Summer 2024
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
Welcome to the Studio School in Roanoke, Va.
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
Brett LaGue • brett@brettlague.com • 797-4492
If for weather or other reasons a class needs to be canceled or postponed, your instructor will contact you in advance via email or phone.
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 Summer Registration Form (form will open in an new window or tab).
Summer Youth Classes
Under the Sea—with Patti Kapral
Ages 5-9 • Saturday, June 15 • 10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m. • $45 (all supplies included)
Summer means lots of fun and days at the beach! Join me while we discover what lives under the ocean and create works that are inspired by the sea and everything in it! This is a one day workshop, so all art will be ready to go home with the kiddos at the end of the workshop. All supplies are included in this class and space is limited, so register early! Click Here to contact Patti with questions.
Intro to Alcohol Inks—with Patti Kapral
Ages 10-16 • Saturday, July 13 • 10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m. • $60 (all supplies included)
Alcohol inks are soooo much fun, and they tap into the carefree, intuitive art making process while producing some incredible effects with color! In this introductory class for older kids and teens, students will learn basic skills for working with alcohol inks and will experiment and explore different ways to create some stunning works. All materials will be provided, including the inks and the surfaces to create the works on, such as yupo paper, greeting cards, and even ceramic tiles! Space is limited in this class, so register early to claim your spot! Click Here to contact Patti with questions.
Classes for Adults
June
Glorious Color—with Vera Dickerson
3 classes: June 3–5 • 9:00 a.m.–Noon • $100
Celebrate the glorious color of late spring and summer.This class focuses on the use of mid-value hues to create color relations in their purest state. Bring photo reference of your choice. I will be using flowers as my subject. Acrylics on canvas or sealed water color paper. Click Here to contact Vera with questions.
Open Studios—with Tracy Budd
5 classes: Mondays, June 3 & 17, July 8 & 22, August 12 • 1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. • $130
Keep the momentum going this summer as you create and share in an open studio class.Tracy will help you “problem solve” your paintings as you work in a creative, supportive atmosphere. Get some painting done this summer with a painting schedule that keeps you on track, like exercise for the creative mind! All mediums welcome….. See you there! Click Here to contact Tracy with questions.
It’s All About Peacocks!—with Robin Poteet
For all levels of painters in all water media • 2 classes: Friday and Saturday, June 7 & 8 • 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. • $95 (includes a variety of papers and mounting mediums)
Ready to have some fun?! Bring your paints (watercolor and/or acrylic, color pencils, plus, whatever else you want to use).There will be stations set up and Robin will supply materials for collage, watercolor & wax and masa paper. Come prepared for two hands-on days to explore this colorful, fun subject! Robin will email photos prior to class, or bring your own. (Limit 16 students so register early!). Click Here to contact Robin for more information and minimal supplies.
Birch Trees in Collage—with Tracy Budd
3 classes: Monday–Wednesday, June 10–12 • 1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. • $95
Build an exciting collage/acrylic composition using the vertical birch tree as your subject matter. We will paint and create collage papers, rip, tear, glue and explore the possibilities of this vertical abstraction of birch trees. Collage is so beneficial for composition skills and shape making. Come join this creative, fun class this summer! All levels welcome! Click Here to contact Tracy for a supply list.
Portrait—with Vera Dickerson
4 classes: June 13, 14, 17 & 18 • 9:00 a.m.–Noon • $135
Bring a good reference photo and a photo copy of it as your guide. We will then develop a to scale drawing, followed by a painting from your drawing. Acrylics on canvas or sealed watercolor paper. Click Here to contact Vera for supply list.
Drawing in the Wild!—with Brett LaGue
Thursday, June 13 and Friday, June 14 (Rain or Shine), outdoors, Black Dog Salvage • 1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. • $130 (Maximum of 12 students)
Yes you can draw outdoors on location! Using the “Dog Bowl” stage as the base, Brett will help you sketch people, cars, architectural details, nature and more, all at one place. Choose your choice of drawing media—pencils, pastels, crayons, ink, ballpoint pens—anything goes. Learn to draw here and you’ll be drawing everywhere. Email brett@brettlague.com for supplies.
July
Painting on Aluminum Panels—with Vera Dickerson
2 classes: July 8 & 9 • 9:00 a.m.–Noon • $70 • Our surface, 9 x 12 sheet metal from CJAS
It’s become a frequent thing to see photos printed on metal sheets, so let’s try painting with acrylics on the silvery surface.That luminous metal shines through transparent dye colors and adds an extra zing to the depth of our art. 9″ x 12″ aluminum panel for each participant. All subject matter welcomed. Class limited to 8 people. Supply fee of $10 to Vera for the aluminum panel. Click Here to contact Vera with questions.
Full Sheet Watercolors. Taming the Fear!—with Robin Poteet
3 classes: Wednesday–Friday July 10, 11, & 12 • 9:00 a.m.–Noon • $120 (Includes a full sheet of watercolor paper)
If working large is outside your comfort zone, Robin is determined to change that! This three-day class shows just how it fun and freeing it can be to paint on a full sheet of watercolor paper. Big, bold brushstrokes, drips, washes and paint that is occasionally applied with abandon.
Robin will guide you through the process. Robin will demo a landscape and something with architecture. Bring photos of any subject you’d like to paint.This class is sure to get your creative juices flowing! Click Here to contact Robin for supplies.
Metallic Still Life Masterpieces–Mixing Illuminating Colors Using Acrylic Metallics—with Tracy Budd
3 classes: Monday–Wednesday, July 15–17 • 1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. • $95
Learn to mix illuminating colors using metallics. Still life will be our subject matter as we explore these “new” beautiful acrylic colors and build compelling compositions. Working on canvas or wooden panel, the shimmer of these beautiful mixtures offers sophisticated color and shimmer to your regular color ways. Beginners welcome. Click Here to contact Tracy for a supply list.
Painting in the Wild!—with Brett LaGue
Thursday, July 18 and Friday, July 19 (Rain or Shine), outdoors, Black Dog Salvage • 1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. • $130 (Maximum of 12 students)
Yes you can paint outdoors on location! Using the “Dog Bowl” stage as the base, Brett will help you paint people, cars, architectural details, nature and more, all at one place. Choose your choice of painting media, oil, acrylics or watercolor. Learn to paint here and you’ll be painting everywhere. Email brett@brettlague.com for supplies.
Introduction to Gouache—with Guest Artist David Eakin
1 class: Saturday, July 20 • 10:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m. • $75
Lynchburg artist, David Eakin is offering a one-day introduction and practice with gouache. A favorite media of designers and illustrators, gouache is an opaque cousin to traditional watercolor. David will demo and explain the uses of gouache on paper and layering to build up the image. Different color toned papers will be provided as well as a sampling of primary colors in a small palette to use in class. Bring your usual watercolor brushes, pencil, eraser, etc. If you have gouache, please bring also. Bring supplies that make you feel comfortable! Break for lunch. Email dreakin57@gmail.com for more information.
Of Earth and Sky–The Implied Landscape with Raised Texture and Paint—with Tracy Budd
3 classes: Wednesday–Friday, July 24–26 • 1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. • $95
Explore the possibilities of raised texture with acrylic mediums and acrylic paint! The implied abstracted landscape is a great subject for these mediums as we create interesting textures, mimicking natures organic forms. It’s never boring to experience paint sinking into the texture we create, a fun intuitive process that leads us! Click Here to contact Tracy for a supply list.
August
Ever met a Purple Cow?—with Robin Poteet
2 classes: Thursday & Friday, August 1 & 2 • 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. • $95 (Includes a variety of papers and mounting mediums)
What’s not to love about painting cows?!? Bring your paints (watercolor and/or acrylic, color pencils, plus, else you want to use). There will be stations set up and Robin will supply materials for collage, watercolor & wax and masa paper. Come prepared for two hands-on days as we explore this fun subject! Robin will email photos prior to class, or bring your own. (Limit 16 students so register early!). Click Here to contact Robin for more information and minimal supplies.
Long Skinny Paintings—with Vera Dickerson
August 5 & 6 • 9:00 a.m.–Noon • $70 (Plus supply fee of $10 to Vera for canvas)
We will stretch canvas on a 15″ x 44″ frame, gesso it and develop a long horizontal or tall vertical composition. Bring photo reference, house paint trim brush, staple gun, extra staples and your acrylic paints. Class size limited. Click Here to contact Vera with questions.
Abstracted Shape on Repeat—with Tracy Budd
3 classes: Wednesday–Friday, August 7–9 • 1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. • $95
In this class, shape is “King”! Using a simple, or interesting shape, we will draw, overlap, texturize, and paint , creating interesting compositions and compelling color ways. We will deliberately choose color and format that is out of our comfort zone. So….. what could you do with say, the shape of a bicycle, pair of scissors or tea cup? Possibilities are endless! Click Here to contact Tracy for a supply list. Join the fun!!!!!
Cold Wax Alchemy Intensive Workshop—with Gina Louthian-Stanley
3 classes: August 10, 11 & 12 • 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. • $395 • (Includes some materials)
Discover the beautiful layers, textures, and marks that only oil and cold wax can achieve, finding inspiration within your own marks, composition and intuition using non-traditional oil techniques.
We will explore various working methods, substrates, drying times, opaque and transparent color, pigments and powders, blending color schemes, glazing, solvent reduction, printmaking techniques, creating textures, transfers, and collage.There are plenty of demos and individual discussions. A great workshop for beginners and those who want a refresher with advanced options and plenty of time to work. Provided: Cold wax, some sample oils, tools, R&F Pigment samples, 2 sheets of Arches Oil Paper, and 1 cradled birch panel and a free gift bonus of 2 tools to keep.
Additional wax and tools will be available for sale. Upon registration Click Here to contact Gina for the materials list and to confirm registration.
Abstractions from Reality—with Vera Dickerson
August 13 & 14 • 9:00 a.m.–Noon • $70
Create an abstract painting using photos of aged metal, wood and other interesting surfaces. When you have these specific images, seeing the composition becomes easier and a very visually entertaining painting is ready to come to life. Acrylics on canvas or sealed watercolor paper. Register early so you can receive suggestions about where to take photos. Click Here to contact Vera with questions.
Spectacular Summer Sunsets!—with Tracy Budd
3 classes: Monday–Wednesday, August 19–21 • 1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. • $95
After a couple of months of summer behind us, imagine the soothing summer images we might want to capture in paint. On canvas, we will capture the values and colors of the dramatic summer sunset. Concentrating on composition, shape making, and atmosphere in paint, these “wow” paintings will surely satisfy! Bring your acrylics and let’s PAINT!!! Click Here to contact Tracy with questions.
Diego Sanchez — 2024 Workshop
As of our May publication date, we still have space available in Diego’s workshop, but we do anticipate this workshop will fill soon. His work incorporates strong design, bold color and intriguing abstract shapes. He is an accomplished painter, instructor and juror and we are delighted to welcome him as our 2024 workshop instructor.
In his own words, “This body of work continues to reflect my interest in finding a comfortable place between representational and non-representational elements in the picture plane.”
The workshop will be held at The Studio School
Tuesday–Friday • June 25–28 • 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Total cost is $450
Those that have paid their 2024 Easel Society dues may register for the workshop beginning December 1st. A deposit by check for $200 will reserve your space. All others may begin registering with their deposit January 2nd. The balance of $250 is due on April 10, 2024.
Mail all workshop checks to:
Brett LaGue
P.O. Box 725
Fincastle, VA 24090
