Studio School

Wed, Mar 5 -- Apr 23, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm (8 Sessions) | Studio School, 2nd floor
MARIA REARDON

Explore drawing and painting the landscape from direct observation. With guidance from the instructor, students will develop a more fluid response to painting on location. Students need to provide their own plein air painting easel, stool and painting supplies. Prerequisite: basic drawing and painting skills. 

$200 (VMFA members $180)

Fri, Feb 7 -- 28, 1:30 – 4:30 pm (4 sessions) | Studio School, 2nd floor
MATT LIVELY

Learn strategies to paint on a large scale with guidance from well-known painting muralist Matt Lively. The instructor will teach you how to plan and methods for making big acrylic paintings. Students will be provided a 4 ft x 6 ft gessoed wooden panel for a fee of $100, payable to the instructor at 
the first class session. Students must be able to transport their paintings to and from the class. Arrangements may be made with the instructor if the student’s vehicle is too small.

Prerequisite: Intermediate-level drawing and acrylic painting skills

$145 (VMFA members $125)

Sat & Sun, Feb 8 & 9, 10 am–4 pm (2 session) | Studio School, 2nd floor
MARIA REARDON

This workshop is an introduction to painting with gouache, an opaque water-soluble medium that is like watercolor. Gouache, which is applied in layers like acrylics or oils, offers highly saturated colors, flexibility, and spontaneity. The medium is great to use as a sketching medium to plan larger paintings or for finished artwork. Students will learn to use gouache to make studies, to plan compositions and color themes that they may use for larger works. Prerequisites: basic drawing and painting skills.

$145 (VMFA members $130)

Sat, Feb 15, 10 am–4 pm (1 session) | Studio School, 2nd floor
MARTHA PRIDEAUX

Experiment with new techniques, materials, and more to make innovative collages. The teacher will demonstrate ways to design, mount, and present your artwork in this workshop designed for all levels of experience.
 
$90 (VMFA members $75)

Sat, Feb 22, 10 am–4 pm (1 session) | Studio School, 1st floor
KAREN EIDE

Encaustic painting is an ancient process using molten, pigmented beeswax to create layered and luminous art. Designed for both new and experienced painters, the instructor 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.

$105 (VMFA members $90)

Sat & Sun, Feb 22 & 23, 10 am - 4 pm (2 sessions) | Studio School, 2nd floor

KATHLEEN CALHOUN

Do you want to capture a moment and place, whether traveling or just hanging out? Record the little and big things in your life by creating a visual record. Participants will learn several easy and successful strategies for drawing, painting, collage, and writing to turn their adventures into handheld works of art. Mini field trips within and outside VMFA will also offer source material and inspiration. 

$145 (VMFA members $130)

Sat & Sun, Mar 1 & 2, 10 am–4 pm (2 sessions) | Studio School, 2nd floor
MARTHA PRIDEAUX

This workshop will teach students how to build beautiful textured surfaces using cold wax medium and oil paint. Experienced and beginning painters are welcome. The workshop will consist of demonstrations and hands-on practice. With guidance from the instructor, students will create small-scale studies and paintings using various techniques and leave with an understanding of how to use the wax medium to build gorgeous, layered surfaces in future paintings. Prerequisites: basic drawing and painting skills. 

$145 (VMFA members $130)

Sat & Sun, Mar 8 & 9, 10 am – 4 pm (2 session) | Studio School, 2nd floor
MARY SCURLOCK

Experiment with various painting and drawing media. Explore new ideas, techniques, and imagery. Students will work on individual projects with demonstrations from the instructor. This is a great workshop to recharge your studio practice. Prerequisite: basic drawing and painting skills. 

$145 (VMFA members $130)

Sat & Sun, Mar 15 & 16, 10 am–4 pm (2 Sessions) | 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.

$145 (VMFA members $130)

Sat, Mar 22, 10 am–4pm (1 session) | Studio School, 2nd floor
AMY SMTH

Start by exploring a variety of drawings of the human form by other artists. Then with guidance from the instructor and working from a live model, learn to create expressive portraits in charcoal and pencil. Prerequisites: basic drawing skills. 

$90 (VMFA members $75)

Sat, Mar 22, 10 am–4 pm (1 Session) | Studio School, 2nd floor
KENDRA WADSWORTH

Explore several methods for making acrylic pour paintings. These paintings are characterized by unpredictable swirls of colorful paint with a glossy finish. Prerequisites: basic drawing and painting skills.

Please bring as many painting canvases or panels as you can safely transport – not to exceed 24” x 24”, one quart of white semigloss house paint, and four to six acrylic colors of your choice. Miscellaneous supplies will be provided by the instructor for a $5 fee, payable at the beginning of the workshop.

$90 (VMFA members $75)

Sat &Sun, Apr 5–6, 10 am–4 pm (2 Sessions) | Studio School, 2nd floor
DIANA DETAMORE

This workshop introduces oil pastels and paint sticks for painterly approaches to drawing flowers and plants. Students explore colored grounds, glazes, and various methods of layering color as well as color mixing and interaction. Prerequisite: basic drawing skills.

$145 (VMFA members $130)

Sat & Sun, Apr 5 & 6, 10 am–4pm (2 session) | Studio School, 2nd floor
CATHERINE PURDY

Develop observational drawing skills and learn to capture depth, details, and sense of place through architectural illustration. After learning the basics of one-and two-point perspective, explore the museum grounds with the instructor to practice sketching on site. Back in the studio, choose one of your sketches to refine using watercolor and ink. Previous experience with watercolor is not necessary. The workshop is a great way to jumpstart a travel sketchbook or urban sketching practice. Prerequisites: basic drawing skills. 

$145 (VMFA members $130)

Tue, May 6 - 27, 10 am – 1 pm (4 sessions) | Studio School, 2nd floor
DAWN FLORES

Artist John Singer Sargent was a master of color. His blacks were textured, his whites were complex, and his side-by-side use of warm and cool colors gave his paintings vibrancy. In this intensive class, students will study Sargent’s artwork through slide presentations and catalogs. Working in either watercolor or acrylic paint, students will complete color exercises, copy Sargent’s work, and create their own compelling pieces inspired by Sargent’s use of color. Prerequisites: basic drawing and watercolor or acrylic painting skills.

$145 (VMFA members $125)

Fri, May 9–30, 10 am --1 pm (4 sessions) | Studio School, 2nd floor
SALLY BOWRING

This class combines visits to the VMFA galleries and studio work. Each session will start with a visit to a different painting. The instructor will lead a discussion about the meaning of the painting, the period in which it was created, and surrounding ideas, writings, and music of the time. Students will return to the painting studio, inspired by the painting and information, to create a work of art. Students may work in any drawing or painting medium they choose. Prerequisite: basic drawing & oil or acrylic painting skills.

$145 (VMFA members $125)

Wed, May 7 - 28, 10 am -- 1 pm (4 sessions) | Studio School, 2nd floor
SARAH HAND

Explore sculpting with papier mâché to create your favorite bird. This is a fun introduction to the basics of papier mâché, but also suitable for folks who want to take their skills up a notch. The instructor will discuss bird forms and anatomy and demonstrate the use of armature sculpting and traditional newspaper and paste papier mâché. Learn various ways to attach pieces, create expressions, and embellish. Explore how to make a three-dimensional object in a low-tech medium. The instructor will also show examples of her own creations. A materials fee of $20 is payable to the instructor at the first session. It includes most materials.

Sat, Mar 8, 10 am–4 pm (1 session) | Studio School, 2nd floor Conference Room
Stacy Hawkins Adams

Learn why telling your story matters and how you can best craft it for publication or personal accomplishment. Select a fictional form such as a novel, short story or children's book or a nonfiction form such as a memoir, blog, or essay. This workshop is ideal for beginning writers who want to get from the idea stage to "The End."

$90 (VMFA members $75)

Sat, Mar 1, 10 am – 4 pm (1 session) |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 these 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.

Sat, Feb 22, 10 am–4 pm (1 sessions) | Studio School, 2nd floor Conference Room
TRACY LYNCH

The body remembers. It feels and sees and knows. "Write the Body" is for writers of all ages and stages. We will tap into the stories our brain, muscles, heart, and other parts are longing to tell. We will explore, play, and listen. We will read and write. You will walk away with some solid-gold nuggets of your own creation based on stories only you can tell.

 
$90 (VMFA members $75)

Sat, Mar 22, 10 am–4 pm (1 sessions) | Studio School, 2nd floor Conference Room
TRACY LYNCH

Flash nonfiction is an evolving genre, steadily increasing in popularity among readers and writers alike. Flash is generally considered under 750 words and packs a punch through honed and purposeful prose. Through group discussions, readings, lectures, and classroom exercises, you will learn to write FNF and walk away with some new implements in your writer’s toolkit.

 
$90 (VMFA members $75)

Mon, Mar 17 - Apr 21, 10 am – 1 pm (6 sessions) | Studio School, 1st floor
Samia Minnicks

This class helps students refine both technical and creative photographic skills. Through discussions, class critiques, and weekly assignments, participants solve problems with exposure, low-light situations, and creative ennui, and learn time-saving methods for an effective digital workflow. A digital SLR to use in class is recommended. Prerequisite: Completion of Digital Photography for Beginners class.

$175 (VMFA members $155)

Mon, Mar 17 - Apr 21, 7–10 pm (6 sessions) | Studio School, 1st floor
Kevin Morley

This class helps students refine both technical and creative photographic skills. Through discussions, class critiques, and weekly assignments, participants solve problems with exposure, low-light situations, and creative ennui, and learn time-saving methods for an effective digital workflow. A digital SLR to use in class is recommended. Prerequisite: Completion of Digital photography for Beginners class.

$175 (VMFA members $155)

Sat, Feb 15, 10 am–3 pm (1 session) | Studio School, 2nd floor Conference Room 
TRAVIS FULLERTON

Do you use your iPhone to make photos more than your digital camera? Learn from a professional photographer who uses his iPhone regularly in his studio practice. Students will learn the various camera functions and will practice shooting during in-class exercises.

$90 (VMFA members $75)

Fri, Feb 7–Apr 25, 10 am–1 pm (12 sessions) | Studio School, 1st floor
MARY HOLLAND

Experiment with various monotype processes and produce work in oil- or water-based ink or paint by hand and on the etching press. With individualized technical guidance from the instructor, try other print techniques including Gelli plates, watercolor transfers, and collage using printed images. Individual critiques will be provided. This is a great introduction to one-of-a-kind prints. Prerequisites: basic drawing and painting skills.

$260 (VMFA members $240)

Sat, Mar 15, 10 am–4 pm (1 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 (8 inches x 10 inches or larger) and other materials. 

$90 (VMFA members $75)

Sat, Mar 29, 10 am–3 pm (1 session) | Studio School, lower level
STEVEN GLASS

Current pottery students will work on independent projects in this one-day workshop. Faculty assistance is available. Prerequisites: current enrollment in any VMFA pottery class.

$65 (VMFA member $50)

Sat & Sun, Feb 8 & 9, 10 am – 4:30 pm (2 sessions) | Studio School, 2nd floor
JUDE SCHLOTZHAUER

Learn the basics of stained glass and create a small window panel in your choice of patterns. Techniques covered in the workshop include pattern making, glass cutting, copper foiling, soldering, and construction. Make something beautiful to treasure or give as a gift.  All materials are included.

$175 (VMFA members $160)

Sat, Feb 8, 10 am – 4 pm (1 sessions) | Studio School, 2nd floor
JULIA PFAFF

This is a low -tech approach to printing fabric. Students will learn techniques such as stencil, stamp, and textured plates to print fabric with a paste that removes color. Its really like magic! Starting with black and colored fabrics, learn the fundamentals of fabric printing in repeats and in full compositions. This workshop is great for novice and experienced printers and fabric enthusiasts alike. A materials fee of $15, cash or check, payable to the instructor at the beginning of the workshop, covers all materials. Students may bring in a black cotton t-shirt to print on if they wish.

Sat & Sun, Mar 1 & 2, 10 am – 4 pm (2 sessions) | Studio School, 1st floor
JULIA PFAFF

Learn the ancient art of Shibori (Japanese-style tie-dye) using the king of natural dyes: indigo. Additional color can be added with the introduction of black walnut dye. Participants will make several pieces of richly patterned fabric along with two cotton kitchen towels and a silk scarf. A materials fee of $25, payable to the instructor at the beginning of the workshop, covers most materials. Students can bring a few small natural fiber items from home to dye (cotton, silk, or linen). 

Sat, Feb 22, 10 am – 4 pm (1 session) | Studio School, 1st floor
MARY SWEZEY

Participants will learn about the history of visible mending with roots in Japanese Sashiko and Indian Kantha stitching. With guidance from the instructor, students will make a mending sampler featuring a variety of stitches to fix tears and holes in loved and worn clothing. You will learn skills to repair your clothing and make them interesting in the process. The instructor will provide a mending kit for $20, payable at the beginning of the workshop. You may also want to bring additional cloth or a clothing item to work on during the workshop.