Registration Information
Winter/Spring 2024 Classes & Programs
Registration for VMFA Members & Non-members is currently underway online, by phone, and in person.
Questions: 804.340.1405
Explore the Winter/Spring 2024 Classes & Programs Brochure
Summer 2024 Classes & Programs
Registration for Members
To accommodate the high volume of enrollment, members-only registration for the following categories will begin as noted below:
Tue, Apr 9 | 8 am
Studio School and Adult Art History Classes
Wed, Apr 10 | 8 am
Early Childhood Classes & Camps (age 5 and under), Kids Studio Classes (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 16 | 8 am
Non-member registration for all classes begins
In need of assistance? Visitor Services is available by phone 804.340.1405 starting at 8 am
or in-person at the museum starting at 10 am on registration days.
Youth and Family Studio Programs at VMFA are generously supported by R.E.B. Foundation.
View Program GuidelinesKids Studio classes run September-May.
View Summer Camps HereYouth Studio Programs
Art Adventures- ages 5–8
Thursdays
4:30 – 6 pm
Art Education Center, Studio 2
$30 (VMFA members $25), per class
Enrollment Limit: 12
[CA23] Painting with Plants
Thu, Mar 21, 4:30–6 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 2
Catherine Purdy
Ages 5–8 | Combine nature and art using plant parts as tools and watercolor paints as your medium. Experiment with a variety of resist techniques and non-traditional applications to create whimsical watercolor prints and paintings.
$30 (VMFA members $25)
[CA24] Spring Bling
Thu, Mar 28, 4:30–6 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 2
Catherine Purdy
Ages 5–8 | Indulge in Fabergé-inspired fun with elaborate egg decorating and a secret portrait project. Use jewels, gems, and more glittery things to add sparkly patterns and glistening designs to your imperial treasures!
$30 (VMFA members $25)
[CA25] Picasso's Parts of Art
Thu, Apr 11, 4:30–6 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 2
Catherine Purdy
Ages 5–8 | See how Pablo Picasso and other modern artists helped shape the art world! Use pastels to draw still lifes from observation and practice blending colors and “breaking down” objects into basic lines and shapes.
$30 (VMFA members $25)
[CA26] Clay & Create
Thu, Apr 18, 4:30–6 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 2
Catherine Purdy
Ages 5–8 | Explore ancient vessels and other pottery throughout the Pre-Columbian galleries. Using air-dry clay in the studios, create pinch pots while experimenting with a variety of tools and techniques to add texture and motifs.
$30 (VMFA members $25)
[CA27] Lovely Landscapes
Thu, Apr 25, 4:30–6 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 2
Catherine Purdy
Ages 5–8 | Discover a different point of view—atmospheric perspective! Focusing on foreground, middle ground, and background, learn how to use acrylic painting techniques to depict a magnificent mountain landscape.
$30 (VMFA members $25)
[CA28] The Buzz on Bugs
Thu, May 2, 4:30–6 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 2
Catherine Purdy
Ages 5–8 | Did you know there are all kinds of secret bugs and insects hidden in works of art? Building inspiration from those seen in Dutch still life paintings, learn all about insect anatomy while sculpting a colorful display of bugs using a magical modeling compound.
$30 (VMFA members $25)
[CA29] Arty Armor
Thu, May 9, 4:30–6 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 2
Catherine Purdy
Ages 5–8 | Explore the history and culture of Japanese Samurai. Venture through the special exhibition Samurai Armor from the Collection of Ann and Gabriel Barbier-Mueller before designing your own Samurai-inspired wearable art!
$30 (VMFA members $25)
Foundations in Art- ages 9–12
Thursdays
4:30 – 6 pm
Art Education Center, Studio 1
Enrollment Limit: 12
$30 (VMFA members $25)
[CF23] Clay Miniatures
Thu, Mar 21, 4:30–6 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 1
Dan Kaczka
Ages 9–12 | Get a feel for polymer clay! This versatile modeling compound hardens when oven-baked, while still holding its shape and color. Small-scale objects and tiny treasures throughout the museum are sure to spark creative ideas to make your own mini sculptures, beads, and more.
[CF24] Drawing Perspective
Thu, Mar 28, 4:30–6 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 1
Dan Kaczka
Ages 9–12 | Examine one-point perspective, the technique developed during the Renaissance to show three-dimensional forms on a two-dimensional surface. Practice this skill with classmates before illustrating depth and perspective in your own drawings.
[CF26] Nature Drawing
Thu, Apr 18, 4:30–6 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 1
Dan Kaczka
Ages 9–12 | Celebrate Earth Day by studying native plants, flowers, and pollinators to understand the importance of our local botanicals and learn how to draw detailed illustrations of plant anatomy.
[CF27] Horses in Art
Thu, Apr 25, 4:30–6 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 1
Dan Kaczka
Ages 9–12 | Practice drawing horses from observation in the galleries with a focus on scale and proportion before trotting back to the studio to paint your favorite pony.
[CF28] Samurai Armor
Thu, May 2, 4:30–6 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 1
Dan Kaczka
Ages 9–12 | Learn about the Japanese traditions of the samurai in this historical exploration of ingenuity and culture. Craft your own armored artwork inspired by this revered tradition.
[CF29] Moms in the Museum
Thu, May 9, 4:30–6 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 1
Dan Kaczka
Ages 9–12 | Take a moment to appreciate the wonderful women and mothers in our lives, as well as moms represented in paintings throughout the museum, with a focus on Impressionism and artist Mary Cassatt. Get inspired by her depictions of mother and child and paint your own Impressionist-style portrait of a woman you honor. (Student are encouraged use their imagination but can choose to bring a photo of their person.)
Kids Discover- ages 5–8
Select Saturdays
1 – 4 pm
Art Education Center | Studio 2
Enrollment Limit: 12
$40 (VMFA members $30)
[CD10] Principles of Painting
Sat, Mar 23, 1–4 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 2
Theo Tweeddale
Ages 5–8 | Gain insight into modern movements and how styles differ over time. Focus on color mixing, acrylic applications, and other techniques to paint an original abstract composition on a large‐scale canvas.
$40 (VMFA members $30)
[CD11] Studio Safari
Sat, Apr 13, 1–4 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 2
Kassidy Strosnider
Ages 5–8 | Venture through the galleries in search of elephants in art while gaining insight into museum layouts. This exciting scavenger hunt experience transforms learning into an adventure, complete with animal-inspired art making fun in the studios!
[CD12] Wearable Art
Sat, May 11, 1–4 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 2
Elizabeth Daly
Ages 5–8 | Unleash your inner warrior with a dash of creativity! Delve into the fascinating world of the samurai while crafting your own impressive headwear and other ancient armor-inspired wearable art.
Studio Explorations- ages 9–12
Select Saturdays
1 – 4 pm
Art Education Center | Studio 1
Enrollment limit: 12
$40 (VMFA members $30)
[CX10] Mesmerizing Media & Photography
Sat, Mar 23, 1–4 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 1
Kassidy Strosnider
Ages 9–12 | Create captivating multimedia artworks, instant photos, and images influenced by Virginia artist Willie Anne Wright. Observe mesmerizing photographic prints and paintings and gain insights into her impressive career alongside techniques used in select works on view.
$40 (VMFA members $30)
[CX11] Watercolors 101
Sat, Apr 13, 1–4 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 1
Catherine Purdy
Ages 9–12 | Boost artistic talents and confidence while learning the fundamentals of watercolor painting! Dive into color blending, layering, and brushwork with abstract creations, culminating in stunning still life paintings that showcase your newfound skills.
$40 (VMFA members $30)
[CX12] Intro to Manga
Sat, May 11, 1–4 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 1
Anh Do
Ages 9–12 | Learn about the history of manga illustration! Explore the art and culture of this Japanese-style comic art through presentation, discussion, and traditional-style drawing exercises.
$40 (VMFA members $30)