Color, Contrast, Crop!
Compose, Combine, Compress!
Computage
Digital Photography Basics
Whole-Brained Drawing
Encaustic Painting
Make a Sand Cast Bird Bath
Old Time Banjo
Polymer Clay Basics
Polymer Clay: Beads and Jewelry
Polymer Clay Workshop: Millefiori Cane
Quilt-As-You-Go Tote Bag
Terrific Triangle Quilt
How to Finish Your Quilt
Secrets of Fine Hand Quilting
Machine Quilting
Beginning Sewing
Sewing: Learning the Basics and Beyond
Stained Glass: Adult & Child Mosaics
Stone Carving
Vocal Lessons for Women
Wood Carving Basics
Color, Contrast, Crop!
You’ll learn three steps that will beautify your photos to send, post, or print. We’ll do hands-on Photoshop activities and have class discussions. You’ll need a digital camera, USB storage device, and basic computer skills (like attaching a file to an email and transferring files). Taught by Leslye Bloom. Offered in cooperation with the Blacksburg Regional Art Association (BRAA). $60
Date
Day
Time
Location
1/27-3/3
6 Tuesdays
7:00-8:00pm
VT Campus
Compose, Combine, Compress!
This class will cover adapting your digital photos for print or web viewing. You’ll get hands-on experience with Photoshop using layers, filters, adjustments, and transformations. The techniques covered will be applicable to most image processing programs. You’ll need a digital camera, USB storage device, and mid-level computer skills. Taught by Leslye Bloom. Offered in cooperation with the Blacksburg Regional Art Association (BRAA). $60
Dates Location
3/17-4/21 VT Campus
Computage
Make art using your computer and other artistic media by selectively
filtering, combining, and distorting digital images for aesthetic and expressive purposes. We’ll explore the impact of image sizes
and presentation modes for particular works. This is a hands-on studio led by Leslye Bloom. Color theory, dpi, artistic composition, substrates, scale, and art media will be introduced. You’ll need a digital camera, USB storage device, and mid-level computer skills. Offered in cooperation with the Blacksburg Regional Art Association (BRAA). $60
Dates Day Time Location
4/22-5/27 6 Wednesdays 7:00-8:00pm VT Campus
Digital Photography Basics
Instructor Kirk Keith offers this class for those who have more camera than time on their hands. Learn what all those fancy settings are for, how to improve your photos, and the advantages/disadvantages of film vs. digital photography. The emphasis here is on having more fun with your camera purchase and greater satisfaction with your prints. Kirk has been a passionate shutterbug since the 6th grade. His early products were in black and white, which he spent many hours developing in the family darkroom. “Photoshop smells a lot better,” according to Kirk. $45
Dates Day Time Location
4/9 & 4/16 Thursdays 6:30-8:30pm VT Campus
Whole-Brained Drawing
Learn to draw from observation. You’ll learn exercises to help your hand match what your eye/mind desires to put on paper. Taught by Leslye Bloom in cooperation with the Blacksburg Regional Art Association (BRAA). $60
Dates Day Time Location
4/13-5/18 6 Mondays 7:00-8:00pm Y Center
Encaustic Painting
Encaustic painting involves using heated wax to which colored pigments are added and applying it to a surface. It is a fun and addictive medium to work with. Metal tools and special brushes can be used to shape the wax before it cools. This introductory class will cover the basic tools and techniques used in encaustics. We will be making simple abstract cards as well as structured landscapes. Suzanne Oliver has been working in this medium since 2001 and has taken workshops in Europe and the U.S. This course is brought to you in cooperation with the Blacksburg Regional Art Association, (BRAA). $75; plus $25 supply fee to instructor.
Date Day Time Location
4/18 Saturday 9am-4pm Y Center
Make a Sand Cast Bird Bath
Make your own creative birdbath for your yard or garden! Participants will make a concrete leaf-pattern birdbath using the sand casting method on Saturday, and will pick up and have the option of painting the birdbath on Monday. Instructions on how to make a pedestal will be included. Taught by David Shuster. All supplies will be provided. $30
Date Day Time Location
5/2 Saturday 10am-12pm Y Center
5/4 Monday 5:30-6:30pm Y Center
Old Time Banjo
Get started playing Appalachian old time banjo! This class will teach the basics of claw hammer banjo style, focusing on tunes and techniques commonly heard throughout the New River Valley. Distinct from the tree-finger style, old-time banjo playing is an older, dance-oriented style. Students should bring their own banjo; no prior musical experience is necessary. Taught by Liam Kelly. $35
Dates Day Time Location
2/2-2/23 4 Mondays 7:00-8:00pm Y Center
Polymer Clay Basics
Learn the basics of polymer clay, from conditioning the clay to manipulating the vivid colors into millefiori canes. Create a wide variety of effects; stripes, checkerboards, bulls eye, lace, spiral, flower and abstract designs. Many of the techniques used are drawn from disciplines such as glass, jewelry, metal, pottery and ceramic works. Students will learn to fashion their millefiori canes into decorative “buttons” for embellishing their choice of project. For ages 12 to adult. $25 plus $14 supply fee to instructor.
Dates Day Time Location
2/24 & 3/3 2 Tuesdays 6:00-9:00pm Y Center
Polymer Clay: Beads and Jewelry
Create a wide variety of jewelry pieces with the techniques you’ll learn in this class. Polymer clay can be layered, twisted, mixed, stamped, painted, extruded and manipulated to look like natural materials such as wood, metal, or jade. Students will learn how to make a millefiori cane, which is “borrowed” from glass bead making. Come learn the basic fundamentals of polymer clay and work on your own line of beads or jewelry pieces. Instructor Teri Walters. $25 plus $14 supply fee to instructor.
Dates Day Time Location
4/13 & 4/20 2 Mondays 6:00-9:00pm Y Center
Polymer Clay Workshop: Millefiori Cane
Millefiori is a glasswork technique traditionally used to add decorative patterns on glassware. More recently, the millefiori technique has been applied to polymer clay. In this afternoon workshop, we will begin with basic canes and build to more “complex” looking canes; bulls eye, swirl, the skinner blend, and chrysanthemum canes, just to name a few. Throughout the workshop we will be discussing and demonstrating ways in which one can manipulate these canes to embellish, cover, or create your own one-of-a-kind creations. Some experience with polymer clay is preferred. Teri will provide an array of polymer clay colors to pick from. Students may bring their own clay or purchase from Teri. $20 plus optional $10 supply fee to instructor.
Date Day Time Location
5/2 Saturday 1:00-5:00pm Y Center
Quilt-As-You-Go Tote Bag
Learn many useful and fun quilting techniques while creating a cute, versatile, and extremely addictive tote bag. This project is lots of fun for everyone from the beginning sewer (only basic sewing skills required) to the experienced quilter. Instructor Karen Brown bets you can't make just one! Bring your own sewing machine or one will be provided. Supply list online at vtymca.org. $40
Dates Day Time Location
3/17-3/31 3 Tuesdays 6:30-9:00pm BHS
Terrific Triangle Quilt
Sew along a line, cut, and play! Clever placement of Half-Square-Triangles can create an almost unlimited number of unique designs for a quilt sampler. Discover the easy way to sew triangles together without stitching on tricky bias edges. You will be taught the solutions to common pitfalls of this technique; as well as learn to draw triangle sheeting in any size. This is a fun and relaxing class. Beginners are welcome. Class meets bi-weekly. $45
Dates Day Time Location
1/28, 2/11, 2/25 3 Wednesdays 6:30-9:00pm BMS
How to Finish Your Quilt
Borders, basting, and binding – this workshop will help to answer the most asked questions in quilting workshops. Different block and border settings will be covered as well as methods to baste a quilt prior to quilting. Squaring blocks, mitered corners and a continuous straight binding are jut a few highlights in this fun class. Students are encouraged to bring unfinished quilts or blocks to get ideas. All skill levels welcome. Class meets bi-weekly. $35
Dates Day Time Location
4/2 & 4/16 2 Thursdays 6:30-9:00pm BMS
Secrets of Fine Hand Quilting
Do you want to learn how to hand quilt or do you try to improve your stitches? This fun workshop focuses on the whole quilting process – selecting marking tools, batting, needles, stencils, basting techniques and quilting with or without a hoop. Learn how to make those tiny and even stitches by starting a small sample block. All skill levels welcome. $35
Date Day Time Location
4/28 & 5/5 2 Tuesdays 6:30-9:00pm BMS
Machine Quilting
Machine Quilting is fast becoming an acceptable method of finishing quilt tops. This workshop covers free motion and outline quilting techniques. Working on small practice pieces, Karin Tauber will guide you through the use of a walking foot, darning foot, and several free motion designs. Use of stencils, batting, marking tools, needles, and decorative threads will also be covered in this class. Beginners are welcome. $35
Dates Day Time Location
5/20 & 5/27 2 Wednesdays 6:30-9:00pm BMS
Beginning Sewing
Learn basic sewing and garment construction skills while completing a simple clothing item of your choice, and have fun doing it! Karen Brown will assist you with pattern and fabric selection and provide step-by-step guidance with your project. Instruction will include understanding patterns and terminology, proper cutting techniques and sewing machine operation. Hemming techniques will also be covered. Learn to sew or update your skills now and enjoy an exciting and useful lifetime hobby. Your own sewing machine is welcome, but not required. The first class will meet at JoAnn Fabrics in Christiansburg. Supplies can be purchased at that time with the instructor's guidance. Subsequent classes meet at Blacksburg High School. $60
Session Dates Day Time
Session I 1/28-3/4 6 Wednesdays 6:30-8:30pm
Session II 4/15-5/20 6 Wednesdays 6:30-8:30pm
Sewing: Learning the Basics and Beyond
This class, designed for the beginning sewer, will provide the student will an understanding of all the necessary basic sewing skills as well as an understanding of how to use a sewing machine to its best advantage. Students will have the opportunity to apply their new-found skills to their own projects. Small classes of four or fewer students guarantee personal attention. Tools and supplies provided. Taught by Mary Woodall, who has collaborated on 4 crafts books, been featured on HGTV, and worked in the sewing and design field for 20+ years. Classes will be held at the Instructor’s Blacksburg Studio. $240
Session Dates Day Time
Session I 1/19 – 3/2 7 Mondays 9:00-11:00am
Session II 1/20 – 3/3 7 Tuesdays 6:30-8:30pm
Session III 1/22 – 3/5 7 Thursdays 6:30-8:30pm
Session IV 1/23 – 3/6 7 Fridays 9:00-11:00am
Stained Glass: Adult & Child Mosaics
This class is an opportunity for a child and related adult (parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, etc.) to work together to create a grouted mosaic framed piece in two sessions. The subject of the piece is up to you, although abstracts often allow children to explore pattern and color with the most freedom. The resulting piece can be transparent/translucent or opaque (i.e., not meant to be hung with light behind it). Each child-adult pair of students should bring one 4” x 6” or 5” X 7” frame with glass, the wider the “ledge” onto which the glass fits the better. All other required materials and supplies will be provided, but students should feel free to bring objects they want to incorporate into their pieces or glue onto the frame. This course is brought to you in cooperation with the Blacksburg Regional Art Association, (BRAA). Taught by Nancy Norton. $70/pair
Dates Day Time Location
3/14 Saturday 9am-1pm Y Center
3/21 Saturday 10am-12pm Y Center
Stone Carving
We've come a long way from the Stone Age! This workshop will cover the entire process of creating a sculpture from a piece of stone. We will begin with your selection of the stone, follow the creative process in the design, and the carving and polishing of your sculpture. If you have a favorite pair of work gloves, bring them. Tools are covered by the supply fee, which is payable to the instructor. Stone cost depends on size, and runs $2 - $4 a pound. Taught by Sue Brozovsky. $70; plus $30 supply fee to instructor.
Date Day Time Location
4/6-5/4 5 Mondays 6:30-9:00pm Stone Witch Studio
Vocal Lessons for Women
Based on women’s barbershop singing, four lessons will include resonance, breathing, posture, ‘vocal placement’ and can be applied by attending Wilderness Road Chorus rehearsals immediately following the classes, but is not required. Taught by Lavelva Stevens. The class will meet at the Old Christiansburg Middle School. $30
Session Dates Day Time
Session I 1/20-2/10 4 Tuesdays 6:30-7:30pm
Session II 3/10-3/31 4 Tuesdays 6:30-7:30pm
Wood Carving Basics
Create your own carved sculpture from wood and learn the basics of the craft in this new class. Instructor Matthew McCormick will cover carving tool techniques, safety, how to choose wood for projects, and finishing. Choose to carve an animal or an abstract object during class. Supplies will be provided and include a carving knife, thumb guards, wood blanks and sandpaper. The instructor will have additional tools available in class. $65
Dates Day Time Location
4/7-4/28 4 Tuesdays 7:00-8:30pm Y Center
