Jumpstart your drawing skills in just five hours!

Ready to finally feel confident with your drawing? This 5-hour intensive workshop is designed to give you a strong foundation in the essentials: composition, proportion, and accuracy. You’ll learn to see like an artist, simplify complex forms, and capture not just “a dog,” but JoJo the dog—unique and true to life.

Through guided demonstrations and hands-on exercises, you’ll sharpen your eye, build control, and complete a finished still-life drawing using all the techniques covered. Whether you’re a total beginner or a painter looking to strengthen your drawing skills, this crash course will give you tools you can use right away.

All materials provided. Just bring your sketchbook and a set of pencils—everything else is ready for you.

Saturday, April 4th

11:30 am - 4:30 pm

Registration Fee: $150

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.

He will address the following :

- Composition

- Finding shapes

- Lines of action

- Color theory

- Working with a color palette

- Stop thinking and start creating

Wednesday, April 8th 4-6 pm

Class Fee: $38   Canvas Fee: $5

Have fun exploring the many different techniques one can use with watercolor pencils!

Watercolor pencils are a versatile medium because they can be used dry for colored-pencil effects, partially diluted, or completely diluted. These pencils are fun to use and can create smooth or textured artwork, and they’re a great way to become more comfortable with watercolor as a painting medium!

Accomplished artist Valerie Larson will be presenting examples of her own watercolor-pencil paintings, showcasing various techniques she uses. These techniques include mixing colors, creating paper palettes, and much more.

Students can bring their own photo for painting inspiration or follow along with the one provided in the workshop. You will also be working on Aquaboard, a clay-like surface made for watercolors. 

ALL SUPPLIES PROVIDED VIA THE SUPPLY FEE!!

Ages 15+

Saturday, April 11th

1-3:30 pm

Registration Fee: $47.50        Supply Fee: $7

2026 is the year to give back to yourself, and this class is sure to get you moving in the right direction!

In a world full of multitasking and long to-do lists it’s easy to be overwhelmed. Practice mindfulness with a mambo lesson with Julissa Cruz, where you explore being present with yourself and other dancers in connecting with the cultural musicbringing awareness to your body and your mind in movement.

Students of any level and experience are welcome to attend, and partner dancing will not be a requirement. 

Please note that this class meets at the City of Manassas Community Center!

Ages 15+

Saturday, April 18th

10:30 am - 12 pm

Registration Fee: Free!

This free wellness class is brought to you in partnership with the City of Manassas.

2026 is the year to focus on your mental and physical health, and this Wellness series is the perfect place to start!

Come and paint a beautiful landscape scene using acrylic! Painting a landscape scene can be relaxing and a great pleasure to view. Emily will go step by step to show how to paint an outdoor landscape, including mixing colors, adding texture, and techniques for the use of acrylic paint.

Ages 15+

Saturday, April 18th

1-3 pm

Class Fee: Free!

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

If glass art has always seemed like an intimidating venture, then this is the workshop for you! Join us for a fun class where you will create your own special glass keepsake.

In the workshop, students learn about the basics of kiln-formed, fused glass, and they will use what they learn to create their own 3” x 3” glass Whimsy. With Easter and Mother's Day on the horizon, designs will be centered around spring imagery, and will make the perfect gift for someone special!

Completed works will be photographed and logged by Maureen, and your Whimsy will then be tack-fused in Maureen’s home studio kiln. Once your piece is ready you can come back to the ARTfactory to pick it up.

ALL SUPPLIES PROVIDED VIA THE SUPPLY FEE!

Ages 15+

Saturday, April 25th

1-3 pm

Registration Fee: $38         Supply Fee: $30

Join us for a one-off workshop that introduces the basics of popular styles of Latin Dance. 

Students will explore Salsa, Bachata, and Merengue and practice hearing the difference in these musical styles. Recognizing the music will help students use the movement being called to dance!

Dancers of any level are welcome to attend this workshop!

Ages 15+

Sunday, May 3rd

10:30 am - 12 pm

Registration Fee: $42

Do you love little plushes and figures, but wish you could make your own cute characters? Step into a world of fluffy wool and explore needlefelting!

Through this workshop, you’ll learn about basic techniques used in 3D needlefelting, and will get hands on experience using all the tools involved. Just in time for Mother's Day,  you will leave with a cute and functional friend: a ladybug magnet.

All materials will be provided, just bring a hint of extra patience!

Ages 18+

Sunday, May 3rd

1-4 pm

Registration Fee: $57       Supply Fee: $5