Introduction to Metal Clay
Metal clay is a malleable material that can be used to make jewelry and other small, sculptural objects. Make a pair of silver earrings and a pendant that features a coil frame and appliqué focal design.
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Dip Pen Modern Calligraphy
Explore the art of dip pen calligraphy. We’ll start by discussing the differences between traditional calligraphy, lettering, brush and dip pen techniques. You’ll learn about basic calligraphy tools. Then we’ll use a dip pen to practice basic strokes and letters. Finally, we’ll cover difficult connections and unique flourishes to develop your own style.
read moreExploring Mosaics
Design and create your own small mosaic. Learn basic techniques such as adhering and grouting tile, incorporating objects into your design and finishing your piece. You’ll leave with at least one completed project you can hang in your home or garden.
read moreVan Dyke Brown Printing
Discover the 19th century photographic process of Van Dyke Brown printing. Create beautiful, brown-toned images using digital negatives or scavaged items. We’ll be printing on a variety of different experimental surfaces such as watercolor paper, cloth and more.
read moreCuttlefish Casting
Learn how to cast without equipment! In two days, you’ll learn how to sculpt a cuttlefish bone to produce a ring or pendant. This fast pace project will help you understand basic mold making and how to finish a piece of jewelry with basic jewelry skills. Your finished piece will have one of a kind […]
read moreBowls: Big + Small – NEW!
This workshop will go over strategy for bowls and discuss refined aesthetics/approaches for bowls based on your preferred influences and national practices for celebrated ceramic works. This workshop will include a presentation of various approaches to bowls, analysis of how they are formed and what aesthetic components are present that result in their visual success. […]
read moreIntroduction to Metal Jewelry Workshop
Discover the fundamental concept of jewelry design and learn basic techniques for working with metals in this weekend introductory class. The class begins with instruction on techniques such as drilling, sawing, texturing, working with wire, and finishing techniques. Soldering with a torch will also be introduced. Students will then use these skills to make a […]
read morePattern Weaving for the Frame Loom
Expand your weaving skills by learning how to weave patterns on the frame loom. Explore techniques such as the basket weave, twill and overshot. You’ll also learn how to manipulate these patterns to create new and interesting images.
read moreBlacksmithing Spring Flowers – NEW!
Create a garden that never needs watering! We’ll explore floral forms while building your forging skills. Students will go home with at least one finished flower.
read moreAmbrotypes: Photographs on Glass
Explore the magic of analog photography and create one-of-a kind photographic objects by hand! In this workshop we will learn one of the first photographic processes, wet-plate collodion, by creating images on glass, using silver and light. Considered by many to be the polaroid of the 19th century, this process involves hand poured chemistry and […]
read moreBra Making Workshop
Create your own custom-fit underwire bra. Working with a kit of materials, we’ll review some bra-sewing basics and work from a pattern to create an underwire bra. Leave with a completed garment and the skills to create more on your own.
read moreSolarplate Photogravure
Learn to work with Solarplate polymer plates to create intaglio prints from your digital photography. You’ll optimize your images with Adobe Photoshop and print onto transparent film. Then you’ll expose the film to the Solarplate with UV light and develop in ordinary tap water. With a classic Charles Brand etching press, you’ll create heirloom quality […]
read moreMetal Clay Beads
Use dry construction techniques to make 3-D, hollow beads. We’ll start with learning how to make basic bead shapes, drill holes and string beads. Then we’ll move on to create boxes and other hollow forms. You’ll make lentil, pillow, drum and tube beads. Plan to leave with a set of hollow beads that can be […]
read moreThe Nuts + Bolts of Freelance Writing Workshop
Learn the ins and outs of freelance writing from a local journalist, who can teach you the art of brainstorming and pitching stories, the etiquette behind communicating with editors, negotiating and selling your writing and the rewarding editing and publishing process.
read moreWheel Throwing for Everyone (A)
Have 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 moreBrush Pen Modern Calligraphy (B)
Explore the art of calligraphy. We’ll start by discussing the differences between traditional calligraphy, lettering, brush lettering and dip pen techniques. You’ll learn about basic tools, from traditional ink-nib pens to modern brush pens, and we’ll use them to practice pen strokes and eventually create letters from these strokes. Finally, we’ll cover difficult connections and […]
read moreStreet Photography
Explore Richmond and delve into the world of street photography. We’ll look at historical and contemporary examples of street photography and discuss both technique and personal style. As a group, we’ll head out into the city to capture images. At the end of the day, we’ll return to VisArts to edit our images, share and […]
read moreVideo Editing with Premiere Pro
Learn how to capture, edit, and export videos using Adobe Premiere Pro.
read moreEncaustic Painting (F)
Explore encaustic painting in this one day workshop. This process combines pigment, beeswax and dammar resin to harden the paint and give it shine. Demonstrations will include melting and fusing, creating layered patterns with unique rubber stencils, embedding paper, and leaf imprints.
read moreSpinner Rings
Experiment with spinner rings, which allow several rings to be made into one. The outer band supports one or more moving rings. We’ll cover sizing, shaping and soldering sheet metal and wire into rings. The rings will become one using a forming technique known as anticlastic. We’ll also cover basic solder, forging and forming techniques.
read moreShibori Dyeing
Learn 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 moreEncaustic Painting (E)
Explore encaustic painting in this one day workshop. This process combines pigment, beeswax and dammar resin to harden the paint and give it shine. Demonstrations will include melting and fusing, creating layered patterns with unique rubber stencils, embedding paper, and leaf imprints.
read moreIntroduction to Screen Printing (C)
Explore screen printing, a process that allows artists to create hand-printed multiples of the same image. Translate your graphic design, photography, or drawings into vibrant, layered compositions. Learn a variety of ways to create screens that can be used to print onto fabric, paper or wood.
read moreIntaglio Glass Engraving
Explore glass engraving using the intaglio technique, a decorative art form. We’ll use either a lathe, copper wheel or a handheld tool such as a micromotor or dremel with small diamond, stone and rubber burs to create exquisite carvings on glass. You can embellish glass vessels, stained glass or panels. In this class, each student […]
read moreBrush Pen Modern Calligraphy (A)
Explore the art of calligraphy. We’ll start by discussing the differences between traditional calligraphy, lettering, brush lettering and dip pen techniques. You’ll learn about basic tools, from traditional ink-nib pens to modern brush pens, and we’ll use them to practice pen strokes and eventually create letters from these strokes. Finally, we’ll cover difficult connections and […]
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