Virginia Art Factory

Scene Study for Young Actors (8-14)
2026-01-07 17:30 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | Baldwin Elementary School, 1978 Eagle Way, 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.
This class will meet in the Activity Room at Baldwin Elementary School except for the last class, which will be in the Wind River Theatre at the ARTfactory!!
Wednesdays 5:30-7 pm
January 7th – January 28th
Tuition: $114

Oil Painting: Still Life
2026-01-07 18:30 - 20:30 | ARTfactory, 9419 Battle Street, Manassas, VA, 20110, United States
Learn to paint various still life set ups using the fundamentals of oil painting. We will start with basic shape still lifes and learn value by using just black and white paint. Then we will paint more complex subjects and learn how to work in color.
Students will learn how to mix colors, how to paint using oils, and various techniques to build layers of value and color. Supplies are provided.
Wednesdays 6:30-8:30 pm
January 7th – February 4th
Tuition: $190 Supply Fee: $20

Adventure Story Drama
2026-01-09 10:00 - 11:00 | ARTfactory, 9419 Battle Street, Manassas, VA, 20110, United States
Do you have a little that loves to live large? Come out to our brand new theatre class for kids ages 3-5!
Students will bring beloved storybooks to life through imagination and acting exploration under the fun and expert guidance of EJ Fultz. This is an introductory class, with a new story each week, so every class is guaranteed to be a fun time. Students will grow in their excitement for theatre and reading!
Parents are encouraged to attend the class with their young ones.
Ages 3-5
Fridays 10-11 am
January 9th – January 30th
Class Fee: $76 Supplies Fee: $5
Total Fee: $81

Watercolor Basics and Beyond
2026-01-09 10:30 - 12:30 | 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.
Fridays 10:30-12:30
January 9th – February 6th
For ages 15 & up.
Tuition: $190 Supply Fee: $5

Acting Through Movement (8-12)
2026-01-09 16:30 - 2026-01-30 17:30 | ARTfactory, 9419 Battle Street, Manassas, VA, 20110, United States
Being a young actor is about more than just the lines – it’s about embodying the character through movement!
This course will dive deep into character exploration, acting technique development, and storytelling through movement. Each week, students will grow their individual acting skills, as well as their capacity to work as an ensemble.
We will learn physical acting through games, activities, and workshops, analyzing characters from fiction and real life!
Ages 8-12
Fridays 4:30-5:30 pm
January 9th – January 30th
Class Fee: $76

Face it! Kid's Portraiture
2026-01-10 10:00 - 12:00 | ARTfactory, 9419 Battle Street, Manassas, VA, 20110, United States
Who’s ready to draw some awesome faces?
In this class, you will become a portrait artist! You will start with the basics, like learning how to draw eyes, noses, and mouths, and then you will put them all together to create incredible portraits of yourself, your friends, and even your favorite characters.
You will get to experiment with a variety of art supplies, such as pencils, paint, papers and pastels, to create a gallery of amazing faces. Come join us and learn how to capture a person’s unique look and personality in your very own artwork!
Saturdays 10 am – 12 pm
January 10th – January 31st
Class Fee: $152

Sunday Sculpting
2026-01-11 10:00 - 12:00 | ARTfactory, 9419 Battle Street, Manassas, VA, 20110, United States
Instructor and artist, Lydia Bratton, will guide this class through the start to finish of creating art through sculpture. Sculpture requires patience, perseverance, and sometimes a mindset shift to achieve desired results.
Ms. B will stress the importance of trusting the process, making sculptors of all levels feel capable and confident in creating a piece they can be proud of. Students will plan and complete sculptures they can take home and enjoy.
Sculptures will be left to dry for a week, and students will return to paint their finished, dried product before taking their masterpiece home.
Sundays 10 am – 12 pm
January 11th – February 2nd
Tuition: $152 Supply Fee: $15

Bodies of Watercolor: Oceans, Lakes, and Creeks
2026-01-13 10:30 - 13:00 | ARTfactory, 9419 Battle Street, Manassas, VA, 20110, United States
Ever wanted to capture the beauty and vibrancy of running water on the page? Watercolors are your answer!
In this class, you will learn to blend washes and brushwork to create atmospheric skies and both moving and still water seascapes. Instructor Mike Flynn will teach you the techniques you need to bring bodies of water to life.
Click here for the Supply List – watercolor paper will be provided.
Tuesdays 10:30 am – 1 pm
January 13th – February 2nd
Class Fee: $190

Journey to Drawing: Exploring Pen and Ink
2026-01-15 16:00 - 17:30 | ARTfactory, 9419 Battle Street, Manassas, VA, 20110, United States
Whether you are a beginning artist or just want to improve your skills, these classes will explore the basis of all art … drawing!
This series is designed to identify fundamental drawing skills that the participants can take and develop further on their own. Participants can take one or several sessions; each session will introduce a different aspect of drawing, such as gesture, line, shading, proportions, etc.
Pen and Ink Techniques
In this class you’ll explore hatching, cross-hatching, stippling, and other techniques that allow the artist to create beautiful, detailed drawings with a simple pen.
Supplies not included – please see the Supply List here.
Thursdays 4-5:30 pm
January 15th – February 5th
Tuition: $114

Pied Piper Theatre presents Grease
2026-01-16 19:00 - 21:30 | Hylton Performing Arts Center, 10960 George Mason Circle, Manassas, VA, 20110, United States
Set to a soundtrack of iconic rock and roll, the beloved musical Grease follows a romance between hot-rodding “greaser” Danny Zuko and new girl in town Sandy Dumbrowski, as they navigate the complexities of high school and peer pressure in the 1950s.
Grease is presented by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc. a Concord Theatricals Company. www.concordtheatricals.com

Paper Shape Creations: Way Beyond Silhouettes!
2026-01-17 13:00 - 17:00 | ARTfactory, 9419 Battle Street, Manassas, VA, 20110, United States
This hands on workshop invites you to explore a fresh and playful approach to painting through the art of paper shapes.
You’ll discover how paper shapes can transform into expressive, dynamic works of art. Through demonstrations and guided exercises you’ll learn how to design with background, subject, and detailed shapes to build layered compositions that move far beyond simple silhouettes to create depth, energy, and visual storytelling.
This hands-on class emphasizes both process and creativity. You’ll discover techniques for adhering and decorating paper shapes—whether flat or raised—to bring texture, color, and dimension into your work.
By the end of the session, you’ll walk away with your own unique paper-shape creation, inspiration for future projects, and a new perspective on how shapes can become powerful tools in painting and design.
Saturday, January 17th
1-5 pm
Class Fee: $100 Supplies Fee: $5

The Art of Writing: Love in the Air
2026-01-22 18:00 - 20:00 | ARTfactory, 9419 Battle Street, Manassas, VA, 20110, United States
The Art of Writing: Love in the Air is a four-week writing workshop focused on love and romance. Valentines is coming and the season of romance has begun!
To quote Avril Lavigne: “He was a boy; she was a girl. Can I make it any more obvious?”
Actually, you can. Throughout this writing course, we’ll explore what makes fictional couples goals and how to build your own love stories into something powerful and convincing. We’ll explore how to write chemistry, yearning, and that coveted happily ever after.
By the end of the course, you’ll have a collection of fresh writing, peer feedback, and practical tools to continue your writing journey beyond the class.
Come ready to write, share, and grow.
This classis open to writers of all levels and genres.
For Ages 15+
Thursdays 6-8 pm
January 22nd – February 12th
Registration Fee: $152

Graphic Arts Marketing
2026-01-24 15:00 - 18:00
Unleash your creative potential and professionalize your artistic practice in this hands-on course focused on graphic arts marketing.
Designed for adult artists and makers, this class takes place in our digital lab, where you will learn to use Krita, the powerful and free digital painting and illustration software, to create professional marketing materials.
What You’ll Create and Learn:

Logo Design: Develop a unique and memorable logo that visually represents your artistic brand. You will learn Krita’s vector tools to design a scalable logo that works on everything from your website to a business card.

Book/Album Cover Art: Design a compelling front cover that tells a story and captures attention. We will explore composition, typography, and color theory within Krita to create a professional-grade cover for a fictional or personal project.

Promotional Graphics: Create eye-catching digital graphics for social media, email newsletters, and online announcements. Learn to use layers, brushes, and text effects in Krita to craft stunning visuals that promote your work and engage your audience.

Digital Portfolio Pieces: Transform your existing artwork into polished digital files for online display. You’ll learn to prepare and optimize your art for web and print, ensuring your portfolio looks its best.

Branding Fundamentals: Beyond the software, you’ll gain an understanding of essential marketing concepts. We will discuss how to define your target audience, craft a brand message, and apply a consistent visual identity across all your projects.

Who Should Take This Course:
This course is ideal for artists, illustrators, and designers who want to learn robust and free software to market their work. A basic understanding of computers is helpful, but no prior experience with Krita or graphic design is required. You will receive step-by-step instruction and personalized feedback in a supportive and creative environment.
Course Format:
This is a project-based workshop where you will work on your own marketing materials from start to finish. By the end of the course, you will have a small portfolio of professionally designed marketing assets created entirely in Krita, giving you the confidence and tools to take your art career to the next level.
Saturday January 24th
3-6 pm

Class Fee: $57

The Joy of Mixing Color: A Paint Workshop
2026-01-28 11:00 - 16:00 | ARTfactory, 9419 Battle Street, Manassas, VA, 20110, United States
Are you overwhelmed by color choices and still not getting the results you want in your paintings? This is a playful, practical workshop designed for artists who want to take control of their palette, understand color mixtures, and use color confidently to create mood, light, and harmony in their work.
Developed for a national conference for artists, this workshop will help you finally make sense of limited palettes, color schemes, and the effects of light. You’ll work in fast-drying acrylics to explore mutes, tones, tints, shades, color relativity, and color psychology—so you can apply what you learn right away.
You’ll leave with a clearer understanding of how color works and how to make it work for you.
All supplies provided via the supplies fee.
Saturday, February 28th
11 am – 4 pm
Class Fee: $150 Supplies Fee: $20

Crash Course to Drawing
2026-01-31 11:00 - 16:00 | ARTfactory, 9419 Battle Street, Manassas, VA, 20110, United States
Jumpstart your drawing skills in just five hours!
Ready to finally feel confident with your drawing? This 5-hour intensive workshop is designed to give you a strong foundation in the essentials: composition, proportion, and accuracy. You’ll learn to see like an artist, simplify complex forms, and capture not just “a dog,” but JoJo the dog—unique and true to life.
Artist and Instructor Christine Raymond will take you through guided demonstrations and hands-on exercises, you’ll sharpen your eye, build control, and complete a finished still-life drawing using all the techniques covered. Whether you’re a total beginner or a painter looking to strengthen your drawing skills, this crash course will give you tools you can use right away.
All materials provided. Just bring your sketchbook and a set of pencils—everything else is ready for you.
Saturday, January 31st
11 am – 4 pm
Class Fee: $150

Monologue Study for Young Adults (13-18)
2026-02-03 17:30 - 19:00 | ARTfactory, 9419 Battle Street, Manassas, VA, 20110, United States
Solo performance can be frightening for those who haven’t had an opportunity to grow their skills. This course is the perfect place to get more comfortable with performing monologues and owning the stage solo.
Through theatre games, activities, tailored rehearsals, and individualized feedback, students will be ready to perform solo pieces with confidence and style at our final group presentation.
Thursdays 5:30-7 pm
February 3rd – February 24th
Class Fee: $114

Kid's Theatre Exploration (8-12)
2026-02-05 17:30 - 19:00 | Baldwin Elementary School, 1978 Eagle Way, Manassas, VA, 20110, United States
Do you have a young actor yearning to explore the world of theatre? In this class, instructor Shelby Mejia will guide students through theatre basics and techniques that they can either carry with them as they advance in the craft, or even use in their day to day lives.
This exploration will be done using theatre games, scene work, improvisation practice, character development, and storytelling techniques.
This class will meet at Baldwin Elementary School in the Activity Room!!
Ages 8-12
Thursdays 5:30-7pm
February 5th – February 26th
Tuition: $114

Digital Arts: World Adventures
2026-02-07 10:00 - 12:00 | ARTfactory, 9419 Battle Street, Manassas, VA, 20110, United States
Get ready for a digital art adventure!
In this class, we will use our computers and tablets to travel the globe and discover amazing places, from the dazzling lights of a bustling city to the peaceful beauty of a remote mountain. We will explore famous landmarks, natural wonders, and cultural treasures from around the world.
Inspired by our virtual travels, we will use digital tools to draw, paint, and create our own unique compositions, learning new techniques and bringing these breathtaking scenes to life on the screen.
Saturdays 10 am – 12 pm
February 7th – February 28th
Class Fee: $152

Oil Painting: Pet Portraits
2026-02-11 18:30 - 20:30 | ARTfactory, 9419 Battle Street, Manassas, VA, 20110, United States
Learn to Paint your beloved pet (dog, cat, rabbit, horse?) Students will bring in a few photos to choose to use as their reference to paint from. You will learn the basics of oils, learning to mix, drawing your pet, and blocking in shapes and values, adding color, textures and details.
Under the expert guidance of Emily Thomson, you will progress and build up the paint layers to make a complete painting.
Wednesdays 6:30-8:30 pm
February 11th – March 11th
Class Fee: $190 Supplies Fee: $20

Acrylics Basics and Beyond
2026-02-17 18:30 - 20:30 | ARTfactory, 9419 Battle Street, Manassas, VA, 20110, United States
Join artist Michele Frantz for a 5 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.
Tuesdays 10:30-12:30
February 17th – March 17th
For ages 15 & up.
Tuition: $190 Canvas Fee: $5

Watercolor Basics and Beyond
2026-02-20 10:30 - 12:30 | 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.
Fridays 10:30 am – 12:30 pm
February 20th – March 20th
For ages 15 & up.
Tuition: $190 Supply Fee: $5

Journey to Drawing: Drawing Animals
2026-02-26 16:00 - 17:30 | ARTfactory, 9419 Battle Street, Manassas, VA, 20110, United States
Drawing Animals!
Learn the basic shapes of animals and how to develop them into life-like creations!
Whether you are a beginning artist or just want to improve your skills, these classes will explore the basis of all art … drawing!
This series is designed to identify fundamental drawing skills that the participants can take and develop further on their own. Participants can take one or several sessions; each session will introduce a different aspect of drawing, such as gesture, line, shading, proportions, etc.
Drawing Animals
In this session you’ll tackle drawing our wonderful furry and feathered friends. If you have some experience, you may work in any medium you like. If you are just beginning, we recommend you start with pencil or charcoal.
Supplies not included – please use the link below to purchase!
Supply List
Thursdays 4-5:30 pm
February 26th – March 19th
Ages 15+
Tuition: $114

Exploring Acrylics
2026-02-26 18:00 - 19:30 | 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.
Thursdays 6-7:30 pm
February 26th – March 19th
For ages 15 & up.
Tuition: $114

College Audition Prep: A Musical Theatre Workshop
2026-02-28 14:00 - 17:00 | ARTfactory, 9419 Battle Street, Manassas, VA, 20110, United States
This workshop is designed to inform and empower students to feel their best going into audition scenarios.
Topics covered include:
– Picking a song
– Selecting a cut
– Finding Sheet music
– Audition Etiquette
This workshop will be a mixture of teacher lecture/presentation, group analysis (identifying and assessing good and bad examples), and pre-selected students performing in a masterclass setting.
As a part of the masterclass, the instructor will demonstrate some examples of “what to do when things go wrong” where the pianist makes some intentional mistakes allowing the students to figure out how to respond live in the moment.
Participants that want to participate in the masterclass portion must submit a 30-60 second video singing a song they are comfortable with to alex@virginiaartfactory.org.
Saturday, February 28th
2-5 pm
Class Fee: $57
