Biology, art and activism merge in this presentation. Dawn Flores, Creative Director for The Forest Project, tells the story of how she collaborated with other artists to document a 60-acre urban forest clear-cut for development. Dawn has created over 1,000 fabric patterns from photographs she took, of the now clear-cut property, and works with quiltmakers…
Request ProgramVisual and Performing Arts Programs
VMFA visual and performing arts programs are designed to stimulate greater community involvement in art education and to provide opportunities for individuals to work closely with noted professional artists. These artists have been selected for the merit of their work, their serious commitment to professional excellence, their teaching experience, and their communication skills. The wide variety of workshops allows the VMFA partner the flexibility to schedule programs that meet specific audience needs and satisfy different levels of skill and/or experience. See Booking Visual Arts Workshops and Performances for information about requesting a workshop or performance
Colored Pencils & Acrylics
The layering of colored pencils and acrylics is a fantastic technique for building up soft textures, sharp edges, and rich colors. Drawing from colorful photographs or still-life objects of flora and fauna, we will explore the techniques used to take colored pencils a step beyond their traditional use.
Request ProgramColor Theory through Watercolor
Understanding color is essential to creating work that captivates the eye and evokes certain moods or emotions. Through a series of fun exercises, you will learn to understand tints, shades and tones, the color wheel, complimentary colors, warm and cool colors, and color schemes. You will also produce useful charts and swatches which you can consult for future reference.…
Request ProgramPrinting Textiles with Indian Blockprints
Utilizing intricately carved wood blocks to print a set of two 27″ cotton tea towels, participants will learn about pigment, layering colors, composition, and the possibilities for creating stamps at home. This workshop is open to people of all experience levels.
Request ProgramChinese Seal Printing Workshop
Following a brief discussion about the significance of the Chinese Seal (or chop), participants will translate their names into Chinese characters on paper. The characters will be transferred to soft printmaking blocks (Safety Kut) and cut out using carving tools. The carved blocks will inked and printed on blank greeting cards, with each student creating…
Request ProgramChinese Silk Painting
After painting the background on their silk scarf, participants will examine images found in traditional Chinese art (including bamboo, fish, birds, and Chinese characters) which they will draw on the silk using a liquid resist. Once the resist has dried, students will apply brilliant fabric paint to complete their design. Participants can expect to finish…
Request ProgramBookplates and Bookmarks
After a brief discussion about the history and purpose of bookplates and bookmarks, students will create their own bookplate and bookmark designs on paper. The designs will then be transferred to a soft printmaking block (Safety Kut) and cut out using carving tools. The carved block will be inked and printed on paper and cardstock…
Request ProgramStenciling and Stamping on Fabric
Want to make your own stamps and stencils for decorating fabric? In this workshop, participants will explore a variety of versatile and easy fabric applications using water-based textile pigments. After first experimenting with direct-application painting, students will then create their own contact paper stencils and stamps using a variety of materials. The pigments provided are…
Request ProgramScreen Printing Workshop
In this workshop, students will explore the expressive potential of screen-printing on fabric and discover ways to create unique patterns on cloth. Transparent textile pigments provide many color options for developing complex surfaces through layering simple shapes and textures. Participants will make crayon-rubbing silkscreen prints, produce simple contact paper stencils, and learn how to continue…
Request ProgramWorld Beat Workshop
The World Beat Workshop, with drummer Robert Jospé and percussionist Kevin Davis, engages students in exploring the diaspora of West African rhythms in the Americas and their influence in current music styles. Using a map, percussion instruments and music charts, this interactive program brings musical, historical, cultural, and geographical information to life with the journey of clave. Join this musical journey from West Africa to Cuba, Trinidad/Tobago, the Dominican Republic, Brazil, and New Orleans, all the while learning about the evolution of dance through the blending of cultures.
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