Spring 2023

ART CLASSES

Please consider making a donation to our school to help us weather this time. Any amount would be appreciated. We are a 501c3 non-profit.
Click Here for more information.

Winner of the 2019 Perry F. Kendig Award,
Arts & Cultural Organization

We are a non-profit art organization with a 30 year history of offering creative classes for all ages and all levels of experience. Our instructors are among the area’s best known artists and they offer a wealth of knowledge, guidance and inspiration.

Our classes range from one- or two-day sessions to eight weeks and beyond. You’ll find offerings for children, teens and adults in media such as drawing, watercolor, acrylic, encaustic, mixed media, and more.

We are located on the upper level of Towers Shopping Center in Roanoke — inside the mall area, just steps away from the Wildflower Restaurant. Whether you are discovering art for the first time or are continuing your artistic journey, Studio School classes provide an informal, fun and inspiring way to explore the joy of creativity.

To register for classes online and pay by credit card click on the button.

See below to contact class instructors, either by clicking the Contact link or via phone.

All phone numbers are 540 area code
Tracy Budd • Contact • 556-8770
Vera M. Dickerson • Contact • 204-1914
Jane Winders Frank • Contact • 580-6866
Patti Kapral • Contact • 815-2214
Robin Poteet • Contact • 384-5022
Gina Louthian-Stanley • Contact • 761-1414

Visit us on Facebook at thestudioschoolroanoke.

Be an Art Angel
If you have some time to give, we would be grateful for any help you can provide, be it helping to organize and hang our school shows, keeping our parking lot tidy, or helping with general cleaning now and then! Click Here to contact instructor, Patti Kapral if you have a bit of time and effort you can donate.

The Studio School is an incorporated non-profit organization, (501.C.3) with programs partially funded through the Virginia Commission for the Arts. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, political affiliation, ability or disability. Easel Society Contributors of $250 or more will receive end of the year summaries for their records.

Click Here for a printable Spring Registration Form (form will open in an new window or tab).

Classes for Children & Teens

In The Garden With Monet—with Patti Kapral This class is full
Ages 5-9 • Tuesdays, March 28–April 18 (four classes) • 5:00 p.m.–6:30 p.m. • $100 (all supplies included)
Claude Monet was a master of color and light and created beautiful paintings of his famous gardens in Giverny, France. In this fun art class perfect for Spring, we will learn all about Monet and create beautiful artworks inspired by his work. We will use oil pastel, watercolor, acrylic paint and more as each class will concentrate on a different painting, creating 4 artworks by the end of the session. All supplies are included, and space is limited, so be sure to sign up early! Click Here to contact Patti with questions.

Spring Daffodils Painting—with Patti Kapral
Ages 5-9 • Saturday, April 23 • 10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m. • $45 (all supplies included)
Come and paint beautiful yellow daffodils with me in this work- shop for kids ages 5-9! We will learn how to draw daffodils by observation and examine how they grow.Then, using oil pastel and watercolor, we will create a painting perfect for Spring! All supplies are included in this one day children’s workshop, and space is limited so register early! Click Here to contact Patti with questions.

Painting Monochromatic Self Portraits—with Patti Kapral
Ages 10-14 • Tuesdays, April 25–May 16 (four classes) • 5:00 p.m.–6:30 p.m. • $100 (all supplies included)
In this 4 class session, students will learn all about monochromatic color and value, and will create a self portrait using monochromatic color harmonies in acrylic paint. During our first class, I will take photos of each student to use for their self portraits.The next classes will be centered on drawing and painting the portraits. We will also examine artworks utilizing the monochromatic color harmony and look at some self portraits of famous artists as well. All supplies are included in this class,and space is limited, so register early! Click Here to contact Patti with questions.

Classes for Adults

Oil

Oil Painter’s Toolkit—with guest artist, Brett LaGue
7 classes: Fridays, March 17–May 5 • 9:00 a.m.–Noon • $230
Wouldn’t oil painting be more fun if it wasn’t so complicated? How do you choose from all the available paints and brushes? Should you use paint mediums? Wait for your painting to dry before continuing? Cleaning up and so much more. Learn how to simplify and get the joy without the struggle. This class provides skills needed to choose fewer supplies while creating artwork without the fuss. You will work from your own images and complete several paintings during the course. Lots of demos, too! Good for beginner and intermediate painters. Email Brett for suggested supplies: brett@brettlague.com

Drawing

Drawing, the Sketcher’s Way—with guest artist, Brett LaGue
3 classes: Fridays, May 12–May 26 • 9:30 a.m.–Noon • $130
Intimidated by drawing? Here’s a class that will have you reaching for that sketchbook more often. Brett’s a lifelong sketcher who doesn’t worry about erasers, straight lines or fussy details. No matter what your experience level, he’ll show you how to get images down quickly and with more personal meaning. Along the way, discover that pretty much everything is sketch-worthy! Email Brett for suggested supplies: brett@brettlague.com

Watercolor

A Blast of fun! Watercolor & Wax—with Robin Poteet This class is full
1 class: Wednesday, March 8 • 10:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m. (lunch break when you want) • $80 (includes most materials)
Join one of Robin’s most popular classes. Come expecting to be a bit messy and adventurous—with results that are often unexpected but always marvelous! Working in layers, you’ll “mask” areas of your painting with wax, alternating with layers of watercolor or acrylic paint. The results are vibrant and creative. Tuition includes paper, canvas for mounting and most other materials. These make great gifts and are fun to design and paint! You’ll have time to create several pieces. This class is offered just once a year, so sign up early! Click Here to contact Robin for minimal supplies needed.

Continuing Watercolor—with Robin Poteet
5 classes: Wednesdays, March 22, 29, April 5, 12, 19 • Morning class 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. • Also offered afternoons 1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. • $165
Robin’s Wednesday sessions are fun, informative, and are filled with ways to improve your technical skills and your creative thinking. Robin demos a different subject each week and is there to help bring out the best in your own work. Bring reference photos of subjects that appeal to you and learn to paint them with greater confidence and finesse! This is a great class for anyone with basic watercolor knowledge and beyond. Click Here to contact Robin for supplies.

Exploring Styles—with Robin Poteet
3 classes: Wednesdays, May 10, 17, 24 • Morning class 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. • Also offered afternoons 1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. • $115 (includes photos of paintings we’ll copy)
Robin has chosen three well-known watercolor artists whose work ranges from traditional to semi-abstract. Each each week we’ll explore one artist’s work, then we’ll recreate a small version of their painting based on their techniques, color choices and brushwork. This is a great exercise for expanding your OWN painting process along with gaining a sense of what appeals to you most in style and color. Above all, it’s lots of fun! Click Here to contact Robin for supplies.

Watermedia

The Elements of Art and Exploring the Contrasts in Painting (Painting Basics and Beyond)—with Tracy Budd
8 classes: Mondays, March 20–May 15 (no class on April 17) • 1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. • $250
“The mystery of painting … how do I better portray my feelings about the subject?” The longer one paints, one realizes that the drama in a painting lies in the contrasts. We will explore the elements and principles of art and consciously design our paintings using these tools to our best advantage. Tracy will demo weekly on “still life” subject matter and help you find your best equation of the elements present in your projects. Other subject matters are welcome. Our objective is to paint the best paintings possible! Get your inspiration together and join the fun! All levels welcome. Click Here to contact Tracy for a supply list.

Open Studios and Critique—with Tracy Budd
8 classes: Mondays, March 20–May 15 (no class on April 17) • 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. • $250
Do you ever yearn for a painting group to paint and discuss your work with? Well, this class is for you. We start each class critiquing our work in a supportive, positive atmosphere. Critique lasts about an hour, and there is plenty of time left to paint and share ideas, where Tracy is available to help you “problem solve “ your projects and paint the best paintings you can! Come join this supportive group! All mediums welcome and appreciated! Some students take this class and stay for the afternoon painting class for a full day of painting fun! $20 discount if you take both classes… Click Here to contact Tracy with questions.

Ah, Spring (experimental watermedia)—with Vera Dickerson
3 classes: Tuesdays 1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. • March 21, 28 and April 4 • Or same class: Thursdays 1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. • March 23, 30 and April 6 • $110
Always a welcomed flush of color, new leaves and blossoms. Delicate, yet color, color, color. The class will present the idea of a mid-value palette which presents hues at their most vivid. Mixed green hues, sunlight and filtered shadows, and the splash of flowers. Demo and critique. Acrylics on canvas or sealed watercolor paper. Click Here to contact Vera with questions.

Painting—Independent Study—with Jane Winders Frank
6 classes: Thursdays, March 30–May 4 • 9:00 a.m.–Noon • $195
Bring unfinished work to complete or new ideas for fresh paintings to paint at your own pace. Jane begins class by sharing art history, contemporary artists and their work, and introduction to new materials. She will help you set goals and guide your process. Work in watermedia and add mixed media, if desired. Bring painting supplies to first class. Click Here to contact Jane with questions.

“Get Your Feet Wet” Acrylics Beginner class—with Tracy Budd
4 classes: Tuesday, April 25–May 16 • 9:30 a.m.–Noon • $135
A truly beginner watermedia acrylic class just for those who have never painted or have never painted in acrylics! Acrylic is the most exciting medium because you can work like a watercolor painter and an oil painter, all in the same painting! They are great for vivid transparency and for building heavier body areas. They dry fast and you can endlessly layer without disturbing the layers beneath. We will cover all the basics and not so basic things this wonderful medium can do. The supply list will be kept to a minimum and Tracy will supply some needed items. Don’t be shy and signup for four weeks of FUN! All you need is an open mind and a willingness to learn! Click Here to contact Tracy for the supply list.

Twilight And Deep Purple Evenings (experimental watermedia)—with Vera Dickerson
3 classes: Tuesdays 1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. • May 2, 9, 16 • Or same class: Thursdays 1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. • May 4, 11, 18 • $110
We are drawn to the warmth and promise of lighted windows as the evening darkens, making an invitation to join into the welcome that light provides. You bring photo reference, a chance to wander out in Spring evenings and photograph your images.We will focus on color choices and value relations, as well as that warm glow of light. Demos and critique. Acrylics. Click Here to contact Vera with questions.