
“Nostalgia” Opening Reception
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.
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.

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.

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. […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]



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 […]
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 […]


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! […]



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 […]

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, […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 - […]

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 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 […]

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 […]

Join us for a six week course exploring the fun and versatile medium gouache! Students will paint three different nature subjects- floral landscape, butterflies and birds! Learn how to mix colors, and how to use the gouache paint as a wash and in thicker more opaque applications to build layers and details. All supplies will […]