Youth Studio » Kids Studio
Registration for VMFA Members
To accommodate the high volume of enrollment, members-only registration for the following categories will begin as noted below:
Tue, Apr 11 | 8 am (online or by phone) or 10 am (in-person)
Studio School and Art History Classes (ages 16+)
Wed, Apr 12 | 8 am (online or by phone) or 10 am (in-person)
Early Childhood Classes & Camps (age 5 and under), Youth Summer Camps (ages 5–12), and Teen Summer Classes (ages 13–17)
VMFA members have the first chance to register for classes. Not a member? Join today.
Registration for Non-members
Tue, Apr 18 at 8 am (online or by phone) or 10 am (in-person)
Non-member registration for all classes begins
Questions: 804.340.1405
Explore the summer 2023 Classes & Programs Brochure
Visit VMFA’s Art Education Center for innovative art projects that foster creativity, critical thinking, and FUN! Students explore the museum’s world-renowned collection of fine art, experiment with studio materials, and learn from expert instructors who accommodate all levels of skill and talent. Each studio program is tailored to a specific age group and correlates with the SOLs for Virginia Public Schools. For children ages 5 – 12.
Youth and Family Studio Programs at VMFA are generously supported by R.E.B. Foundation.
View Program Guidelines
Kids Studio classes run September-May.
View Summer Camps Here
Youth Studio Programs
Afterschool Art Club at VMFA- ages 5–8
Ages 5–8
Thursdays
4:30 – 6 pm
Art Education Center, Studio 2
$25 (VMFA members $20), per class
Enrollment Limit: 10
Let your imagination soar in the studio as you make original works of art inspired by objects in the museum. Sign up for one or more of these fun and creative workshops.
Special Offer
Receive a $2 discount per class when you register for six or more After School Art Club classes! Available only by phone at 804.340.1405.
Note: Classes are nonrefundable and cannot be transferred to another class. Be sure to mark your calendars.
[CA24] Figure Drawing Fun
Thu, Mar 30, 4:30–6 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 2
Tiffany Glass Ferreira
Ages 5–8 | Enhance skills through fun drawing exercises and prompts. Learn about figure proportion, contour lines, and gestural drawings while rendering quick sketches of your fellow artists.
$25 (VMFA members $20)
[CA25] Mini Sculpted Animals
Thu, Apr 13, 4:30–6 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 2
Tiffany Glass Ferreira
Ages 5–8 | Roll, twist, and pinch soft clay to hand build small creatures with step-by-step instructions, turning ideas into 3D turtles, snakes, snails, or something else you choose to take home.
$25 (VMFA members $20)
[CA26] Beads, Bangles, and Besties
Thu, Apr 20, 4:30–6 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 2
Tiffany Glass Ferreira
Ages 5–8 | Design your own wearable art—one for you and another for a friend! Try to complete the same pattern twice, or express your style with inspiration from beaded works of art in VMFA’s collection.
$25 (VMFA members $20)
[CA27] Clay Creations
Thu, Apr 27, 4:30–6 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 2
Tiffany Glass Ferreira
Ages 5–8 | Try your hand at pinch pots, elbow molds, and carved motifs. Use clay tools to embellish air- dry clay to use for storing your keepsakes and collectables.
$25 (VMFA members $20)
[CA28] Greek Inspirations
Thu, May 4, 4:30–6 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 2
Tiffany Glass Ferreira
Ages 5–8 | Draw inspiration from ancient Greek vessels. Learn to recognize amphoras, kraters, and kylix vessels and choose your favorite design for a resist painting.
$25 (VMFA members $20)
[CA29] Rainbow Painting
Thu, May 11, 4:30–6 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 2
Tiffany Glass Ferreira
Ages 5–8 | Paint with warm and cool hues to create a vibrant scene of the horizon. Gain an understanding of perspective and experiment with mixing primaries to achieve a wider variety of colors and values.
$25 (VMFA members $20)
Foundations in Art at VMFA- ages 9–12
Ages 9 – 12
Thursdays
4:30 – 6 pm
Art Education Center, Studio 1
Enrollment Limit: 10
$25 (VMFA members $20)
Imagine, create, and grow as an emerging young artist while making original artworks inspired by gallery observations and innovative materials. Through technical guidance and encouragement from VMFA educators, students build their confidence, talents, and love of art!
[CF24] Fabergé Fun
Thu, Mar 30, 4:30–6 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 1
Dan Kaczka
Ages 9–12 | Explore intricately detailed objects in the Fabergé collection to motivate your art making! Focus on line, details, and artisanship while creating your own magnificent marvels.
$25 (VMFA members $20)
[CF25] Building with Clay
Thu, Apr 13, 4:30–6 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 1
Dan Kaczka
Ages 9–12 | Explore the collection of Pre-Columbian ceramic artwork on display in VMFA’s galleries and create your own air-dry clay artwork inspired by their style and design.
$25 (VMFA members $20)
[CF26] Once and Floral
Thu, Apr 20, 4:30–6 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 1
Dan Kaczka
Ages 9–12 | Roses are red, violets are blue, visit the galleries, and see what’s on view! Notice how artists have used nature as a muse throughout history. Observe different styles of painting and learn new techniques to use in floral still life paintings.
$25 (VMFA members $20)
[CF27] Drawing a Blank
Thu, Apr 27, 4:30–6 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 1
Dan Kaczka
Ages 9–12 | Explore the importance of negative space, or the empty space surrounding your art, as part of the composition. Practice strategies to improve spatial awareness and visual interpretation and perception.
$25 (VMFA members $20)
[CF28] Sculpture and Design
Thu, May 4, 4:30–6 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 1
Dan Kaczka
Ages 9–12 | Consider how monumental sculptures can change a landscape or affect its surrounding space. Draft a design and construct a prototype sculpture using concepts and sculpture techniques provided through instruction.
$25 (VMFA members $20)
[CF29] Appreciation Station
Thu, May 11, 4:30–6 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 1
Dan Kaczka
Ages 9–12 | Consider how monumental sculptures can change a landscape or affect its surrounding space. Draft a design and construct a prototype sculpture using concepts and sculpture techniques provided through instruction.
$25 (VMFA members $20)
Kids Discover... at VMFA- ages 5–8
Ages 5 – 8
Select Saturdays
1 – 4 pm
Art Education Center | Studio 2
Enrollment Limit: 10
$30 (VMFA members $25)
Explore a variety of materials and subject matter while discovering new techniques and styles from around the world.
[CD12] Art Lab
Sat, Apr 29, 1–4 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 2
Elizabeth Daly
Ages 5–8 | Put your lab coats on and get ready to get experimental with art! Observe like a scientist and explore forces and reactions in our natural world, all while creating interesting artistic compositions and slimy creations.
$30 (VMFA members $25)
[CD13] Paint Party
Sat, May 6, 1–4 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 2
Alex Parrish
Ages 5–8 | Become familiar with Abstract Expressionism and make your mark by originating your own “action” painting. Students should wear old clothes and shoes—this one might get messy!
$30 (VMFA members $25)
Art Explorers at VMFA- ages 9–12
Ages 9 – 12
Select Saturdays
1 – 4 pm
Art Education Center | Studio 1
Enrollment limit: 10
$30 (VMFA members $25)
Be inspired by artists from around the world! Enhance your skill set as you explore a different type of art and medium in every class.
[CX11] Alternative Photography
Sat, Apr 15, 1–4 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 1
Catherine Purdy
Ages 9–12 | Discover the art of cyanotype, a photographic printing process, and create experimental prints by harnessing the power of the sun. Enjoy playing with different compositions and exposures while learning more about the history of photography.
$30 (VMFA members $25)
[CX12] Intro to Manga
Sat, Apr 29, 1–4 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 1
Anh Do
Ages 9–12 | Explore the art, history, and culture of manga illustration, a Japanese-style comic art. Through presentation and step-by-step drawing exercises, gain the knowledge, skill, and methods necessary for creating mangas.
$30 (VMFA members $25)
[CX13] Basketry Basics
Sat, May 6, 1–4 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 1
Lizzie Green
Ages 9–12 | Learn how to create a 3D form out of woven structures. Discover the history and cultural significance of basket weaving in VMFA’s collections, from traditional ancient relics to more contemporary art forms.
$30 (VMFA members $25)
