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Visual Arts

Visual Arts

Upcoming Classes


Ages 8-14
July 15-29
Sat. 1-3:30pm

Instructor: Cheryl Miehl

Have you ever heard of Wabi-Sabi? It is an Eastern philosophy that encourages embracing the imperfect and seeing the beauty of those imperfections. That ideal is at the heart of this workshop! You will experiment with acrylic paint and mediums like modeling paste, glaze, string gel and a host of others combined with collage to experience the freedom found in exploring in abstract and non-objective compositions where experimentation is encouraged!

Camp fee includes $20.00 supply fee.


Ages 5-10
July 17-21
Mon. - Fri. 10am-1pm

Instructor:  Amanda Shaw

Explore the visual splendor of summer in full bloom! We will create symmetrical insects using printmaking. Make multi-media butterfly mobiles and visit a local garden for inspiration to create our own big beautiful 3D flower! This and much more awaits you so come join us for a week of creativity.

Camp fee includes $30.00 supply fee.


 Ages 10 -14
July 17-21
Mon.-Fri. 10am-3pm

Instructor:  Lydia Bratton

Looking for a picture perfect opportunity this summer? Take your work to the next level using this chance to explore with your digital camera and make professional-quality photographs.  We’ll use Historic Old Town as a photo-shoot location, bring back digital files, and download them onto computers. We will transfer these fabulous raw photos into Adobe Photoshop to produce compelling graphic compositions. Class limited to 8 students.

Camp fee includes tuition and $20 supply fee per person.


 Ages 5-9
July 17-21
Mon.-Fri. 2:30pm - 4:30pm

Instructor:  Kim Joy

Let’s create some wearable art in the form of handmade jewelry. Professional jewelry maker Kim Joy will help you fill a treasure box with your own creations: learn advanced-stringing techniques to create wooden bead bracelets, artistic pendants, a bead knotted necklace, wire earrings, and paper bead jewelry.

Camp fee includes tuition and $20 supply fee per person.


 Ages 13 & up
July 17-21
Mon.-Fri. 7-9pm

Instructor:  Emily Thomson

The study and interpretation of light is at the heart of all representational painting. Observing the visual effects of time of day, weather, seasonal color variations and atmospheric perspective will be the focus of this daily one-week evening art class. Students will paint a landscape of their choice working from color photographs. Compositional elements will be covered, including finding proportions, shapes, and values. Painting procedure will be explored, as well as color mixing and various painting techniques to create a “life-like” landscape painting.

Camp fee includes tuition and $25.00 supply fee per person.


Ages 13 & up
July 17-21
Mon.-Fri. 7-9pm

Instructor:  Suhail Mir

Learn from a professional and practice the many ways you may enhance photos with the powerful software Adobe Lightroom®. Photographer Suhail Mir will use his own art to demonstrate key ways Lightroom may be used to transform images, and will introduce the software’s photo management, archiving, and backup utilities. Students will work through hands-on tutorials in the Center’s computer lab.  Lightroom will be employed for better visual storytelling - improving composition, color balance and tone, sharpening, reducing noise, straightening, or selectively converting to black-and-white. Bring your own images to class on a flash drive or camera chip, and be prepared to upload them to computers in the lab. Enrollment limited to 8 students.


Ages 7-14
July 24-28
Mon.-Fri. 10am-1pm

Instructor: Myriam Lawrence

Let’s make gorgeous works of art on fabric and learn a kid-friendly variation on the beautiful art form called batik!  Utilizing a safe dye-resist method, we will make vibrant textile creations that are wearable, usable, or ready for display. We will begin our design phase with two days at Windy Knoll Farm in Nokesville, taking motifs from nature. We will finish our pieces in the Center’s studio. Learn more about the field location at www.windyknollfarm.com.

Camp fee includes $30.00 supply fee.


Ages 8-12
July 24-28
Mon.-Fri. 10am-2pm

Instructor: Lydia Bratton

What do you know about cartooning? Learn the fundamentals and improve your character illustration skills and personal style. We will take a look at eastern and western comics, and then use hand drawing and cartooning software to illustrate an exciting story or page, just like the professionals!

Camp fee includes $25.00 supply fee.


Ages 8-12
July 24-28
Mon.-Fri. 2:30pm - 4:30pm

Instructor:  Kim Joy

Take a quick trip through the history of adornment.  We will explore the multi-cultural expressions of jewelry from ancient cultures to modern pop-art trends.  Finished projects will reflect old & new traditions from around the world, including Moroccan shell pendants, chain maille earrings, Victorian chokers, Art Deco necklaces, and the ever-fabulous Shrinky-Dink® bracelets.

Camp fee includes $20.00 supply fee.


Ages 13 & up
July 24-28
Mon.-Fri. 7-9pm

This class is designed for the beginner. Take this opportunity to work step by step in non-toxic, solvent-free walnut oil paints to achieve a completed painting. Color mixing, composition, technique, and material properties will be addressed. You will leave class with the knowledge to continue working on your own in walnut oils. Bring a favorite photograph to use as a visual reference. Walnut oil paints, canvases and brushes will be provided.

Camp fee includes $30.00 supply fee.

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