Blog

Introduction to the Wheel (B)

February 04, 2025

Learn to throw clay on a potter’s wheel. We’ll cover the foundations of wheel work, including wedging and centering clay and forming cylinders, cups and bowls. Basic glazing information will help you finish your final forms.

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Stained Glass (A)

February 04, 2025

Learn the basics of glass cutting, foiling, soldering and framing in order to embellish your home with stained glass panels, decorative mirrors or handmade lampshades. By the end of the class, beginners will have learned the fundamentals and completed a panel. Returning students will be able to explore more advanced techniques.

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Introduction to Natural Dyeing

February 04, 2025

Learn about natural dyeing and the household materials make the most vibrant colors for your fabric! You will learn how to prepare your fabric, make mordant baths, dye with scraps, foraged goods, powdered pigments and items you can find in your kitchen. You will leave this class with a book of all of your dyed […]

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Drawing With iPads using Procreate (B)

February 04, 2025

There are a million ways to get your ideas from your brain and onto paper but how about from brain to screen? Procreate is an easy-to-use digital illustration program that gives you the freedom to dream up and create exactly what you want with no bounds! We’ll learn the different aspects of sketching and rendering […]

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ONLINE: Introduction to Digital Photography

February 04, 2025

Learn how to effectively and creatively use your digital camera and leave the auto button behind! You’ll learn the fundaments of photography and image capture, including aperture, shutter speed, ISO, white balance, and composition. We'll also cover tips and tricks like choosing the right lens for your image. Weekly assignments, critiques and discussions will help […]

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Advanced Poetry Workshop: Part 2

February 04, 2025

Have you taken poetry workshops at VisArts? Do you feel ready to deepen your craft? Work with other experienced writers to study, learn new forms and critique your classmates' work.

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Speculative Worlds: Science Fiction + Fantasy Short Story Writing

February 04, 2025

Got ideas for a science fiction or fantasy story but aren’t sure how to approach it? Have you wanted to try exploring these imaginative genres but need a push to get started? Looking for like-minded folks with whom to share work and explore ideas? If you answered yes to any of those questions, this is […]

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Portrait Photography

February 04, 2025

This course explores the variety of techniques that can be utilized to create unique photographic portraits. Learn how to scout a location, lighting techniques, creating a safe space, and history of portraiture.

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Introduction to the Figure

February 04, 2025

Conducting figure studies can improve your representation of the human body, as well as the way it interacts with light. We’ll use various media, including graphite, charcoal, sanguine and conte chalk, as we work through a series of quick-gesture and long-pose drawings. Enjoy demonstrations and discussions about anatomy and drawing techniques.

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Intermediate Wheel Throwing (B)

February 04, 2025

Expand your skills by learning additional throwing techniques and working on complex projects. We'll explore larger-scale pieces, make sets, and add hand-built elements to our pieces. This class caters to individual interests, so we'll address specific techniques for your projects. Discussion on reduction firing in the gas kiln and glaze firing to cone 10 for […]

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Drawing Outside in Richmond (this class is only offered a few times a year)

February 04, 2025

Bring along your oil pastels or oil paint sticks for this plein air class that meets in different locations around our fabulous River City. We’ll visit some of Richmond’s favorite sites—such as Pony Pasture and Maymont—and discover some new ones too! This course will meet off-site and instruction will happen in the great outdoors. We’ll […]

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Guided Studio: Intermediate + Advanced Ceramics

February 04, 2025

Join this class to continue wheel and hand building with plenty of feedback and guidance from the instructor as you explore independent projects. This class is best for intermediate and advanced students who are interested in furthering their ideas and have a solid foundation of the basics of ceramics .

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Put a Lid On It: Wheel Throwing Jars

February 04, 2025

Take your wheel throwing skills to the next level in this six-session class dedicated to creating beautiful and functional lidded jars. Designed for intermediate potters, this class covers the technical challenges of throwing cylindrical forms and crafting well-fitted lids. At the end of class, you'll leave with at least one fully designed, decorated, and glazed […]

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Pouring Vessels

February 04, 2025

Pitchers, cruets, teapots, ewers, decanters, bottles, and more! This class is for folks trying to pour from their pottery. Learn the many ways to make a pot pour, using slab spouts and wheel-thrown spouts.

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The Basics of Oil Painting

February 04, 2025

Gain a solid and hands-on foundation in oil painting, Drawing from my extensive experience studying the medium across various sources, students will have the knowledge and confidence to pursue independent painting endeavors if they so choose. Individual progress will vary based on each student's interests and goals.

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Wheel Throwing Refresher

February 04, 2025

Brush up on the basics! We'll review wheel throwing techniques and skills. Create and complete work during class, with enough time to fire and glaze. This class is open to students who have previously taken wheel throwing classes. We will review and refresh our knowledge of wedging, centering, throwing, trimming and glazing. We will take […]

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Next Level After Effects Animation

February 04, 2025

In this class, you can build on your existing knowledge of After Effects and Photoshop by gaining hands-on experience in creating and compositing scenes and animations.

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Introduction to Linocut

February 04, 2025

Learn about the linocut printmaking process. Using sharp tools can be intimidating so we’ll practice carving and cutting methods together. Students will then learn a couple of different methods of transferring their designs to linoleum blocks. After carving we’ll make prints by hand and by press on paper and fabric surfaces.

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Introduction to Woodburning

February 04, 2025

Have you ever wanted to learn the art of woodburning? In this class, we will teach you the basics of pyrography – from understanding the different techniques and skills involved to creating your own unique designs. At the end of this course, you'll go home with a wood-burned project of your own design, and a […]

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Hand-Built Ceramics

February 04, 2025

Work on functional or sculptural forms using slabs and hand-bulding techniques with guidance and demonstrations from the instructor. Demonstrations could include: making textural tools to personalize work, how to use the spray booth and how to use the sand blaster. Students will have ample time to practice their craft with the benefit of having a […]

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Intermediate Sewing (A)

February 04, 2025

Improve sewing skills with guided practice during class time. After weekly demonstrations, students can work on individual projects and explore more advanced techniques. Demonstrations include sewing zippers and buttonholes, specialty seams and finishes, making fit adjustments to sewing patterns, and other student requests.

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Landscape in Oils

February 04, 2025

Create compelling landscapes in a series of paintings. Each week, we’ll focus on elements of the landscape including techniques for rendering sky, terrain, trees and water. We’ll also focus on palette development and color mixing. We'll cover seasonal themes and architecture while learning to use light and color to create depth. You'll practice layout and […]

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