Studio School

Tue, Mar 14–Apr 18, 10 am–1 pm (6 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. Experienced students are also welcome.

$175 (VMFA members $155)

Sat, Feb 11, 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 11 & 12, 10 am–4 pm ( 2 sessions)| Studio School, 2nd floor
Maria Reardon

Students will learn to paint or draw various animals within a landscape in the studio. From cows and horses in pastures, waterfowl in coastal settings, or a pet in the backyard, this class will focus on the special challenges in capturing the likeness and personality of animals in a landscape setting. The instructor will demonstrate painting animals in their surroundings. Students may choose to work in paint or any drawing medium of their choice. Prerequisites: basic drawing and painting skills. 

$145 (VMFA members $130)

Sat and Sun, Feb 18 & 19, 10 am–4pm (2 sessions) | Studio School, 2nd floor
Amy Smith

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: intermediate drawing skills. 

$145 (VMFA members $130)

Sat & Sun, Feb 25 & 26, 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, Feb 25, 10 am–4 pm (1 session) | Studio School, 2nd floor
Frank Saunders

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, Mar 4, 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, Mar 4 & 5, 10 am – 4 pm (2 session)| Studio School, 2nd floor
DIEGO SANCHEZ

Discover approaches and mixed media materials that can inspire new ideas and add a fresh dimension to your artwork. Students learn techniques that reinforce the importance of the painting and drawing process to the finished product. Prerequisites: basic drawing & painting skills

Click here for materials list.
$145 (VMFA members $130)

Sat & Sun, Mar 18 & 19, 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 beginner 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, Apr 1 & 2, 10 am–4 pm (2 sessions)| Studio School, 2nd floor
DAWN FLORES

Basic drawing skills are essential to building a strong foundation from which to express creativity in any medium. By focusing on the beauty of trees, students learn the importance of observation, proportion,  perspective, and form while discovering and cultivating an appreciation for the anatomical complexity of nature’s botanical wonders.  Students will work directly from observation on the VMFA grounds and from photographs provided by the instructor.

Click here for materials list.
$145 (VMFA members $130)

Mon, May 1 -- 22, 9:30 am – 12:30 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.

Click here for materials list.
$145 (VMFA members $125)

Wed, May 10– 31, 9:30 am–12:30 pm (4 sessions)| Studio School, 2nd floor 
KATHY CALHOUN

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

Click here for materials list.
$145 (VMFA members $125)

Fri, May 5–26, 10 am --1 pm (4 sessions) | Studio School, 2nd floor
SALLY BOWRING

Expand technical and critical skills and learn to develop new ideas and imagery. The class will focus on using the VMFA's 20th- and 21st-century galleries as points of interest and inspiration. In the studio, students work from a variety of subjects, focusing on color and abstraction. The instructor will provide suggestions and individual critiques. Prerequisite: basic drawing & oil or acrylic painting skills.

Click here for materials lists.
$145 (VMFA members $125)

Tue, May 2 -- 23, 9:30 am -- 12:30 pm (4 sessions) | Studio School, 2nd floor
SARAH HAND

Explore sculpting with papier-mâché to create small sculpture. The instructor will demonstrate the use of armature sculpting, traditional newspaper and paste papier-mâché, and painting. Students will then create their own sculptures. Learn various ways to attach pieces, create expressions, and embellish. Explore how to make a three dimensional object in this low-tech medium. The instructor will also show examples of her own creations and give students an overview of papier-mâché. A materials fee of $20 is payable to the instructor at the first class session. It includes most materials.

Sat, Feb 11, 10 am–4 pm | 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 in 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 4, 10 am – 4 pm (1sessions) |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.

Mon, May 1--15, 10 am – 1 pm (3 sessions) |Studio School, 2nd floor Conference Room
Brynne Rebele-Henry

A class focused on learning different poetic forms, writing three poems, learning how to participate in and contribute to literary workshops, and reading and discussing a variety of work by contemporary poets. We will workshop each piece, and close each class session by having a group discussion on writing, poetry, community, and the elements of the workshop that students found helpful or challenging. 

Mon, Mar 20 - Apr 24, 10 am – 1 pm (6 sessions) | Studio School, 1st floor
MONICA ESCAMILLA

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 but not required. Prerequisite: digital photography skills.

$175 (VMFA members $155)

Mon, Mar 20 - Apr 24,  7–10 pm (6 sessions)| Studio School, 1st floor
MONICA ESCAMILLA

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 but not required. Prerequisite: digital photography skills.

$175 (VMFA members $155)

Sat, Mar 25, 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 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)

Sat, Mar 11, 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 and other materials. 

Click here for materials list.
$90 (VMFA members $75)

Sat, Mar 18, 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.

$60 (VMFA member $45)

Sat, Mar 25,  10 am -- 4 pm (1 session) | Studio School, 1st floor

MARY SWEZEY

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.

$90 (VMFA members $75)

Sat & Sun, Mar 11 &12, 10 am – 4 pm ( 2 sessions)| Studio School, 2nd floor
Shelley Jones

Working with a wet-felting technique, students will learn to make lightweight wool bangles, ropes, and brooches. Experiment with various ways of adding attachment to a basic shape with hand manipulation of the wool fibers. Imaginative use of color, texture, and contour will be encouraged. Embellishing techniques using hand stitching with beads and sequins will also be covered. 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 materials fee of $15 is payable to the instructor at the beginning of the workshop, will cover materials for two vessels. Please bring two old towels. All other tools will be provided.

$145 (VMFA members $130)