Wednesday, May 16  7:00 - 9:00 pm Tuition: $80 Special newsletter price $40 Use mosaic50 in coupon box and pay only $40 This mosaic workshop ensures a relaxed, fun, no pressure atmosphere for students to explore and develop their own individual creativity. In just two hours of hands-on learning you will create your own one-of-a-kind mosaic mirror. Explore the wide range of mosaic materials in this class –stained glass, broken china, tiles and found objects. All materials are included and feel free to bring your own treasures such as jewelry pieces, broken plates and teacups, scrabble tiles….you name it. Students pick up their mirrors two weeks later after they have been grouted by the teacher.        

Grades 6-12 Wednesday 5/16 3:30-6:00 pm Tuition: $20 per session Drop-In. During Open Studio Painting/Drawing our students get to explore a variety of drawing materials while sharpening their observational and technical skills. All levels welcome, including "beginner beginner" to young prodigy. For our drawers we will have a variety of materials, including charcoal, pencils and colored pencils as well as sketch paper.  Students interested in painting will enjoy learning first-hand, how to mix colors, apply paint using a variety of techniques, and create dynamic compositions in both representational (from observation) and non-objective (not from observation) types of artwork. Students will work in acrylic paint, which is supplied by VisArts, along with canvas boards. Students wishing to use stretched canvas can purchase an 11 x 14 canvas for $4.00 from VisArts.  This is a drop-in class,  but there is a 5 percent discount for buying 5 sessions at once, or 10 percent discount for buying 10 sessions at one time. To purchase discounts come to the administrative office or call 301-315-8200 x101.

Fundamentals of Woodworking - May 12, 2012 and May 13th,2012 6:30pm-9:30pm Instructor: Les Henig Skill Level: Beginner Class Size: 5 Description: Whether you’re an absolute novice or just haven’t done any woodworking since junior high, this class is a great starting point! You’ll make a desktop adjustable shelf while learning how to use many of the tools in our shop. We’ll also cover selecting and purchasing lumber, sharpening techniques, and finishing. Tuition: $270.00

Learn from the experts how to create a portfolio, including methods for photographing works of art, proper archival techniques for protecting your artwork, and presentation tips from students accepted to college art programs. VisArts is pleased to present this workshop in conjunction with the 2012 Congressional Art Competition for High School Students, on view in the Kaplan Gallery from April 26 through May 17 (Opening Reception: Saturday, May 5, 1– 3 p.m.).

Saturday, May 12 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm Tuition: $50 Create your own beautiful fused glass plate in one fun two-hour session. Students of all skill levels will cut and layer glass, use frit and stringers and produce a beautiful 6 x 6  plate or 4 x 8 dish. You design and create the work of art and leave it for us to let the kilns work their magic. Come back two weeks later and be prepared to be amazed.

Thursday, May 10 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm It's Springtime and Time to Paint In Bright Colors! We provide the partially sketched 11 x 14 canvas, paint, brushes, easels, paints, apron and instructor. We also provide the cups, mixers and snacks and red and white wine. You won't walk out of here as a master, but you sure can have a very nice copy of one. It's a perfect chance to learn the basics of acrylic painting while enjoying the company of friends and other creative folks. Our instructors will help you whether you are a total beginner or looking to brush up your skills and paint in a social setting.   To register using a Groupon: Fill out all your information on the registration form. On the second page of the form, enter in the word "Groupon" in the "Visarts Code" box. Enter your 8 letter confirmation code in the "Deal Code" box.

Thursday, May 10 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm Tuition: $50 Create your own beautiful fused glass plate in one fun two-hour session. Students of all skill levels will cut and layer glass, use frit and stringers and produce a beautiful 6 x 6  plate or 4 x 8 dish. You design and create the work of art and leave it for us to let the kilns work their magic. Come back two weeks later and be prepared to be amazed.

Paul Jeanes talks about his process-driven painting practice. Influenced by the ideas of writer James Elkins, who describes painting as a mixture of alchemy and chance, Jeanes considers how improvisation and a set of instinctive rules guide his choices. This special Artist Talk is being held in conjunction with the exhibition Paul Jeanes: The Arousing, on view in Gibbs Street Gallery, April 25 – May 25.

Wednesday, May 9  7:00 - 9:00 pm Tuition: $80 Special newsletter price $40 Use mosaic50 in coupon box and pay only $40 This mosaic workshop ensures a relaxed, fun, no pressure atmosphere for students to explore and develop their own individual creativity. In just two hours of hands-on learning you will create your own one-of-a-kind mosaic mirror. Explore the wide range of mosaic materials in this class –stained glass, broken china, tiles and found objects. All materials are included and feel free to bring your own treasures such as jewelry pieces, broken plates and teacups, scrabble tiles….you name it. Students pick up their mirrors two weeks later after they have been grouted by the teacher.        

Grades 6-12 Wednesdays May 9  3:30-6:00pm Tuition: $20 per session Drop-In. During Open Studio Painting/Drawing our students get to explore a variety of drawing materials while sharpening their observational and technical skills. All levels welcome, including "beginner beginner" to young prodigy. For our drawers we will have a variety of materials, including charcoal, pencils and colored pencils as well as sketch paper.  Students interested in painting will enjoy learning first-hand, how to mix colors, apply paint using a variety of techniques, and create dynamic compositions in both representational (from observation) and non-objective (not from observation) types of artwork. Students will work in acrylic paint, which is supplied by VisArts, along with canvas boards. Students wishing to use stretched canvas can purchase an 11 x 14 canvas for $4.00 from VisArts.  This is a drop-in class,  but there is a 5 percent discount for buying 5 sessions at once, or 10 percent discount for buying 10 sessions at one time. To purchase discounts come to the administrative office or call 301-315-8200 x101.

Sunday, May 6 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm Tuition: $20 Special Mother's Day Tuition: $15.00 We provide the partially sketched 11 x 14 canvas, paint, brushes, easels, apron and instructor.  And to keep your creative energies up, we provide juice and snacks. Children love to create and this is the perfect way to give them access to a fun canvas and acrylic experience. Its also a perfect place to make that unforgettable one-of a kind Mother's Day gift! We will have several of our pre-skecthed canvas available for them to choose from or they can do theur own original work of art for Mom. If desired, children under 12 may be accompanied by one adult, but only one canvas is provided.

Japanese Woodworking & Design - May 5, 2012 10am-5pm Instructor: Adrian Summers Skill Level: Beginner Class Size: 5 Allow Adrian to introduce you to the basic tools and techniques of Japanese Woodworking. To start the class you will focus on creating a handmade layout square for marking and measuring as well as handmade sanding blocks to fit the contour of your hand. Discover how to correctly use a marking knife as well as how to cut a straight line with the pull saw. In the later part of the class you will design and construct Saw Ponies. If you have ever needed a large work table, but don’t have enough room to make a permanent solution, simply lay any flat surface onto your new handmade saw ponies to create a quick space to work. You will learn how to hand chop a lap joint and carve the shoulders of the ponies with a mallet & chisels. Other techniques include how to trim joints with a slick and how to use handmade sanding blocks to get a perfect fit. Cost: $210

Grades 6-12 Wednesday May 2  3:30-6:00pm Tuition: $20 per session Drop-In. During Open Studio Painting/Drawing our students get to explore a variety of drawing materials while sharpening their observational and technical skills. All levels welcome, including "beginner beginner" to young prodigy. For our drawers we will have a variety of materials, including charcoal, pencils and colored pencils as well as sketch paper.  Students interested in painting will enjoy learning first-hand, how to mix colors, apply paint using a variety of techniques, and create dynamic compositions in both representational (from observation) and non-objective (not from observation) types of artwork. Students will work in acrylic paint, which is supplied by VisArts, along with canvas boards. Students wishing to use stretched canvas can purchase an 11 x 14 canvas for $4.00 from VisArts.  This is a drop-in class,  but there is a 5 percent discount for buying 5 sessions at once, or 10 percent discount for buying 10 sessions at one time. To purchase discounts come to the administrative office or call 301-315-8200 x101.

Tuesday, May 1  7:00 - 9:00 pm Tuition: $80 This mosaic workshop ensures a relaxed, fun, no pressure atmosphere for students to explore and develop their own individual creativity. In just two hours of hands-on learning you will create your own one-of-a-kind mosaic mirror. Explore the wide range of mosaic materials in this class –stained glass, broken china, tiles and found objects. All materials are included and feel free to bring your own treasures such as jewelry pieces, broken plates and teacups, scrabble tiles….you name it. Students pick up their mirrors two weeks later after they have been grouted by the teacher.  

Tuesday, May 1 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm It's Springtime and Time to Paint In Bright Colors! We provide the partially sketched 11 x 14 canvas, paint, brushes, easels, paints, apron and instructor. We also provide the cups, mixers and snacks and red and white wine. You won't walk out of here as a master, but you sure can have a very nice copy of one. It's a perfect chance to learn the basics of acrylic painting while enjoying the company of friends and other creative folks. Our instructors will help you whether you are a total beginner or looking to brush up your skills and paint in a social setting.   To register using a Groupon: Fill out all your information on the registration form. On the second page of the form, enter in the word "Groupon" in the "Visarts Code" box. Enter your 8 letter confirmation code in the "Deal Code" box.

Fundamentals of Woodworking - April 30, 2012- May 3,2012 6:30pm-9:30pm Instructor: Les Henig Skill Level: Beginner Class Size: 5 Description: Whether you’re an absolute novice or just haven’t done any woodworking since junior high, this class is a great starting point! You’ll make a desktop adjustable shelf while learning how to use many of the tools in our shop. We’ll also cover selecting and purchasing lumber, sharpening techniques, and finishing. Tuition: $270.00

Sunday, April 29 2:00-4:00pm Tuition: $20 We provide the partially sketched 11 x 14 canvas, paint, brushes, easels, apron and instructor.  And to keep your creative energies up, we provide juice and snacks. It's a perfect chance to learn the basics of acrylic painting while enjoying the company of friends and other creative folks. Each session we will be working on a different painting, please be sure to pick the painting you want, as registrations are not transferable between nights (because of space restrictions.) Each registration gives entrance to one person and one canvas. Children under 12 may be accompanied by one adult, but only one canvas is provided.

Friday, April 27 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm It's Springtime and Time to Paint In Bright Colors! We provide the partially sketched 11 x 14 canvas, paint, brushes, easels, paints, apron and instructor. We also provide the cups, mixers and snacks and red and white wine. You won't walk out of here as a master, but you sure can have a very nice copy of one. It's a perfect chance to learn the basics of acrylic painting while enjoying the company of friends and other creative folks. Our instructors will help you whether you are a total beginner or looking to brush up your skills and paint in a social setting.   To register using a Groupon: Fill out all your information on the registration form. On the second page of the form, enter in the word "Groupon" in the "Visarts Code" box. Enter your 8 letter confirmation code in the "Deal Code" box.

Thursday April 26 7:00–9:00 pm Tuition: $30 In the pottery world it's the wheel that gets all of the attention. VisArts ceramics teachers will show you that handbuilding can be fun and produce lovely results with little or no experience. Working with slabs you will construct and decorate a ceramic pocket hanger. You create, then the instructor will glaze it for you in the color glaze you select and you pick it up 10 days later. You will want to come back and make more, we promise.

Grades 6-12 Wednesdays April 25  3:30- Tuition: $20 per session Drop-In. During Open Studio Painting/Drawing our students get to explore a variety of drawing materials while sharpening their observational and technical skills. All levels welcome, including "beginner beginner" to young prodigy. For our drawers we will have a variety of materials, including charcoal, pencils and colored pencils as well as sketch paper.  Students interested in painting will enjoy learning first-hand, how to mix colors, apply paint using a variety of techniques, and create dynamic compositions in both representational (from observation) and non-objective (not from observation) types of artwork. Students will work in acrylic paint, which is supplied by VisArts, along with canvas boards. Students wishing to use stretched canvas can purchase an 11 x 14 canvas for $4.00 from VisArts.  This is a drop-in class,  but there is a 5 percent discount for buying 5 sessions at once, or 10 percent discount for buying 10 sessions at one time. To purchase discounts come to the administrative office or call 301-315-8200 x101.