One painting per class is demonstrated from start to finish, then students paint a 16 x 20 canvas each class as we listen to good music, laugh, and sip a fizzy, non-alcoholic beverage. No experience necessary. Supply fee of $30 payable to instructor at class.

Artist Kathryn Coneway leads students in creating art inspired by the beauty of Huntley Meadows Park, combining collage explorations of color and texture with imagery from photos taken in the park. Class will include time walking and observing in nature as well as time creating in the classroom. Participants will work in layers over several weeks and learn practices with mulberry paper, acrylic and photo transfer. All supplies are provided.

There's more to photography than just using the automatic setting. Topics include your camera's controls, resolution, flash, composition, stop motion, close ups and more. Course includes weekly assignments with reviews. Software and printing are also covered. Any supply fee payable to instructor at first class. ~

Prerequisite: Digital Photography I or equivalent.

Students and an adult family member learn color shading, harmony, blending and drawing basics. Students work with pencils and colored pencils. Both parent and child should bring a sketch pad and pencils (4B, HB and 2H) to class. Supply fee payable to instructor at first class.

Take your design skill to the next level with the creation of a floral design armature, a wonderful mechanic for supporting blossoms in a floral arrangement. Certified Floral Designer Betty Ann Galway takes you step-by-step in creating a stick armature “birdnest” to fill with spring flowers. Please register for program and supply fee.

Create a lush compote arrangement that holds the promise of spring. Certified Floral Designer Betty Ann Galway takes you step-by-step through putting together these beautiful, early spring flowers and light greens to take home. Later, the container can be used to practice what you have learned at home. Please register for program and supply fee.

Making beautiful flower arrangements in handle baskets can be challenging. Floral designer Chuck Mason helps you expand your skill set by showing you how to design an arrangement in and around the basket handle for a beautiful spring floral piece. Later, use your basket to practice what you have learned. Please register for program and supply fee.

Branch out for the coming of Valentine’s Day by making a topiary arrangement with assorted flowers and Valentine trim. Floral designer Chuck Mason will lead you through this fun floral project that you can keep for yourself or give away. Register for program and supply fee.

Students use pencils and colored pencils to illustrate their favorite characters or other projects then use watercolors to finish the transformation from sketch to amazing painting. Supply fee payable to instructor at first class.

This class offers an introduction into the creative world of soft pastel painting, an excellent, fun and forgiving medium to use. Local pastel artist, Teresa T. Brunson shows many ways to paint with pastels and gives a solid knowledge of the medium and expressive ways it can be used. Learn painting techniques, mark-making, layering and other tips. All supplies are provided.

Master knitting basics. Students learn knitting techniques and terminology and how to choose materials.

Prerequisite: Knitting I. Supply fee payable to instructor at first class.

Sharpen your drawing skills and learn effective techniques for illustrating nature in winter. Supply fee of $15 payable to instructor at class.

Photograph nature around Lake Fairfax Park and develop new perspectives and lighting techniques for winter photography. All skill levels welcome, bring your own camera.

Students learn the step-by-step process for creating a personalized pet portrait on canvas. No experience is needed. Students will be contacted prior to class to get pet photos which the instructor will sketch and bring to class for you to paint. All materials included.

In this class offered by My Last Gift Sewing Institute, students learn basic sewing skills including using the ruler, proper measuring and how to read a pattern. Course also covers sewing machine use and maintenance. Skills are put to use creating a variety of projects. No previous experience necessary. Sewing machines and a sewing primer are provided. Supply fee of $35 is payable to instructor at first class and includes kits for creating pillow and tote bags (or other projects if student has made these already).

Prerequisite: Sewing 101 or equivalent. In this class offered by My Last Gift Sewing Institute, students build on skills learned in Sewing 101 to create more advanced projects including neck pillows and backpacks. Sewing machines and a sewing primer are provided. Supply fee of $35 is payable to instructor at first class and includes project kits.

Prerequisite: Sewing 102 or equivalent. In this class, offered by My Last Gift Sewing Institute, students build on skills learned in Sewing 102 to make a variety of more advanced hand and machine sewing projects. Sewing machines and a sewing primer are provided. Supply fee of $35 is payable to instructor at first class and includes project kits.

In this class offered by My Last Gift Sewing Institute, you learn techniques for altering garments such as hemming by hand or machine, taking in/letting out waistlines, shortening sleeves and changing buttons. Skills include measuring using a ruler and tape measure, using commercial patterns, hand and machine sewing and fabric structure. Supply fee of $15 is payable to instructor at the workshop.

In this class, offered by My Last Gift Sewing Institute, learn techniques for creating decor for your room or home such as pillow shams, curtains, pillow cases and pillows. Skills include using a cordless drill to install blinds or other items, measuring using a ruler and tape measure, using commercial patterns, hand and machine sewing and fabric structure. Supply fee of $15 is payable to instructor at the workshop.

Prerequisite: Discover Drawing, Discover Painting or equivalent. Work with color, composition and harmony. Practice brush and knife techniques. Students use slides and photos. Supply fee payable to instructor at first class.

(16-Adult) Embrace imperfection as you experiment with watercolor techniques and textures. Instructor Marni Maree demonstrates drawing and painting techniques using only a few colors. Try your hand at these demonstrated techniques and enhance your skill set and appreciation of what you can do with this medium. Supply list emailed at registration.

In this class offered by Young Rembrandts, students learn to draw cartoon imagery, including character action, irony and emotional expression of characters. Techniques such as exaggeration, caricature and personification are used to make playful art as students create their own independent versions of our cartoon lessons with animated characters in humorous settings. Any supply fee payable to instructor at first class.