Back by popular demand!

Learn how working with a limited palette can help improve your art. One of the most essential tools for good composition is the use of lights and darks - kown as "value". 

This workshop will help you see values better, and understand their role and importance in creating contrast, depth, and form. Suitable for any media!

Students must bring their own supplies!

Michele will provide reference photos, or students may provide their own.

Ages 15+

Sunday, February 22nd

12-3 pm

Class Fee: $57

Drawing Animals!

Learn the basic shapes of animals and how to develop them into life-like creations!

Whether you are a beginning artist or just want to improve your skills, these classes will explore the basis of all art ... drawing!

This series is designed to identify fundamental drawing skills that the participants can take and develop further on their own. Participants can take one or several sessions; each session will introduce a different aspect of drawing, such as gesture, line, shading, proportions, etc.

Drawing Animals

In this session you'll tackle drawing our wonderful furry and feathered friends. If you have some experience, you may work in any medium you like. If you are just beginning, we recommend you start with pencil or charcoal. 

Supply List

Supplies not included - please use the link above to purchase!

Thursdays 4-5:30 pm

February 26th - March 19th

Ages 15+

Tuition: $114

Join artist Emily Thomson for an evening class in acrylic painting.  Quick drying, vibrant, and versatile, acrylics may be applied to a wide variety of surfaces and altered with different additives.  Students new to acrylics will learn introductory basics; experienced students will improve their skills and explore new directions. Supplies are not provided - see the supply list here to purchase what you'll need!

Thursdays 6-7:30 pm

February 26th - March 19th

For ages 15 & up.

Tuition: $114        

Are you overwhelmed by color choices and still not getting the results you want in your paintings? This is a playful, practical workshop designed for artists who want to take control of their palette, understand color mixtures, and use color confidently to create mood, light, and harmony in their work.

Developed for a national conference for artists, this workshop will help you finally make sense of limited palettes, color schemes, and the effects of light. You’ll work in fast-drying acrylics to explore mutes, tones, tints, shades, color relativity, and color psychology—so you can apply what you learn right away.

You’ll leave with a clearer understanding of how color works and how to make it work for you.

All supplies provided via the supplies fee.

Ages 13+

Saturday, February 28th

11 am - 4 pm

Class Fee: $150      Supplies Fee: $20

Plunge into a thrilling Underwater Winter World with this exciting STEAM-based painting class!

Students will explore Arctic wonders and hidden sea life as they paint captivating scenes beneath the ice. Filled with imagination, this creative journey calls to young artists through creativity and  STEAM concepts are integrated throughout the lesson—join the adventure below the ice!

Ages 8-12

Saturday, February 28th

1-2:45 pm

Class Fee: Free!!

This free arts class is brought to you in partnership with Micron Technology Inc.

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