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Studio Art Classes¬
About Studio Art Classes¬
FALL + WINTER 2026 CLASS REGISTRATION IS OPEN!
These classes are inspired by the art and ideas explored in our upcoming exhibitions Made in VA Biennial and Vivian Chiu: From Here.
No matter your age or experience, we’re here to help you embrace your inner artist and enjoy exceptional and exciting hands-on art experiences right here in Virginia Beach.
Every exhibition cycle, we work with teaching artists to develop studio classes inspired by the art on view in our galleries. Our goal is to inspire our visitors to engage with contemporary art through a variety of artists, creative media, techniques, and ideas.
VIEW AT-A-GLANCE CLASS CALENDAR →
What’s included? Studio Art Class costs include tuition, studio fees, and supplies. Tuition compensates instructors for their time and expertise, studio fees cover the facility and its equipment, and supply fees cover the cost of materials specific to the class or workshop. If students must purchase or bring in additional items, this will always be noted in the class description.
What about refunds? Refunds are available only if a course is canceled by Virginia MOCA due to low enrollment. Students who cancel enrollment 7 days before the course start date will receive a tuition credit which can only be applied to another class at Virginia MOCA.
YOUTH SCHOLARSHIPS FOR ART CLASSES ARE AVAILABLE!
Thanks to the support of our generous donors, Virginia MOCA offers full, need-based scholarships for children and teens to participate in art education. Simply submit an application using the form below:
ART IN THE ATRIUM¬
Discover the joy of art-making in our beautiful, sunlit atrium. These workshops are designed to be accessible to all ages and skill levels, providing a welcoming environment for everyone to explore their creativity, build confidence, and learn new skills.
Click on class title for detailed class descriptions and registration.
Inspired by artist Julia Kwon’s silk Korean quilt, created in the tradition of bojagi, we’ll explore the rich history of Korean textile and fiber arts through another traditional material: hanji, handmade Korean paper. Using colorful mulberry paper and fibers, participants will experiment with tearing, layering, and attaching paper to create a no-glue, textile-inspired collage that echoes the patchwork qualities of bojagi.
Sunday, January 24, 2027
11:00 AM–1:00 PM
Members $25; Nonmembers $30
MASTER CLASSES¬
MASTER CLASS WITH ELISSA ARMSTRONG: CERAMIC DECALS AND SURFACE DECORATION
Join Made in VA Biennial exhibiting artist Elissa Armstrong for a hands-on master class exploring ceramic decals and surface decoration through the lens of her artistic practice.
Saturday, February 6, 2027
10:00 AM–2:30 PM
Members $70; Nonmembers $85
ART CLASSES FOR ADULTS¬
All adult classes are appropriate for ages 16+
Classes are welcome to all levels; no prior experience required.
Click on class title for detailed class descriptions and registration.
CERAMICS: BEGINNER WHEEL-THROWING WORKSHOP
Friday, September 25, 2026
6:00–9:00 PM
Teaching Artist: Katie Kron
Members $60; Nonmembers $75
Sunday, November 15, 2026
12:00–3:00 PM
Teaching Artist: Rachel “RJ”Jaffe
Members $75; Nonmembers $90
STAINED GLASS SUNCATCHER WORKSHOP
Sunday, September 27
10:00 AM–2:00 PM
Teaching Artist: Sue Hill
Members $100; Nonmembers $115
STAINED GLASS ORNAMENT WORKSHOP
Saturday, December 5, 2026
10:00 AM–2:00 PM
Teaching Artist: Sue Hill
Members $100; Nonmembers $115
Sunday, January 10, 2027
10:00 AM–2:00 PM
Teaching Artist: Sue Hill
Members $100; Nonmembers $115
OIL PAINTING
Explore the fundamentals of oil painting, including color mixing, composition, value, brushwork, and techniques for creating depth, texture, and light.
FALL SESSION
Wednesdays, September 23–October 28, 2026 (6 sessions)
6:00–8:30 PM
WINTER SESSION
Wednesdays, January 13–February 17, 2027 (6 sessions)
6:00–8:30 PM
Teaching Artist: Rowena Federico Finn
Members $225; Nonmembers $240
Tuesdays, September 15–October 20
10:00 AM–12:00 PM (October 6 meets 5:30–7:30 PM)
Members $165; Nonmembers $180
Please Note: This class meets entirely at off-site locations and does not meet at the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art.
DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY: PORTRAITS
Friday, October 23, 2026
10:00 AM–4:00 PM
Members $85, Nonmembers $100
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR ARTISTS: BUILDING YOUR VISUAL IDENTITY
Friday, September 25, 2026
10:00 AM–3:00 PM
Members $65, Nonmembers $80
DRAWING SURVEY
Get inspired by the world around you through foundational drawing techniques in graphite and ink.
6 sessions
1:00–3:00 PM
Members $180; Nonmembers $195
FALL WEEKEND
Sundays, October 18–November 22, 2026
Teaching Artist: Nadd Harvin
FALL DAYTIME
Fridays, September 18–October 23, 2026
Teaching Artist: Rowena Federico Finn
WINTER WEEKEND
Sundays, January 24–February 28, 2027
Teaching Artist: Rowena Federico Finn
CERAMICS: WHEEL-THROWN VESSELS
Sundays, September 27–November 1, 2026 (6 sessions)
12:30–3:00 PM
Teaching Artist: Anna Freeman
ART CLASSES FOR FAMILIES¬
These family-centered classes are designed for school-age children and their accompanying adult. Each child must be accompanied by an adult, and all participants (adults and children) must register. Supplies will be provided for each person to create their own artworks.
Click on class titles for detailed class descriptions and registration.
FAMILY CERAMIC WORKSHOP: CLAY BOWLS
Saturday, September 26
12:00–3:00 PM
Teaching Artist: Rachel “RJ” Jaffe
Members $60; Nonmembers $75
FAMILY CERAMIC WORKSHOP: LIGHT-UP CLAY HOUSES
Saturday, November 7, 2026
12:00–3:00 PM
Teaching Artist: Rachel “RJ” Jaffe
Members $60; Nonmembers $75
FAMILY WORKSHOP: COLLABORATIVE COLLAGE ON CANVAS
Saturday, February 20, 2027
10:00 AM–12:20 PM
Teaching Artist: Heidi Joy Delacruz
Members $60, Nonmembers $75
ART CLASSES FOR KIDS AGES 2–5 (WITH CAREGIVER)¬
Relax, have fun, and create in a playful studio designed for our youngest artists! Each session encourages hands-on discovery with paints, sensory materials, and simple tools that support early fine motor development, sensory awareness, and creative confidence. Young artists will draw inspiration from original artworks to spark their own process-based creations, while caregivers receive helpful tips for supporting and sharing in the artistic journey.
FIRST ART
Ages 2–5 (with caregiver)
10:00–11:30 AM
Members $20; Nonmembers $25
Teaching Artist: Katie Kron
UPCOMING SESSIONS:
Register here for the session(s) you would like to attend. You can sign up for multiple sessions at one time!
Saturday, September 19
Friday, September 25
Friday, October 16
Saturday, October 17
Friday, November 6
Saturday, November 7
Friday, December 4
Saturday, December 19
Friday, January 15
Saturday, January 23
Friday, February 12
Saturday, February 20
Friday, March 5
Saturday, March 13
ART CLASSES FOR KIDS AGES 6–8¬
SATURDAY IN THE STUDIO: AGES 6–8
Explore printmaking, painting, drawing, and mixed media across several sessions! Learn foundational techniques in each medium while creating your own projects and drawing inspiration from contemporary artists and Museum artworks. All materials provided.
FALL SESSION
Saturdays, September 12–October 24, 2026 (Skip October 10)
6 sessions
10:00 AM–12:00 PM
Teaching Artist: Renee Calway
Members $180; Nonmembers $195
WINTER SESSION
Saturdays, January 9–February 13, 2027
6 sessions
10:00 AM–12:00 PM
Teaching Artist: Heidi Joy Delacruz
Members $180; Nonmembers $195
ART CLASSES FOR KIDS AGES 9–12¬
SATURDAY IN THE STUDIO: AGES 9–12
Explore printmaking, painting, drawing, and mixed media across several sessions! Learn foundational techniques in each medium while creating your own projects and drawing inspiration from contemporary artists and Museum artworks. All materials provided.
FALL SESSION
Saturdays, September 12–October 24, 2026 (Skip October 10)
6 sessions
1:30–3:30 PM
Teaching Artist: Renee Calway
Members $180; Nonmembers $195
WINTER SESSION
Saturdays, January 9–February 13, 2027
6 sessions
1:30–3:30 PM
Teaching Artist: Heidi Joy Delacruz
Members $180; Nonmembers $195
ART CLASSES FOR TEENS AGES 13–17¬
Click on class title for detailed class descriptions and registration.
DRAWING AND PAINTING: PORTRAITS
Saturday, November 7, 2026
11:00 AM–3:00 PM
Teaching Artist: Mitchell Francis
Members $60, Nonmembers $75
GLASS FUSING WITH METALLICS
Saturday, December 5, 2026
12:00–3:00 PM
Teaching Artist: Rachel “RJ” Jaffe
Members $75; Nonmembers $90
COMMUNITY PARTNER PROGRAMS¬
Virginia MOCA is proud to partner Armed Services Arts Partnership (ASAP), the nation’s largest veteran arts organization, to produce artmaking programs for Hampton Roads veterans and their families. ASAP gives veterans and their families the opportunity to thrive through community and the arts.
Free; registration required. Open to veterans, service members, military family members, and caregivers.
ASAP OPEN STUDIO
Adults
Teaching Artist: Donna Iona Drozda
Sundays, September 13–October 11 (skip October 4)
10:30 AM–1:00 PM
Build creative confidence, explore new materials, and make space for your artistic practice in a welcoming studio community. ASAP Open Studio offers 2.5 hours each week for focused artmaking with guidance from artist and mentor Donna Iona Drozda.
Bring an idea, project, or creative curiosity and receive individualized support as you explore drawing, painting, mixed media, printmaking, and other techniques. Whether you are developing a specific project or simply looking to find your creative voice, this open studio provides a supportive space to experiment, build skills, and keep your creative practice moving forward.
STUDIO ART CLASS Policies
Register online, by phone, or in person. Tuition must be paid at the time of registration. No student is considered registered until all fees are paid. Successfully registered individuals will receive a confirmation email from our system. Please reach out to confirm your registration if you do not receive a confirmation email for any reason. Students will be notified in the event of a cancellation.
Registration deadline is 5:00 PM, seven days prior to the course start date unless otherwise noted.
Refunds are available only if a course is cancelled by Virginia MOCA due to low enrollment. Students cancelling enrollment before the registration deadline (7 days prior to the course start date) will receive a tuition credit voucher which can only be applied to another class at Virginia MOCA.
Currently, Virginia MOCA is only accepting payment by credit/debit card online or over the phone and Tuition Credits from previous Studio Art Class sessions. To apply Tuition Credits, call 757-425-0000 x338 or email kendall@virginiamoca.org.
Thanks to the support of our generous donors, Virginia MOCA offers full, need-based scholarships for children and teens to participate in art education.
Questions? Contact kendall@virginiamoca.org or call the education department at (757) 425.0000 x338.
- Adult classes are for students ages 16 and up
- Adult students provide their own materials unless otherwise noted
- Virginia MOCA attempts to reschedule any class that is cancelled
- Substitute instructors may be hired without advance notification
- Minimum enrollment for all courses is seven students unless otherwise noted
- Most classes are held at Virginia MOCA. See class descriptions for exceptions
- Studio activities may be photographed for Virginia MOCA promotional use
Explore More¬
MEMBERSHIPS
MAKE ART YOUR THING
Get to know our community—there’s a little something for everyone.
Exhibitions
EXPLORE THE GALLERIES
Learn more about the current exhibitions, dig into our archives, or see what is coming up next. As an ever-changing Museum there is always something new to explore.
EVENT RENTALS
HOST AN EVENT
Special occasions call for exceptional venues! Learn more about hosting your wedding, corporate meeting, film screening, or holiday party here at the Museum.