Spring 2025 Classes

Chris Fasolino
All levels
This course features gallery visits and is designed to enhance appreciation for the nature themes in the exhibit French Moderns: Monet to Matisse, 1850–1950. Learn about the background of nature in French art, from the colorful images of illuminated manuscripts and fables to the natural history studies of the Age of Enlightenment. Then we will see how Monet and his fellow Impressionists explored the beauty of nature in a new way with timeless garden scenes and landscapes.

March 17 – May 19, 2025
Mondays, 9:30 – 11:30 am
Location: VBMA Studio 4 and via Zoom
#25SP-01 $335 (VBMA members $285)

Chris Fasolino
All levels
This course is designed to enhance students’ appreciation and enjoyment of the VBMA’s exhibition French Moderns: Monet to Matisse, 1850–1950. Featuring gallery visits, the instructor will discuss the work of Monet, Morisot, Renoir, Corot, Manet, Degas, Caillebotte, and Cezanne. This course will take a journey from the café society of Paris to the gardens of Giverny, all from the comfort of the Museum.

March 19 – May 21, 2025
Wednesdays, 9:30 – 11:30 am
Location: VBMA Studio 4 and via Zoom
#25SP-02 $335 (VBMA members $285)

Lynn Berkowitz
All levels
Tiny, vivid, and gem-like miniature works of art evoke worlds unto themselves that lead viewers into another realm. Three-dimensional sculpture confronts us fully realized with height, width, and depth. Starting with the wee world of painted and crafted miniatures and moving to sculpture in the round and contemporary gallery installations that incorporate entire spaces and everything in it, can challenge the viewer from all sides. A diversity of artists makes the case that size matters.

April 24 – May 22, 2025
Thursdays, 9:30 – 11:30 am
Location: via Zoom
#25SP-04 $140 (VBMA members $120)

Chris Fasolino
All levels
What is Impressionism? Why is it so beloved a style? What should one look for when visiting the VBMA’s exhibition French Moderns: Monet to Matisse, 1850–1950? This five-week course is designed to answer those questions, giving students an engaging and exciting introduction to the work of Monet and his friends. This will feature gallery visits to enhance students’ enjoyment of the exhibit, as the class learns the stories behind beautiful paintings while standing right in front of them!

March 20 – April 17, 2025
Thursdays, 1:30 – 3:30 pm
Location: VBMA Studio 4 and via Zoom
#25SP-05 $205 (VBMA members $175)

Elise Mahovlich
All levels
Students will enjoy an invigorating yoga practice with a slight modification – the chair is the ‘ground.’ Students will employ this everyday prop to take them through the range of motion for a full body workout that will include forward bends, backbends, and spinal twists for flexibility; standing and balancing poses to build stability and core strength; and breathing techniques for body awareness and stress reduction.

Classes meet March 17 – April 14, 2025
Mondays, 9:30 – 10:30 am
Location: VBMA Atrium
#25SP-06 $85 (VBMA members $75)

Classes meet April 21 – May 19, 2025
Mondays, 9:30 – 10:30 am
Location: VBMA Atrium
#25SP-07 $85 (VBMA members $75)

Katie Nall
All levels
Qigong is an 8,000-year-old movement program that exercises the body as a whole. With over 9,000 variations, it is the parent form for Tai Chi, Kung Fu, acupuncture, acupressure, and Emotional Freedom Technique (Tapping). Qigong is known as the Longevity Exercise. No special equipment required.

Classes meet March 18 – April 15, 2025
Tuesdays, 6:00 – 7:00 pm
Location: VBMA Atrium
#25SP-08 $85 (VBMA members $75)

Classes meet April 22 – May 20
Tuesdays, 6:00 – 7:00 pm
Location: VBMA Atrium
#25SP-09 $85 (VBMA members $75)

Aric Attas
All level
This fun and interactive class is designed to teach students the fundamentals of photography. Discover f/stops and
shutter speeds and how to use them to take better photos. We’ll also discuss composition, color, perspective and
imaginative approaches to photography to spark creativity!

March 17 – May 19, 2025
Mondays, 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Location: VBMA Studio 4
#25SP-14 $335 (VBMA members $285)

Aric Attas
Intermediate to advanced levels
Students will unleash their creativity in this hands-on Photoshop class designed for students with intermediate to advanced Photoshop skills who want to improve their photo editing skills or explore the artistic possibilities of Photoshop. This class blends live demonstrations with open lab time, encouraging students to explore their own projects while receiving personalized guidance from the instructor. Students are encouraged to bring their questions, challenges, and imagination, leave with new skills, insights, and confidence.

March 19 – May 21, 2025
Wednesdays, 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Location: VBMA Studio 4
#25SP-15 $335 (VBMA members $285)

Sandy Bachmann
Beginner to intermediate levels
In this exciting hand-building class, participants will learn all aspects of working with clay slabs, coils, and pinch pots. This class is great for beginners who are looking for a creative outlet and returning students who wish to advance to more complex techniques. Students will learn about surface decorations, how to add sprigs to forms to be able to customize and personalize. Both sculptural and functional forms will be addressed. There will be sessions for glazing/underglazing pieces. Click here for recommended supply list.

Classes meet March 17 – May 19, 2025
Mondays, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm
Location: VBMA Studio 5
#25SP-18 $385 (VBMA members $335)

Walford Campbell
Advanced level
This studio course is geared to the student who is motivated to undertake ambitious individual work in clay and further their understanding of ceramic art. The goal is to provide the advanced student with the opportunity to grow and to produce desired but previously unattainable work. Student work will reflect well thought out and executed projects, including aesthetic decisions, an increased ability to handle material, and an increased proficiency with glazing techniques. Click here for recommended supply list.

Classes meet March 18 – May 20, 2025
Tuesdays, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm
Location: VBMA Studio 5
#25SP-19 $385 (VBMA members $335)

Kent Johnson
Intermediate to advanced levels
This class provides an intensive immersion in wheel throwing. Students grow their skills and will learn shortcuts to successfully make pots on the wheel. Weekly demonstrations will cover basic forms, such as cups and bowls, and will move on to advanced forms such as tall vases and larger forms. Instruction on glazing techniques will round out the course, allowing students to finish pieces to take home and enjoy. Click here for recommended supply list.

March 19 – May 21, 2025
Wednesdays, 1:30 – 4:30 pm
Location: VBMA Studio 5
#25SP-21 $385 (VBMA members $335)

Camila Greco
Beginner to intermediate levels
Students learn the basics of wheel throwing during this beginner class. They will experiment with surface decoration, including carving, and discuss various glaze applications. By the end of the session, students will be able to create both functional and decorative pieces, gaining the confidence to advance to more complex techniques. Key topics include studio safety, ceramics vocabulary, wheel-throwing steps, glazing, surface decoration, trimming, and pot anatomy. Click here for recommended supply list.

March 19 – May 21, 2025
Wednesdays, 5:30 – 8:30 pm
Location: VBMA Studio 5
#25SP-22 $385 (VBMA members $335)

Adam Conard
All levels
This class explores techniques and methods for creating vibrant artworks with colored pencils. Designed for all skill levels, it covers composition, color theory, experimental techniques, and finishing and presenting artwork. Participants are encouraged to bring their own ideas and printed reference photos of subjects to create, with additional class ideas provided to inspire creativity.

Classes meet March 18 – April 15, 2025
Tuesdays, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm
Location: VBMA Studio 4
#25SP-27 $205 (VBMA members $175)

Classes meet April 22 – May 20
Tuesdays, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm
Location: VBMA Studio 4
#25SP-28 $205 (VBMA members $175)

Marlene Evans Putnam
Beginner level
This course will ensure that beginning students learn to see shapes, understand shadows, and use lines in powerful or delicate ways. Students learn to use their drawing tools properly and confidently and will be amazed at their steady progress as they learn to design and compose their projects. The instructor will teach by both lecture and studio demonstration. Click here for a list of recommended supplies.

Classes meet March 20 – April 17, 2025
Thursdays, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm
Location: VBMA Studio 1
#25SP-29 $205 (VBMA members $175)

Classes meet April 24 – May 22, 2025
Thursdays, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm
Location: VBMA Studio 1
#25SP-30 $205 (VBMA members $175)

Adam Conard
All levels
This class will take a trip down nostalgia lane to both learn and put to use professional methods for making personalized stationary including: post cards, gift cards, envelopes, bookmarks wall art, and more! Students will even send some letters out right from the Museum. This is an all levels class and will combine numerous skills including illustration, paper making, paper crafts, painting, and print making methods. Click here for recommended supply list.

Classes meet March 17 – April 14, 2025
Mondays, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm
Location: VBMA Studio 2
#25SP-33 $205 (VBMA members $175)

Classes meet April 21 – May 19, 2025
Mondays, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm
Location: VBMA Studio 2
#25SP-34 $205 (VBMA members $175)

Judy Burgarella
All levels
Students will work independently in this open studio, bringing their own supplies in the medium of their choice and references to work from. The instructor will offer individual guidance along with demonstrations of various techniques and helpful tips and tricks. Click here for a list of recommended supplies.

Classes meet March 17 – April 14, 2025
Mondays, 1:30 – 4:30 pm
Location: VBMA Studio 2
#25SP-35 $205 (VBMA members $175)

Classes meet April 21 – May 19, 2025
Mondays, 1:30 – 4:30 pm
Location: VBMA Studio 2
#25SP-36 $205 (VBMA members $175)

Sherry Haaland
Intermediate to advanced level
In this course, students will learn to paint pet portraits from personal reference photos. The instructor will
demonstrate the painting technique and provide the tools commonly used for the process. Students should bring a
reference photo on the first day of class to begin transferring the image and executing the portrait. The course is open
to students with experience in their chosen medium, with the instructor working in pastels. A pet portrait is a
meaningful way to preserve a cherished memory or create a special gift!

Classes meet March 17 – April 14, 2025
Mondays, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm
Location: VBMA Studio 3
#25SP-39 $205 (VBMA members $175)

Classes meet April 21 – May 19, 2025
Thursdays, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm
Location: VBMA Studio 3
#25SP-40 $205 (VBMA members $175)

Barry Shapiro
Advanced level
This course is designed for students who have had experience painting in acrylic and/or oil and who wish to expand their knowledge and technical skills. The instructor will encourage students to explore new techniques and work in larger formats. Click here for a recommended list of supplies.

Classes meet March 17 – May 19, 2025
Mondays, 1:30 – 4:30 pm
Location: VBMA Studio 1
#25SP-41 $335 (VBMA members $285)

Stephanie Lovallo
All levels
This class will give students the opportunity
to create wonderful paintings using budget friendly supplies. We’ll use techniques created by the instructor to show movement and motion which helps to bring the paintings to life. We’ll have fun creating happy accidents. Our subject matter will include still life, beach scenes, birds, and sailboats, along with abstract and expressionist styles. Although our supplies are affordable, our finished compositions will be good enough to share or sell. Click here for a recommended list of supplies.

Classes meet March 17 – April 14, 2025
Mondays, 5:30 – 8:30 pm
Location: VBMA Studio 3
#25SP-43 $205 (VBMA members $175)

Classes meet April 21 – May 19, 2025
Location: VBMA Studio 3
#25SP-44 $205 (VBMA members $175)

Barry Shapiro
Beginner to intermediate levels
Each class will start with a brief illustrated presentation, beginning with the history of still life painting. Subsequent presentations will be on specific artists and styles and classes will end with a group critique. Click here for a recommended list of supplies.

Classes meet March 18 – April 15, 2025
Tuesdays, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm
Location: VBMA Studio 1
#25SP-45 $205 (VBMA members $175)

Jack Reilly
All levels
This course is an introduction to various styles and techniques of non-representational, abstract painting. Topics include Abstract Expressionism, Color Field, Geometric Abstraction, and Hard-Edge painting. A series of individual projects in oil or acrylic media will explore artistic techniques and concepts incorporating elements of line, shape, form, color, tone, and texture. Click here for a list of recommended supplies.

Classes meet March 18 – April 15, 2025
Tuesdays, 5:30 – 8:30 pm
Location: VBMA Studio 3
#25SP-47 $205 (VBMA members $175)

Barry Shapiro
Beginner level
This course is designed to teach beginners the art and science of oil or acrylic painting, including perspective, color, and brushwork. Classes cover what students need to know about how to start an enjoyable and successful lifetime of painting. Students will work on assignments in class with specific instruction. Click here for a recommended list of supplies.

Classes meet March 19 – May 21, 2025
Wednesdays, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm
Location: VBMA Studio 1
#25SP-48 $335 (VBMA members $285)

Adam Conard
All levels
This class takes a deep dive into creating successful oil paintings including choosing the right supplies, creating depth, tone, and value and setting up the canvas. Students will go over the rich and vibrant history of oil painting and how it is being used today. Whether a seasoned oil painter, new to painting, or have been painting in other mediums, this class will have a lot to offer. Students are free in their artistic expression to create the subject matter of your choice. Click here for a list of recommended supplies.

Classes meet March 19 – April 16, 2025
Wednesdays, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm
Location: VBMA Studio 2
#25SP-50 $205 (VBMA members $175)

Classes meet April 23 – May 21, 2025
Wednesdays, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm
Location: VBMA Studio 2
#25SP-51 $205 (VBMA members $175)

Pearl Lau
All levels
The class will look at European artists and how they formed compositions, specifically landscapes. The focus will be on the French Impressionists and understanding perspective and diminishing colors to create depth in
a painting. Students can choose their own medium. Each student will create three 8 x 10” and one final beautiful large 11 x 14” painting. Click here for a list of recommended supplies.

Classes meet March 20 – April 17, 2025
Thursdays, 1:30 – 4:30 pm
Location: VBMA Studio 2
#25SP-52 $205 (VBMA members $175)