Booking

Workshop

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.

Educators

Teacher Seminar | Art Interpretation for Multilingual Learners

Centered on multilingual learners (MLL), VMFA’s 2026 Teacher Seminar will bring together a small cohort of K–12 Virginia educators to explore how VMFA's collection and art interpretation strategies can support language acquisition. 

Participating teachers will collaborate with VMFA educators to

  • Understand the MLL audience more deeply
  • Explore VMFA’s collection with an MLL mindset
  • Initiate development of VMFA instructional supports for MLL classrooms

Structure and Overview

  • A 2-day opening session at VMFA June 25 and 26, 2026. This session will lay foundation for year-long exploration.
  • 3 virtual discussion and check-in sessions in October 2026, January 2027, and May 2027
  • Pilot and document the implementation of instructional strategies in your classroom throughout the 2026-27 school year.

Additional Details:

  • Participating teachers will receive a stipend at the beginning and end of the year-long commitment.
  • Applications will open February 2, 2026, and close March 16, 2026. Applicants will be notified by March 27, 2026.

For questions, please contact teacherprograms@vmfa.museum.

This program is supported in part by the Anne Carter and Walter R. Robins, Jr. Foundation and Ms. Kathryn A. Strawn.

Teacher Tuesdays at Two

Let's look at art together through the teacher's lens. Practicing K–12 educators across disciplines are invited to join VMFA Teacher Programs for an education-centered conversation in the galleries on select Tuesdays throughout the summer. Come spend an hour with us to share your perspective, elevate your practice, and enjoy some summer afternoon playtime! 

This tour is limited to currently practicing classroom educators. We encourage other education professionals to check out our variety of public tour offerings.

Register Now

Adults

Fine Arts & Flowers | Ikebana Workshop with Asian-Inspired Snacks and Wine

As part of Fine Arts & Flowers, Ikebana of Richmond is hosting a workshop for those interested in creating an Ikebana arrangement. Join us in the evening as three different certified teachers (sensei) introduce Ikebana—the Japanese art of flower arranging—and demonstrate the distinctive styles of their schools, emphasizing line, balance, depth, and material placement.

After the demonstration, participants will create their own design from the school they prefer. The sensei will provide guidance and a critique of the arrangement as part of the experience. Materials provided for this class are a suiban (low bowl), kenzan (a tool similar to a flower frog), materials, and flowers. Materials may be taken home for further practice and study. Each participant should bring garden/floral clippers and a bucket to transport your completed arrangement home. 

Enjoy wine and Asian-inspired small bites while creating your design.

Fine Arts & Flowers | Sip & Snip Floral Workshop

Join instructor Kate Hugo Vernon for a relaxed floral design workshop where creativity takes center stage as part of Fine Arts & Flowers. You’ll work with an abundant mix of vibrant, seasonal materials to explore texture, color, and form and create a design that’s uniquely your own. Whether you’re a seasoned arranger or simply flower-curious, this workshop is all about enjoying the process as much as the final piece.

Wine and light snacks will be served, making it the perfect setting to unwind, socialize, and let your creativity bloom. Each participant should bring floral clippers.

Fine Arts & Flowers | Ikebana Workshop

As part of Fine Arts & Flowers, Ikebana of Richmond is hosting a workshop for those interested in creating an Ikebana arrangement. Certified teachers (Sensei) from the Sogetsu and Sangetsu schools will introduce Ikebana—the Japanese art of flower arranging—and each will demonstrate a contemporary freestyle arrangement in a handmade ceramic container, emphasizing line, balance, depth and material placement. Participants will determine which style they prefer and create their own in a provided container. As is the tradition, the Sensei will critique each arrangement with the student. Handmade ceramic containers, materials, and flowers will be provided. The student should bring garden or floral clippers and a bucket to transport your materials home.

Fine Arts & Flowers | Workshop with Natasja Sadi

Create lifelike sugar flowers inspired by Dutch masters.

Bloom into art at VMFA as part of Fine Arts & Flowers. Join world-renowned floral designer and sugar flower artist Natasja Sadi for a half-day workshop and learn to sculpt her trademark, lifelike sugar flowers. From shaping delicate petals to mastering Natasja’s exclusive coloring method, you’ll create a stunning tulip masterpiece in a hands-on session perfect for novices and experienced artists alike. 

Beautiful on cakes, sugar flowers become everlasting floral art treasures when displayed independently. Inspired by the Dutch Masters’ tradition, these sugar flowers pair beautifully with fresh blooms for sustainable, multi-season arrangements. All materials and tools are provided.

Fine Arts & Flowers | Floral Workshop: Interpreting a Work of Art

Interpret a work of art with floral designer David Pippin. This hands-on workshop is a great opportunity to learn about interpreting works of art using plant materials. After a brief lecture and demonstration, participants will have the opportunity to interpret a work of art from the VMFA collection. Plant materials and containers will be provided. Participants should bring their own floral clippers.