Beginners and intermediate potters will learn the basics of throwing forms on the potter’s wheel. Enjoy wheel-throwing functional forms such as bowls, cups, plates, jars, and mugs. Experiment with glazing techniques and bring home beautiful hand-made pieces.  

$250 for members 
$270 for non-members  

*Supply fee and Studio fee included 

Beginner and intermediate potters will learn the basics of various wheel-throwing methods. Emphasis will be on functional fundamentals and corrective adjustments to create multiple forms such as bowls, plates, cylinders, cups, and mugs on the potter’s wheel using both traditional and contemporary throwing techniques. Topics covered include correct posture, wedging, center alignment, water management, throwing off the hump, and compositional aesthetics. Correct and effective trimming techniques will also be introduced. Learn about glazing techniques and bring home functional pottery. 

$250 for members
$270 for non-members 

*Supply fee and Studio fee included 

This exciting, collaborative wheel-throwing class will allow you to step into the shoes of product designer, Sherród Faulks! Students will design, prototype, and produce a housewares collection. Each student will be responsible for one aspect of the collection, allowing each student to contribute their unique perspective. Alongside the class, the instructor will create his collection while sharing his techniques and tricks to help you create a stunning collection of wheel-thrown housewares.

Each week students will learn new skills such as throwing multiples, throwing large, troubleshooting on the wheel, and advance glazing techniques. Gain an understanding of the design process from idea generation, developing forms, prototyping, glazing, and more. The class will culminate with a photoshoot, teaching students the importance of photographing their work. Each student will make multiple pieces allowing everyone to leave the class with a complete collection of housewares. Students should have taken an introductory wheel-throwing class and be able to center on the wheel and pull up walls. Do not overthink it. If you can center and pull walls consistently, you are ready for this class.

$275 for members
$295 for non-members

*Supply fee and Studio fee included

Beginners and intermediate potters will be introduced to various techniques to create functional large-scale plates. Using compression & pull methods, students can expect to make plates 12” in diameter and larger. Alternative surface design approaches such as Sgraffito, volumetric carving, inlay, and texturing will also be discussed. Learn about correct trimming and glazing techniques for plates and bring home large-scale functional plates.

$135 for members
$145 for non-members

*Supply fee and Studio fee included

Open Studio hours are monitored (not instructional) and time allows for use of specialized ceramic tools and studio equipment.

Hourly Open Studio fees:
Adults: $10/hour,  Members: $8/hour
Currently-enrolled ceramics students: $5/hour
Monthly Open Studio fees:
Adults: $120/month,  Members: $100/month

Open Studio Hours:

Tuesdays 6 PM – 9 PM
Thursdays 6 PM – 9 PM
Fridays 10 AM – 4 PM
Sundays 11 AM – 4 PM

Apply for Open Studio access and learn more

Hand-sew your own leather glasses case while learning about the types and tannages of leather, basic leatherworking tools, and sewing construction. Choose your own unique leather and thread color combinations, learn to prepare, cut out, and finish leather pieces, and sew a three-dimensional case for eyeglasses or sunglasses.  

Beginner friendly.  

$95 for members
$110 for non-members
*Supply fee and Studio fee included 

Use your artistic skills and make one-of-a-kind leather accessories. Paint patterns and designs on your leather pieces before you construct them using traditional leatherwork techniques like leather cutting, hole punching, hardware insertion, and hand sewing. Design and paint your own leather cuff bracelet, simple card wallet, and small clutch or passport cover. Beginner and advanced students welcome!

$120 for members
$140 for non-members

*Supply fee and Studio fee included

Join us in exploring the relationship between painting and movement as we combine elements of motion in a work of art. Use the Elements and Principles including rhythm, line, color notes, balance, space, and repetition to create a tempo or chosen speed of movement in your composition. This exploratory class will guide students through the painting process, working individually and collectively to understand different forms of movement in painting. Choose which painting medium is best for you, oil, or acrylic.
Students should have some painting experience.

$230 for members
$250 for non-members

Click here for class supply list

Enhance your artistic abilities by learning methods of using soft chalk pastels. Chalk pastels offer rich, intense colors that blend seamlessly, allowing students to create stunning effects. This class will cover application methods, color blending techniques, and material handling for drawing landscapes, still life, and from your imagination! This class is for all skill levels. Supply list provided.

$230 for members
$250 for non-members

Click here for supply list

Enjoy a class of artistic freedom using your imagination and intuition. This is an exploratory class that consists of varying exercises to help you find new avenues of expression. This multi-media class will have you paint to music, introduce monoprints, and blind contour drawing. Students will use acrylic and oil paints, chalk pastels, and more. If you have an interest in art and being creative but have never taken the first step, this is a great class for you. No experience is needed. Bring an open mind to this non-intimidating class and dare to imagine!  

$230 for members
$250 for non-members 

Click here for class supply list 

If you have ever wanted to explore painting with watercolor, this 4-day intensive class is for you. Learn the basics of working with watercolor by painting a still life and a landscape on the beautiful Hermitage grounds. This class will cover fundamental drawing techniques and elements of composition. 

$120 for members 
$130 for non-members  

Click here for supply list 

Learn how to make the most of your digital camera and create better photographs by taking control of image creation. This class presents a solid foundation of DSLR camera use through in-class demonstrations and lectures as well as hands-on classwork and assignments. Lectures and assignments cover shooting in manual modes, image storage capabilities, file types, various camera menus, exposure, light, shutter effects, and the resulting creative possibilities. A digital SLR camera is preferable but any camera with manual capabilities will work for this class. No previous camera knowledge or experience is required. Photo editing skills will not be covered in this class. Please bring the printed manual that came with your camera to the first class. The book Understanding Exposure, 4th Edition: How to Shoot Great Photographs with Any Camera by Bryan Peterson is required. 

$165 for members 
$185 for non-members

This intensive one-day class presents a basic introduction to manual settings on your digital SLR camera, so you can get out of auto and start shooting in manual. Students will learn shooting modes, image storage capabilities, file types, menus, exposure, light, shutter effects, and the resulting creative possibilities. A digital SLR camera is preferable, but any camera with manual capabilities will work too. No previous camera knowledge or experience is required. Please bring the manual that came with your camera to class, and whatever lens(s) you are most comfortable using. 

$135 for members
$150 for non-members 

Using a variety of art-making materials, this class will focus on the positive psychological, emotional, and social aspects of creativity. Through creative arts, students will enhance social connections and reaffirm that all humans have the capacity for creativity. Students will learn how to approach different art mediums in a new way each week. Discussions will focus on ways that creativity can help improve mental health and how to destigmatize and rehumanize art and creativity. If you have an interest in art and being creative and want to learn how to incorporate it in your life, this is a great class for you. All levels welcome.  

$105 for members
$120 for non-members 

*Supply fee and Studio fee included 

Discover the basic techniques of working with stained glass during this one-day workshop. Using specialized tools and equipment, students will create a stunning stained glass mushroom sculpture. Beginner students will gain experience with cutting glass, foiling, and soldering. (Individuals who are pregnant should consult with their physician prior to registering.) 

*Supply fee and Studio fee included 

$75 for members 
$90 for non-members

Resin is a versatile and captivating material that allows jewelry makers and craft enthusiasts to bring their artistic visions to life. Learn the fundamentals of mixing and coloring 2-part epoxy resin. Experiment with imbedding small 2D and 3D objects including glitter, photos, dried organic material such as flowers, and other found materials in the resin to create personalized pieces. This process is applicable across many art forms and disciplines from surface enhancement on wood and canvas, to pouring in molds, and embellishing.

Explore the wonderful world of resin as you create wearable art and more!

Ages 16+

$125 for members
$135 for non-members 

Enameling is the exciting process of fusing glass powder to precious metal using high temperatures. In this workshop, students learn how to enamel copper using a tabletop kiln. How to prepare the metal surface and the various stages of firing glass finishes will be explained. Layering opaque and translucent glass enamel colors will be explored for effect and learning to create texture on the metal beforehand to add to the enamel process. Techniques such as sgraffito will be introduced as well as sifting, using templates, and wet packing enamel.

Ages 16+

$175 for members
$195 for non-members

*Supply fee and Studio fee included

Have you ever wanted to create brilliant stories through pictures or thought about expressing yourself through visual storytelling? Author and Illustrator, Rita Esposito, will walk you through all the steps to create a picture book including how to plot a remarkable story, creating characters, setting, theme, style, and composition. Students will also learn about traditional publishing and self-publishing and working with writers and illustrators. This class covers everything you need to know to create an engaging story that keeps your readers engaged. Learn the structure of a picture book and how to create one from scratch in this exciting new class.

Ages 14+

$95 for members
$105 for non-members

Click here for supply list

Join us as we dream of spring with living succulent arrangements during this one-day workshop. Choose from wooden or moss birdhouses ready for a unique, living roof made with succulents and dried florals. The workshop will begin with an in-depth discussion on succulents and their easy maintenance. Participants will receive hands-on guidance for assembling and planting their living roof and will leave the workshop with instructions on how to care for their new creation.

$95 for members
$105 for non-members
*Supply fee and Studio fee included

Discover how to make your own natural ink and dyes, creating beautiful and interesting colors from the natural world. Participants will be introduced to many natural and botanical sources that are great for creating inks and dyes, some of which can be found and forged locally! 

$125 for members
$140 for non-members

*Supply fee and Studio fee included 

Discover how to make your own natural ink and dyes, creating beautiful and interesting colors from the natural world. Participants will be introduced to many natural and botanical sources that are great for creating inks and dyes, some of which can be found and forged locally! 

$125 for members
$140 for non-members

*Supply fee and Studio fee included 

Journaling is a practice used by people worldwide for self-expression, reflection, and recording personal experiences. Engage in visual journaling by developing skills and building opportunities to express your unique ideas and illustrate your thoughts. Teens, ages 14-17, will explore multimedia techniques and learn to express themselves through both visual art and responsive writing. Visual Journaling requires no previous experience. It is process-driven and allows all levels of creators to tap into their creative energy, exploring new techniques and materials. Students will be introduced to new technical processes at each class session. 

Kelsey Courage received her master’s degree in art therapy & counseling from EVMS in 2021. She works with several nonprofit organizations in Hampton Roads doing art-based community work in addition to building her own jewelry business.  

$150 for members
$165 for non-members

*Supply fee and Studio fee included