Blog

Ornaments in Glass (C) – New! Adults (18+)

November 14, 2025

Explore making simple small ornaments with flameworked glass. The focus will be on cute simple designs perfect for a variety of skill levels, but this class will be best for those with some lampworking skills already.

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Make a Fused Glass Holiday Ornament (C) – New!

November 05, 2025

Welcome in the holiday season with this introduction to glass fusing workshop! In this class you’ll explore the art of fusing glass while crafting your very own festive ornament to take home the next day. Learn the fundamentals of glass cutting, and design your ornament using glass stringer, frit, and sheet glass. This beginners level […]

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Glass Fusing Workshop: Create a Set of Coasters (A)

October 30, 2025

Ready for a new hobby? Join us for a hands-on introduction to glass fusing! In just one day, you’ll dive into the world of glass fusing by learning how to cut, shape, and fuse glass into your very own unique coaster designs. This workshop is the perfect way to get a taste of the magic […]

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Hand Building: Make a Garlic Roaster (Limited Offering) – New!

October 30, 2025

In this one-day workshop, you will learn how to create a slab-built garlic roaster from start to finish. We’ll begin the day with a guided demo and hands-on instruction in constructing this unique form, focusing on how darting can be used to shape and refine volume. In the afternoon, we’ll finish construction and move onto […]

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ONLINE: 48-Hour Film Screenplay Workshop (Limited Offering) – New!

October 30, 2025

Inspired by the 48-Hour Film Project, this two-day workshop challenges writers to develop a short screenplay under tight deadlines. Bring your own ideas and collaborate with your peer students through brainstorming, outlining, and workshopping. By the end, you'll refine and polish your scripts with instructor and peer feedback. This workshop is perfect for filmmakers, aspiring […]

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Alterations + Mending Basics

October 30, 2025

Learn the basics of alterations and mending to give your wardrobe a longer (or second) life! We'll learn the techniques on some practice pieces of fabric, then you'll apply these new skills to your own clothing. Plan to bring in basic garments that need some TLC.

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Raku Firing Workshop (C)

October 30, 2025

Head 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.

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Embroidery Weaving (Limited Offering)

October 30, 2025

Explore 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.

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WTF (Woman, Trans, Femme) Woodworking: Utensils (B)

October 30, 2025

This class is a safe space for women, trans, and femme folks to learn introductory woodworking techniques. Students will learn to make spoons & spatulas in all different shapes and sizes! Students will gain experience using the band saw, electric sanders, hand tools and drill press. We will respect marginalized identities, be patient with one […]

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Learn to Use a Sewing Machine: Make a Zippered Pouch (B)

October 30, 2025

In this fast-paced 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. Along the way, students will […]

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Build + Stretch Your Own Canvas in the Woodshop

October 30, 2025

Break free from the restrictions of canvas sizes you buy at the store and learn to make your own! We'll learn how to use the tools needed to build a wooden canvas frame. Once the frame is built, we will go over the proper techniques for stretching a tight canvas. At the end of the […]

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Hand Building: Custom Snack Plates (Limited Offering) – New!

October 30, 2025

Design a small set of 3–4 custom snack plates! In this class, you will learn a few simple techniques to transform a flat slab of clay into a shallow dish or bowl by using a wooden mold or pulling the edges up by hand. Then, you will utilize the underglaze transfer process (which is similar […]

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Spinner Rings (Limited Offering)

October 30, 2025

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.

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Community Casting (B)

October 30, 2025

For metalworkers with previous casting experience, Community Casting is an opportunity to prepare molds independently and cast your work in VisArts metals studio on designated casting days. Monthly casting days are facilitated by a VisArts instructor.

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Sashiko: Japanese Decorative Stitching – New!

October 30, 2025

Part of the slow stitching movement, Sashiko is an ancient Japanese style of decorative stitching that draws inspiration from nature. Using grids and careful stitching this meditative technique creates designs that are visually striking. In this class, you'll learn about Sashiko’s history, materials, and patterns. Expect to create several samples during class. All materials included, […]

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Flameworking: Making Glass Marbles (B)

October 30, 2025

Learn 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.

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Creating a Landscape With Soft Pastel (A)

October 30, 2025

Learn methods of using soft pastels for landscape subjects from conception to completion. We'll cover application methods, color mixing techniques, and blending processes for drawing the landscape. Various methods and techniques will be discussed based on the papers and materials chosen by each student. We'll go over principles of composition based on format variation including […]

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Writing About Place to Connect With Community – New!

October 30, 2025

Richmond is a city in flux—new buildings and neighborhoods are replacing the old. Places matter, and they inform our sense of identity and community. Using readings and prompts to spark powers of observation and description we’ll write about place and discuss how personal reflection can become the foundation to address larger local concerns. Using our […]

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