In this five-day intensive, students will create a cast glass box with a lid. We will begin by making a clay model, then a plaster mold, which we will fill with glass and fire in the kiln. The result will be a three dimensional glass box. The lid can either be made by the casting […]
read moreTake your metal jewelry making to the next level. We’ll focus on design execution, complex stone setting as well as fabricating and soldering with sterling silver. You’ll also advance your polishing skills for finishing pieces.
read moreLearn the basics of using a torch and mandrel to wind hot glass into beautiful beads that are perfect for jewelry.
read moreExplore the possibilities of the embroidery stitch in order to create shaped weavings. We will learn three weaving stitch variations to create a sampler and take what we’ve learned to design and finish an embroidery weaving on canvas.
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 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 moreEnjoy painting and want to paint big? Join us for a collaborative painting experience. We’ll get inspired with a mural walk through the Fan, then work both individually and together to create a large-scale painting that will be displayed at VisArts.
read moreSpend a spring afternoon in one of Richmond’s parks or greenspaces learning to paint the spring foliage! We’ll meet at VisArts in the morning to go over materials, basic goals and a few techniques. Then, we’ll decide as a group where to paint for the rest of the day. Once on site, you can start […]
read moreLearn the basic tenets of drawing and composition. We’ll cover line, shape, space and value. Hone your observation skills and use charcoal to translate what you see to paper.
read moreThe letterpress dates back to the 15th century and the time of Gutenberg, and it remains a compelling printing process today. We’ll cover typesetting, inking, printing and paper selection as you create your own set of printed postcards to give as gifts or send to friends and family.
read moreGet acquainted with watercolors or refresh your knowledge of the medium. We’ll explore our materials, then cover application methods like wet-on-wet, glazes, blocks, resists and lifts. We’ll also cover work area set-up, composition set-up, lost and found edges, transferring imagery and methods for controlling the paint. With an emphasis on value as a way to […]
read moreLearn techniques to make glass flow into new and exciting designs. Since these methods require a hotter firing, it’s difficult to find kiln space during the regular class sessions. This five-day intensive will allow us to commit our kiln firings to high-fire flows such as pot melts, screen melts and flow bars. You’ll learn to […]
read moreZip it good! Make and take home small and medium zippered pouches to hold and organize almost everything. You’ll be sure to shed any lingering zipper dread. Zippers, sewing machines, and most materials will be provided, although you may wish to bring some of your favorite fabrics or your own sewing machine. All levels welcome […]
read moreA movie needs to be more than a display of technical virtuosity; it should also tell a compelling story. Explore a variety of film genres and filmmakers, from Chaplin to Coppola to the Coen Bros, always with an eye to the story. You’ll gain a greater appreciation for cinema, as well as getting a chance […]
read moreThis half-day workshop will provide a look at techniques for keeping a journal. You may have kept a journal when you were a teenager. You may have written snippets about special life events. You may be struggling now trying to understand these difficult times. Journal writing is healing and satisfying. But many don’t know how […]
read moreUnravel the tales traveling through your head. We’ll explore memory and character with writing exercises that inspire you to put your fears down and get the writing onto the page.
read moreLearn 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 moreExplore spoon carving, a wonderful introduction to woodworking that combines both hand and machine work. You’ll learn to use hand tools such as chisels, gouges, rasps and files to hollow and shape. You’ll also use the bandsaw, drill press and sanders. Enjoy your next meal with your own hand–carved spoon.
read moreExplore the evocative imagery of tarot and other divination systems. Drawing from your own imagination and personal imagery, we’ll create a very special deck of handmade cards to be used for self-reflection, inspiration and fortune-telling. You’ll receive guidance on generating your own symbols and working with mixed-media art techniques.
read moreCreate special handmade Valentine’s Day cards to send love and happiness. We’ll carve our own rubber stamps, make Victorian-style woven hearts, use collage and even make envelopes. Bring a date or come as you are. All levels and all loves welcome. All materials provided, and everyone will go home with wonderful Valentine’s cards to give […]
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 moreNo exposure unit? No problem! Learn to make one-off prints, use multilayer printing techniques and explore different screenprinting materials. We’ll cover screen prep and cleaning, basic exposure and print understanding, watercolor monoprinting and various other monoprinting techniques. We’ll also look at color theory and design to create unique pieces.
read moreExplore 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 moreUse one of the earliest forms of photography to create tintypes, which are direct positives printed on an aluminum sheet using large format cameras. Learn the basics of this 19th century process, including how to pour and sensitize collodion, properly expose and develop plates, and apply a protective varnish. Plan to walk away with two […]
read moreUse one of the earliest forms of photography to create tintypes, which are direct positives printed on an aluminum sheet using large format cameras. Learn the basics of this 19th century process, including how to pour and sensitize collodion, properly expose and develop plates, and apply a protective varnish. Plan to walk away with two […]
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