Studio School

Tue, Jun 5 – Jul 24, 1 – 3:30 pm (8 sessions) | Studio School, 2nd floor
Dawn Latane

This class helps students develop basic drawing skills through various techniques and materials, working from the model and other subjects. Class discussions and individual and group critiques round out the course. No experience is required — an excellent prerequisite for painting courses.

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$180 (VMFA members $160)

Thu, Jun 7 - Jul 26, 1–4 pm (8 sessions) | Studio School, 2nd floor
Sara Clark

Expand the use of color in drawing with soft pastels, employing various application methods and paper choices. Students work from the still life or subjects of their choice. Individual critiques provided. Prerequisites: basic drawing skills

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$195 (VMFA members $175)

Wed, Jun 6 - Aug 1, 1–4 pm (8 sessions) | Studio School, 2nd floor
Sara Clark

Learn to generate ideas, choose subjects, and adopt approaches to using paint and pastel. Students also work on independent projects with guidance and individual critiques from the instructor.  Prerequisites: basic drawing & painting skills

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$195 (VMFA members $175)

Tue, Jun 5 – Jul 24, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm (8 sessions) | Studio School, 2nd floor
Fielding Archer

This class focuses on the oil-paint, chalk-pastel, and watercolor portrait. Students also learn about the rich history of the portrait in art.  Prerequisites: basic drawing and painting skills

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$195 (VMFA members $175)

Mon, Jun 4 – Jul 9, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm (6 sessions) | Studio School, 2nd floor
Dawn Flores

Learn a wide variety of watercolor techniques while using related drawing mediums in this course for beginning and experienced watercolor artists. Students work directly from the still life, landscape, and other subject matter, with discussions of color and watercolor masterworks offering inspiration. Individual and group critiques provided. Prerequisites: basic drawing skills

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$175 (VMFA members $155)

Wed, Jun 6 – Aug 1, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm (8 sessions) | Studio School, 2nd floor
Kendra Wadsworth

Learn to use direct observation when painting from life. Through demonstrations, observation-based painting exercises, and instruction, beginning and intermediate artists strengthen their ability to see color and value relationships, and they learn how to mix colors accordingly. Students also learn to simplify any subject matter by identifying color masses from which to develop realistic paintings. Prerequisite: basic drawing skills

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$195 (VMFA members $175)

Mon, Jun 4 – Jul 9, 1 – 4 pm (6 sessions) | Studio School, 2nd floor
Matt Lively

Explore oil painting from direct observation, photos, or sketches and depict various subjects including the still life, human figure, and landscape. Students develop a more personal approach to imagery, drawing, and painting styles by examining the formal and expressive aspects in their work and that of classical to contemporary artists. Prerequisites: basic drawing and painting skills

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$175 (VMFA members $155)

Thu, Jun 21 – Jul 26, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm (6 sessions) | Studio School, 2nd floor
Joan Elliott

This is a great studio course for students at the intermediate level who are working to develop their own personal painting style and approach to imagery. Through individual guidance, students explore painting strategies and working methods. Prerequisites: basic drawing and painting skills

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$175 (VMFA members $155)

Fri, Jun 8 – 29, 1 – 4 pm | Studio School, 2nd floor
Karen Eide

Encaustic painting is an ancient process using molten, pigmented beeswax to create layered and luminous art. This workshop, designed for both new and experienced painters, teaches classic encaustic techniques and ways to combine them with contemporary painting techniques and mixed media. Discover collage, incising, texturizing, surface embellishment, and relief work, as well as how to combine oil paint, pastels, inks, watercolors, and gouache with the encaustic. Some materials included.

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$165 (VMFA members $145)

Tue, Jun 5 – 26, 10 am – 1 pm (4 sessions) | Studio School, 2nd floor
Frank Saunders

Using found materials, create unique images that range from abstract and dynamic to representational and poetic. The instructor will discuss materials, techniques, mounting,and presentation, Explore one of the most satisfying forms of visual play. Experienceds tudents are also welcome. Prerequisites: basic drawing and oil or acrylic painting skills.

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$140 (VMFA members $120)

Thu, Jun 7 – Jul 26, 7 – 9:30 pm | Studio School, 2nd floor
Dawn Latane

This class helps students develop basic drawing skills through various techniques and materials, working from the model and other subjects. Class discussions and individual and group critiques round out the course.

Click here for materials list.
$180 (VMFA members $160)

Mon, Jun 4 – Jul 9, 7 – 10 pm (6 sessions) | Studio School, 2nd floor
Dawn Flores

Designed for beginning and intermediate watercolor or acrylic students, this class covers the basic tools, materials, and practices of water-based paint media. Students will study classic and contemporary art while they experiment with various techniques. Individual and group critiques are included. Prerequisites: basic drawing skills.

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$175 (VMFA members $155)

Wed, Jun 20 – Aug 1, 7 – 10 pm (6 sessions) | Studio School, 2nd floor
Joan Elliott

Learn to use direct observation when painting from life. Through demonstrations, observation-based painting exercises, and instruction, beginning and intermediate artists strengthen their ability to see color and value relationships, and learn how to mix colors accordingly. Students also learn to simplify any subject matter by identifying color masses from which to develop realistic paintings. Prerequisite: basic drawing skills.

Click here for materials list.
$175 (VMFA members $155)

Mon, Jun 18 - Jul 23, 7 - 10 pm | Studio School, 2nd floor
Joan Elliott

Explore drawing and painting from direct observation, photos, or sketches and depict various subjects including the still life, human figure, and landscape. Students develop a more personal approach to imagery, drawing, and painting styles by examining the formal and expressive aspects in their work and that of classical to contemporary artists. Prerequisite: basic drawing and painting skills.

Sat & Sun, June 16 & 17, 10 am - 4 pm | Studio School, 2nd floor
Dawn Flores

This workshop provides step-by-step instruction on a variety of watercolor techniques, including special effects, glazing, wet on wet, washes, and more. Working from colorful photographs or still lifes of flora and fauna, students explore the full range of watercolor painting. Prerequisite: basic drawing skills.

Sat & Sun, Jun 23 & 24, 10 am – 4 pm | Studio School, 2nd floor
Pam Fox

This workshop explores the use of photography with mixed-media applications. Students combine photographic materials (digital or traditional prints, photocopies, found imagery, or old photographs) with oil paint to produce new and exciting imagery. The instructor will demonstrate a variety of approaches including surface supports and preparation, gluing techniques, surface alterations, paint application, varnishing, cold wax and other surface treatments. Open to students of all levels of experience.

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$145 (VMFA members $130)

Sat, Jun 23, 10 am – 4 pm | Studio School, 2nd floor
Sara Clark

This workshop will help you generate ideas, choose subjects, and explore different media to channel your creativity.  Explore a variety of papers and combinations of media–pencils, crayons, pastels, inks, and paints. You will leave this workshop with a portfolio of studies and drawings, and new ways to develop ideas for future works.

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$90 (VMFA members $75)

Sat & Sun, Jun 30 & Jul 1, 10 am - 4 pm | Studio School, 2nd floor
Matt Lively

Start by exploring a variety of animal portraits by other artists. Then with guidance from the instructor and working from photographs, learn to create accurate, detailed or expressive portraits of your own pet using drawing materials and oil or acrylic paint. Prerequisite: basic drawing skills.

Sat & Sun, Jun 30 & Jul 1, 10 am – 4 pm | Studio School, 2nd floor
Melissa Schappell

Expand your artistic skills and explore a variety of paper collage techniques and adhesive methods that can be combined with drawing on semitransparent surfaces and water media painting to make one cohesive surface and overall look.

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$145 (VMFA members $130)

Sat, Jul 14, 10 am – 4 pm  | Studio School, 2nd floor
Karen Eide

Encaustic painting is an ancient process using molten, pigmented beeswax to create layered and luminous art. This workshop, designed for both new and experienced painters, teaches classic encaustic techniques and ways to combine them with contemporary painting techniques and mixed media. Discover collage, incising, texturizing, surface embellishment, and relief work, as well as how to combine oil paint, pastels, inks, watercolors, and gouache with the encaustic. Returning students may begin exploring larger scale works. Some materials included.

Click her for materials list.
$105 (VMFA members $90)

Wed, Jun 20 - Aug 1, 10 am–1 pm (6 sessions) | Studio School, 2nd floor Conference Room
Douglas S. Jones

Willa Cather wrote, “Some memories are realities and are better than anything that can happen to one again.” Ernest Hemingway wrote, “Memory is hunger.” This class merges the two notions that memories are heightened experiences and that they make us hunger for more. The instructor offers students encouraging feedback and specific writing prompts to help develop ideas.  

Thu, Jun 7 - Jul 26,  10 am–1 pm (8 sessions) | Studio School, 2nd floor Conference Room
Amy Ritchie Johnson

We are all storytellers. In this class, we will experience the joys of writing stories of our own making and explore how the characters and events we write about can enrich our everyday world. Writing prompts, assignments, and discussion of the craft of fiction will benefit writers and readers of any level of experience.

$195 (VMFA members $175)

Mon, Jun 18 - Jul 23,  7–10 pm (6 sessions) | Studio School, 2nd floor Conference Room
Douglas S. Jones

Why do folktales and fairy tales have such a remarkable staying power? Author and mythographer Marina Warner suggests that it’s “because the meanings they generate are themselves magical shape-shifters, dancing to the needs of their audience.” In this class we’ll read and discuss fairy tales, both traditional and revisionist. We will then explore ways to reimagine and repurpose them in our creative writing.

$175 (VMFA members $155)

Thu, Jun 21 – Jul 26, 7 – 10 pm (6 sessions) | Studio School, 2nd floor Conference Room
Douglas S. Jones

Author Clarissa Pikola Estes writes about el duende—the goblin wind inside us that can turn a creative spark into a fire. Using timed writing, dream journals, guided imagery, active imagination, and more, this class fans students’ ideas for poems, stories, confessions, or plays into flames and even encourages clearer thinking.

$195 (VMFA members $175)

Sat, Jun 16,  10 am – 4 pm (1 sessions)  | Studio School, 2nd floor Conference Room
Amy Ritchie Johnson

The journal is a creative space of pure potential. This workshop will focus on various kinds of journal writing as well as visual elements such as collage, drawing, coloring, and ephemera in a journaling practice. Students will complete in-class writing assignments and play with crafting materials. Participants should bring a journal, a writing utensil, scissors, glue, colored pencils and/or markers, crayons, and old magazines to cut up.

$90 (VMFA members $75)

Sat, Jun 23, 10 am–4 pm | Studio School, 2nd floor Conference Room
Douglas S. Jones

Willa Cather wrote, “Some memories are realities, and are better than anything that can ever happen to one again.” Ernest Hemingway wrote, “Memory is hunger.” This workshop merges these two notions to demonstrate that memories are heightened experiences and that they make us hunger for more. The instructor offers students encouraging feedback and specific writing prompts to help develop ideas.

$90 (VMFA members $75)

Sat, Jun 30, 10 am–4 pm | Studio School, 2nd floor Conference Room
Amy Ritchie Johnson

Learn about blog themes, how to set up a blog, and even blog marketing. Through valuable writing exercises, discover ways to keep up the momentum of your posts and improve your creativity.

$90 (VMFA members $75)

Tue, Jun 5 - Jul 10, 7–10 pm (6 sessions) | Studio School, 1st floor
Jeffrey Allison

Find out what white balance, resolution, and mega pixels are all about. This class teaches students to use their digital cameras more effectively, including the fundamentals of image capture, camera operation, proper exposure, and using a flash. Weekly assignments and sharing images in class help beginning photographers troubleshoot and develop a creative eye. Bring a digital camera with manual adjustments and the camera manual to the first class.

$175 (VMFA members $155)

Wed, Jun 6 - 20, 7 - 10 pm ( 3 sessions)| Studio School, 1st floor
Georgianne Stinnett

This intensive class is for anyone who wants to get into the darkroom. Those with no or non-recent experience will be taught the basics of making contact prints and enlargements. Topics will include mixing chemistry, enlarger operation, adjusting contrast and density,making photograms, contact sheets from negatives, editing, and printing enlargements. Students will shoot outside of class time, and the instructor will process a roll for each student to use darkroom instructions. Those with recent darkroom experience are also welcome and will receive feedback during lam time. Students will need to provide their own film camera, film, and photo paper.

$110 (VMFA members $90)

Wed, Jun 6 - 27, 10 am–1 pm (4 sessions) | Studio School, 1st floor
Randy Toy

Delve into the creative possibilities of monotype, a unique process that combines painting, drawing, and printmaking. Covering the uses of inks and paints, this course allows students to produce prints on the etching press and by hand. Technical assistance and individual critiques provided. Prerequisite: basic drawing & painting skills.

$150 (VMFA members $130)

Sat, Jun 30, 10 am - 4 pm and Sun, Jul 1, 12 pm–4 pm (2 sessions) | Studio School, 1st floor
Mary Holland

The Gelli plate is a wonderful tool for creating monotypes simply. With stencils, stamps, and transparent paints, as well as some planning, complex artwork results. Explore color theory and composition and enjoy using your own "printing press." Collage techniques will also be covered. Students must provide their own Gelli plate and other materials.

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$130 (VMFA members $115)

Thu, Jun 7–Jul 26, 10 am–1 pm (8 sessions) | Studio School, lower level
Steven Glass

For students of all levels, this class teaches pottery making and design using various materials and techniques, including wheel-thrown and hand-built methods. By exploring the history of pottery making, students gain a better understanding of design. Individual critiques and technical assistance provided. Firing, glazes, and 25 pounds of clay included. Extra clay is available for purchase.

$210 (VMFA members $190)

Tue, Jun 5–Jul 24, 7–10 pm (8 sessions) | Studio School, lower level
Steven Glass

For students of all levels, this class teaches pottery making and design using various materials and techniques, including wheel-thrown and hand-built methods. By exploring the history of pottery making, students gain a better understanding of design. Individual critiques and technical assistance provided. Firing, glazes, and 25 pounds of clay included. Extra clay is available for purchase.

$210 (VMFA members $190)

Thu, Jun 7–Jul 26, 7–10 pm (8 sessions) | Studio School, lower level
Steven Glass

For students of all levels, this class teaches pottery making and design using various materials and techniques, including wheel-thrown and hand-built methods. By exploring the history of pottery making, students gain a better understanding of design. Individual critiques and technical assistance provided. Firing, glazes, and 25 pounds of clay included. Extra clay is available for purchase.

$210 (VMFA members $190)

Tue, Jun 5–Jul 24, 10 am–1 pm (8 sessions) | Studio School, lower level
Steven Glass

Create sculptural forms and hand-built vessels in this class that focuses on techniques, including coil and slab construction methods. Students experiment with various glazes and slips and are introduced to the history of ceramic art. Bring sketches of ideas to the first session. Both beginning and experienced clay students are welcome. Firing, glazes, and 25 pounds of clay included. Extra clay is available for purchase.

$210 (VMFA members $190)

Sat, Jul 7, 10 am–3 pm  | Studio School, lower level
Steven Glass

Students currently enrolled in any of the pottery classes are eligible for this one-day independent study. Faculty assistance is available.

$60 (VMFA members $45)

Sat, Jun 9, 10 am – 4 pm | Studio School, 2nd floor
Shelley Jones

Learn about the types of beads (from glass to semi-precious gemstones), stringing options, and some basic wire-wrapping techniques. The instructor introduces students to a range of findings that hold jewelry together and shares helpful tools and resources. Participants leave the workshop with a handmade necklace, a pair of earrings, and the knowledge to continue jewelry making on their own. A fee of $25, payable to the instructor, is due at the beginning of the workshop and covers all materials. Tools are provided.

Sat, Jun 9, 10 am – 4 pm | Studio School, 1st floor
Mary Swezey

Using the serti technique, participants draw their own designs onto stretched silk with water-based resist. After the designs have dried, colorful paints are brushed on and spread to the edge of the resist lines. Special effects are demonstrated including color mixing directly on the scarf, painting wet on wet, and the starburst effects of salt on dye. Expect to take home two completed long scarves. A materials fee of $20 payable to the instructor at the beginning of the workshop, covers all materials.

Sat, Jun 9, 10 am – 4 pm | Studio School, 2nd floor Conference Room
Stephanie O'Dell

Discover the art of calligraphy lettering and experiment with various media to find your own unique style.  Learn about the history of calligraphy for a foundation in traditional techniques, and try your hand at contemporary flourishes.  Create a custom calligraphy quote with your new decorative lettering skills. Some materials included.

$100 (VMFA members $85)

Sat, Jun 16, 10 am – 4 pm | Studio School, 2nd floor
Heidi Field-Alvarez

Learn the basics of hand sewing in this introductory workshop. What is the best way to sew on a button, hem a skirt, or mend your favorite shirt? We will talk about some historical practices that are still the best methods and some that have gone by the wayside. Students will also learn about different sewing techniques and fabric qualities.

$90 (VMFA members $75)

Sat, Jun 23,  10 am – 4 pm (1 sessions) | Studio School, 2nd floor Conference Room
Alyssa C. Salomon

Learn this famous and ancient, non-adhesive sewing method for binding books that open flat, even if they are thick. Coptic stitch looks fancy but is great for beginners and others interested in historical roots of bookbinding.  Participants should have time to make at least two books during the workshop. Materials are provided but students may wish to bring decorative papers and/or embellishments to personalize your books. All experience levels welcome.

$105 (VMFA members $90)

Sat & Sun, Jul 7 & 8, 10 am – 4 pm | Studio School, 2nd floor
Shelley Jones

Students will make attractive felted jewelry, either bracelets or a necklace, experimenting with various ways of adding attachments to the basic bangle or necklace shape through resists and hand manipulation of the wool fibers. Imaginative use of color, texture, and contour will be encouraged. Participants will also explore embellishing techniques with hand stitching. This workshop is suitable for beginners as well as seasoned felters. You will need to get your hands wet and soapy and be able to manipulate the wool. A $10 materials fee, payable to the instructor at the beginning of the workshop will cover materials for at least two bangles and one necklace. Please bring two old towels. All other tools will be provided.

$145 (VMFA members $130)

Sat, Jul 14, 10 am – 4 pm & Sun, Jul 15, noon – 4 pm (2 sessions) | Studio School, 2nd floor
Sarah Hand

Explore sculpting with papier-mâché to create dolls and figures. The instructor will demonstrate the use of armature sculpting, traditional newspaper and paste papier-mâché, and painting. Students will then create their own figures. Learn various ways to attach limbs, create expression, and embellish. Explore self portraiture, or create a figure with personal meaning using humble materials and bright pigments. The instructor will also show examples of her own doll creations and give students an overview of the history of dolls. Some materials are included.

Mon, Jun 4 – Jul 23, 5:30 – 6:30 pm (8 sessions) | Studio School, 1st Floor, Parlor
Jodi Bock

This beginning-level yoga class incorporates stretching, strengthening, and breathing exercises to reduce stress and promote optimum health and well-being. Participants should bring an exercise or yoga mat and wear comfortable clothing to this hour-long, instructor-led class.

$100 (VMFA members $80)

Tue, Jun 5 – Jul 24, 5:30 – 6:30 pm (8 sessions) | Studio School, 1st floor, Parlor
Jodi Bock

This beginning-level yoga class incorporates stretching, strengthening, and breathing exercises to reduce stress and promote optimum health and well-being. Participants should bring an exercise or yoga mat and wear comfortable clothing to this hour-long, instructor-led class.

$100 (VMFA members $80)

Wed, Jun 6 – Aug 1, 5:30 – 6:30 pm (8 sessions) | Studio School, 1st floor, Parlor
Jodi Bock

This beginning-level yoga class incorporates stretching, strengthening, and breathing exercises to reduce stress and promote optimum health and well-being. Participants should bring an exercise or yoga mat and wear comfortable clothing to this hour-long, instructor-led class.

$100 (VMFA members $80)