Due to the potential for icy conditions on Thursday evening, February 18, youth studio classes have been cancelled. For questions, please email youthstudio@vmfa.museum.
Youth and Family Studio Programs at VMFA are generously supported by R.E.B. Foundation.
View Program GuidelinesKids Studio classes run September-May.
Registration Information
Registration for summer 2021 programs begins April 5 for current VMFA members and April 12 for non-members.
Browse the Spring 2021 Classes and Programs Catalog
Learn about our response to COVID-19 here
Youth Studio Programs
Afterschool Art Club at VMFA- ages 5–8
Thursdays
4:30 – 6 pm
Art Education Center, Studio 2
$25 (VMFA members $20), per class
Enrollment Limit: 8
Special Offer
Receive a $2 discount per class when you register for six or more After School Art Club classes! Available only by phone at 804.340.1405.
Note: Classes are nonrefundable and cannot be transferred to another class. Be sure to mark your calendars.

[CA20] Wacky Paper Sculpture
Thu, Feb 25, 4:30–6 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 2
Tiffany Glass Ferreira
Ages 5–8 | Combine and shape a variety of colorful papers to create a composition that jumps off the page. Fold, curl, weave, and paste together pieces to form a unique three-dimensional work.
$25 (VMFA members $20)

[CA21] Self Portraits
Thu, Mar 4, 4:30–6 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 2
Tiffany Glass Ferreira
Ages 5–8 | Ease into self-portraiture with practice exercises to draw your own facial features. Look closely at your reflection to find drawing inspiration that is always by your side—you!
$25 (VMFA members $20)

[CA22] Beaded Friendship Bracelets
Thu, Mar 11, 4:30–6 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 2
Tiffany Glass Ferreira
Ages 5–8 | Design wearable art for you and a friend! Challenge yourself to complete the same pattern twice or express your style with inspiration from beaded works on art in VMFA’s collection.
$25 (VMFA members $20)

[CA23] Ceramic Vessels
Thu, Mar 18, 4:30–6 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 2
Tiffany Glass Ferreira
Ages 5–8 |Try your hand at pinch pots, elbow molds, and carved motifs. Use clay tools to embellish air-dry clay containers for storing precious items or keepsakes.
$25 (VMFA members $20)

[CA24] Fabulous Floral Painting
Thu, Mar 25, 4:30–6 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 2
Tiffany Glass Ferreira
Ages 5–8 | Expand your painting skills with a large canvas of spring blooms. Be inspired by colorful flowers found in VMFA’s collection and grounds while learning techniques for layering and mixing paints.
$25 (VMFA members $20)

[CA25] Robot Drawing
Thu, Apr 1, 4:30–6 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 2
Tiffany Glass Ferreira
Ages 5–8 | Fast and fun drawing tips will turn geometric shapes into imaginative robots. Start with guided drawing exercises to originate your very own designs, features, and robotic skills. Class does not meet on Apr 8, during spring break.
$25 (VMFA members $20)

[CA26] Weaving Basics
Thu, Apr 15, 4:30–6 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 2
Tiffany Glass Ferreira
Ages 5–8 | Working on a circular loom is a fun and simplified weaving method that has been used for centuries. Investigate fiber arts in VMFA’s collection to start your textile adventure, the weave with yarn in the studio. Looms and extra yarn can be taken home to finish your project or make more.
$25 (VMFA members $20)

[CA27] Pastel Flowers
Thu, Apr 22, 4:30–6 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 2
Tiffany Glass Ferreira
Ages 5–8 | Draw inspiration from real garden blooms and VMFA’s collection of still life paintings. Learn to blend primary colors to make a variety of flowers with pastels.
$25 (VMFA members $20)

[CA28] Colors of the Rainbow
Thu, Apr 29, 4:30–6 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 2
Tiffany Glass Ferreira
Ages 5–8 | Experiment with paint color ratios and recipes to create any color you can imagine! Use your new skills to paint a wonderful rainbow-inspired landscape.
$25 (VMFA members $20)

[CA29] Mosaics for Me
Thu, May 6, 4:30–6 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 2
Tiffany Glass Ferreira
Ages 5–8 | Discover how the ancient technique of making mosaics uses many small parts to create a whole image. Piece together your own colorful mosaics with tiny paper “tiles,” customized for a celebration of you!
$25 (VMFA members $20)

[CA30] Natural Impressionist
Thu, May 13, 4:30–6 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 2
Tiffany Glass Ferreira
Ages 5–8 | Paint like an Impressionist with quick brush strokes, easy breezy compositions, and an emphasis on everyday scenes in nature, like paintings by the Impressionists in VMFA’s collection.
$25 (VMFA members $20)
Foundations in Art at VMFA- ages 9–12
Thursdays (3-session classes)
4:30 – 6 pm
Art Education Center, Studio 1
Enrollment Limit: 8
$70 (VMFA members $60)

[CF20] Patterns & Textiles
Thu, Feb 25, 4:30–6 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 1
Dan Kaczka
Ages 9–12 | Discover patchwork masterpieces by the women quilters of Gee's Bend—a small, remote Black community in the South—and develop your own improvisational patterns and expressive designs.
$25 (VMFA members $20)

[CF21] Big Art with Tiny Stuff
Thu, Mar 4, 4:30–6 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 1
Dan Kaczka
Ages 9–12 | Begin Women’s History Month by drawing inspiration from Tara Donovan’s work featured in VMFA’s collection. Be ready to make a large work of art using tiny objects to convey personal meaning.
$25 (VMFA members $20)

[CF22] Florals and Femme
Thu, Mar 11, 4:30–6 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 1
Dan Kaczka
Ages 9–12 | Discover how subjects that may be considered feminine can be bold and powerful! Observe Georgia O’Keeffe’s floral painting to motivate your own expressive imagery rooted in nature.
$25 (VMFA members $20)

[CF23] Impressionist Portraits
Thu, Mar 18, 4:30–6 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 1
Dan Kaczka
Ages 9–12 | Enjoy painting quick, expressive portraits in the style of Impressionism. Be inspired by artists like Mary Cassatt and other Impressionist painters, noting use of short brush strokes and contrasting color combinations.
$25 (VMFA members $20)

[CF24] Abstract Painting
Thu, Mar 25, 4:30–6 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 1
Dan Kaczka
Ages 9–12 | Use gestural marks and expressive colors to loosen up and get bold. Focus on principles of design such as pattern, contrast, emphasis, balance, harmony, space, and movement.
$25 (VMFA members $20)

[CF25] Portraits with Dimension
Thu, Apr 1, 4:30–6 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 1
Dan Kaczka
Ages 9–12 | Sculpt a low-relief portrait from modeling material using additive sculpting and subtractive carving methods. Be inspired by characters of mythical gods, goddesses, and creatures to embellish facial features. Class does not meet on Apr 8, during spring break.
$25 (VMFA members $20)

[CF26] Plaster Projects
Thu, Apr 15, 4:30–6 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 1
Dan Kaczka
Ages 9–12 | Bend and shape wire to form an armature or “skeleton” then cover with plaster gauze to create a fun, figurative sculpture.
$25 (VMFA members $20)

[CF27] Beading Basics
Thu, Apr 22, 4:30–6 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 1
Dan Kaczka
Ages 9–12 | Be amazed by the intricate beadwork, patterns, and motifs in Native American arts, from clothing to basketry. Practice basic beading techniques to make a bracelet or artwork of your choice, and get a feel for this labor-intensive art form.
$25 (VMFA members $20)

[CF28] Dream Architects
Thu, Apr 29, 4:30–6 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 1
Dan Kaczka
Ages 9–12 | Be amazed by the intricate beadwork, patterns, and motifs in Native American arts, from clothing to basketry. Practice basic beading techniques to make a bracelet or artwork of your choice, and get a feel for this labor-intensive art form.
$25 (VMFA members $20)

[CF29] Painting with Style
Thu, May 6, 4:30–6 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 1
Dan Kaczka
Ages 9–12 | Explore different artistic styles in master paintings throughout the galleries. Develop your own style while working with acrylic painting mediums on canvas.
$25 (VMFA members $20)

[CF30] Painting with Watercolors
Thu, May 13, 4:30–6 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 1
Dan Kaczka
Ages 9–12 | Enjoy learning new watercolor painting techniques using artist quality pigments, brushes, and papers.
$25 (VMFA members $20)
Kids Discover... at VMFA- ages 5–8
Select Saturdays
1 – 4 pm
Art Education Center | Studio 2
Enrollment Limit: TBD
$30 (VMFA members $25)

[CD7] Drawing Pets & Portraits
Sat, Mar 6, 1–4 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 2
Tiffany Glass Ferreira
Ages 5–8 | Receive a sketchbook and visit the galleries to capture artistic animals and figures in master works. Sharpen your drawing skills in the studios by learning tips and tricks for illustrating pets and portraits.
$30 (VMFA members $25)

[CD8] Flower Power
Sat, Mar 20, 1–4 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 2
Elizabeth Daly
Ages 5–8 | Spring into the season by using fresh blooms and organic materials in your art! Learn how artists are endlessly inspired by natural beauty and use real flowers as tools and mediums.
$30 (VMFA members $25)

[CD9] Terrific Textiles
Sat, Apr 17, 1–4 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 2
Tiffany Glass Ferreira
Ages 5–8 | Enjoy painting and printing on fabrics! Custom design your own canvas tote, tee, and more—learn about elements of design while creating fashionable art and accessories.
$30 (VMFA members $25)

[CD10] Artistic Sense
Sat, May 1, 1–4 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 2
Elizabeth Daly
Ages 5–8 | Use your senses to make art. See inspirational works in the galleries, hear music and paint to the beat, touch and add different textures to artworks, and smell fragrant still life objects.
$30 (VMFA members $25)
Art Explorers at VMFA- ages 9–12
Select Saturdays
1 – 4 pm
Art Education Center | Studio 1
Enrollment limit: TBD
$30 (VMFA members $25)

[CE7] Intro to Manga
Sat, Mar 6, 1–4 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 1
Anh Do
Ages 9–12 | Learn about the history of manga illustration! Explore the art and culture of this Japanese-style comic art through lecture and drawing exercises.
$30 (VMFA members $25)

[CE8] Studio Explorations
Sat, Mar 20, 1–4 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 1
Sandi Wiley
Ages 9–12 | Explore a variety of painting and mixed media techniques that focus on textures and design elements. Use traditional and nontraditional applications to create expressive works of art.
$30 (VMFA members $25)

[CE9] Tinker Studio
Sat, Apr 17, 1–4 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 1
Dan Kaczka
Ages 9–12 | Be inspired by modern sculpture and assemblage! Safely use tools and methods to alter assorted materials such as scrap wire, old hardware, and used bike parts, to engineer innovative art objects.
$30 (VMFA members $25)

[CE10] Inspirational Ceramics
Sat, May 1, 1–4 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 1
Lindsay Steele
Ages 9–12 | Be moved by the cultural history and art of Native American ceramics. Investigate form and pattern while drawing from observation. With air-dry clay, practice hand building techniques and applications reminiscent of pottery from different communities.
$30 (VMFA members $25)