The Visual Arts Center of New Jersey’s Studio School, located in Summit, NJ, offers classes and workshops for artists of all ages and skill levels. Taught by experienced teaching artists, our programs span painting, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, photography, and more—providing a supportive environment for learning, exploration, and creative growth.

SPRING SEMESTER 2026

Adult Workshops

8560/8580 Encaustic for All
Instructor: Chase Cantwell
Explore encaustic, the art of painting with molten beeswax mixed with colored pigments and resin. This unusual medium provides results like no other with mysterious, deep, and translucent colors. Experiment with techniques such as layering, fusing, and incising. Safe handling of materials will also be covered. No experience necessary. Some materials provided. Please review additional materials to purchase for the workshop on our website.
8560 Saturday, 4/11, 10 AM–4 PM
8580 Saturday, 5/30, 10 AM–4 PM
Tuition: $137
Materials fee: $50

8562/8586 Creating Realistic Flowers in Polymer Clay
Instructor: Pooja Dhawan
Learn the art of creating realistic flowers that will never wither! Students will form, cut, texture, and color air–dry polymer clay into individual, realistic flowers in this exciting one–day workshop.
8562 Sunday, 4/12, 10 AM–4 PM
8586 Sunday, 6/7, 10 AM–4 PM
Tuition: $137
Materials fee: $30

8563/8577 Jewelry Wax Carving
Instructor: Jeannette Mullarkey
This two–session workshop focuses on teaching the techniques of creating jewelry using wax carving and construction methods. Wax allows the artist to create very fluid, intricate, detailed, and sculpturally exciting work. Once the model is completed, it will be cast into brass, silver, or gold. Students may also mold it to create multiples. Depending on the design, students will be shown different finishing options such as soldering, stone setting, and polishing. The instructor will work individually with each student to discuss and plan the creation of their piece.
8563 Sundays, 4/12 & 4/26, 10 AM–4 PM
8577 Saturdays, 5/16 & 5/30, 10 AM–4 PM
Tuition: $262
Materials fee: $53

8564 NEW! Texture Tools and Techniques in Clay
Instructor: Melissa Krishnamurthy
Create cost-efficient, unique textures and patterns for your ceramic pieces in this two-part workshop! During the first session, students will use found objects, like shells, buttons, flowers and keys, to make molds. Students will also have the option to carve the clay to make their own name stamp and create texture rollers using clay, cardboard tubes, hot glue, yarn, and foam. During the second session, students will make pieces and use their molds, stamps, and/or rollers to embellish, texturize, and decorate their work. Additional ceramics open studio time can be purchased for students to glaze their work or they can glaze their work during their class time. Students will need to purchase their own clay the day of the workshop, or are welcome to use their own clay from class. The materials fee covers the cost of firing, studio usage, and some materials. Students are encouraged to bring paper towel tubes, toilet paper tubes, corks, and objects that they want to make a mold out of.
Sundays, 4/12 & 4/26, 10 AM–2 PM
Tuition: $220
Materials fee: $32

8566 Drawing in Perspective
Instructor: Drew Maillard
Want to add depth and realism to your drawing and painting? Learn step–by–step to draw one–, two–, and three–point perspective; measure in perspective; and how to achieve uniform proportions throughout a drawing. Follow along with the instructor through various exercises for hands–on learning.
Sunday, 4/19, 10 AM–4 PM
Tuition: $137

8568 Exploring Slip Decorating
Instructor: Emma Tabachnick
Explore the exciting and colorful world of slips in this one-day workshop! Unlike glazes, slips can be layered and blended to create new colors, define lines, and create tactile textures on the surface of your work. Play with a number of slip decorating techniques, including slip trailing, sgraffito, and paper resist. Please bring 6-8 greenware (leather-hard) pieces with you and be ready to have fun adding color, pattern, and depth to your work! Most materials provided.
Sunday, 4/19, 10 AM–4 PM
Tuition: $137
Materials fee: $28

8565 NEW! Bangle Bracelet
Instructor: Sue Sachs
Embark on a creative journey in jewelry to design a timeless bracelet! Students will have the option to use different materials such as metal wires and sheets to make a simple, complex, or multilayer bracelet. Students will learn how to solder, various hammering techniques, and forming. This workshop is designed for students at any skill level. Most materials provided, including brass and copper, will be supplied. Students who wish to work in silver need to purchase their own and bring it with them on the day of the workshop (12 or 10-gauge wire (at least 1 foot), 22-gauge sheet (minimum 3”x3”).
Sunday, 4/19, 10 AM–4 PM
Tuition: $137
Materials fee: $38

8567 NEW! Decoupage Décor: Trays
Instructor: Heidi SanFilippo
Make your tray a conversation piece with the art process of decoupage! In this interactive one-day workshop, students will explore techniques for layering paper, textures, and embellishments to transform a simple wooden tray into a beautiful, functional work of art. This workshop is made for students at any skill level. By the end of the workshop, you’ll leave with a personalized tray to treasure or gift!
Sunday, 4/19, 10 AM–4 PM
Tuition: $137
Materials fee: $28

8570 NEW! Sculpting a Self-Portrait from Life
Instructor: Leena Bagawde
In this two-part workshop, students will create a self-reflection sculpture, step-by-step with air-dry clay (a user-friendly, water-based modeling clay that hardens naturally in the air without firing). They will start creating the sculpture from the bottom and will build up to the top on a wooden base – (starting from shoulder, neck, face, and top of the head) while using a small standing mirror to help them create their own version. This is a therapeutic process where students will be encouraged to combine elements that reflect their personalities using air-dry clay.
Saturday & Sunday, 4/25–26, 10 AM–4 PM
Tuition: $262
Materials fee: $42

8571 NEW! Unlocking the Mystery of Shape and Color in Watercolor
Instructor: Mark de Mos
Paint a colorful, abstracted watercolor piece in this one-day workshop! Students will work from their own reference photo or one provided by the instructor to paint an impressionist scene. The instructor will provide demonstrations on using color and creating depth, value, and texture while using a limited color palette.
Sunday, 4/26, 10 AM–4 PM
Tuition: $137

8576 Spring Into Pastels!
Instructor: Andrea Gianchiglia
In this relaxing step-by-step workshop, students will create about two works of art using pastels. Students will focus on various pastel techniques such as application, color theory, and the difference between soft and hard pastels.
Sunday, 5/3, 10 AM–2 PM
Tuition: $110

8574 NEW! From Scraps to Art: Cherry Blossom Collage
Instructor: Kat Block
Grow your creativity in layering and pasting in this one-day workshop! Students will collage a beautiful spring scene of cherry blossoms. The instructor will provide demonstrations on how to make a dynamic composition, the rules of collage, rendering trees, and more. Students are encouraged to bring their own reference photo on the day of the workshop, but the instructor will also have ones available to use.
Sunday, 5/3, 10 AM–2 PM
Tuition: $110
Materials fee: $26

8575 NEW! Quilling Basics: From Strips to Shapes
Instructor: Heidi SanFilippo
Get ready to roll, twist, turn, and shape paper in this one-day workshop! In this hands-on workshop, you will be taught the art of quilling as you turn simple strips of paper into intricate designs. From flowers to abstract patterns, you’ll create stunning cards, decorations, and wall art while learning techniques that make each piece uniquely yours. Perfect for all skill levels, this workshop is a relaxing way to explore creativity and detail work.
Sunday, 5/3, 10 AM–2 PM
Tuition: $110
Materials fee: $26

8573 Alternative Surface Decoration & Glazing
Instructor: Shelley Rosen Howard
This workshop is for curious & experimental clay students, who look for alternative ways to experiment with surface design! Students will use safe materials, like mason stains, colored clay bits, dried glaze, grog, and other materials to create unique pieces. Some of these alternative decorating techniques can be applied to greenware pieces on the first day. Clay will need to be purchased on the day of the workshop. The materials fee covers some materials, firing, and use of studio equipment.
Sundays, 5/3 & 5/17, 10 AM–2 PM
Tuition: $220
Materials fee: $38

8579 Techniques in Water-Mixable Oil Paint
Instructor: Traci Zaretzka
Have you wanted to try painting with oils, but don’t want to work with solvents? Water–mixable oil paints are traditional oil paints with an additive that allows them to mix with water and can be cleaned up with soap and water. In this two-day workshop, students will explore the beauty of oil painting through learning the traditional oil painting techniques of painting wet-on-wet, glazing over a grisaille (gray-scale) painting, and painting in impasto using a palette knife. You will learn how to mix colors and when to thin paint with water vs. oil.
Sundays, 5/17 & 5/31, 10 AM–4 PM
Tuition: $262

8581 Linoleum Block Printing
Instructor: Drew Maillard
Learn relief printing from start to finish. Through instructor demonstration and hands–on experience, students design, cut, and print a linoleum block print. We cover troubleshooting and fixing common printmaking problems, as well as creating finished proofs and editions.
Sunday, 5/31, 10 AM–4 PM
Tuition: $137
Materials fee: $32

8582 NEW! Introduction to Hand Sewing: Make a Zipper Pouch!
Instructor: Jacklyn Hummer
Enjoy selecting a zipper pouch pattern and creating it all by hand with simple sewing tricks and techniques. The workshop will start off with all students creating the same pouch to understand the technique and then create a second pouch of your own choosing from pattern options. Simple techniques of how to sew a zipper and create an inner liner for your pouch will all be taught.
Sunday, 5/31, 10 AM–4 PM
Tuition: $137
Materials fee: $28

8583 Lampworked Glass Beads
Instructor: Stephanie Maddalena
Visit Venice without leaving the studio with this popular workshop! Learn to make beautiful Venetian glass beads using glass rods and a mounted torch.
Saturday & Sunday, 6/6 & 6/7, 10 AM–4 PM
Tuition: $262
Materials fee: $78

8587 Bob Ross Painting
Instructor: Mark Saenger
Back by popular demand! This workshop by certified and Bob Ross–taught instructor, Mark Saenger, is perfect for someone who has never painted before or wants to paint using the wet-on-wet technique made popular by the famous TV series. Repeat students welcome. Come and make some “happy trees!” Students will be led step–by–step in creating their own beautiful seasonal landscape.
Sunday, 6/7, 10 AM–4 PM
Tuition: $137
Materials fee: $48

8585 Pen & Ink Drawing
Instructor: Drew Maillard
Explore pen & ink as a drawing medium. Start with value and texture exercises and continue to simple drawings. Experiment with different pen & ink drawing tools brought by the instructor, such as dip–quill pens and brush pens.
Sunday, 6/7, 10 AM–4 PM
Tuition: $137
Materials fee: $16