Studio School

Thu, Jun 9–Jul 28, 1–4 pm (8 sessions) | Studio School, 2nd floor
Sara Clark

Expand the use of color in drawing with soft pastels, employing various application methods and paper choices. Students work from the still life or subjects of their choice. Individual critiques provided. Prerequisites: basic drawing skills.

$195 (VMFA members $175)

Tue, Jun 21–Jul 26, 9:30 am–12:30 pm (6 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 the painting or drawing medium of their choice. Prerequisites: basic drawing and painting skills.

$175 (VMFA members $155)

Mon, Jun 6–Jul 18, 9:30 am–12:30 pm (6 sessions) | Studio School, 2nd floor
Dawn Flores

Learn a wide variety of watercolor techniques while using related drawing mediums in this course for beginning and experienced watercolor artists. Students work directly from the still life, landscape, and other subject matter, with discussions of color and watercolor masterworks offering inspiration. Individual and group critiques provided. Prerequisites: basic drawing skills.

$175 (VMFA members $155)

Tue, Jun 7–Jul 26, 1–4 pm (8 sessions) | Studio School, 2nd floor
Sara Clark

Learn to use direct observation when painting from life. Through observation-based painting exercises and instruction, beginning and intermediate artists strengthen their ability to see color and value relationships, and they learn how to mix colors accordingly. Students also learn to simplify any subject matter by identifying color masses from which to develop paintings. Prerequisite: basic drawing skills.

$195 (VMFA members $175)

Mon, Jun 6–27, 1–4 pm (4 sessions) | Studio School, 2nd floor
Matt Lively

Explore drawing and painting from direct observation, photos, or sketches and depict various subjects including the still life, human figure, and landscape. Students develop a more personal approach to imagery, drawing, and painting styles by examining the formal and expressive aspects in their work and that of classical to contemporary artists. Prerequisites: basic drawing and painting skills.

$140 (VMFA members $120)

Thu, Jun 9–Jul 14, 9:30 am–12:30 pm (6 sessions) | Studio School, 2nd floor
Joan Elliott

This is a great studio course for students at the intermediate level who are working to develop their own personal painting style and approach to imagery. Through individual guidance, students explore painting strategies and working methods. Prerequisites: basic drawing and painting skills.

$175 (VMFA members $155)

Tue, Jun 7–Jul 12, 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)

Wed, Jun 8–Jul 13, 9:30 am–12:30 pm (6 sessions) | Studio School, 2nd Floor 
Kendra Wadsworth

Experiment with various drawing and painting media. Explore new ideas, techniques, and imagery. Students may also work on independent projects with guidance and individual critiques from the instructor. Prerequisites: basic drawing skills. 

$175 (VMFA members $155)

Thu, Jun 9–Jul 28, 7–9:30 pm (8 sessions) | Studio School, 2nd floor
Amy Smith

This introductory class helps students develop basic drawing skills using various techniques and materials. Observation, imagination, memory, and creativity will be utilized while building skills and confidence.

$180 (VMFA members $160)

Tue, Jun 7–Jul 26, 7–10 pm (8 sessions) | Studio School, 2nd floor
Dawn Flores

Designed for beginning and intermediate watercolor or acrylic students, this class covers the basic tools, materials, and practices of water-based paint media. Students will study classic and contemporary art while they experiment with various techniques. Individual and group critiques are included. Prerequisites: basic drawing skills.

$195 (VMFA members $175)

Wed, Jun 8–Jul 13, 7–10 pm (6 sessions) | Studio School, 2nd floor
Joan Elliott

This is a good painting class for beginning or intermediate level oil painters who want to develop their own personal painting style and approach to imagery. Through individual guidance, students explore paintings strategies and working methods. Prerequisite: basic drawing skills.

$175 (VMFA members $155)

Mon, Jun 6–Jul 18, 7–10 pm (6 sessions) | Studio School, 2nd floor
Joan Elliott

Explore drawing and painting from direct observation, photos, or sketches and depict various subjects including the still life, human figure, and landscape. Students develop a more personal approach to imagery, drawing, and painting styles by examining the formal and expressive aspects in their work and that of classical to contemporary artists. Prerequisites: basic drawing and painting skills.

$175 (VMFA members $155)

Sat, Jun 18, 10 am–4 pm (1 session) | Studio School, 2nd 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, Jun 25, 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. Please bring as many painting canvases, not to exceed 24"x24", as you can safely transport, one quart of white semigloss house paint, and four to six acrylic paint 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, Jun 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 & Sun, Jun 25 & 26, 10 am–4 pm (2 sessions) | Studio School, 1st floor
Pam Fox

This workshop explores the use of photography with mixed-media applications. Students combine photographic materials (digital or traditional prints, photocopies, found imagery or old photographs) with oil paint to produce new and exciting imagery. the instructor demonstrates a variety of approaches, including surface supports and preparation, gluing techniques, surface alterations, paint application, varnishing, cold wax, and other surface treatments. Open to all levels of experience.

$145 (VMFA members $130)

Sat & Sun, Jul 9 & 10, 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, Jul 16 & 17, 10 am–4 pm | 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 & Sun, Jul 23 & 24, 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)

Tue, Jun 7–Jul 26, 10 am–1 pm (8 sessions) | Studio School, 2nd floor
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. 
 
$195 (VMFA members $175)

Mon, Jun 6–Aug 1, 10 am–1 pm (8 sessions) | Studio School, 2nd floor
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.
 
$195 (VMFA members $175)

Tue, Jun 7–Jul 26, 1:30–4:30 pm (8 sessions) | Studio School, 2nd floor
Tracy Lynch

Journaling is a literary form as old as the written word. You may have a journal near your bed or packed in your bag. It's easy, accessible and liberating. What if you could turn your journaling into an active, energetic process without losing that freeing, stress-free feeling that comes with it? In this class, through in-class journaling, group discussion, partner work, and lecture, we will explore the many ways in which your journaling can serve as more than a time capsule. It can open new paths to your life as write. 
 
$195 (VMFA members $175)

Thu, Jun 9–Jul 28, 7–10 pm (8 sessions) | Studio School, 2nd floor
Douglas S. Jones

Why do folk and fairy tales have such a remarkable staying power? Marina Warner suggests that it's "because the meanings they generate are themselves magical shape-shifters, dancing to the needs of their audience." In this class, we'll read and discuss fairy tales, both traditional and revisionist. We will then explore ways we can reimagine and re-purpose them in our creative writing.

$195 (VMFA members $175)

Mon, Jun 6–Aug 1,  7–10 pm (8 sessions) | Studio School, 2nd floor
Douglas S. Jones

Each of us has a dark self. Sometimes we glimpse it in dreams; sometimes we come to know it in our thoughts or imaginings. The aim of this course is to draw it out and see what we can learn from it. Students explore ways in which a realization of the shadow can open creative avenues for use in various writing exercises, including guided imagery, dream work, and active imagination.

$195 (VMFA members $175)

Sat, Jun 25, 10 am–4 pm | Studio School, 2nd floor
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)

Wed, Jun 8–29, 7 – 10 pm (4 sessions) | Studio School, 1st floor
Georgianne Stinnett

This class is for anyone who wants to get into the darkroom. Those with no or non-recent experience will be taught the basics of developing film, making contact prints and enlargements. Topics will include mixing chemistry, enlarger operation, adjusting contrast and density, making photograms, contact sheets from negatives, editing, and printing enlargements. Students will shoot photos outside of class time and use the darkroom during class. Those with recent darkroom experience are also welcome and will receive feedback during lab time. Students must provide their own film camera, film, and photo paper. Photo chemicals will be supplied.

$140 (VMFA members $120)

Fri, Jun 10--Jul 1, 10 am--1 pm (4 sessions) | Studio School, 1st floor
Mary Holland

The Gelli or Gel plate is a wonderful tool for creating monotypes simply. With stencils, stamps, and transparent acrylic paints, as well as some planning, complex artwork results. Explore color theory, composition and enjoy using your own “printing press”. Collage techniques will be covered. Prerequisites: basic drawing and painting skills.

$145 (VMFA members $125)

Thu, Jun 9–Jul 28, 10 am–1 pm (8 sessions) | Studio School, lower level
Steven Glass

For students of all levels, this class teaches pottery making and design using various materials and techniques, including wheel-thrown and hand-built methods. By exploring the history of pottery making, students gain a better understanding of design. Individual critiques and technical assistance provided. Firing, glazes, and 25 pounds of clay included. Extra clay is available for purchase.

$210 (VMFA members $190)

Tue, Jun 7–Jul 26, 7–10 pm (8 sessions) | Studio School, lower level
Steven Glass

For students of all levels, this class teaches pottery making and design using various materials and techniques, including wheel-thrown and hand-built methods. By exploring the history of pottery making, students gain a better understanding of design. Individual critiques and technical assistance provided. Firing, glazes, and 25 pounds of clay included. Extra clay is available for purchase.

$210 (VMFA members $190)

Thu, Jun 9–Jul 28, 7–10 pm (8 sessions) | Studio School, lower level
Steven Glass

For students of all levels, this class teaches pottery making and design using various materials and techniques, including wheel-thrown and hand-built methods. By exploring the history of pottery making, students gain a better understanding of design. Individual critiques and technical assistance provided. Firing, glazes, and 25 pounds of clay included. Extra clay is available for purchase.

$210 (VMFA members $190)

Tue, Jun 7–Jul 26, 10 am–1 pm (8 sessions) | Studio School, lower level
Steven Glass

Create sculptural forms and hand-built vessels in this class that focuses on techniques, including coil and slab construction methods. Students experiment with various glazes and slips and are introduced to the history of ceramic art. Bring sketches of ideas to the first session. Both beginning and experienced clay students are welcome. Firing, glazes, and 25 pounds of clay included. Extra clay is available for purchase.

$210 (VMFA members $190)

Wed, Jun 8–Jul 13, 10 am–1 pm (6 sessions) | Studio School, 2nd floor
Shelley Jones

Students will explore a variety of techniques to make a fiber wall piece. Beginning with a wool-felted base, adding silk paper, other fibers, stitching, and mark making with paints and markers you will finish samples, and then a single piece, or time enough for a triptych. 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 $20 materials fee payable to the instructor at the beginning of the class includes most materials. Please bring two old towels. 

$175 (VMFA members $155)

Thu, Jun 9--Jul 28, 1--4 pm (8 sessions) | Studio School, 2nd floor
Sarah Hand

Explore sculpting with paper mache (or papier-mâché) to create small sculptures. The instructor will demonstrate the use of armature sculpting, traditional newspaper and paste paper mache, 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 the history of paper mache. A materials fee of $20 is payable to the instructor at the first class session. This includes basic materials.

$195 (VMFA members $175)

Sat & Sun, Jun 18 & 19, 10 am–4 pm (2 sessions) | Studio School, 2nd floor Conference Room
Randy Toy

In this introductory workshop, explore basic techniques and materials to create everything from a simple pendant necklace to an elaborate statement wearable. The instructor will demonstrate adjustable slipknot and loop closures to make pieces with a minimum of tools that have a beautiful and functional simplicity. Students will need to provide cording (1–1.5 mm braided nylon, hemp, silk or leather is best) and beads/pendants that will accept the diameter of the cording you have selected. Recommended brands are 'Knot-it!' or Mandala Crafts 'Satin Nylon Macramé Cord’. Other helpful tools are flexible beading needles and a pair of sharp scissors for precise cutting.

$140 (VMFA members $125)

Mon, Jun 6–Aug 1, 5:30–6:30 pm (8 sessions) | Studio School, 1st floor Parlor
Jodi Bock

This beginning-level yoga class incorporates stretching, strengthening, and breathing exercises to reduce stress and promote optimum health and well-being. Participants should bring an exercise or yoga mat and wear comfortable clothing to this hour-long, instructor-led class.

$110 (VMFA members $90)

Tue, Jun 7–Jul 26, 5:30–6:30 pm (8 sessions) | Studio School, 1st floor Parlor
Jodi Bock

This beginning-level yoga class incorporates stretching, strengthening, and breathing exercises to reduce stress and promote optimum health and well-being. Participants should use an exercise or yoga mat and wear comfortable clothing to this hour-long, instructor-led class.

$110 (VMFA members $90)