Adults

Thursday, November 19, 1–2:30 pm (1 session) 

Join Dr. Theresa A. Cunningham, Associate Curator of European Art and the Mellon Collection, for a closer look at the exhibition The Impressionist Revolution: Monet to Matisse from the Dallas Museum of Art. This one session class will focus on works of art in the exhibition and the provocative art movement that set the course for modern art in the 1870s and beyond.  

Instructor: Dr. Theresa Cunningham, Associate Curator of European Art and the Mellon Collection 

Thursday, December 3, 1–2:30 pm (1 session) 

Join Dr. Cordier for an exclusive behind-the scenes look at The Impressionist Revolution: Monet to Matisse from the Dallas Museum of Art. Discover how a major exhibition comes to life, from essential curatorial questions and fresh scholarship to gallery design, interpretation, and the cross departmental and partner collaborations that make a project of this scale possible. Don’t miss this one-session class and special preview of this exciting exhibition!

Instructor: Dr. Sylvain Cordier, VMFA’s Paul Mellon Curator and Head of the Department of European Art 

Saturday & Sunday, October 31 & November 1, 10 am–4 pm (2 sessions) 

 This workshop is an introduction to painting with Gouache, an opaque water-soluble medium that is like watercolor. The medium offers highly saturated colors, flexibility, and spontaneity, applied in layers like acrylics or oils. 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 & painting skills. 

Instructor: Maria Reardon

Saturday & Sunday, November 7 & 8, 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

Saturday & Sunday, November 21 & 22, 10 am–4 pm (2 session)

This is a great workshop for intermediate drawing students to practice their portrait drawing skills. Working from a live model, students will learn how to capture a likeness and expression in their portrait drawing. The workshop will include demonstrations and one-on-one guidance. Pastel techniques and materials will be discussed. Prerequisite: intermediate drawing skills 
using soft pastels.

Instructor: Maria Reardon

Saturday, October 24, 10 am–4 pm (1 session) 

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"x 10" or larger) and other materials. 

Instructor: Mary Holland

Saturday & Sunday, November 7 & 8, 10 am–4 pm (2 sessions)

Learn how to make a small vessel out of wool and silk fibers or expand your skills. Fine merino wool roving, a resist, hand manipulation and a bit of experimentation will all be used to make a decorative container. The use of other materials for embellishment will also be explored, such as fabric, silk paper, and yarn. You will need to get your hands wet and soapy and be able to manipulate the wool with your hands in a repetitive motion. A fee of $20 (cash or check) payable to the instructor at the beginning of the workshop will cover materials for the felt vessel. Please bring two old towels and one hand towel. All other tools will be provided for use in the workshop. 

Instructor: Shelley Jones

 Saturday, November 21, 10 am–4 pm (1 session)

Spend a day creating handmade holiday gifts, cards, and decorations with your own hands. Skip the holiday crowds and stressful errands and fold paper stars, print your own gift tags and cards, design and cut out folk art-inspired paper garlands, and construct sparkly matchbox dioramas. There will be glitter!

Instructor: Sarah Hand