Tuesdays, February 4, 11, 18, 25 and March 4 (5 weeks)

6pm - 8pm

Ages: 18+

Price: $75 (HAL Members $70)

This art class is centered on using imagination and intuition to encourage students to tap into their inner creativity, allowing their ideas to flow freely without strict guidelines or limitations. In this setting, students, working in all media, are encouraged to trust their instincts, letting spontaneous thoughts and feelings shape their artistic expression. The class fosters an open, experimental atmosphere where the process is valued over the outcome, promoting personal interpretation and emotional connection to the artwork.

Rather than focusing on technical precision, the emphasis is on exploring abstract concepts, colors, shapes, and forms that emerge from within, guided by each student’s unique perspective. The use of unconventional tools and techniques may be encouraged, allowing for a sense of playfulness and discovery. This type of class helps students break away from conventional thinking and develop a deeper connection to their creative intuition, leading to more authentic and imaginative pieces.

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Wednesdays, February 5, 12, 19 and 26

10:15am - 12:45pm

Ages: 18+

Price: $100 (HAL Members $95)

Step into the enchanting world of watercolors with our immersive studio class. In this inspiring environment, budding and experienced artists alike gather to explore the delicate art of painting with watercolors. Guided by our skilled and passionate instructor, you'll learn essential techniques such as blending, layering, and wet-on-wet, allowing you to capture the ethereal beauty of your subjects on paper.

Whether you're seeking a tranquil escape from everyday life or aiming to refine your artistic skills, our watercolor studio class offers a supportive, communal space to foster your artistic journey. Join us and let the soothing flow of watercolors transport you into a realm of artistic expression and self-discovery.

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Wednesdays, March 5, 12, 19, and 26

10:15am - 12:45pm

Ages: 18+

Price $100 (HAL Members $95)

Step into the enchanting world of watercolors with our immersive studio class. In this inspiring environment, budding and experienced artists alike gather to explore the delicate art of painting with watercolors. Guided by our skilled and passionate instructor, you'll learn essential techniques such as blending, layering, and wet-on-wet, allowing you to capture the ethereal beauty of your subjects on paper.

Whether you're seeking a tranquil escape from everyday life or aiming to refine your artistic skills, our watercolor studio class offers a supportive, communal space to foster your artistic journey. Join us and let the soothing flow of watercolors transport you into a realm of artistic expression and self-discovery.

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Wednesdays, March 5, 12 (2 weeks)

6pm - 9pm

Ages: 18+

Price: $50 (HAL Members $45)

In a photography art class focused on using both iPhones and digital cameras, students explore the fundamentals of composition, lighting, and visual storytelling. The class introduces techniques for capturing striking images with the convenience and versatility of smartphone cameras, while also delving into the advanced settings and capabilities of digital cameras for more refined control over shots. Participants learn how to adjust exposure, focus, and depth of field, as well as how to edit photos using mobile apps and professional software. The course emphasizes creativity, encouraging students to experiment with different perspectives, environments, and subjects to enhance their photographic style. Whether using the portable power of an iPhone or the precision of a DSLR or mirrorless camera, students gain a well-rounded understanding of the art of photography.

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Thursdays, February 6, 13, 20, 27 and March 6, 13 (6 weeks)

10:30am - 12:30pm

Ages: 18+

Price $125 (HAL Members $120)

Join this intermediate watercolor class designed for artists who have a foundational understanding of watercolor techniques and wish to enhance their skills. In this course, students delve deeper into the medium, exploring advanced techniques such as wet-on-wet, glazing, and color layering and using Yupo and rice paper. The curriculum includes the study of light and shadow, texture creation, and the use of negative space to add depth and dimension to paintings. Participants will also learn to mix complex colors, control water flow, and utilize various brushes for different effects. Through guided projects and personal experimentation, students refine their artistic style and gain confidence in their ability to create dynamic and expressive watercolor works.

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Thursdays, February 6, 13, 20, 27 and March 6 (5 weeks)

2pm - 4:30pm

Ages: 18+

Price: $100 (HAL Members $95)

Join this beginning figure drawing class as we focus on the study of the human form.  Weeks 1-3 students will work through books to practice techniques to capture the figure's anatomy, posture, and movement. The class emphasizes observation skills, guiding students to understand proportion, gesture, and the dynamic nature of the human body. Various mediums such as charcoal, graphite, pastel, and ink may be used. Weeks 4 and 5 will foster artistic growth through a live clothed model, encouraging students to refine their personal style while mastering classical and contemporary figure drawing methods.

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Saturday, February 8

11am - 1pm

Ages: 21+

Price: $40

Celebrate love and creativity with our "Sip & Script - Valentine's Day Edition" workshop,    a perfect way to make this romantic holiday extra special. In this class, participants will learn the art of elegant calligraphy, focusing on crafting beautiful, handwritten Valentine’s notes, cards, or love letters. Whether you're a beginner or have some experience, you'll practice various lettering styles and techniques to create heartfelt, personalized designs. To add to the charm, the workshop includes champagne, allowing you to sip and enjoy while crafting your masterpieces in a warm, intimate setting. This class is perfect for couples, friends, or anyone looking to add a personal touch to their Valentine's Day celebration.

Pre-requisite: students must know cursive lettering.

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Saturday, February 22

1pm - 4pm

Ages: 18+

Price: $40

Ken Wright has been an abstract painter for more than 30 years and has won over 300 awards for his paintings. In this one-day workshop, students will work in acrylic painting media as they journey from realism to abstraction in the creative use of the design elements. Students provide their own acrylic materials.

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Saturday, March 1

10:30am - 3:30pm

Ages: 18+

Price: Free

This workshop is devoted to the needs of the individual artist. Topics include photographing artwork, funding opportunities, developing professional relationships with galleries and publications, copyright issues, and marketing on the web. This workshop can be offered as a day-long workshop with a strong focus on photographing artwork or in a half-day or evening format that focuses more on gallery relationships, funding, and the business of art. Reminder to bring a bag lunch.

This program has been organized by the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and is supported, in part, by the Paul Mellon Endowment and the Jean Stafford Camp Memorial Fund.

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Saturday, March 8

10:30am - 3:30pm

Ages: 18+

Price: $95 (HAL Members $90)

This class takes the guesswork out of color mixing, which bolsters artists' confidence, rapidly improves work, and saves on the cost of supplies! Through hands-on exercises, participants learn how to control the three components of color: hue, chroma, and value, in order to create the exact shades, they want. This practical class covers the most important and useful vocabulary and color theory concepts that can be used immediately. By the end of the course, students will leave with several color mixing charts to help them remember and practice what they've learned. Learning about different palettes from the classic color wheel, to the split primary palette, to the Zorn palette will help students develop a stronger understanding of how to manipulate colors for their artwork, enhancing both creativity and technique.

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Saturday, February 15

10:30am - 1:30pm

Ages: 18+

Price: $35

Learning to transform a simple book into a piece of art is an inspiring, hands-on experience that turns traditional reading material into a personalized masterpiece. In this workshop, I reveal the creative techniques behind the transformation, sharing the secrets of how folds, cuts, and careful arrangements work together to shape the book into intricate designs. Step by step, I guide the group through creating a “heart book” by skillfully folding each page to form the shape of a heart when viewed from the side. This process combines precision with artistry, as participants see their book evolve into a meaningful visual piece. Alongside practical techniques, we explore creative ways to enhance each design, transforming ordinary pages into a unique, handcrafted work of art that reflects personal style and skill. Supplies will be provided; bring a pencil.

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Tuesdays, February 4, 11, 18, and 25 (4 weeks)

5:30pm - 7pm

Ages: 9-12

Price: $50

In an engaging children’s art class focused on air-dry clay, young artists explore the world of 3D creativity without the need for kilns or special equipment. The class introduces kids to the basics of clay handling, including rolling, shaping, and molding techniques that inspire creativity while developing motor skills. Under the guidance of an instructor, children are encouraged to bring their ideas to life—sculpting animals, tiny pots, figurines, or even imaginative creatures. As the clay air-dries naturally, kids can add finishing touches like painting and decorating. This class promotes self-expression and offers a hands-on experience that builds confidence as children see their creations come to life.

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Wednesdays, February 5, 12, 19, 26, March 5, 19 (no class March 12)

5:30pm - 7:30pm

Ages: 9-12

Price: $60

This youth art painting and drawing class is a vibrant space where young, aspiring artists explore their creativity through various artistic mediums. Guided by an experienced instructor, the class fosters a nurturing environment that encourages self-expression and experimentation. Students learn fundamental techniques such as sketching, shading, color blending, and brushwork, while also being introduced to different art styles and concepts. The class often involves hands-on projects where kids can work on individual or collaborative pieces, allowing them to develop their unique artistic voices. With a focus on both skill-building and imagination, the class helps students gain confidence in their artistic abilities while fostering a lifelong appreciation for art.

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