Winter 2025
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
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 Winter Registration Form (form will open in an new window or tab).
Winter Youth Classes
Color Pop!—with Patti Kapral
Ages 5-9 • Tuesdays, January 7–January 28 • 5:00 p.m.–6:30 p.m. • $150 (all supplies included)
Color is the theme of this class, as we explore ways to use color and incorporate it into artworks inspired by Pop Art! We will look at artists such as Jen Stark, Yayoi Kusama, Ketna Patel, and of course, Andy Warhol. We will create works both 3D and 2D, in lots of different media including oil pastel, watercolor, printmaking, sculpture with clay, collage, and acrylic. As always, all supplies are included, and space is limited, so register early! Makes a great gift for that art-loving kiddo on your nice list! Click Here to contact Patti with questions.
Outstanding Oil Pastel—with Patti Kapral
Ages 10-14 • February 11–March 4 • 5:00 p.m.–6:30 p.m. • $150 (all supplies included)
Oil pastels are so versatile and fun–if you know how to use them! In this class for older kids/teens, we will learn how to blend, shade, add detail and texture, and more! From abstract works incorporating oil pastel in mixed media, to photorealistic oil pastel paintings, we will explore ways to create dynamic works of art! All supplies are included in this 4 class session, and space is limited, so register early! Makes a great Holiday gift! Click Here to contact Patti with questions.
Classes for Adults
Oil
Oil Painting: “Bold and Loose”—with Brett LaGue
6 classes: Fridays, January 10–February 14 • 9:30 a.m.–Noon • $230
Expressing your creativity should be joyful. Whether you are a seasoned painter or a beginner, this class is designed to help keep you in the moment and say something meaningful–without sacrificing the fun. With demos, examples and encouragement, these classes will get you painting or keep you painting. Contact Brett at brett@brettlague.com for supplies.
Drawing
Everyday Sketching—with Brett LaGue
3 classes: Fridays, February 28–March 14 • 9:30 a.m.–Noon • $130
Sketching is about capturing a moment in time and creating a memory that’s never forgotten. It’s not about fussy details, rulers or erasers. No matter your experience level this class will show you how to get images down quickly and without worry. Because everything in life is sketch-worthy! Contact Brett at brett@brettlague.com for supplies.
Watercolor
Beginners—Welcome to Watercolor!—with Robin Poteet
5 classes: Saturdays, January 18–February 15 • 9:00 a.m.–Noon • $175
Is learning to paint on your bucket list? Watercolor can be explored and enjoyed at any age, so why not see if this sparks a new hobby or passion? This portable and expressive media is ideal for travel journals as well as large, richly detailed paintings.
Your class will be packed with demos, discussions and exercises and over the course of 5 weeks you’ll gain an understanding of materials, washes, color mixing and technique, PLUS, you’ll complete paintings each week. This is a no-pressure class that encourages making mistakes and having fun. Sign up and begin your creative journey. Click Here to contact Robin for suggested materials.
Simple Subjects—Extraordinary Results!—with Robin Poteet
7 classes: Wednesdays, January 22–March 5 • Morning Session: 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. or Afternoon Session: 1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. • $230
Sometimes the best subjects are right under our nose… a bowl of fruit, a bird perched on a branch, perhaps a favorite pet. Bring photos of simple subjects and Robin will help you turn them into spectacular watercolor paintings! In addition to practicing solid w/c techniques, you’ll explore backgrounds, learn to exaggerate light and shadow, and get a little wild with color. You’ll be able to experiment with a variety of surfaces, including canvas and masa paper and will learn how to varnish and mount your paintings on wood panels for a dramatic, finished look. Click Here to contact Robin with questions.
Watermedia
The Experimental Edge of Watermedia—with Vera Dickerson
8 classes: Tuesdays, January 7–February 25 • 1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. • Same class: Thursdays, January 9–February 27 • 1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. • $270
Start the new year with creative play that leads to expanding your options of making art. In-class exercises designing your compositions on a variety of surfaces, using acrylics, canvas, watercolor paper and some drawing tools will begin our winter session. Take your favorite subjects and explore a variety of ways to depict these images. Consider assembling several small canvases or adding 3-D objects, and some applied textures. Demos and critiques. Click Here to contact Vera with questions.
Changing the Local Color—Working a Painting For the Emotional Content in Acrylics—with Tracy Budd
4 classes: Mondays, January 13–February 3 • 1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. • $135
Color is a powerful element in painting. It can affect the mood of a painting like no other element in the painting. By changing the color way, we change the emotional feeling of the painting, the feelings it conjures up and the story we are telling in our work. In this class, we will investigate the power of color and how it radically changes the feeling of the painting. We will come up with personal color ways that directly convey our feelings about our subjects. All subjects welcome, landscape or still life! Click Here to contact Tracy for a supply list.
Essence of Gestural Shape—the Abstracted Figure—with Tracy Budd
4 classes: Mondays, February 10–March 3 • 1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m • $135
The abstraction or simplification of the human form is interesting, complex and beautiful. With a gestural mark making we will explore the figure in painting by seeing the shapes in poses and posture, while incorporating them into the picture’s atmosphere. The gesture of the figure speaks volumes in the context of the painting. Click Here to contact Tracy for a supply list.
Mixed Media
Critique Class, All Mediums—with Tracy Budd
4 classes: Mondays, January 13, 27, February 10, 24 • 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. • $100
Never underestimate the power of critique class…. To keep you motivated, help you problem solve your work, and inspire you with new ideas. Tracy will meet you right where your are in your work and the constructive feedback from all in class is invaluable. Not only do we learn how to manage our own painting journey, we learn from looking at others’ work in class. Join this inspiring class and keep your brushes wet! Click Here to contact Tracy with questions.
Paper Mosaics/Acrylic and Collage—with Tracy Budd
6 classes: Tuesdays, January 14–February 18 • 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. • $210
Construct interesting, architectural designs with collage. Architecture through history can evoke feelings of grandeur, mystery, and generational connection. We will make papers, collect papers, tear and glue… Designs will be based on architectural elements and then fueled by the imagination of the artist to interpret time, space and emotional content. What will your “windows” of time reveal about you? Join this fun collage, mixed media class! The possibilities are endless! Class size limited so sign up early! Click Here to contact Tracy for a supply list.
Exploring Collage and Mixed Media Techniques—with Gina Louthian-Stanley
5 classes: Thursdays, February 6–March 6 • 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 all new techniques (different from the fall class) of 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 collage and Mixed Media artists, and then work to develop your own personal visual language. Click Here to contact Gina for a short material list 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.
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
