Log in 703.330.2787 9419 Battle Street, Manassas, VA 20110

Visual Arts

Visual Arts

Upcoming Classes


Ages 15 - Adult
(5 weeks) May 17 - June 14
Fri. 10:30am-12:30pm

Instructor: Michele Frantz
Jump into an adventure and into the world of watercolor. Beginners will learn the basic tools and techniques of the medium; more advanced students are encouraged to explore new methods, materials and styles. You can grow as an artist with the class since it is offered throughout the year. A different approach or subject matter is presented each session. Watercolor paper will be provided by the instructor, along with individual instruction geared for your comfort level. Supply list will be provided. Course fee includes tuition and paper supply fee.


Age 11 & up
(12 hours) May 25 - June 15
Sat. 1:30-4:30pm

Instructor: Lydia Bratton

Improve your photographs and/or drawings with technology! Learn how to artistically transform images – with the use of computers and digital drawing tablets, creative possibilities are endless. We’ll start the session in our Historic Manassas neighborhood; students may photograph or sketch as they choose. We will manipulate our digital files with Adobe Photoshop and other widely accessible software programs in the Center’s computer lab. Using images created during class or from the students’ own body of work we will make compelling new compositions. Phone & tablet cameras welcome. This introductory class is suitable for ages 11 to adults. Enrollment limited to 8 students. Tuition includes $15.00 supply fee.


Ages 15 & up
(4.5 hours) June 8
Sat. 10am-2:30pm

Instructor: Michele Frantz

If you love pure color, you will love pastels! Learn about different pastel supports (types of papers and boards) while exploring a variety of techniques in this workshop. Dive right in without needing paintbrushes, solvents or a palette - no other medium allows you to apply rich color to the support as quickly as you can with pastels. Students new to the medium will learn basic tools & techniques; more experienced students will further develop skills and explore new directions. Supplies will be provided, $8 supply fee is included.


Ages 5-8
June 10-14
M-F 10am-1pm

Instructor: Lydia Bratton

Calling all future comic books artists and animators – Improve your ability to design characters and bring them to colorful life in hand-drawn comic format, using high quality cartooning art media! Let’s have fun and work step-by-step to tell a story in pictures. Register by June 2 to avoid $20 late fee.

Camp fee includes $25.00 Supply fee.


June 10-14
Mon-Fri  6:30-8:30pm

Instructor:  Annaliess Trommatter

Do you love to draw and want to explore line, shape, texture and value in a manner that conveys drama and mystique? Try the visually powerful medium of charcoal. We will experiment with additive and subtractive applications using charcoal pencils and sticks, and learn blending tools and techniques to manipulate the medium for a wide variety of effects. We will also work a bit outdoors so set-up, tools & techniques of plein air drawing may be introduced. Register by June 2 to avoid $15 late fee.

Course fee includes tuition and $20.00 supply fee.


June 11-13
T, W, Th 10am - 1pm

Instructor: Cheryl Miehl

Visual art journaling is an exciting frontier for self-expression. The art form combines art and words, providing a place to access creative energy, stretch image-making capabilities and explore techniques, tools and processes to create very personalized artwork. Artists will experiment with graphite, colored pencil, caran d’ache crayons, paint, collage and printmaking techniques to learn the basic skills of art journaling. Visual Art Journals emphasize the use of color, texture, shape, line and image. No previous artistic experience required as there are no rules, just self-expression! Register by June 2 to avoid $15 late fee.

Course fee includes $25.00 Supply fee.


Ages 7-12
June 17-21
Mon-Fri     10am-2pm

Instructor: Lydia Bratton

Manga style drawing and Anime art forms fascinate and inspire a huge fan base. This camp will introduce the history, influences and hand-drawing techniques of Japanese cartooning to young Manga enthusiasts. Register by June 9 to avoid $25 late fee.

Camp fee includes $25.00 Supply fee.


Ages 15-Adult
June 17-21
Mon-Fri     6:30-9pm

Instructor: Mike Flynn

This class is designed for students (beginner to intermediate) who want to explore the unique principles of watercolor: transparency, speed, spontaneity. Classes will emphasize and demonstrate brush work, color mixing, wash techniques, value patterns, design layout and composition. We will discover “technical tricks” with different tools: palette knives, butter knife, plastic credit cards, and learn to make corrections by lifting out, washing out and sponging out already painted surfaces. Class may be taken multiple times; subject matter will vary among a variety of landscapes, seascapes, florals and still-life. Watercolor paper will be provided by the instructor. Supply list will be provided upon registration. Register by June 9 to avoid $20 late fee.

Course fee includes $12.00 Paper Supply fee.


June 18-20
Tue, Wed, Thu     10am - 2pm

Instructor: Cheryl Miehl

The Gelli Plate is a tool that encourages play!  Join us as you learn to create amazing prints loaded with layers of color and design.  Prints can be made in just one layer, or through multiple layers where overlapping patterns create 1-of-a-kind papers! We will explore printing many colors in a single “pull” of the plate, or layer colors one “pull” at a time to build unique and interesting designs. We will use commercial stencils, and learn to make our own stencils for more personalized graphics. Color theory and composition will be discussed, and everyday objects will be used to create textures. Learn techniques to hand color finished prints and discover ways to use “junk” prints for other mixed media projects. We will generate a lot of art in three short days - the possibilities are endless with this versatile printmaking experience! Register by June 9 to avoid $20 late fee.

Course fee includes $20.00 Supply Fee.


Join us for an evening of gaming.  Test your drawing and/or acting skills as we battle to find the supreme art form.  Think of charades but with two teams - one team sketches each clue and one team mimes each clue.  The first team to identify the word or phase is the winner and gets one point.  Points accumulate for each game and the team with the most points after 30 minutes will be the winner. A member of the winning team will receive a prize. Teams will play 3 games.  You can change teams at the end of each game or stay on the same team.

A Center for the Arts' art instructor and an actor will lead the teams for the first game to provide insight into tips and tricks to win the battle.  Hone you visual art skills or improvisational acting skills while enjoying some lively, fun competition.

Bring your friends and play on the same team or pit your talents against each other.  Sign up early to take advantage of the Early Bird prices.  The first game begins at 7pm.  Drop-ins are welcome and can join the game in progress.

Refreshments will be served and a cash bar will be available.

1 2 3 4 5