Studio Arts

Explore a variety of classes for all experience levels in drawing and painting, as well as printmaking, paper crafts, fused glass, photography, metals and jewelry making, woodcrafts, and more. Classes are taught by dedicated 577 staff members and community members with a passion for their chosen art medium. Class topics vary each month and are taught in the Cottage, House, and outdoors around the beautiful gardens and grounds of 577.

Upcoming Classes

Creative Card Making
Thursday, March 14 ~ 6pm to 8:30pm

Create five (5) beautiful cards while learning the best stamping techniques, how to apply card-based adhesives, and fun ways to use various card-making tools. Students will make seasonal cards for all occasions perfect for sending to friends and family.

Join us for an evening of creating together! No experience is required, and all are welcome. Class Tip: We recommend you dress in older clothes or wear an apron to protect from ink and glue.

Community Instructors: Pat Szymanowski & Patricia Piper

Folk Art: Ukrainian-Inspired Eggs
Friday, March 15 ~ 1pm to 4pm

Learn how to create charming, dyed eggs in this ancient Eastern and Central European art form. Students will use the traditional “kistka” tool to decorate their eggs with a melted wax resist. Rich permanent dyes are then added to finish their “pysanky.”

Participants will learn the history of this art form and will be guided to make a traditional Ukrainian-style pattern on one side and their choice of decoration on the other. Perfect for displaying year-round, this delicate egg can be used as a centerpiece suitable for any occasion. All materials will be provided, including a 9” x 4” display stand. Class Tip: Please wear old clothing or an apron because the permanent dyes will stain.

Community Instructor: Mary Soneson

Acrylic Painting: Light in the Woodlands
Monday, March 18 ~ 10am to 2:30pm

Join us for an enjoyable afternoon in Virginia’s House painting with acrylics. Learn step-by-step how to paint soft light shining through trees using a variety of painting tools and techniques. No experience is necessary and all supplies are included for you to create your own work of art on an 11” x 14” canvas in a fun and relaxing atmosphere.

Please note: You are welcome to bring snacks to enjoy throughout class and we encourage you to bring a lunch for our midday break. (Refrigerator and microwave available)

Community Instructor: Mary Claire Roe

Sustainable Art: Mixed Media Cardmaking
Wednesday, March 20 ~ 6pm to 8:30pm

Enjoy an evening of sustainable cardmaking as we create unique greeting cards with mixed media —perfect for friends, family, and loved ones! You will get a chance to personalize your cards for any occasion: birthdays, holidays, thank yous, get well soon, and more. The instructor will provide examples for guidance, ideas, and inspiration, but feel free to put your own spin on things.

Each person will make five (5) cards using a variety of art mediums and techniques, such as collage, watercolor and acrylic paints, drawing materials, stamps, and more. You’ll also make a bonus gift tag from handmade paper.

Feel free to bring any other ephemera you’d like to include in your cards, such as handmade or marbled papers, dictionary pages, stamps, old postcards or photographs, sheet music, loose scrapbook paper, tissue paper, and anything else you can think of!

577 Staff Instructor: Avery Bohman

Fused Glass: Funky Animal Creations
Thursday, March 21 ~ 5:30pm to 7:30pm

Create a unique project using glass during this fun evening class. You will receive step-by-step guidance, and projects will be left with the instructor who will “fuse” the glass details together by firing them in a home kiln before returning them to 577 for pick-up.

In this fun class, students will choose between the instructor’s examples or can create a funky critter of their own design from available glass. Completed projects vary by design. No experience is necessary and all supplies are included.

*Please note: Students will receive an email with pick-up information from 577 once the instructor returns completed projects, generally within 7 business (or sooner) after the class.

Community Instructor: Geneen Wise

Create Calm: Watercolor Imaginary Maps
Friday, March 22 ~ 2pm to 4pm
Saturday, March 23 ~ 2pm to 4pm

Enjoy a relaxing afternoon getting lost in the luminous colors of watercolor paints in this Create Calm class. Students will be guided step-by-step to create beautiful imaginary “maps” in the color scheme of your choice. Everyone will receive a 9″ by 12″ piece of paper and students will have the option to paint one large piece or divide their paper to create two to four smaller paintings. Paintings are lovely framed or make fun cards. No experience necessary – if you can doodle, you can create a piece of art and benefit from this mindful technique.

The Create Calm series at 577 is taught by staff instructors and designed to allow students to experience simple projects in a soothing environment. Each class will focus on beginning methods in a variety of art mediums to help students of all levels tap into their innate ability to create a state of calm while working with their hands. Expect the first part of these classes to include instruction while the second part is reserved for gentle music and quiet work time to encourage the mind to rest, reflect, and relax in a quiet community.

577 Staff Instructor: Connie Stose

Watercolor: Misty Morning Woods
Friday, March 22 ~ 6pm to 8pm
Saturday, March 23 ~ 10am to 12pm

Paint a misty woodland with just one color of watercolor paint. Students will choose their favorite color, learn some basic watercolor techniques, and finally complete a 9″ by 12″ watercolor landscape. Students will also have the option to divide their paper to create two smaller paintings.

The perfect class to dive into watercolors as a beginner or to stretch your intermediate skills. All supplies are included.

577 Staff Instructor: Connie Stose

Art + Science: Create an Eclipse Guide
Monday, March 25 ~ 6pm to 8pm
Monday, April 1 ~ 6pm to 8pm

Join us for this unique class that merges art and science. Learn what it will mean to be in the path of totality during the April 8 total solar eclipse. We will commemorate this once-in-a lifetime event by creating a usable guidebook.

Enjoy a relaxing evening exploring the amazing phenomena we may experience in our region during the different stages of the eclipse. At the same time, you’ll be personalizing each page of your book with simple watercolor illustrations along with checklists and notes. We’ll also cover the different ways to safely experience the eclipse and additional resources will be provided to continue learning at home.

Completed guidebooks will be approximately 3″ x 4.5″. All skill levels are welcome and all supplies are included.

577 Staff Instructors: Connie Stose and Mike Mummert

Oil Pastels: Abstracts
Tuesday, March 26 ~ 2pm to 4pm

Join us in this fun beginner art class featuring oil pastels. You will learn how to create an engaging piece of art by exploring the different elements that make up an interesting abstract image.

Students will also learn how to best use oil pastels by playing with their choice of colors and experimenting with a variety of shapes and marks to create their own 9″ by 12″ finished piece.

577 Staff Instructor: Isabelle Tucker

Fused Glass: Bees & Blooms
Thursday, April 4 ~ 5:30pm to 7:30pm

Get creative by making a fused glass piece featuring whimsical bees and blooms. Students will receive step-by-step guidance, and projects will be left with the instructor who will “fuse” the glass details together by firing the projects in a home kiln before returning them to 577 for pick-up.

No experience is necessary and all supplies are included. Completed projects will be 8″ by 8″ and students can choose to display it indoors or outdoors with the included frame.

Community Instructor: Geneen Wise

Mixed Media Pet Portraits
Thursday, April 11 ~ 5pm to 8pm

Celebrate National Pet Day (April 11, 2024) and Earth Month by creating a unique and sustainable portrait of your pet. Participants will be guided step-by-step to transfer their pet’s image onto paper. We will then add color and texture by collaging recycled magazine and scrapbook paper. Paints, pens, markers, crayons, and more will be available to embellish your artwork. 

Students must bring a clear photo of their pet printed on computer paper. Photos should be at least 5″ by 7″ and no larger than 8.5″ x 11″. If you have any questions, please reach out to your instructor at abohman@577foundation.org.

577 Staff Instructor: Avery Bohman

Creative Card Making
Thursday, April 11 ~ 6pm to 8:30pm

Create five (5) beautiful cards while learning the best stamping techniques, how to apply card-based adhesives, and fun ways to use various card-making tools. Students will make seasonal cards for all occasions perfect for sending to friends and family.

Join us for an evening of creating together! No experience is required, and all are welcome. Class Tip: We recommend you dress in older clothes or wear an apron to protect from ink and glue.

Community Instructors: Pat Szymanowski & Patricia Piper

Creating an Illustrated Field Journal
Friday, April 12 ~ 11am to 12:30pm

The seasonal changes in the natural world can often be overlooked when we don’t take the time to look closely at what is around us. By keeping an illustrated field journal, we can record not only our thoughts, but sketch and draw what we see, creating meaningful pages through the use of word and image.

Using the beautiful 577 grounds for inspiration, new participants in this session will be introduced to the concept of keeping this type of journal and will create their first entry, hopefully inspired to carry on and fill the remaining pages over time. Experienced students are also welcome–learn new tips, gain fresh inspiration in the ever-changing seasons, and build upon past lessons. No writing or drawing experience is necessary, only the desire to have some fun while exploring the natural world around us.

Community Instructor: David Lymanstall

Thrifted Painting Party: Spring Blooms
Monday, April 15 ~ 2pm to 3:30pm

Celebrate the blooms of spring with 577 by painting a spring scene onto a thrifted painting. You will give an old thrift store painting a fun and juvenescent twist with acrylic paints and markers. Think sunshine, flowers, chicks, bunnies, birds, gardens, rainbows—anything spring! We’ll enjoy the afternoon with lemonade, painting, and relaxing music.

Students must bring their own thrifted painting. Check thrift stores, garage sales, and even the closet or basement.

577 Staff Instructor: Avery Bohman

Sun Printing: Cyanotypes & Nature
Tuesday, April 16 ~ 2pm to 4pm

Join us for this fun staff-collaborated class learning all about the fun and easy art of cyanotype printing with nature. 577 Organic Garden Horticulturist Samantha Day will lead the group to forage and gather interesting plants and bits of nature from the grounds of 577. Then, 577 Program Coordinator and Artist Isabelle Tucker will demonstrate how to make your own light-sensitive cyanotype paper.

Enjoy arranging your natural objects on the surface, exposing your paper to light, and capturing your design of ghostly white images on the distinctive deep blue background of cyanotype prints. Depending on the size of paper you choose, each participant will make two to four prints. All supplies are included and paper sizes will vary from 4.5″ x 6″ to 9″ x 12″.

This class will take place rain or shine, so please dress for the weather.

577 Staff Instructors: Samantha Day and Isabelle Tucker

Fused Glass: Colorful Garden Stakes
Thursday, April 18 ~ 5:30pm to 7:30pm

Create colorful garden stakes to brighten your garden or yard no matter the time of year. Everyone will make three (3) yard stakes in the colors with lots of step-by-step guidance. Design with your choice of colors on a 4″ x 12″ piece and two 3″ x 8″ pieces of glass. 

Projects will be left with the instructor who will “fuse” the glass details together by firing the projects in a home kiln before returning them to 577 for pick-up. Your instructor will return your fused glass attached to the stakes. No experience is necessary and all supplies are included. 

Community Instructor: Geneen Wise

Watercolor: Pansies
Friday, April 19 ~ 2pm to 4pm
Friday, April 19 ~ 6pm to 8pm

Celebrate spring by learning to paint whimsical watercolor pansies in a relaxed and supportive environment. Explore these cheerful blooms using simple practice exercises before creating your own painting.

Completed projects will be approximately 8″ by 8″. All experience levels are welcome and all supplies are included.

577 Staff Instructor: Connie Stose

Jewelry Making: Polished Stone & Crystal Necklace
Friday, April 19 ~ 5:30pm to 8pm

Join us for a fun evening making a polished stone or Swarovski crystal necklace. Learn to create a necklace using an easy stringing or straight beading method, and complete the project by learning how to put on a pendant and add clasps.

Necklace length can be individually customized between 16″ and 20″ when complete. No previous jewelry-making experience is needed. Students must bring their own needle nose pliers and jewelry wire cutters. All other supplies are included.

Community Instructor: Betty Crocker

Sustainable Art: Handcrafted Upcycled Sketchbook
Monday, April 22 ~ 2pm to 4pm

Upcycle an old book destined for the landfill into a unique sketchbook. Participants will enjoy a fun and relaxing afternoon preparing their recycled book and experimenting with multiple mediums including watercolor, acrylic, collage, various drawing utensils, and more.

Learn about design layout as you explore how to incorporate what’s already on the page. Each participant will leave with an artistic, personalized DIY sketchbook ~ the perfect spot to get lost in scribbling, sketching, coloring, and writing. Participants will take home a small sample size of gesso to continue working at home. All supplies are included and all experience levels are welcome.

For previous “Making an Upcycled Sketchbook” students, we welcome you back for more upcycled fun! Feel free to bring any previously made sketchbooks to further explore materials, concepts, etc., build upon what you already have, and even share what you’ve been creating. Book sizes may vary.

577 Staff Instructor: Avery Bohman

Create Calm: Colorful Abstract Collage
Thursday, April 25 ~ 5pm to 7:30pm
Friday, April 26 ~ 1pm to 3:30pm

Enjoy a relaxing class creating a fun and colorful abstract collage project in this Earth Month-themed Create Calm experience. Begin class exploring and gathering collage papers and reused ephemera from a large selection of recycled and donated options. Spend time playing with a variety of available art supplies to paint and scribble your way to creating your own collage paper.

No experience is necessary. A choice of templates will be available, and your instructor will share design tips and tricks to make it your own. The second part of the class will be reserved for quiet time as we use the papers we’ve made and gathered to cut, paste, and create a personalized work of art. All supplies are included and completed projects will be approximately 9″ by 12″.

The Create Calm series at 577 is taught by staff instructors and designed to allow students to experience simple projects in a soothing environment. Each class will focus on beginning methods in a variety of art mediums to help students of all levels tap into their innate ability to create a state of calm while working with their hands. Expect the first part of these classes to include instruction while the second part is reserved for gentle music and quiet work time to encourage the mind to rest, reflect, and relax in a quiet community.

577 Staff Instructor: Connie Stose

Acrylic Painting: Peaceful Forest Path
Monday, April 29 ~ 10am to 2:30pm

Join us for an enjoyable afternoon in Virginia’s House painting with acrylics. Learn step-by-step how to paint a path through the woods in tints, tones, and shades of earthy brown. No experience is necessary and all supplies are included for you to create your own work of art on an 11” x 14” canvas in a fun and relaxing atmosphere.

Please note: You are welcome to bring snacks to enjoy throughout class and we encourage you to bring a lunch for our midday break. (Refrigerator and microwave available.)

Community Instructor: Mary Claire Roe

Nature & Art: All About Dandelions
Tuesday, April 30 ~ 6pm to 7:30pm

Learn all about dandelions in this staff-led collaborative class exploring nature and art. First, explore the life cycle and benefits of dandelions with 577’s Organic Landscape Horticulturist Bennet O. Dowling. Explore the grounds foraging for dandelions to use as a reference. Then, join 577’s Program Coordinator and Artist Isabelle Tucker to capture sunshine on paper by drawing and blending with colorful pastel pencils.

Spring is the perfect time to honor this amazing plant and capture its golden beauty on paper with pastel pencils. Completed drawings will be on 11″ x 14″ black paper.

577 Staff Instructors: Isabelle Tucker and Bennett O. Dowling

Class Locations & Parking Map

Signed up for a class and need help finding your classroom location and parking? Each class description lists its location. Click the button below to view a full map of the grounds and buildings with two lots available for easy and convenient parking. 

Cancellation & Refund Policy

Because space is limited, we rely on you to register for classes thoughtfully. Please help us continue to offer these wonderful classes as affordably as possible by adhering to the following registration, cancellation, and refund policies.

Photo & Video Release

Photos and videos may be taken during 577 classes and events for use on our website and other relevant media outlets and your attendance constitutes consent. View the full policy below including how you can opt-out of this release. 

Join us on March 20 for a Day of Giving to celebrate Virginia’s birthday! Join us and make a gift to protect, preserve, and support the evolution of this magical place. Won’t you help us reach our goal?

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