Whether you are brand new to the arts or have been at it a while, CHAW has something for everyone. We meet you where you are. Sign up for a class to experience the magic of CHAW today!
Visual Arts
*All visual arts registrations include an annual membership for the Capitol Hill Art League.
First Fridays
Teaching Artist – Nancy Arbuthnot
01/05/2024, 02/02/2024, 03/01/2024
Friday, 10:30am-12:30pm
Tuition – Pay what you can
Visual Arts meets Creative Writing! For each workshop, the Teaching Artist will offer different writing prompts, then discuss examples of poetic language (sensory details, similes and metaphors) and different short poetry and prose forms (couplets, haiku, repeating-word forms), to evoke memories and enliven participants’ writing. Students will create a handmade journal in which to write down ideas and finished pieces, then decorate the journal with collage.
Acrylic Painting
Teaching Artist – Will Fleishell
01/08/2024 – 02/26/2024
Mondays, 6:30-8:30pm
Tuition – $250.00
This class is a thorough introduction to acrylic painting. Over the course of the session students will learn the basic techniques of acrylic painting and practice their new skills. This class is great for developing foundational painting skills like materials handling and color mixing.
*No class January 15 and February 19
Mixed Media and Shading Techniques
Teaching Artist – Carolina Mayorga
01/09/2024 – 01/23/2024
Tuesdays, 6:30-8:30pm
Tuition – $125.00
This workshop is an opportunity to learn about the fundamentals of figure drawing and the incorporation of the human figure into indoor/outdoor spaces. Get a taste of this important subject matter in art history while drawing our favorite models. Spanish speakers welcome!
Materials: Sketch book/pad min size 8.5 x 11 inches. All other materials will be provided.
Contemporary Colored Pencils
Teaching Artist – Sarah Jamison
01/17/2024 – 02/21/2024
Wednesdays, 6:30-8:30pm
Tuition – $250.00
Students will learn drawing techniques emphasizing the joy of creation. Everyone will create a piece (or pieces) of artwork based around Sarah’s specific artist practice and area of expertise – drawing from a collaged photo reference. All materials are provided.
Life Drawing
Teaching Artist – Ellen Cornett
01/11/2024 – 02/15/2024
Thursdays, 6:30-8:30pm
Tuition – $250.00
Each class will include a nude model who will pose for warm ups, short exercises and one or more longer drawing session for a variety of practice. Students will need an 18×24 newsprint drawing pad, an 18×24 Strathmore 300 or 400 series drawing pad, a kneaded eraser and soft vine charcoal. CHAW can supply the easel and storage if needed.
Autobiographical Collage
Teaching Artist – Karen Van Allen
01/11/2024 – 02/01/2024
Thursdays, 10:00am-12:00pm
Tuition – $180.00
For women ages 60 yrs +. Through brief readings and poems relevant to women’s experience and quiet moments, each participant will reflect on and create works using collage materials that speak to a decade (or period of time) of her life. Each of the four weeks will provide the opportunity to visually record a decade or period of time. The 2-hour format will provide each woman with sufficient time to quietly reflect on her life and its memorable, meaningful moments, happy and sad, celebratory and mournful. We will be creating an autobiographical series for ourselves alone. Because of the personal nature of autobiographical work, confidentiality will be honored. Collage materials will be provided and participants are encouraged to bring meaningful notes, photos, letters etc. There is absolutely no requirement to have any prior art experience, we’re making memories.
Ceramics
Monday Wheel and Handbuilding – Beginner
Teaching Artist – Xibei Song
01/ 08/2024 – 03/11/2024
Mondays, 6:30-8:30pm
Tuition – $360.00
Handbuilding and wheel throwing will be covered in this course with plenty of time and space for you to find your own niche and create something beautiful to take home. All materials are provided. *No class January 15 and February 19
Tuesday Wheel and Handbuilding – Beginner
Teaching Artist – Selina Tran
01/16/2024 – 03/05/2024
Tuesdays, 6:30-8:30pm
Tuition – $360.00
Handbuilding and wheel throwing will be covered in this course with plenty of time and space for you to find your own niche and create something beautiful to take home. All materials are provided.
Wheel and Handbuilding – Intermediate
Teaching Artist – Sarah Winston
01/17/2024 – 03/06/2024
Wednesdays, 6:30-8:30pm
Tuition – $360.00
Students will gain practice and time on the wheels creating functional pieces that will be finished and ready to use by the end of this session. Ability to center clay on your own and experience in wheel throwing is recommended. All materials are included.
Advanced Wheel
Teaching Artist – Nick Wittkofski
01/18/2024 – 03/07/2024
Thursdays, 6:30-8:30pm
Tuition – $360.00
Students in this course will primarily work independently with weekly demos on advanced throwing techniques. Students are encouraged to request demos on skills they wish to learn or develop in addition to throwing off the hump, large vessels, lidded vessels, and manipulating thrown vessels. Advanced glazing techniques can also be demonstrated upon request.
Throw the Perfect Cylinder
Teaching Artist – Xibei Song
01/12/2024 – 02/02/2024
Fridays, 6:00-8:00pm
Tuition – $180.00
In this class, we will be practicing throwing cylinders. We will start with a small amount of clay during the first class, and add one pound of clay every class to keep throwing bigger and taller. Previous experiences required, we will go straight into throwing from the first class.
Photography
In the Darkroom: Black and White Printing
Teaching Artist – Russell Barajas
01/13/2024 – 02/24/2024
Saturday, 9:00am-1:00pm
Tuition – $550.00
If new to printing, students will learn the basic functioning of the enlargers by making simple photograms, and then learn the process of printing from negatives. More experienced students will further their knowledge and practice of printing, with individualized instruction and projects. The class will have ongoing critiques to examine and share what students have accomplished. *No class February 3
NOTE: For anyone 18 yrs+. Contact photography@chaw.org if you have any specific questions regarding this class.
January Intro to Darkroom:
Seminar on Printing Black & White Film
Teaching Artist – Carol Antezana
01/06/2024 – 01/06/2024
Saturday, 9:00-2:00pm
Tuition – $135.00
The seminar is designed for folks who shoot film but have no prior darkroom experience. In the seminar, you will learn the basics of film development and print making. At the end of the seminar you will have one roll of developed film, one contact sheet, and one print. Please bring one full (undeveloped) roll of 35mm or 120mm black and white film to the seminar. If you need help unloading the film from your camera, Carol can help you.
NOTE: For anyone 18 yrs+. Contact photography@chaw.org if you have any specific questions regarding the seminar.
February Intro to Darkroom:
Seminar on Printing Black & White Film
Teaching Artist – Carol Antezana
02/03/2024 – 02/03/2024
Saturday, 9:00-2:00pm
Tuition – $135.00
The seminar is designed for folks who shoot film but have no prior darkroom experience. In the seminar, you will learn the basics of film development and print making. At the end of the seminar you will have one roll of developed film, one contact sheet, and one print. Please bring one full (undeveloped) roll of 35mm or 120mm black and white film to the seminar. If you need help unloading the film from your camera, Carol can help you.
NOTE: For anyone 18 yrs+. Contact photography@chaw.org if you have any specific questions regarding the seminar.
Dance
Tap
Teaching Artist – Heather Whyte
01/08/2024 – 02/10/2024
Mondays, 6:00-6:55pm
Tuition – $120.00
Learn to shuffle, flap, and all the basics to get you moving. Students should have tap shoes and wear comfortable clothes. No prior dance experience required. Returning students will build on prior knowledge. * No class January 15
Jazz
Teaching Artist – Heather Whyte
01/08/2024 – 02/10/2024
Mondays, 7:00-7:55pm
Tuition – $120.00
Come stretch, move, and dance! This Luigi inspired jazz class will include floor exercises based on centering, isolation, strength building, and balance. A new combination of steps will be introduced each class to work on coordination. No formal training or experience is needed. Please come to class in ballet shoes or bare feet. * No class January 15
Ballet
Teaching Artist – Heather Whyte
11/06/2023 – 12/11/2023
01/08/2024 – 02/10/2024
Tuition – $120.00
This class emphasizes the fundamentals of ballet and encourages ballet as a means of improved body awareness, poise, grace, musicality, flexibility, and self-expression. Classes are structured to include warm-up exercises, barre technique and center floor work. Ballet shoes and comfortable clothes are recommended. No prior dance experience required. Returning students will build on prior knowledge. * No class January 15
Poetry in Motion
Teaching Artist – Rachael Coad
01/23/2024 – 03/12/2024
Tuesdays, 6:30-7:20pm
Tuition – $190.00
A contemporary modern dance movement practice for adults with poetry inspiration. This class is suitable all levels, no prior dance experience required.
Adult Heels
Teaching Artist – Brynn Bodair
01/23/2024 – 03/12/2024
Tuesdays, 7:30-8:20pm
Tuition – $190.00
Explore the technicality and fluidity of jazz-based movement, hard-hitting hip hop influence, as well as sensual floorwork and movement as you experience heels dancing. All experience levels and bodies are welcome as modifications and adjustments will be offered as necessary.
Recommended Footwear: A pair of heels that you feel comfortable moving in or sneakers.
Dance Conditioning
Teaching Artist – Brynn Bodair
01/20/2024 – 03/09/2024
Saturdays, 9:30-10:20am
Tuition – $190.00
Focus on mobility, strength, and flexibility as you explore a blend of dance, yoga, and pilates training styles. All experience levels and bodies are welcome as modifications and adjustments will be offered as necessary.
Recommended Clothing: Non-restrictive clothing suitable for movement. Recommended Footwear: Socks or bare feet.
Movement Meditation
Teaching Artist – Brynn Bodair
01/20/2024 – 03/09/2024
Saturdays, 10:30-11:20am
Tuition – $190.00
Sustained physical movement research with stream of consciousness, inquisitive improvisational prompts; focuses on cultivating the dancer’s internal processing of language, instincts, curiosity, and sense of exploration. All experience levels and bodies are welcome. Non-restrictive clothing suitable for movement, and socks or bare feet are recommended.