There’s always something happening at the ARTfactory!
Our event calendar displays all performances, special events, and classes/camps. Please view our CANCELLATION POLICY prior to registering or ticket purchases.
Looking for just Classes & Camps? Visit our Classes & Camps page.
Have fun exploring the many different techniques one can use with watercolor pencils! Watercolor pencils are a versatile medium because they can be used dry for colored-pencil effects, partially diluted, or completely diluted. These pencils are fun to use and can create smooth or textured artwork, and they’re a great way to become more comfortable […]
2026 is the year to give back to yourself, and there's no better place to start than this entry in our ARTful Wellness series, brought to you in partnership with UVA Health. Come and learn the basics of the fine art of Quilling or Paper Filigree. This unique process for creating beautiful paper artwork is […]
Students will explore composition and color by creating a collage while working from a photographic reference image. Focusing on shadows, midtones, and highlights, they will cut and arrange flat shapes of colored paper—no drawing or paint—to build form and depth. By developing a custom paper color palette, students will create a modern, mosaic-like piece that […]
Dive into the exciting world of printmaking! Students will experiment with relief printmaking techniques to create bold, layered artwork from simple materials. You will build skills in carving, inking, and pressing while exploring composition and texture. This class is perfect for sparking creativity and producing multiples you're proud to share—all skill levels welcome! All supplies […]
Transform your inner critic into a guiding voice that helps rather than hinders. In this class you will learn to approach your own artwork with fresh eyes, mastering self-editing techniques that elevate composition and skills without self-doubt. Bring a picture of a work of art you created to reflect on. This intermediate course equips you […]
Unlock the power of digital color and form in this immersive painting session. Utilizing professional tablets and Krita, students will learn to translate traditional painting concepts-like balance, focal points, and the rule of thirds-into the digital realm. Whether starting with geometric abstractions or fluid organic shapes, participants will focus on building 'beautiful compositions' from scratch. […]
2026 is the year to give back to yourself, and there's no better place to start than our ARTful Wellness series! Origami has had a long tradition of mastery over one’s patience. It is a physical meditation to help quiet the mind while using your hands to create something beautiful. Take the journey and let […]
Join artist Michele Frantz for a 4 lesson session in acrylic painting! Versatile and forgiving, acrylic paints may be manipulated with a wide array of techniques, applied to many different surfaces, and modified with various additives. Students new to acrylics will learn introductory basics; experienced students will improve their skills and explore new directions. Class […]
If you love vibrant color, you will love pastels! Dive right in without needing paintbrushes, solvents, or a palette – no other medium allows you to apply rich color as quickly as soft pastels. We will be exploring the shapes and colors of the landscape in different seasons. Paper will be provided via the Paper […]
Explore the beautiful fluidity and transparency of watercolor. Beginners will learn basic tools and techniques. Experienced students will explore new methods, materials, and styles. This class is offered throughout the year with a different approach presented in each session. A list of supplies can be found on the Classes and Camps page, or by clicking here. […]
The crucial role of composition in art is to establish balance and harmony in one’s artwork, while at the same time effectively using contrast to provide interest. In this series of classes, students will explore a variety of compositional formats, and learn how to use visual elements to make these formats work. In "A Formal […]
Begin your journey into the art of paper cutting. Many cultures have created fine works of art with this easily manipulated medium. By concentrating on the usage of both negative and positive spaces, intricate lines, bold patterns, and amazing shapes can be literally “carved out” of paper. The results are amazing. In this workshop you […]
Join us for a warm, beginner-friendly introduction to alla prima—the joyful “all at once” painting approach. We’ll begin with simple objects from life to learn color mixing, shape simplification, and confident brushwork. Then we’ll apply those same principles to clouds and trees in my signature landscape style, finishing with a small landscape study from a […]
2026 is the year to give back to yourself, and there's no better place to start than our ARTful Wellness series! This workshop is an invitation to explore your emotions and intentions through three-dimensional form. Using simple sculpting techniques, you will create a small, abstract or figurative sculpture from earthenware clay that represents a feeling, a goal, […]
Join us for a workshop that will delve into capturing character in pet portraits, with a focus on the eyes as the windows to the soul. Teacher Valerie Larson will introduce two helpful methods of transferring a photo image to an 8” x 10” Aquabord or watercolor paper (attendees can choose the surface they're most […]
2026 is the year to focus on yourself, and there is no better way than through some art therapy! Students will doodle and color on different papers, and the cut them up and make a "quilt". You can open your mind by trading papers with other students, and creating a mesh of ideas and inspiration […]
Offering weekly engaging themes, Arts Exploration Camp is a playful introduction to visual and performing arts where campers explore drawing, painting, movement, music, storytelling, and creative play. Ages 5–8 enjoy visual arts in the morning and performing arts in the afternoon, while ages 9–12 can choose visual arts all day, performing arts all day, or a dynamic mix of both—guided by professional teaching artists in a fun, supportive environment that builds confidence, imagination, and collaboration. Camps run weekly from June 15-July 24.
Weekly Themes (in chronological order): Fantasy, Space, Safari, Circus, Underwater, and Superhero/Anime