Studio School

Piedmont Virginia Community College Course Offerings

The Artisans Center of Virginia (ACV) Studio School courses are open to anyone interested in trying their hand at creating functional based 3-D art as well as practicing artists who wish to discover new avenues and trends in their chosen media.  Artist Entrepreneur courses are open to artists from all walks of the creative arts (visual, functional, performance, etc), not just craft!

ENROLL TODAY! To register for one of the courses below click here to jump to the PVCC website .  On the left side of their main page click, “Current Class Schedule” and scroll to Page 6 to find the course code needed for registering.

SPRING 2012 PVCC STUDIO SCHOOL COURSES

FEBRUARY

Making Stained Glass
Instructor:  Cara DiMassimo, ACV Juried Artisan
3 consecutive Wednesdays, February 15,22,29, 6:00 – 8:30 pm, $239
Explore the timeless art of Stained Glass and create your own Tiffany-style window hanging in this introductory course. You will learn effective design, glass cutting and shaping techniques, and soldering and finishing methods while completing their own finished stained glass window hanging. Upon completion you will have an understanding of working with stained glass as a medium, creating their own designs, and ability to complete your own stained glass project from design through finishing techniques. Flux, patina, zinc framing material, copper wire hangers and all glass will be supplied for each student are included in your tuition ($75 value).  Based on usage an additional $10 to $30 may be necessary for copper foils, solder and adhesives.  Plan on needed an additional $10-20 for optional items such as copper foil or heavy usage of solder and adhesives.

MARCH

NEW! An Overview of Ceramic and Architecture in Pre-Columbian Peru
Instructor: Patricia Silva-Santisteban, ACV Juried Artisan
Saturday, March 3, 9am -1pm, $99

This design course offers a brief exposure to ceramics and earth architecture developed before the 15th century in Peru. You will follow a timeline, review ceramic replicas of main design styles and several architectonic sites. Understanding the culture of design can have a great impact on your artisan interpretations and add valuable ideas as you develop your art.

Art for Sale! Working with Retailers
Instructor:  Sherri Smith, Lander Creative & ACV Executive Director
With special guest retailer: Janice Arone, The Barnswallow, Charlottesville
Wednesday, March 7, 6-9pm,  $49

Have you thought about it from the retailer’s perspective?  Many artists in their desire to expand their market and diversify their outlet points are beginning to turn to independent retailers. In turn, because of today’s market swings increasingly more retailers are looking for ways to abate the risk of wholesaling by commissioning works from artists who can meet their client demographic.  Pricing, Commission, Competition, Seasonal Considerations, Proximity, Time Management, Co-branding & Marketing, Inventory/Point of Sale Restrictions are but few of the nuances that artist must understand when working with a retailer.  In this workshop Sherri will share key factors to consider when considering a sales relationship with a retailer.  Although retail displays are often quite beautiful, the retailer is focused on the sell, not the show ...it’s a no-nonsense approach that can be win-win for artist and retailer when everyone understand the ground rules.

Have You Thought it Through? An Artist’s Introduction to Creating a Business
Instructor:  Sherri Smith, Lander Creative & ACV Executive Director
Wednesday, March 14, 6:00 – 9:00 pm, $49

In this workshop Sherri will cover the basic components that you need to consider when contemplating an artistic business endeavor.  You have the talent but have you developed a business owner’s mindset while considering the systems and scalable solutions that will be needed to follow through with your artistic entrepreneurial effort?  What is your unique idea? What is your selling proposition?  What are your strengths and weaknesses when it comes to the operations of your endeavor? Who are your competitors? Collaborators? Understanding that an artist’s desire is to create and be successful at their art, Sherri will outline some of the building blocks and time factors that can aid you in growing your business while preserving the reason you decided to advance your art in the first place….the love of your artistic creations! 

A Touch of Glass - Introduction to Fused Glass
Instructor:  Cara DiMassimo, ACV Juried Artisan
3 consecutive Wednesdays,  March 14,21,28, 6:00 -8:30 pm, $239

The magical properties of glass and its interaction with light will dazzle your creative senses as you experience this exciting chromatic art form. Let your inner artist shine through as you learn glass cutting techniques, effective two-dimensional design, fusing practices (melting glass together in a kiln), slumping (shaping glass into molds) and creation of various effects. You will marvel at your own creations as you design and melt your ideas into form!  No added costs…your glass, supplies and the firing are included in your tuition (a $100 value). Class will meet at The Glass Palette, 110 5th St NE, Charlottesville, VA.

NEW! Needle Felting for Spring
Instructor: Karen Shapcott, ACV Juried Artisan
Saturday, March 17, 10am - 1pm, $79

Needle felting, also known as dry felting, is an art form achieved by punching layers of wool with a sharp barbed needle. This technique creates a unique sculpture with personality. Needle felting faces is Karen’s specialty and by the end of this course you will have created a 9 x 10 inch flower wall sculpture with eyes, nose, lips and big smile!  All supplies will be provided.  This class is not recommended for children.

Shout it Out! - PR & Marketing for Artists
Instructor:  Nick Sabin, Charlottesville Medi
Thursday, March 22, 6 – 9 pm, $49

It all starts with you!  Whether you write your own copy or hire a third party, this workshop is specifically geared to help you, the independent artist, self-promote and successfully market your talent. You will learn simple and affordable ways to enhance your website as well as time-saving tips for extending your social media channels. Not comfortable boasting? Learn practical tips to help you toot your own horn without blowing it.  Instruction will cover how to position your PR online, write press releases that catch an editor’s eye and create printed materials for events that will draw your audience in. By the end of the session you will have a sound foundation to begin putting your public-relations strategy into immediate use.

APRIL

Photographing Your Art
Instructor:  Mark Miller, Photographer
Thursday, April 5, 6 – 9 pm, $49

Having trouble getting photographs of your work for a website or to submit to a show? Are you tired of digital photos that make your creations look dull or are the wrong color? This class will teach you simple methods of photographing your work. We will cover background choices, light sources, camera and lens selection and exposure tips to improve your photographs. We will learn ways to make your images sharper and the colors in your photographs more accurate. In one evening I will answer questions and demonstrate equipment and methods that will help you create better photographs of your creations.

NEW! Melodies In Metal Clay
Instructor:  Meg Chevalier, ACV Juried Artisan  
Saturday, April 21, 3, 9:30 am - 4pm, $149

Lights dim…tape paper to your desk…eyes close…let the music stir your creative force. This “visualizing rhythm” process is as easy as “1-2-3” and great for the beginning metal clay crafter or those experienced artisans wishing to explore a new realm of expressive creative design.  Let the music carry the designs and linear expressions of your drawings in new directions with each melody. Transfer your favorite image to a photopolymer plate using a safe and easy process.  Then, with your newly created plate and imprint a “designer texture” onto silver clay to make a “hard rock” pendant or “Hula” earrings.

Jump Start Your Business Plans
Instructor:  Sherri Smith, Lander Creative & ACV Executive Director
Saturday, April 28, 9am – 4pm, $99

This workshop is for artists who are serious about creating a defined plan for their unique business idea. You will be led through a basic framework as you begin to outline and articulate each area in terms of your goals.  A business plan can be simple or complex depending on the intricacies of what you want to accomplish. Regardless of its breadth or length the purpose of the document is to serve as a fundamental guide for you to follow and illustrate the potential success of your business to outside entities such as investors, lenders or patron audiences. Sherri will help you define the scope and functional areas of your proposed business through exercises focusing on the key elements of:  Executive Summary, Description, Market Awareness, Development, Marketing, Operating and Financial Planning. Although a complete and final business plan can take weeks to develop, the goal of this workshop is for you to leave with a jump start draft of your business plan that you can refine on your own.  In order to maximize the time allotted, upon enrollment you will be provided Q & A guideline to stimulate your thoughts and help you come prepared for discussion and an initial drafting of your business plan. 

Nuno Scarf Felting
Instructor:  Karen Shapcott, ACV Juried Artisan
Saturday, April 28, 10:00 am – 4 pm, $169

Join us and learn a new and truly amazing technique for making a beautiful, wearable piece of art.  In this workshop we will use the “nuno” felting technique to produce a soft flowing scarf that is warm and wonderful for winter and a comfortable light throw for a cool spring evening.  Nuno involves the layering of sikl chiffon with wonderful colors fo soft merino woll and added embellishments of slik fabrics, yarns, silk roving and bamboo.  This mixture is then wtted down with warm soapy water and then rolled to cause agitation and make the piece “felt.  In addition to bringing a plastic dish pan and several old towels from home, bring color inspirations in the form of a piece of yarn, a favorite picture of piece of clothing.  All fabric & felting materials will be provided for you and are included in your tuition.

MAY

Shout it Out! - PR & Marketing for Artists
Instructor:  Nick Sabin, Charlottesville Media
Thursday, May 3, 6 – 9PM, $49

It all starts with you!  Whether you write your own copy or hire a third party, this workshop is specifically geared to help you, the independent artist, self-promote and successfully market your talent. You will learn simple and affordable ways to enhance your website as well as time-saving tips for extending your social media channels. Not comfortable boasting? Learn practical tips to help you toot your own horn without blowing it.  Instruction will cover how to position your PR online, write press releases that catch an editor’s eye and create printed materials for events that will draw your audience in. By the end of the session you will have a sound foundation to begin putting your public-relations strategy into immediate use.