Learn the basics of basket weaving. We will use round reed to make baskets or sculptural forms. Techniques covered will include weaving, twining, and dyeing your reed. Students can expect to leave class with one or two completed forms.
read moreMake three sided books in three hours. This workshop will cover a variety of techniques and covers for constructing triangle books, focusing on accordion book structures.
read moreDesigned for intermediate and advanced painters, this one-day course covers solutions for working with a variety of water-based paint, including color theory, brushwork, and mixed-media possibilities. Come away with a deeper understanding of this medium, its expressive possibilities, and the tools for integrating it into your creative life.
read moreExplore woodblock printing, humanity’s oldest printmaking process. You’ll learn to design and transfer an image onto the block and cut the block to produce a relief image. Then, we’ll cover how to transfer the image to paper, both printing it by hand and by press.
read moreHead over to VisArts' courtyard and join us for some raku pottery firing—an exciting approach to pottery surface design! Participants will glaze their pieces, help load them into the kiln, grab a beer or snack across the street at Goatocado, then return to enjoy the campfire-like atmosphere with friends on our back patio.
read moreCreate a sweet stack of rings from 14-karat yellow gold-filled wire and silver. You’ll learn to solder bands and become proficient at single seams. We’ll also cover fabricating, embellishing and forging simple bands in different gauges and types of metal.
read moreWork with borosilicate glass on an oxygen propane torch to create resilient, wearable pieces. This workshop will start with the absolute basics of flameworking then expand to color, patterning and other techniques for creating wearable pieces.
read moreSmall is beautiful! We’ll make handfuls of tiny books in three styles (accordion, dragon, and wrap-around cover), each under three inches square. Not only are tiny books adorable, working at this reduced scale allows us to work easily and quickly, and to think about how scale changes our experience. No prior bookbinding experience is required. […]
read moreLearn the basics of marble making using a propane torch and glass rods. Enjoy generous demonstrations, discussions and time to practice as you explore various marble styles.
read moreLearn to fuse and slump glass in the kiln. We'll create designs by cutting colored sheet glass, using glass stringers, rods and frits. By layering patterns and firing glass in kilns, students can create tiles, bowls, plates or panels. No previous experience needed.
read moreLearn to dye your own yarn with an assortment of natural dyes commonly found at the grocery store! We'll will guide you through the entire dye process in this super fun class. Expect to complete this class with personally hand-dyed yarn hanks!
read moreHave you ever wanted to drink out of a mug you made? Learn the techniques of coil building to make your own mug.
read moreIn this beginners' course, students will learn the basics of machine sewing. First, students will learn how to set up their machines and practice using them. Once students feel comfortable with simple machine sewing, they will have the opportunity to sew a zippered pouch to apply their new skills. Through the construction of the zippered […]
read moreThis class will focus on confessional style poetry. We will look at examples for inspiration as well as write in a workshop style class.Poets like Sylvia Plath will be helpful in guiding us to look inward and explore some themes for our writing, including personal growth, grief, beauty, and the spiritual. Be prepared to leave […]
read moreWant a new approach to drawing and painting? Explore mark making with ink, pen and brush. We’ll examine both the classical and contemporary use of ink wash, pen, ink and more. Exercises will be focused on gesture, contour, observation and texture.
read moreExplore the wonderful world of fabric printing with dye creating incredible color depth and infinite design possibilities. Learn the basics of textile repeat printing, how to mix fiber reactive dyes into a print paste, how to make and print with stencils, use texture plates, and make and print stamps, all while honing your compositional skills. […]
read moreLearn to use forming and planishing hammers with special metalsmithing stakes to make a Bowl.
read moreHave you ever wanted to drink out of a mug you made? Learn the techniques of coil building to make your own mug.
read moreThe more you learn about metal clay, the more you'll realize that clay doesn't stick to clay without moisture. Use that to your advantage in this workshop as you create a sinuous silver chain that will wrap around your wrist, with a matching toggle clasp.
read moreHave you always wanted to try wheel throwing? Come throw a pot using white stoneware, then fire and finish your pieces using food-safe glazes.
read moreLearn to dye fabric using the ancient Japanese tradition of shibori, otherwise known as tie-dye. You’ll use fiber reactive dyes to add color to white fabric and a discharge chemical to take color out of previously dyed fabric. Your finished fabric will be perfect for quilting, garment sewing and home decorating.
read moreLearn the process of making your own paper from recycled materials. We'll cover pulp-making, using fiber additives, forming, and drying sheets. We'll decorate our finished papers to create a unique stationary set.
read moreLet's connect with our local landscape as we learn about the abundant color that surrounds us outdoors. You'll learn about local color through a study of plants sourced from local farmers, and then use those plants to create paints and dyes that reflect the seasonal foliage of Virginia.
read moreLearn how to make glass pendants using clear and colored borosicilicate glass rods using the flame of a propane-oxygen torch. You'll be introduced to basic techniques as well as the tools and equipment needed to explore flame working.
read moreLearn to fuse and slump glass in the kiln. We'll create designs by cutting colored sheet glass, using glass stringers, rods and frits. By layering patterns and firing glass in kilns, students can create tiles, bowls, plates or panels. No previous experience needed.
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