Classes
At The Charles H. Taylor Visual Arts Center, we believe the best way to keep the arts in your life is by creating art throughout your life. Our educational programs allow visitors and students to broaden their understanding and appreciation of art by interacting with art, artists, and instructors, while expressing themselves through the creation of their own artwork.
The Arts Center has approximately 20 classes in various media throughout the year on a quarterly basis. These include drawing, watercolor, painting, photography, and other media. Both one day workshops and multi-week class sessions are offered. Our award winning artist instructors exhibit widely throughout Hampton Roads and have 10 to 40 years of teaching experience.
*Registration will end five days before the class/workshop start date.*
2024 Fall Class Schedule
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Intermediate Watercolor Class with Jim Dees - Thurs, Sept 19 - Oct 24
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Thursdays, September 19, 26, October 3, 10, 17, and 24 (6 weeks)
10:30 am – 12:30 pm
Ages: 18+
Price: $135 (HAL Members $130)
Join this intermediate watercolor class designed for artists who have a foundational understanding of watercolor techniques and wish to enhance their skills. In this course, students delve deeper into the medium, exploring advanced techniques such as wet-on-wet, glazing, and color layering and using Yupo and rice paper. The curriculum includes the study of light and shadow, texture creation, and the use of negative space to add depth and dimension to paintings.
Participants will also learn to mix complex colors, control water flow, and utilize various brushes for different effects. Through guided projects and personal experimentation, students refine their artistic style and gain confidence in their ability to create dynamic and expressive watercolor works.
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Pastel and Drawing Studio with Emily Christoff-Flowers - Thurs, Sept 19 - Oct 24
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Thursdays, September 19, 26, October 3, 10, 17, and 24 (6 weeks)
2:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Age: 18+
Price: $125 (HAL Members $120)
Unleash your creativity and refine your artistic skills in our Pastel and Drawing Studio class. This dynamic course invites artists of all levels to explore the vibrant world of pastels and the foundational techniques of drawing. Through a series of engaging exercises and projects, you'll learn to master color blending, shading, and textural effects with pastels, while also honing your drawing accuracy and expressiveness.
Guided by an experienced instructor, each session offers personalized feedback and a supportive environment to help you develop your unique artistic voice. Whether you're a beginner eager to explore new mediums or an experienced artist looking to deepen your expertise, our Pastel and Drawing Studio class provides the perfect canvas for your artistic journey.
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Watercolor Studio II with Pam Oden - Wed, October 16 - Nov 6
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Wednesdays, October 16, 23, 30, and November 6
10:15 am - 12:45 pm
Age: 18+
Class Price: $90 (HAL Members $85)
Step into the enchanting world of watercolors with our immersive studio class. In this inspiring environment, budding and experienced artists alike gather to explore the delicate art of painting with watercolors. Guided by our skilled and passionate instructor, you'll learn essential techniques such as blending, layering, and wet-on-wet, allowing you to capture the ethereal beauty of your subjects on paper.
2024 Fall Workshop Schedule
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Abstract Watercolor Monotype Workshop with Steve Prince - Sat, Oct 26
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Saturday, October 26
10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Ages: 18
Price: $65 (HAL Members $60)
Join artist Steve Prince in this exciting hands-on workshop that explores the expressive power of abstract art through the medium of watercolor monotypes. Participants will create dynamic watercolor templates on Yupo paper, cut and arrange the dried color materials on an acrylic sheet, and utilize water-saturated archival paper to reconstitute the watercolors to create unique, multicolored All materials will be provided, and all skill and experience levels are welcome – just bring your imagination.
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Holiday Ornaments & Gift Tags Workshop with Tammy Burgett - Wed, Nov 6
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Wednesday, November 6
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Ages: 16+
Price: $45 (HAL Members $40)
The Holiday Ornaments & Gift Tags Workshop is a creative and festive event where participants learn to craft beautiful, personalized decorations using alcohol ink. This versatile medium allows for vibrant, fluid designs that are perfect for adding a unique touch to holiday ornaments and gift tags. In the workshop, attendees are guided through the process of applying alcohol ink to various surfaces, creating stunning marbled effects and colorful patterns.
With a focus on both technique and creativity, this workshop is suitable for all skill levels, offering a fun and engaging way to prepare for the holiday season. By the end of the session, participants leave with their own handcrafted ornaments and tags, ready to adorn their homes or to be given as thoughtful, homemade gifts.
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Small Art Making Workshop with Alex Drewry - Wed, Nov 6
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Wednesday, November 6
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Ages: 18+
Price: $45 (HAL Members $40)
Small art is a fun way to practice presence, explore big ideas, and invite small acts of creativity into your daily life. Small art is playful, challenging, rewarding, and easy to complete. This workshop will provide several drawing, painting, and embroidery techniques that invite you to immerse in play, creativity, and mindful art-making.
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Block Printing Holiday Cards Workshop with Sean Strickland - Wed, Nov 13
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Wednesday, November 13
6-9 pm
Class Limit: 12
Ages: 16+
Price: $ 25 ($22 HAL members)
Block printing holiday cards is a creative way to add a personalized and handcrafted touch to your seasonal greetings. Block printing allows you to create a beautiful set of holiday cards that are both artistic and personal. The technique's flexibility lets you explore various holiday designs, from traditional to modern, ensuring your cards are one-of-a-kind. This technique allows you to make unique, festive designs on cards using simple materials and your creativity.
2024 Fall Youth & Adult
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Holiday Stockings Workshop with Hannah Belle - Sat, Nov 9
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Saturday, November 9
10:30 am – 1:30 pm
Ages: 10+ with parent
Price: $45 (HAL Members $40)
Get ready for the holidays! Join us to create your own festive, customized stocking. Choose from a variety of patterns featuring modern yet nostalgic holiday characters and themes to design your stocking. Crafters will learn basic hand stitching and appliqué techniques to arrange and attach their felt designs as well as other sequins, beads, and embellishments to create a truly one-of-a-kind, holiday memento.
This workshop allows crafters to express their creativity and make unique keepsake items that can be cherished for years to come. Handmade stockings not only serve as charming holiday décor but also as thoughtful gifts, adding a warm and personalized element to the joy of the season. All supplies are included in this workshop.
For those needing ADA/Accessible accommodations due to limited mobility or wheelchair access, please let the CHTVAC staff know at the time of registration so we can best serve the needs of our students.
CALL FOR INSTRUCTORS
The Charles H. Taylor Visual Arts Center is looking for experienced artists in a variety of mediums to teach 6-8 week courses or 1-2 day workshops. Some mediums we have previously offered include watercolor, photography, oils/acrylics, collage, alcohol ink, and oil & cold wax. We are interested in individuals with previous professional teaching experience who may offer mediums outside of our normal repertoire or may offer a new take on a familiar medium.
If interested, please email ctvisualarts@hampton.gov with your contact information, class proposal (including any class materials), preferred class times (Tuesday-Saturday, daytime or evening), and list of previous classes taught.