Booking

Adults

You won’t find a more enlightening — and inspirational — environment than the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts! From gallery talks and tours to art classes, seminars, teacher programs, and family fun, the museum offers a variety of learning experiences for every age and every interest.

Specials

VMFA Members enjoy discounts on many of our classes and programs. Click here for more information.

Studio Class

A Crash Course in Watercolor [30]

Sat & Sun, Oct 25 & 26, 10 am–4 pm (2 Sessions)

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.

Instructor: Dawn Flores

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Painting with Cold Wax Medium [31]

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

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. 

Instructor: Martha Prideaux

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Pet Portrait Workshop [32]

Sat & Sun, Nov 8 & 9, 10 am–4 pm (2 sessions)

Learn how to capture the unique personality of your favorite furry friend. Start by studying the anatomy and features of different animals, focusing on the artistic process of making detailed studies. Then with guidance from the instructor and working from photographs, create accurate and expressive portraits of your own pet using drawing materials and oil or acrylic paint.  

Instructor: Catherine Purdy

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Sketchbook as Traveling Companion & Visual Memoir [33]

Sat & Sun, Nov 8 & 9, 10 am - 4 pm (2 sessions)

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. 

Instructor: Kathleen Calhoun

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Intermediate Digital Photography - AM [41]

Mon, Oct 20–Nov 24, 10 am –1 pm (6 sessions) | Studio School, 1st floor 

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 and experience using the camera settings are required. Prerequisite: Recent Digital Photography for Beginners class.

Instructor: Samia Minnicks

Cancelled

Intermediate Digital Photography - PM [42]

Mon, Oct 20 - Nov 24, 7–10 pm (6 sessions) | Studio School, 1st floor

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 and experience using the camera settings are required. Prerequisite: Recent Digital photography for Beginners class.

Instructor: Kevin Morley

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Pottery Independent Study [55]

Sat, Nov 1, 10 am–3 pm (1 session) | Studio School, lower level

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.

Instructor: Steven Glass

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Indigo and Shibori Natural Dye Workshop [59]

Sat & Sun, Oct 25 & 26, 10 am – 4 pm (2 sessions)

Learn the ancient art of Shibori (Japanese-style tie-dye) using the king of natural dyes: indigo. 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). 

Instructor: Julia Pfaff
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Introduction to Stained Glass [60]

Sat & Sun, Oct 25 & 26, 10 am – 4:30 pm (2 sessions)

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.

Instructor: Jude Schlotzhauer

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Introduction to Hand Appliqué NEW! [61]

Sat, Nov 1, 10 am – 4 pm (1 session)

Hand appliqué is the queen of all appliqué methods and is used for creating pictures and patterns. It is basically fabric collage but with no glue: just stitches holding it together. Learn a new sewing skill or perfect one that you already have. All levels are welcome, and no sewing/quilting experience is necessary. A $15 materials fee to be paid to the instructor at the beginning of class covers all materials needed.

Instructor: Julia Pfaff
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Hoop Embroidery [62]

Sat, Nov 8, 10 am–4 pm (1 session) | Studio School, 1st floor

Learning a few basic embroidery stitches will allow you to embellish your own clothing or household textiles or simply make marks on fabric and draw with thread. Embroidery is an easy, portable, and inexpensive art form. Cotton fabric, a small embroidery kit, and hoops will be supplied. Feel free to bring a piece of clothing or tea towel to embellish. Expect to complete a small sampler of stitches and a hoop composition and a fabric embellishment. A materials fee of $20 payable to the instructor is due at the beginning of the workshop.

Instructor: Mary Swezey

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