The Birds of a Feather School offers classes and workshops for all ages, abilities/disabilities, and schedules. From weekday classes to weekend workshops and create-your-own sessions, we offer art classes and much, much more. Just click on a category for a more complete listing of classes offered; from there you can read about each class and register.

Classes, Workshops & Retreats

Mixed Media Art Workshops and Camps for ALL children, ages 5—17

Classes and workshops are more about “process” than “product.” Even those with no experience in the arts will find the means and methods to feel successful and productive. You become engaged in projects that interest you, and are in the company of like-minded, supportive individuals. We believe that art is a universal language and a meaningful way to communicate – with oneself and with others. If you are looking for a class that tells you what to paint, how to paint it and puts restraints indicating what is “right” and not, you will probably be disappointed by what we offer!

Birds of a Feather School

A public charity providing visual ARTS experiences that integrate learning, history, nature-appreciation

Design your own class with Darcy and Trent. Or, for those who cannot travel to the school, we offer programs at your location. Be it at your home, a community center, a hospital, assisted living or a school, Trent and Darcy will drive up to 1.5 hours to teach you or a group. Dependent on the size, interests and abilities/disabilities of the participants, we have a myriad of choices available.

Outreach Classes/Art Parties/Design-Your-Own

Phone: (571) 439-6862

E-mail: birdsart@earthlink.net

Contact Us:

“The exercise of judgment in the making of artistic images or in their appreciation depends upon the ability to cope with ambiguity, to experience nuance, and to weigh trade-offs among alternate courses of action. These skills represent not only the mind operating in its finest hour, but are precisely the skills that characterize our most complex adult life tasks.”

-- Elliot Eisner, Stanford University

Open to individuals, families, groups of all levels and abilities/disabilities, ages 10-110, which would benefit from a day’s experience with the teaching team of practicing artists at The Birds of a Feather School/Art Studio

Retreats

The studio’s three acres of serene Virginia countryside, which you are free to explore and find inspiration from, as we do.

Day-long Retreats

 

 

Begin your day getting acquainted with the group and learning about the history of sketchbooks, pencils and erasers before exploring ways to tap into your personal, inherent creativity and express your thoughts. You will be given your own sketchbook and receive guidance as you learn to depict your ideas visually. There are numerous “sites” on the property – quiet places to retreat with your book and reflect, observe and find inspiration. We will have a 1-hour lunch break at noon. When we reconvene in the studio, you are invited to share your drawings, frustrations, joys and thoughts about the morning experience. We will introduce watercolors, acrylics, oil pastels, etc. and help you develop your favorite sketch (with or without color). Within the next 3 hours, your chosen drawing will be recreated on square paper so that it will be ready to be transformed into an everlasting porcelain/ceramic tile. If you need more time to finish your work of art, it will be arranged. Your tile (cost included in tuition) can be picked up at the studio or mailed to you in 2-3 weeks.

We hope that your sketchbook, like ours, becomes a treasured companion, and that you will return to our studio to share and learn new ways to develop your work into oil or acrylic paintings, collages and much more.

 

BRING WITH YOU

(in order of importance):

 

· An open mind

· 3 “objects” of any form that best represent what is most meaningful to you

· Bag lunch, snack, drink if you choose to eat at the studio (option: 10 min. drive to restaurants in town)

· Agreement to keep cell phones and all electronic devices “off” except during lunch hour

· Camera (optional!)

 

“It is Art which makes life, makes interest, makes importance,

And I know of no substitute for the force and beauty of its process.”

--Henry James