You've seen RVA change before your eyes but have never been able to capture what you see? You want people to know how beautiful Richmond really is. Learn the ways of an urban sketcher, to record what you see around you. First, we'll focus on drawing, then expand our techniques to include watercolor.
read moreLearn woodworking basics, including milling, basic joinery, and finishing, as we design and create your own box(es).
read moreLearn 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 moreLearn the ancient craft of knitting! Students will learn to cast on, knit, purl and cast off to make a beginners project. We'll also cover pattern reading, abbreviations, yarn and needle selection.
read moreTake your metal jewelry making to the next level. We’ll focus on design execution, complex stone setting as well as fabricating and soldering with sterling silver. You’ll also advance your polishing skills for finishing pieces.
read moreHow can photographs be used to showcase a holistic depiction of life in other parts of the world? Travel inspires storytelling: When traveling, one can develop an authentic, captivating visual story by creating visuals that reflect the human experience. Revisit travels and learn how to thoughtfully build a visual narrative using photographs from previous trips, […]
read moreAdobe Lightroom is a powerful program that allows you to catalog and enhance your digital photographs. We will cover its most useful features like importing, making collections, fix exposure and color, applying local adjustments, using graduated filters, creating fun presets and converting images to black and white. Each week, students have the opportunity to practice […]
read moreIf you've taken multiple beginner drawing classes or have experience with drawing from the recent past, this class may be a great opportunity for you to "get back in there"! This class will allow opportunities for you to experiment and recover your mark making style and apply it to various subject areas with different dry media. This […]
read moreExplore the wonderful world of fabric printing with dye, with incredible color depth and infinite design possibilities. Learn the basics of textile repeat printing, how to mix fiber reactive dyes into a print paste, how to make and print with stencils, use texture plates, and make and print stamps, all while honing your compositional skills. […]
read moreThis class is for watercolor beginners. Learn the art of watercolor painting as we explore basic painting techniques such as layering color and creating texture. As we build on these techniques, we'll create several pieces of artwork including a one point perspective city scape, an abstract ocean scene and a still-life plant study.
read moreStudents will learn the fundamentals of building a stained glass panel or 3D object from start to finish. The lessons will encompass pattern design, glass scoring/breaking, grinding, foiling, soldering, framing, and applying various patinas. Each student will have made at least one piece they can bring home and immediately display at the end of the […]
read moreLearn the basics of how to use a sewing machine, cutting tools and fabric. We'll create two different types of pillow cover; one with a flap and the other with a zipper closure design.
read moreMany famous painters paint large, and so can you! In this class, we will start with lessons on underpainting and work on the technical skills required to finish a large-scale piece of work. Students will learn many practical skills related to paint application, drying times and color mixing! This course uses oil paint as our […]
read moreExpand your skills with additional throwing techniques and more complex projects. We'll explore larger-scale pieces, throwing platters, making sets, and adding hand-built elements. This class caters to individual interests, so we'll address specific techniques for your projects. Discussion on reduction firing in the gas kiln and glaze firing to cone 10 for your pottery is […]
read moreExplore 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 moreLearn the basic tenets of drawing and composition. We’ll cover line, shape, space and value. Hone your observation skills and use charcoal to translate what you see to paper.
read moreStudents with previous glass fusing experience will have the opportunity to work on existing projects or new projects of their choosing. The class content will be designed around the requests of the students. Students can expect to either work on continuing projects they already have in progress or to learn and work with techniques for […]
read moreBring along your oil pastels or oil paint sticks for this plein air class that meets in different locations around our fabulous River City. We’ll visit some of Richmond’s favorite sites – such as Pony Pasture and Maymont – and discover some new ones too! This course will meet off-site and instruction will happen in […]
read moreExplore the basics of clay. We’ll cover the proper use of studio tools, equipment and materials. You’ll learn about slab construction, coil building and combined techniques. We’ll also demonstrate wheel throwing and discuss how various clays and glazes respond to each other.
read moreLearn basic machine and hand-sewing techniques, then create a lined tote bag or small beginner project and a project of your choice with instructor guidance. You’ll learn how to take measurements, choose and follow a pattern, select and prep fabric, sew zippers, create buttonholes and make some simple adjustments to get a better fit.
read moreDesign a ceramic set of bowls, cups, condiment sets, etc. Using wood and bamboo, students will then make their own tools to create unique designs.
read moreThomas Larson writes that “memoir is most successful when it is not the ‘story of a life,’ but a focused part of that life—a dozen summers spent working on a grandfather’s farm, a long relationship with a dying relative, the first year of law school.” You’ll work with writing prompts and timed writing exercises, and […]
read moreExplore the letterpress printing process, which dates back to the 15th century and the time of Gutenberg. We’ll cover typesetting, inking, printing and paper selection as you become familiar with the terminology and VisArts’ presses. You’ll have time to create multiple pieces and trade work with classmates, which will help you build a small collection […]
read moreLearn to cast metal using the lost-wax technique to cast work in silver. By creating jewelry models of your own design, you’ll learn about model preparation, investing, burning out and casting with centrifugal and vacuum-casting machines.
read moreGet a crash course in the fun and exciting world of fashion design. Learn how to design a capsule collection of garments from start to finish. You may bring your own inspiration for a collection and will learn how to make a mood board and a fabric board. Expect to learn the basics of figure […]
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