Fall 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 Fall Registration Form (form will open in an new window or tab).

Fall Youth Classes

Paint Your World—with guest artist, Martha Lalka
Ages 5-9 • Tuesdays, September 10–October 15 • 5:00 p.m.–6:30 p.m. • $175 (all supplies included)
Kids love painting on canvas with acrylic paints! In this 6 session class, we will discover different ways to use acrylic paint and create amazing, original, and whimsical paintings! We will paint on different sizes of canvas and explore different themes. We will even use easels for a large painting! All supplies are included, and space is limited, so register early! Email marthalalka@gmail.com with questions.

Impressionist Inspired Flowers—with guest artist, Martha Lalka
Ages 10-14 • Saturday, September 28 • 10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m. • $50 (all supplies included)
In this one day workshop, we will explore different ways to paint flowers in an impressionistic style. Then we will paint our flowers on canvas using acrylic paint. We will learn some basic acrylic painting techniques and experiment with brushstrokes to give a loose, painterly feel. All supplies are included in this workshop, and space is limited, so register early! Email marthalalka@gmail.com with questions.

Exploring Acrylic Painting—with guest artist, Martha Lalka
Ages 10-14 • Tuesdays, October 22–November 19 and December 3 • 5:00 p.m.–6:30 p.m. • $175 (all supplies included)
Want to learn how to paint using tried and true process techniques to guarantee a better outcome? In this 6-session class for older kids, we will learn compositional tricks such as the rule of thirds, how to paint in grisaille, and glazing. All supplies are included in this class, and space is limited, so register early! Email marthalalka@gmail.com with questions.

Sugar Skulls!—with guest artist, Martha Lalka
Ages 5-9 • Saturday, October 26 • 10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m. • $45 (all supplies included)
With so much color and detail, sugar skulls are super fun to paint! In this one-day workshop, we will learn all about Dia de los Muertos and the significance of sugar skulls. Then we will create our own sugar skull paintings utilizing the principle of design symmetry to make them perfect! We will use acrylic paint, oil pastels, and “gems” to make them really sparkle! All supplies are included in this workshop, and space is limited, so register early! Email marthalalka@gmail.com with questions.

Classes for Adults

Oil

Oil Painting!—with Brett LaGue
6 classes: Saturdays, October 5–November 16 (No class October 19) • 9:30 a.m.–Noon • $230
It’s easier than you think! Discover your creative side with oils. Plenty of instruction and demos points you towards success with this traditional and flexible medium. Work quickly or slowly, thick or thin – whatever works best for you. Learn about tools, color mixing, composition, glazing techniques, direct painting and more, using provided images, and still life setups, to help understand each class. Even if you’ve never painted in oils before, this class is a great place to start. Email brett@brettlague.com for supplies.

Drawing

Drawing, the Sketcher’s Way—with Brett LaGue
3 classes: Saturdays, September 14, 21 & 28 • 9:30 a.m.–Noon • $130
Struggling to get those paintings started? Intimidated by drawing? Here’s a quick class to help get you going. Brett’s a lifelong sketcher who doesn’t worry about erasers, straight lines or fussy details. No matter your experience level, he’ll show you how to get images down quickly and easily without worry. Along the way you’ll discover that pretty much everything in life is sketch worthy! Email brett@brettlague.com for supplies.

Sketching Portraits for Gifts!—with Brett LaGue
1 class: Saturday, November 16 • 1:00 p.m.–3:30 p.m. • $90 (all supplies included)
Bring along a photo or two of a friend or loved one (or their pet) and Brett will help you turn them into a sketch that’s as unique as you are. A quality 11” x14” mat, backing board and sleeve is provided, along with the paper and range of drawing materials to make that gift special. Email brett@brettlague.com for supplies.

Watercolor

Mastering the Masters—with Robin Poteet
6 classes: Wednesday, September 11–October 16 • Mornings: 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. OR Afternoons: 1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. • $200
For centuries it’s been common practice to copy and learn from the works of master artists. For this eye-opening class, Robin has chosen 6 artists with a wide range of styles — from traditional to contemporary. Each week we’ll study an artist and then complete a small painting based on their style. This is a wonderful way to expand your creative thinking, discover new subjects and master new techniques such as brushwork and color mixing. You’ll gain a sense of what appeals to you most in style and color. Above all, you’ll have 6 weeks of FUN and enlightenment as we learn from a variety of master painters. Click Here to contact Robin with questions.

Watercolor Portrait & Figure: You can do it!—with Robin Poteet
2 classes: Wednesday, October 23 & 30 • 9:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. • $100
Does the idea of painting a portrait or figure seem intimidating? Could you use a refresher on painting convincing skin tones and shadows? This mini-workshop covers all aspects of portrait/figure painting to help you create more dynamic, expressive work. The sequence of light to shadow, skin tone color choices and color mixing, hair, clothing, backgrounds—we’ll explore this and more! A great class for painters that are already comfortable with the watercolor process. Click Here to contact Robin with questions.

Mixed Media

Autobiographic Art—with Vera Dickerson
8 classes: Tuesday, September 3–October 29 • 1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. | No class October 15 • Same class: Thursday, September 5–October 31 • 1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. | No class October 17 • $270
The art we make rings true when it expresses our personal desires, memories and history. In these eight weeks, we will make use of family history (my grandparents in the example here), our own experiences and a visual projection of ideas that express us as individuals. So this may involve photo references, but also gives permission to imagine and create. You may find something quite serious, but also consider the humor that’s possible. Demos and critiques. Click Here to contact Vera with questions.

Mixed Media Madness—with Gina Louthian-Stanley
5 classes: Thursdays, September 5–October 3 • 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. • $175
Mixed media and collage are about freedom of expression and ‘play’. This class will look at different approaches to each with painting, drawing, incorporating ephemera, and found or recycled materials. We will experiment with collage and a variety of mixed materials (Gina will have some to share), using both abstract and figurative imagery. The focus will be on beginning with a brief discussion on composition, and then work to develop your own personal visual language. All levels welcome! Click Here to contact Gina for a short materials list and to let her know you’ve registered.

Get Your Feet Wet With Acrylics—with Tracy Budd
1 day: Monday, September 9 • 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. • $80 (all supplies included)
Want to try your hand at acrylics without investing in the supplies? This is the class for you. Basic, and yes, we mean basic information about this ever so versatile medium that can be worked like watercolor and oil paint, all in the same painting! Class will include paint mixing, mediums, brushes, layering, texture making, and students will leave with a finished painting! No boring technique sheets here…! You will be hooked on this medium after you see the possibilities of painting with acrylics! Class size limited. Sign up NOW! Click Here to contact Tracy with questions.

Critique Class—with Tracy Budd
4 classes: Mondays, September 16, 30 & October 14, 28 • 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. • $100
Come join a very important class for working artists, where we critique and investigate the power of composition, line, color, value, content, shape making and texture in successful art pieces. Sharing with a supportive group of artists, we will share, and problem solve our work and discuss the solutions and creative ideas for completing our “ideas”. All mediums; acrylic, oil, watercolor, mixed media and collage, make this a fun therapy class for artists!!!! Sign up NOW! Click Here to contact Tracy with questions.

Creative Compositions for Still Life…on wooden panel—with Tracy Budd
8 classes: Mondays, September 16–November 4 • 1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. • $270
Learn to create compelling compositions while creating a captivating still life on wooden panel. This class will involve arranging still life elements and cropping different compositions until we find interesting arrangements of shape and pattern. Texture and color will also be front and center here. Start thinking of your treasured objects that you would like to include in your masterpiece! Click Here to contact Tracy for a supply list.

Crisp Fall Images In Collage—with Tracy Budd
8 classes: Tuesdays, September 17–November 5 • 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. • $270
Collage is the most fun and creating papers, collecting papers, layering papers like paint colors can create the most incredible surface in mixed media. Collage is great for composition skills because we hold the pieces in our hands and move them around. Great for the creative brain! In this class we will use all things fall as our inspiration… warm vibrant colors, apples, crisp air… what does our beautiful change of season invoke in you? Be thinking on that and come join the fun! Click Here to contact Tracy for a supply list.

Sacred Angels From Old Paintings (Three Week Rework of Old Paintings)—with Tracy Budd
3 classes: Mondays, November 18, 25 & December 2 • 10:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m. • $125
A fun, fun class for the holidays and a great use of your unresolved paintings! Using all of our tricks, we will gesso, scrape, crop, turn, collage, embellish and superimpose the Angel image into these creative concoctions. Think Christmas gifts… the class, or the paintings! Come join the fun even if you don’t have old paintings… I’ll give you one!!!! Click Here to contact Tracy for a supply list. Reserve your spot!

Painting

Anything Goes Open Studio—with Gina Louthian-Stanley
Session One: December 7 • 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. • $100
Creating can be a very solitary activity and sometimes it’s great to be with other creatives. Come bring pieces you have been working on. A great refresh for cold-waxers, or any medium is welcome. We will discuss processes and possibilities and Gina will start the class with a quick fun exercise and be there offering guidance along the way. You can register for one session or both. Bring your pieces (or start a new one) and your materials of choice. Click Here to contact Gina with questions and to let her know you’ve registered.

Jean Pederson — 2025 Workshop

The Studio School is pleased to welcome Jean Pederson as our 2025 Summer Workshop instructor.

jeanpederson.com

Jean is the author of “Expressive Portraits: Creative Methods for Painting People.” She has been painting for over 20 years, balancing her strong teaching abilities, and writing with her continuing aspiration to convey her ideas in visual form. Jean’s traditional practice includes referential imagery of people, still life, landscape and abstraction.

The workshop will be held at The Studio School
Tuesday–Friday • June 3–6 • 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Total Cost $475

Those that have paid their 2025 Easel Society dues may register for the workshop beginning December 2nd. A deposit by check for $200 will reserve your space. All others may begin registering with their deposit January 1st. The balance of $275 is due on April 12, 2025.

Mail all workshop checks to:
Brett LaGue
P.O. Box 725
Fincastle, VA 24090