will use special materials and tools for creating texture in paintings. Color theory and mixing […]

read more

ONLINE: Journaling for Artists, Writers + Photographers (offered twice a year)

February 13, 2024

This course is designed for anyone interested in the techniques and development of visual journaling. We'll review the contributions of visual diarists such as Dan Eldon and Frida Kahlo. Each session will begin with a short presentation on a visual diarist, technique or significant artist with follow up time for guidance, feedback and group discussion.

read more

ONSITE: Traditional + Experimental Papermaking

February 13, 2024

Experimental Paper-Making is a six week course that introduces the processes, and expansive modalities of paper-making. Students will move from rigid(ish) paper-making methods into more experimental approaches.  

read more

ONSITE: Wheel Throwing Refresher (C)

February 13, 2024

Brush up on the basics! We'll review wheel throwing techniques and skills. Create and complete work during class, with enough time to fire and glaze. This class is open to students who have previously taken wheel throwing classes. We will review and refresh our knowledge of wedging, centering, throwing, trimming and glazing. We will take […]

read more

ONSITE: Plein Air in Maymont Park

February 13, 2024

Jump into the world of watercolor and capture Richmonds beautiful Maymont park slowly coming to life in crisp spring! We will be lightly trekking around Maymont and exploring the many picturesque views the park has to offer! En Plein Air means painting in the open air so grab a chair and post-up we will be […]

read more