Fun with Color
The Joy of Color: Mix, Match, and Master
Are you overwhelmed by color choices and still not getting the results you want in your paintings? Fun with Color 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. Taught at a national conference for artists, this workshop helps you finally make sense of limited palettes, color schemes, and the effects of light. We’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.

Standard tuition: $180

Supply fee: $20

Ages: 13-Adult

Unwind your creativity, one stitch at a time! In this beginner-friendly, 2-hour crochet class, you'll learn the basics of crochet while creating a simple and fun project to take home. Whether you're brand new to the craft or looking to refresh your skills, this hands-on workshop will guide you through essential techniques like chaining, single crochet, and finishing touches—all in a relaxed and encouraging environment. Materials provided. Just bring your curiosity and get ready to stitch something special!

Instructor: Fletcher Burge

Tuition: $38 Suppliy Fee: $12

Students will learn how to use oil paints, working with color and composition, and building layers. They will choose a flower image of their choice and work on it for the 6-week course.

Students will learn how to mix colors, how to paint using oils, and various techniques to build layers of value and color. Supplies are provided.

Tuition: $190 Supply Fee: $25

Join ARTFactory in celebrating the literary arts with a dual-session workshop in poetry! Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just curious, this two-part workshop poses the question: what is poetry, really? Together we will read, write, reflect on, & workshop poems as well as discuss how and where to get published. Come ready to read, create & connect!

Lead by Gwen Fletcher, BA in English, Creative Writing from the University of Mary Washington. A former bookseller, Gwen has over a decade of experience in the book industry and has hosted countless poetry book clubs, writing workshops, author talks, open mics, and more.

Session 1 --

Open-ended prompt to start, free write

Reading: Delphiniums in a Window Box, Dean Young

Discussion: The Rules -- form, rhyme, metre, historical context

Group activity: Collaborative haiku (Renku)

Workshop: Read aloud & critique Renkus

Instructor: Gwen Fletcher

Tuition: $38

Join ARTFactory in celebrating the literary arts with a dual-session workshop in poetry! Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just curious, this two-part workshop poses the question: what is poetry, really? Together we will read, write, reflect on, & workshop poems as well as discuss how and where to get published. Come ready to read, create & connect!

Lead by Gwen Fletcher, BA in English, Creative Writing from the University of Mary Washington. A former bookseller, Gwen has over a decade of experience in the book industry and has hosted countless poetry book clubs, writing workshops, author talks, open mics, and more.

Session 2 --

Open-ended prompt to start, free write

Reading: Olio, Tyehimba Jess

Discussion: Breaking the Rules -- free verse, calligrams, prose-poems, return to form

Workshop: In small groups or as a whole, depending on class size, review and critique homework pieces

Group activity: Acts of self publication -- review of publication opportunities, lit mags, zines, Poets & Writers, prizes, etc.

Instructor: Gwen Fletcher

Tuition: $38

Join artist Michele Frantz for a 5 lesson session in acrylic painting!  Versatile and forgiving, acrylic paints may be manipulated with a wide array of techniques, applied to many different surfaces, and modified with various additives.

Students new to acrylics will learn introductory basics; experienced students will improve their skills and explore new directions. Class is offered throughout the year with a different approach presented in each session. Click here for a list of supplies. Canvases and boards will be provided by the instructor.

For ages 15 & up.

Instructor: Michele Frantz

Tuition: $114  Canvas Fee: $5

Drawing the Landscape!

Discover the power of shape, value and line to help you see and draw landscapes.

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.

Subjects will include still life and landscapes. Participants will provide some of their own materials (see supply list); other materials will be provided via the $5 supply fee.

Ages 15+

Tuition: $85.50 Supply fee $5

Join artist Michele Frantz 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 provided via supply fee if needed. You may bring your own supplies if you have taken the class previously.   

For ages 15 & up.

Instructor: Michele Frantz

Tuition: $114 Supply Fee (optional): $20