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.
Winter 2023 Class Schedule
Beginning Watercolor Painting with Pam Oden
Wednesdays, February 8 to March 15 (6 weeks), 10:15am - 12:45pm
Age: 18+
Price: $125 (HAL members: $120)
This class is designed for beginner students and will focus on the fundamental of basic watercolor technique and materials. Students will explore still life, landscape, and incorporating a “figure” into their work as well as the use of shape, line, value, color, and texture to create good composition. Students will be exposed to both contemporary and master artists in history, as they explore painting styles and influences leading to the development of watercolor as a modern American art form.
Introduction to Drawing with Suzanne Stevens
Wednesdays, February 8 – March 29 (8 weeks), 1:00pm – 4:00pm
Age: 18+
Price $180 (HAL members: $175)
Enhance your artistic abilities by learning how to draw. This class, geared toward beginners, will cover the basic tenets of drawing and composition including shading, line drawing, proportion, perspective, and sight sizing. Sharpen your observation skills by drawing from still life. Explore various drawing materials such as pencil, charcoal, conté, and more. Already have a little bit of experience? This class will help troubleshoot problem areas that you run into. Whether its composition or technique, this class with help you resolve reoccurring issues. Come to the first class with a pencil, eraser, and drawing pad. The instructor with provide a list of supplies on the first day of class.
Beginner Watercolor Painting with Alex Drewry
Wednesdays, February 8 to March 15, 5:30pm - 7:30pm (6 weeks)
Age: 18+
Price: $125 (HAL members: $120)
Join Alex Drewry in exploration of watercolor painting. Students will be engaged in applying techniques and learning the basic fundamentals of watercolor. Working alongside the instructor, students will find their own unique style and be able to fluidly apply both basic foundations and your own creativity. Dress for a mess is encouraged and basic drawing skills are not necessary, but welcomed!
Digital Photography: The Basics and Beyond with Wayne Berry
Wednesday, February 15 and 22, 6:30pm – 9:00pm
Age: 18+
Price: $50 (HAL members: $45)
Are you ready to take your camera off the Auto Button and learn to make better photographs? If so, this class is for you. The two sessions will cover an introduction to digital photography, tips for using your camera properly, and show you how to use compositional techniques for more appealing photos. There will be an optional shooting assignment between classes one and two. Please bring a digital camera to each class.
The Pleasures of Painting – A Bob Ross Experience
Linda Cooligan, Certified Ross Instructor®, Landscape
Thursday, February 9, 16, and 23, 10:00am – 2:00pm (please bring a bag lunch)
Ages: 18+
Price: $225 (HAL members: $220)
All materials supplied including canvas, paints, and brushes
Bob Ross’ mission was to make painting fun and rewarding for everyone, not just the chosen few. Whether you’ve painted before, or you have never touched a brush in your life, these workshops will show you that there are no great mysteries to painting. No previous painting experience is needed! Learn to paint the world’s most popular painting method, the Bob Ross Wet-on-Wet Technique®
Class 1 – February 9 – Learn how to paint a landscape with black and white paints.
Class 2 – February 16 – Learn to paint a full color landscape
Class 3 – February 23 – Learn to paint a color seascape
Introduction to Alcohol Ink with Tammy Burgett
Thursdays, March 2 - 16, 10:00am – 12:30pm
Ages: 18+
Price: $85 (HAL members: $80)
This class is designed for anyone that desires to learn more about alcohol ink as an art medium. The class will cover the fundamentals of alcohol ink: introduction to alcohol ink and the various mediums you can work on, tools and techniques to move inks and create texture, brush handling, and preservation of your work. We will briefly talk about composition, shape, line, value, color and texture as we work with the inks to create abstracts, florals, landscapes and seascapes. Alcohol inks are wildly unpredictable – this can be either a lot of fun or very frustrating! Come with an open mind and a chill attitude.
Because of the nature of inks, it’s almost impossible to exactly duplicate a piece, so it’s guaranteed that no two creations will be identical but they will all be beautiful. Your individuality and uniqueness in creative expression is strongly encouraged.
Introduction to Printmaking with Alex Drewry: Abstract and/or Bold
Thursdays, February 9 to March 16, 5:30pm – 7:30pm (6 weeks)
Ages: 18+
Price: $125 (HAL members: $120)
Join artist Alex Drewry in the exploration of Printmaking. Students will be exposed to a variety of different techniques and create abstract and or bold graphics. The students will learn to use different tools such as rollers, sponges, lino-plates, and textured plates to create their prints. Don’t miss this opportunity to dive into and come out with unique prints!
Introduction to Drawing with Tom Murphy
Thursdays, February 9 - March 16 (6 weeks), 7:00pm – 9:00pm
Age: 18+
Price $125 (HAL members: $120)
Drawing is a foundational skill that can aid in the development of other creative pursuits. Drawing is also an art form in its own right, and learning how to draw can help unlock one's creative potential. Many benefits associated with drawing include increased focus and relaxation, improved creativity and problem solving, and greater hand-eye coordination. Each week, you'll learn the basics of drawing, including how to practice and implement the basic elements of drawing, contour drawing, shading, and spatial relationships.
Investigating Intermediate Watercolor Painting with Pam Oden
Fridays, February 10 to March 17, 10:15am - 12:45pm (6 weeks)
Age: 18+
Price: $125 (HAL members: $120)
This class is designed for students who already possess basic fundamental skill in handling watercolor. Students will be encouraged to ‘delve deeper’ into Design, Value, and Color. Class topics will include still life, collaging a landscape/seascape, ‘figure’ design adding pattern, and non-representational abstract design. We will look at design principles employed by contemporary artists for inspiration. Students will work from ‘live’ setup and from their own photos.
Assemblage with Alex Drewry
Fridays, February 10 to March 17, 5:30pm – 7:30pm (6 weeks)
Ages: 18+
Price: $125 (HAL members: $120)
Join artist Alex Drewry and explore the infinite possibilities that is assemblage. Assemblage, or found object art making, repurposes natural and manufactured objects into artistic representations. After a brief introduction into the history of assemblage, students will begin with a simple arrangement focusing on color. Throughout the course, students will explore assemblage art making through five unique hands-on projects: color gradient, neighborhood finds, thrift store grab bags, editions, and shadow boxes. Participants will learn how to gather and prepare items, select proper attachment tools, and use problem-solving techniques that are required when working with found objects. Assemblage is a unique artistic endeavor, which will leave students with a new perspective on everyday items and their environment.
Winter 2023 Workshop Schedule
Introduction to Needle Felting Workshop with Sarah Patterson
Saturday, February 4, 11:00am – 1:00pm
Ages: 13+, adults
Price: $65 (HAL members: $60)
This workshop is an introduction to the addictive realm of sculptural needle felting. This unique process involves poking un-spun wool with a barbed felting needle to knit the fibers together, creating a 3D felted object. No sewing or patterns required! The repetitive process has a zen like quality and the ability to produce incredibly engaging items. We will create a fruity character and in the process learn basic techniques for constructing the core, applying color, and attaching parts. We will discuss types of wool and felting tools. No experience necessary. Come join us and experience the wonder of a character emerging from the palm of your hand! Supplies included.
Fine Print: Students 13+. We will be using sharp objects with the potential for poking ourselves. All minors must be accompanied by an adult.
Origami Butterfly Necklace with Rich Gray
Saturday, February 25, 10:00am – 12:30pm
Ages: 13+, adults
Price: $65 (HAL members: $60)
Students will first learn to make a simple origami butterfly that is perfect for decorating gifts and for making mobiles. Then participants will choose from a variety of decorative papers to fold a more advanced version of the butterfly that they'll make into a necklace (they'll make two...one for themselves and one for a friend). Painters can fold their butterflies from white paper instead which will be provided and create their own wing patterns. The butterflies are about 2 1/2" wide and 2" tall.
Professional Practices for the Visual Artist
Saturday, March 18, 2023, 10:00am – 3:00pm
Ages: 18+
Free
Join us for a professional development workshop for artists. Topics include photographing artwork, funding opportunities, developing professional relationships with galleries and publications, copyright issues, and marketing on the web. Please bring a pen, notebook and bag lunch.
Oil & Cold Wax on Paper Workshop with Eloise Shelton Mayo
Saturday March 4, 11:00am – 3:30pm
Ages: 18+
Price: $75 (HAL members: $70), plus $15 material fee paid to instructor in class.
Join in the fun of this one day workshop to explore oil paint and cold wax on Arches oil paper using unique processes. Techniques are taught in an encouraging and explorative environment as participants will delve into texture and mark making, layering, scraping back in and more with this versatile and compelling paint medium. No previous oil painting experience is necessary, just a creative spirit.
Students will be working on a series of 3 pieces in the workshop which can be set up ahead on cardboard or other rigid support using painters tape to tape off 3 5” x 7” or 6” x 6".
The Art of Collecting with Diana Blanchard Gross
Tuesday, March 21, 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Price: $20, (HAL members: $15)
The Art of Collecting introduces valuable strategies for focus and discernment in today’s art market. The ever-changing global landscape presents more opportunities than ever to purchase art. This class with help you build your collection and offers professional insights around how to navigate this fast-paced marketplace as a collector.
Discussions include how to determine a collection focus, differentiating price from value, and understanding due diligence checklists, issues surrounding authenticity and forgeries, as well as simple tips for inventory management. Using a variety of art historical resources and price databases, students will embark on a virtual “shopping trip,” applying basic collecting guidelines and comparative strategies to make a hypothetical acquisition for your collection.
Signs of Spring – Alcohol Ink Workshop with Tammy Burgett
Saturday, March 11, 10:00am – 1:00pm
Ages: 18+
Price: $65 (HAL members: $60)
Join instructor Tammy Burgett in the art of Alcohol Inks. Using alcohol ink on a specially prepared 8x10 canvas you’ll incorporate two different techniques for working with the inks - wet on wet and dry brush – to create your own masterpiece. This class will investigate different subject matter pertaining to Spring and incorporate it into the artworks.
Artist Critique with James Warwick Jones
Saturday, April 1, 2:00pm-5:00pm
Price: $12 (HAL members: $10)
Come and join us for an evening of critique with artist and former Charles H. Taylor Visual Arts Center Manager, James Warwick Jones. Artists are allowed 2 pieces of artworks for review and are allotted approximately 6 minutes with each piece. All artists must register online, no walk-ins will be taken to accommodate the number of sign-ups. Space is limited so please secure your spot!
Winter 2023 Youth Classes/Workshop Schedule
Imaginary Beasts and Stranger Things with Steve A. Prince
Saturday, February 18, 10:00am – 1:00pm
Ages 7-14
Price: $40
Students will explore the fantastical world of creating mystical, mythological, imaginary animals, beasts, and stranger things with oil pastels and tempera paint. We will explore the world of drawing and color mixing to make our artistic creations which we shall name in the end!
ArtStart
Thursday, February 16, 10:30am - 11:30am
Thursday, March 2, 16 and 30, 10:30am - 11:30am
Ages: 1-5
Price: $10 per student
Join us for our newest program! Art Start will introduce preschool-aged children to visual learning and creative expression in bi-weekly sessions. The class will consist of story time and a related art activity. Each session is limited to 10 children and their caregivers. Class is recommended for ages 5 and under. Registration is handled for each class individually; it is not required to attend all sessions.
