Virginia Art Factory

"Nostalgia" Opening Reception
2026-07-11 18:00 - 20:00 UTC | ARTfactory, 9419 Battle Street, Manassas, VA, 20110, United States
“Nostalgia” Prince William Art Society Group Art ExhibitExhibit dates: July 10 2026-August 9, 2026Artist Reception: Saturday, July 11, 6-8 PMRSVP: https://insidenovatix.com/events/nostalgia-opening-reception-7-11-2026View the artwork, meet the artists, and enjoy wine and light refreshments at this free event. Exhibition programming sponsored by Micron. About the ExhibitThe Prince William Art Society presents “Nostalgia”, a group exhibition featuring work by 25 local artists and members. On view from July 10 through August 9, 2026, at ARTfactory in Historic Manassas, the exhibition explores nostalgia as an emotional landscape shaped by memory, longing, and the passage of time.Through a wide range of artistic interpretations, the works in the exhibition serve as portals into moments that feel half-remembered—places once known, emotions once lived, and histories inherited rather than personally experienced. Texture, sound, color, and form become vehicles for memory, evoking both personal and collective pasts while revealing how nostalgia shifts across individual perspectives. What feels intimate and familiar to one viewer may appear distant or uncanny to another.Rather than recreating the past with literal accuracy, the artists reconstruct memory as it is emotionally felt. The exhibition invites viewers to linger in the space between then and now, where memory becomes a living presence: tender, unreliable, and deeply human. In doing so, the works ask not only what we remember, but why certain moments continue to call us back—and what those returns reveal about who we are today.An Opening Reception will be held on Saturday, July 11, from 6–8 PM, offering visitors an opportunity to meet the artists and experience the exhibition in community.Participating ArtistsDanielle Bancroft, Fatima Batool, Zee Berrios, Staci Blanchard, Larry Burch, Evelyn Chatters, Doreen Dauer, Katie Keller Dugan, Scott Elliott, Michelle Evans, Nicole M Fisher, Kathleen Gates, Sheri Herrick, Lizzy B. Javier, Absku KOY, Sandra Lewin, Donna Liguria, April Mckether, Mark Murphy, Katharine Owens, L Palladino, Tom Payne, Mandy Powell, Tinnetta Putney, Bettie Sperty

Contact ARTfactory, Gallery Director: Jordan Exum | jexum@VirginiaARTfactory.org 9419 Battle St, Manassas, VA 20110 | 703-330-2787 Gallery Hours: Tuesday-Saturday (10 am-5 pm), Sunday (12-5 pm) VirginiaARTfactory.org

Christmas in July
2026-07-12 13:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | ARTfactory, 9419 Battle Street, Manassas, VA, 20110, United States
Join local artist Michele Frantz for Christmas in July, a class dedicated to preparing a holiday card well in advance!
Michele will walk the group through a magical holiday scene using multimedia on card paper. Ditch the shopping trip and leave with a set of handmade cards with envelopes to give out this holiday season.
All supplies are included in the registration fee.
Ages 15+
Sunday, July 12
1-4 pm
Registration Fee: $57 Supply Fee: $5

ARTfactory Summer Camps
2026-07-13 09:00 - 2026-07-17 16:00, 2026-07-20 09:00 - 2026-07-24 16:00 (America/New_York) | VA

Let's Design Stickers! (13-18)
2026-07-17 12:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | ARTfactory, 9419 Battle Street, Manassas, VA, 20110, United States
Want a fun way to show your love of your favorite characters or original characters? Come join us to learn how you can make your own stickers!
Die-cut stickers are one of the easiest ways to start. Students will learn how to use Krita, a free digital program, to create and finalize designs for the making of physical stickers.
All materials will be provided through the supplies fee.
Ages 13-18
Friday, July 17th
12-3 pm
Registration Fee: $57 Supply Fee: $5

Saturday Reset Yoga
2026-07-18 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | City of Manassas Community Center, 8750 Sudley Rd, Manassas, 20110, United States
Ease into your weekend with a grounding Yoga Flow designed for all levels. Through mindful movement, breathwork, and moments of stillness, you’ll create space to unwind, reconnect, and move at your own pace. Come as you are—this class is a space to feel supported, relaxed, and at home in your body.
Please note that yoga mats will not be provided – you will need to bring your own.
Ages 15+
Saturday, July 18th
1-2 pm
Registration Fee: FREE!!
This free wellness class is brought to you in partnership with the City of Manassas.

Fragments of Memory: Painting Personal Moments
2026-07-18 14:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | ARTfactory, 9419 Battle Street, Manassas, VA, 20110, United States
2026 is the year to give back to yourself, and there’s no better place to start than this installment in our ARTful Wellness series, brought to you by UVA Health!
Join us for an exploration of personal memory through painting and visual storytelling. Participants will recall meaningful moments and translate them into works of art using color, composition, and abstraction.
This workshop emphasizes emotional expression, reflection, and process over technical accuracy. Artists of all levels are welcome to join.
Ages 16+
Saturday, July 18th
2-5 pm
Registration Fee: Free!
This free wellness workshop is brought to you in partnership with UVA Health.

Figures in Motion: Sculpting Animals and Anatomy (13-18)
2026-07-20 18:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | ARTfactory, 9419 Battle Street, Manassas, VA, 20110, United States
Unlock the secrets of professional sculpture in this intensive, one-week studio!
Figures in Motion moves beyond basic clay modeling to teach the “inside-out” method used by master sculptors. Students will learn to engineer custom wire armatures-internal skeletons that provide the strength and balance needed for dynamic, gravity-defying poses.
Whether your interest lies in wildlife, human anatomy, or character design, this class provides the technical foundation to bring your vision to life.
With three hours of daily studio time, students will have the “creative breathing room” to focus on anatomical accuracy, structural engineering, and fine surface textures. The workshop is designed to support individual goals, allowing students to work at their own pace to produce a portfolio of work or a single, highly refined sculpture.
Ages 13-18
Monday-Friday, July 20-24
6-8 pm
Registration Fee: $190 Supply Fee: $15

Diary of a Wimpy Kid
2026-07-24 19:00 - 21:30, 2026-07-25 10:00 - 12:30, 2026-07-25 14:00 - 16:30 (America/New_York) | Osbourne High School, 1977 Eagle Way, Manassas, VA, 20110, United States
Middle school, ugh. It’s the worst. But Greg Heffley is determined not to be at the bottom of the popularity chart. He’ll leave that to his weird neighbor, Fregley. Or maybe his best friend, Rowley Jefferson. But it’s not going to be Greg… no way.
Jeff Kinney’s popular character takes center stage as Greg’s cartoon diary becomes a hilarious and heartfelt musical. Will Greg’s plans to become popular lead him to sacrifice his one true friend? Can anyone avoid the dreaded Cheese Touch? Grab a hall pass and don’t be late for an adventure familiar to anyone who actually survived middle school.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid is presented by special arrangement with Broadway Licensing Global. (www.broadwaylicensing.com)

Beyond Therapy by Christopher Durang
2026-07-24 19:30 - 22:00, 2026-07-25 19:30 - 22:00, 2026-07-26 14:00 - 16:30, 2026-07-31 19:30 - 22:00, 2026-08-01 19:30 - 22:00, 2026-08-02 14:00 - 16:30 (America/New_York) | ARTfactory, 9419 Battle Street, Manassas, VA, 20110, United States

Mural Painting
2026-07-25 17:00 - 19:30 (America/New_York) | VA
This class will offer an introduction to the history and techniques of painting murals. Taking a look at the cultural and commercial significance of murals, the various applications will be explained and demonstrated.
Over the course of this six week intensive class, you will get hands on experience painting on ARTfactory walls! This course is designed to cater to any and all levels of skill, so beginners are not only welcome but encouraged to sign up.
All materials provided via the supplies fee.
Saturdays 5-7:30
July 25 – August 29
Class Fee: $285 Supplies Fee: $42

Musical Theatre for Young Actors (8-12)
2026-07-30 17:30 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | ARTfactory, 9419 Battle Street, Manassas, VA, 20110, United States
Step into the spotlight and discover the magic of musical theatre!
In this engaging class, students will explore the three pillars of the stage—singing, acting, and dancing—through fun exercises, group numbers, and age-appropriate scenes from popular musicals. Young performers will build confidence, strengthen their stage presence, and develop foundational performance skills while working collaboratively with their peers.
Perfect for aspiring triple threats, this class encourages creativity, teamwork, and a love for the stage!
Ages 8-12
Thursdays 5:30-7pm
July 30 – August 27
Tuition: $142.50

Scene Study for Young Adults (13-18)
2026-07-31 17:30 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | ARTfactory, 9419 Battle Street, Manassas, VA, 20110, United States
In the scene study class, actors will take specific scenes from movies, television, or plays and apply exercises and techniques to create believable characters and performances. Actors will work with the instructor to build on foundational skills and receive feedback to improve their craft. The class will conclude with a mini presentation of scenes and/or monologues for friends and family on the last day of class.
Please note that the second class will take place on Saturday, August 8th from 5:30-7 pm due to First Friday.
Ages 13-18
Fridays 5:30-7pm
July 31 – August 21
Registration Fee: $114

Pop-Up Books for Kids (5-8)
2026-08-01 17:00 - 18:30 (America/New_York) | ARTfactory, 9419 Battle Street, Manassas, VA, 20110, United States
Do you have a young one that loves books, stories, and art? Why not combine all their interests in this exciting new three-week class for kids!
Artist and teacher Stephanie McGee will walk students through the process of using paper to craft a story, using basic art materials to turn their ideas into cherished memories!
Once all the pages have been created, the last day will focus on binding their books into something they can be truly proud of!
All supplies will be provided.
Ages 5-8
Saturdays 5-6:30 pm
August 1-15
Registration Fee: $85.50

The Drawing Lab (8-14)
2026-08-03 08:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | ARTfactory, 9419 Battle Street, Manassas, VA, 20110, United States
This foundational course is designed to sharpen young artists’ observational skills while introducing them to the Elements of Art (line, shape, form, color, value, texture, and space) and the Principles of Design (balance, contrast, emphasis, movement, pattern, rhythm, and unity).
Through hands-on exercises, students will learn how to intentionally apply these “building blocks” to create more dynamic and balanced compositions. Whether sketching from life or imagination, participants will build a technical toolkit that serves as the base for all future artistic endeavors.
Ages 8-14
Mondays 6-8 pm
August 3-24
Class Fee: $152 Supply Fee: $6

Celebrating the 250th with Watercolors
2026-08-06 10:30 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | ARTfactory, 9419 Battle Street, Manassas, VA, 20110, United States
This year marks the 250th anniversary of the founding of our nation, and to celebrate we are offering a class focused on the defining landmarks of our country!
“From Sea to Shining Sea”, each class will focus on painting a different historic landmark, with references provided by Mike.
Please note that aside from watercolor paper, supplies will not be provided for this class. Please see this list to purchase the recommended supplies!
Ages 16+
Thursdays 10:30 am – 1 pm
August 6-27
Registration Fee: $190 Paper Fee: $5

Watercolor Basics and Beyond
2026-08-07 10:30 - 12:30 (America/New_York) | ARTfactory, 9419 Battle Street, Manassas, VA, 20110, United States
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. Watercolor paper will be provided by the instructor.
Ages 15+
Fridays 10:30 am – 12:30 pm
August 7-28
Tuition: $152 Supply Fee: $5

Acrylics Basics and Beyond
2026-08-11 10:30 - 12:30 (America/New_York) | ARTfactory, 9419 Battle Street, Manassas, VA, 20110, United States
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 is offered throughout the year with a different approach presented in each session.
Click here for a list of supplies. Canvases and boards will be provided by the instructor.
Ages 15+
Tuesdays 10:30-12:30
August 11 – September 1
Tuition: $152 Canvas Fee: $5

Journey to Composition: Into the Light
2026-08-13 16:00 - 17:30 (America/New_York) | ARTfactory, 9419 Battle Street, Manassas, VA, 20110, United States
Join us for an introduction to creating the illusion of atmosphere and depth in interiors and still life art!
Learn how light and shadow affects how we perceive objects in a limited space, such as a room or a tabletop, and how it differs from achieving depth in landscape art.
Students will come away with an understanding of the role of color, value, edges and contrast, and how to use them to improve their art. Students may work in any media. Students must bring their own supplies! Michele will provide reference photos, or students may use their own.
Ages 15+
Thursdays 4-5:30 pm
August 13 – September 3
Registration Fee: $114

Exploring Acrylics
2026-08-13 18:00 - 19:30 (America/New_York) | ARTfactory, 9419 Battle Street, Manassas, VA, 20110, United States
Join artist Michele Frantz for an evening class in acrylic painting. Quick drying, vibrant, and versatile, acrylics may be applied to a wide variety of surfaces and altered with different additives. Students new to acrylics will learn introductory basics; experienced students will improve their skills and explore new directions. Supplies will not be provided – please check the supplies list here for everything you need!
For ages 15 & up.
Thursdays 6-7:30 pm
August 13-September 3
Tuition: $114

DIY Matting and Framing
2026-08-15 13:00 - 15:30 (America/New_York) | ARTfactory, 9419 Battle Street, Manassas, VA, 20110, United States
This workshop will cover the basics of framing works on both paper and canvas, the tools and materials required, where to get them, and standards you will be expected to meet if you are thinking of entering your work in art shows.
Each participant will have the opportunity to cut a mat and go through the steps to a finished, framed work. Students will need to provide the following: an 8×10 frame (wood preferred) and a piece of art.
If the art is on paper, the image area should be either 4×6 or 5×7. If the art is on a canvas or board, it should be 8×10. All other supplies will be provided via the supply fee.
Ages 18+
Saturday, August 15th
1-3:30 pm
Registration Fee: $47.50 Supply Fee: $10

Art and Storytime
2026-08-22 10:30 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | ARTfactory, 9419 Battle Street, Manassas, VA, 20110, United States
The art of storytelling is thousands of years old. Histories or morals, each story that has existed puts pictures in the mind. Visual artists become illustrators of the world through the storytelling of their own mental images instead of words.
In this class, students will listen to a story to inspire them to create an artwork of their own impressions of the story. Students will create a 3D collage inspired by a scene from the story.
Ages 5-8
Saturday, August 22nd
10:30 am – 12 pm
Registration Fee: $28.50 Supply Fee: $5

Cartoon Character Development
2026-08-22 15:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | ARTfactory, 9419 Battle Street, Manassas, VA, 20110, United States
Great cartooning is more than just drawing—it’s about writing and world-building! In this expanded two-session workshop, students follow a professional creator’s protocol: first, designing a character’s “soul” and silhouette; second, developing a unique storyline; and finally, placing them into a detailed indoor or outdoor setting.
By focusing on the architecture of a character rather than rushing into full comics, participants will master dynamic posing and personality development to ensure their creations are ready for any adventure.
The workshop takes place in our Digital Arts Lab, offering students the best of both worlds. Whether they prefer drawing manually or want to explore our professional desktop workstations and drawing tablets, they will have the tools and time needed to refine their work.
Students will walk away with a complete character “blueprint” including varied poses, a narrative foundation, and a background scene—the essential first steps for any aspiring cartoonist or storyteller.
Ages 8-14
Saturdays 3-5 pm
August 22-29
Registration Fee: $76 Supply Fee: $6
