2026 is the year to give back to yourself, and there's no better place to start than our ARTful Wellness series!

Join us for a creative and heart-centered experience where you'll craft your very own affirmation jar, a personal well of encouragement to return to again and again.

In this workshop, you'll decorate mason jars and fill them with handfwritten affirmations, intentions, and gentle truths. Whether you're setting the tone for a new season or simply needing reminders that root you, this is a space to reflect, create, and connect. 

All ages welcome, but children 13 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

Saturday, March 7th

1-3 pm

Registration Fee: FREE!

This free wellness class is brought to you in partnership with UVA Health.

2026 is the year to give back to yourself, and there's no better place to start than a free movement class!

Weaving together elements of Pilates, dance, somatic movement, and guided improvisation, you will be encouraged to find new ways to move and connect with your body. The class will begin sitting in a chair and will intentionally progress to standing and moving through space. Staying seated is always an option!

This class is available for anyone 15-115 who wants to learn some simple movements with big payoffs! No previous dance experience is required for this course.

Ages 15+

Saturday, March 7th

1-2 pm

Registration Fee: FREE!

John will present a two hour class where he leads students in painting an original piece of art based on his signature strange and wonderful style using acrylic paints. Students will paint along and be encouraged to create their own original work.

Guest artist Jortt will lead a two-hour acrylic painting class, guiding participants step by step as they paint alongside him while being encouraged to explore their own creativity and personal style. Each guest will create an original piece inspired by Jortt’s signature strange and wonderful style. Come paint something uniquely yours. No experience required, just curiosity and a willingness to play.

This project will be based on Jortt’s piece, “Four Pigs” a fun painting of some very colorful swine stacked upon each other. A demonstration of this painting is from the first episode of the Jortt Show:

https://youtu.be/tGPXCrTuAdg?si=DYmn3Ab_lttv2NKd

…and this is a fast-paced painting class, so artists will get paint on their clothes!

Wednesday, March 11th

4-6 pm

Class Fee: $38   Canvas Fee: $5

Making unique and tailored jewelry has never been this easy!

In this 3 hour workshop you will learn the fundamentals of polymer clay jewelry and create your own unique pair of stud earrings. From using the best materials and conditioning clay properly to working with a myriad of polymer clay tools, you will be guided through the process of creating a unique pair of studs, from design to execution, to finishing.

You will leave the workshop with your own, uniquely designed piece of wearable art as well as a polymer clay kit to continue practicing and exploring on your own.Enjoy an afternoon tapping into your creativity in a fun and encouraging setting.

Great for a girls' day or mommy/daughter/son day. All genders welcome! All materials (clay, tools, cutters, jewelry findings, etc) will be provided.

Ages 12+

Saturday, March 14th

1-4 pm

Registration Fee: $57        Supplies Fee: $15

Join us for Pied Piper Theatre's 2026 Devised Intensive - Medusa & Circe:  an Odyssey

Medusa & Circe:  An Odyssey is this year's devised piece directed once again, by Alex Mills and Ashton Schaffer.  This production will bring the wonders and trials of Greek mythology to life through the imaginations of its young performers.  Filled with creativity, humor and heart, this collaborative adventure invites audiences to experience timeless myths reimagined through the voices of a new generation.

Rehearsals will be Tuesdays and Thursday's from 5:30-7:30 pm beginning March 17.  There will be no rehearsals on Marich 31 or April 2.

Tech week will begin on Monday, May 11 and run May 11, May 12, May 13 and 14.

There will be three ticketed performances on May 15, 16 and 17 in the Wind River Theater at the ARTfactory.

(Ages 8 - 16)

What is a devised theatrical piece?  Devising theatre is a powerful and engaging genre that encourages young students to take active role in the creative process.  Our students will use the description above as inspiration to create an original production from the ground up.

Class members will receive two complimentary tickets to be used on the performance of their choice.

Instructors: Alex Mills and Ashton Shaffer.

Tuition: $375 Register, Members Tuition $318.75 (Enrollment is limited)

Discover the power of value and form using charcoal in one transformative afternoon. 

Join us for a welcoming, beginner-friendly charcoal workshop designed to strengthen your drawing fundamentals and boost your artistic confidence. We’ll explore value, three-dimensional form, edges, and mark-making while learning how to use vine charcoal, charcoal pencils, erasers, and blending tools with intention.

This class is perfect for anyone wanting clearer skills, stronger drawings, or a solid foundation for painting.

All supplies provided via the supplies fee!

Ages 13+

Saturday, March 21st

11:30 am - 4:30 pm

Class Fee: $150    Supplies Fee: $25

This workshop is designed to inform and empower students to feel their best going into audition scenarios.

Topics covered include:

- Picking a song

- Selecting a cut

- Finding Sheet music

- Audition Etiquette

This workshop will be a mixture of teacher lecture/presentation, group analysis (identifying and assessing good and bad examples), and pre-selected students performing in a masterclass setting.

As a part of the masterclass, the instructor will demonstrate some examples of "what to do when things go wrong" where the pianist makes some intentional mistakes allowing the students to figure out how to respond live in the moment.

Participants that want to participate in the masterclass portion must submit a 30-60 second video singing a song they are comfortable with to alex@virginiaartfactory.org.

Saturday, March 21st 

2-5 pm

Class Fee: $57

Learn how to use the paint medium gouache and how fun and versatile it can be! You will learn how to paint a variety of flowers, learning the basic lines and shapes needed to create a flower.

You will explore a few different styles and create up to three different paintings of flowers!

Wednesdays 6:30-8:30 pm

March 25 - April 22

Class Fee: $190     Supplies Fee: $20