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. Active Advantage is not affiliated with Hampton Arts, if you have signed up for their subscription by mistake, please email: ActiveAdvantage@active.com and they will issue a refund.*
Summer 2025 Class Schedule
-
Acrylic Painting for All with Al Staszesky
-
Tuesdays, July 8, 15, 22, and 29 (4 weeks)
10 am – 12 noon
Class size: 12
Age: 16+
Class Price: $95 (HAL Memebers $90)
Discover the joy of acrylic painting in this beginner-friendly class designed for those with little to no prior experience. You’ll explore essential techniques in color mixing, brushwork, composition, and working with acrylics. Step-by-step guidance helps you develop your artistic skills while expressing your creativity in a supportive and relaxed environment. Guided by our knowledgeable instructor, Staszesky uses 8 colors to help students build a foundation in painting or simply enjoy a new hobby, this class offers a fun and inspiring introduction to the world of visual art.
-
Breaking Through: Creative Strategies to Overcome Artist's Block with Alex Drewry
-
Tuesdays, July 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29 (5 weeks)
6 – 8 pm
Class size: 12
Age: 18+
Class Price $80 (HAL Members $75)
This art class is centered on using imagination and intuition to encourage students to tap into their inner creativity, allowing their ideas to flow freely without strict guidelines or limitations. In this setting, students, working in all media, are encouraged to trust their instincts, letting spontaneous thoughts and feelings shape their artistic expression. The class fosters an open, experimental atmosphere where the process is valued over the outcome, promoting personal interpretation and emotional connection to the artwork.Rather than focusing on technical precision, the emphasis is on exploring abstract concepts, colors, shapes, and forms that emerge from within, guided by each student’s unique perspective. The use of unconventional tools and techniques may be encouraged, allowing for a sense of playfulness and discovery. This type of class helps students break away from conventional thinking and develop a deeper connection to their creative intuition, leading to more authentic and imaginative pieces.
-
Watercolor Studio I with Pam Oden (4 weeks)
-
Wednesdays, July 2, 9, 16, and 23
10:15 am - 12:45 pm
Class size: 12
Age: 18+
Class Price: $105 (HAL members $100)
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.
Whether you're seeking a tranquil escape from everyday life or aiming to refine your artistic skills, our watercolor studio class offers a supportive, communal space to foster your artistic journey. Join us and let the soothing flow of watercolors transport you into a realm of artistic expression and self-discovery.
-
Watercolor Studio II with Pam Oden (4 weeks)
-
Wednesdays, August 6, 13, 20, and 27
10:15 am - 12:45 pm
Class size: 12
Age: 18+
Class Price: $105 (HAL Members $100)
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.
Whether you're seeking a tranquil escape from everyday life or aiming to refine your artistic skills, our watercolor studio class offers a supportive, communal space to foster your artistic journey. Join us and let the soothing flow of watercolors transport you into a realm of artistic expression and self-discovery.
-
Introduction to Acrylic Painting with Sean “Teach” Strickland
-
Wednesdays, July 16, 23, 30, August 6, 13, and 20
6-8 pm
$ 125 (HAL Members $ 120)
Discover the vibrant world of acrylic painting in our Beginning Acrylic Painting class! This course is designed for beginners with little to no prior experience, offering a fun and supportive environment to explore your creativity. You’ll learn fundamental techniques such as color mixing, brush handling, layering, and texture creation while working on a variety of projects. Guided by an experienced instructor, you'll gain confidence in your artistic abilities and develop your own unique style. Whether you’re looking to start a new hobby or build a strong foundation in painting, this class is the perfect place to begin your artistic journey.
-
Introduction to Gouache with Alex Drewry
-
Thursdays, July 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, and August 7 (6 weeks)
6 – 8 pm
Class size: 12
Age: 18+
Class Price $ 125 (HAL Members $ 120)
Gouache, known for its rich opacity and matte finish, allows artists to explore bold color applications and layering techniques similar to both watercolor and acrylic. In this intro class, students can learn the fundamentals of gouache—such as paint consistency, blending, and reactivation—while experimenting with different brushwork styles and textures. Demonstrations on creating gradients, highlights, and shadows help build technical skills, while open-ended projects encourage personal expression. Students gain confidence not only in handling this versatile medium but also in understanding how it can be used to bring depth and personality to their artwork.
-
Introduction to Watercolor Painting with Tom Daley
-
Thursdays, July 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 and August 7
6-8 pm
$ 125 (HAL Members $120)
Discover the joy of watercolor painting in this beginner-friendly class, perfect for those looking to explore their creativity with this vibrant and fluid medium. You'll learn essential techniques such as color mixing, brush control, and layering to create beautiful, expressive paintings. Guided by an experienced instructor, you'll practice foundational skills while working on fun, step-by-step projects designed to build your confidence. Whether you're completely new to painting or looking to refine your skills, this class provides a relaxed and supportive environment to unleash your artistic potential.
Summer 2025 Youth Art Classes
-
Mixed Media Exploration with Joy Wike
-
Thursdays, July 24, 31, August 7, 14
10 am – 11:30 am
Ages 5-7 years old
$ 60
Young creators will embark on a creative journey through different mediums. Focusing on the creative process, students will get to experiment with different techniques and applications, allowing them to nurture their curiosity. Each week we will explore a different medium and at the end of the class, students will take what they have learned to collaborate on a group project to be displayed in the Art PLAYce.
Summer 2025 Workshops
-
To the Moon and Back - A Collaborative Workshop Between Children and their Caregiver with Joy Wike
-
Friday, August 8
10:30 am - 12 noon
Children Ages 5-10 & their parent/caregiver
$ 40
Interested in spending some quality creative time with your kiddo? Come and join us for a morning of partnered parent and child creative play. Students and their caregiver will be guided through a prompt that fosters equal participation from both the parent and the child. At the end of the workshop students and their caregivers will leave with a completed piece of artwork and some creative prompts they can use to continue creativity at home.
-
Colorful Currents – A Mindfulness Based Painting Workshop with Joy Wike
-
Saturday, August 16
10:30 am - 12 noon
$ 40 (HAL Members $ 35)
Ever feel overwhelmed navigating the various seasons of life? Take a breath and allow yourself the opportunity to paint your expressions in this relaxed and supportive painting workshop. During this creative time, participants will be given questions and prompts that invite gentle reflection and grounded inner dialogue. Participants will work with color and intuitive brushstrokes to create a piece they can uniquely identify with.
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.