Youth Programs
We have a variety of programs for all ages. We've broken it down by age using the tabs below.
If you have questions about what class would be best for your child, please reach out to us.
- PRESCHOOL
- 6 AND UP
- TEENS 10+
ART ACADEMY - ART ADVENTURES
Homeschool: Tuesdays at 10:30am & 12:30pm
Tuesdays & Wednesdays at 5pm
Art Adventures is a part of our Art Academy, for our friends 4-7 years old. Students will
LEARN about the concept or technique
PLAY a game, do a fun activity or read a book that reinforces
the concept
LOOK at and discuss artwork that is inspired by the concept or
displays the technique
CREATE two works of art that incorporates what was learned
CREATIVE CANVAS FOR KIDS
Wednesdays 6:30-7:30pm
Whether your child is a beginner or an advanced painter, Creative Canvas provides a fun, friendly, laid back environment where kids can explore their creative side.
Similar to the adult class, our instructor will walk students step by step through the featured painting offering guidance along the way. Your child will have a great time while also learning different paint styles and techniques. Join us for a fun experience and go home with an amazing piece of art painted by YOU!
In addition to our midweek canvas class, we also offer Family Fun Creative Canvas on Sundays at 1pm to paint together!
LITTLE NIGHT OWLS & EARLY BIRDS
Mondays at 6pm
Wednesdays at 10:30am
Night Owls and Early Birds classes are for kids ages 4-7 who enjoy listening to a story and making crafts. Each class will begin with the instructor reading a book that sets the theme for the art activities, games and/or songs that we will make, play and sing throughout the class. It is a “parent-free” class so kids can be dropped off unless your little one needs the extra support. It’s a perfect way to get the wiggles out before bed (or before lunch) and beat the summer heat!
MINI ART LABS
Mondays at 10:30am
Sign-up for The Art Factory’s newest class, Mini Art Labs, and leave the messy art to us!
Mini-Labs is for kids old enough to stand and hold a paintbrush through age five. It is a self-directed, age appropriate art space full of activities designed to promote creativity, risk-taking and fine motor skill development. Parents and kids may enter the art lab at any time within the posted lab hours and move freely to any art station.
Mini Art Labs is all “process art” meaning it is a time of exploration using traditional and non-traditional methods to paint, draw, cut, attach, sculpt, etc. There are no mistakes in process art because there are no expected outcomes.
LITTLE EXPLORERS
Returning August 21st on Wednesdays & Thursdays 10:30am & 1:30pm
Join us for our most popular program geared towards preschoolers ages 2-5 years old. Explore a different theme each class with storytime, sensory-oriented pretend play, music, movement and visual art projects. We’ll keep the mess - you take the memories!
Musical Storytime with Mr. Beatman
Mondays at 10:30am, beginning August 19th
Join us for a fun morning of songs and stories with Mr. Beatman live at the Art Factory!
Mr. Beatman will be here to perform from 10:30-11am in our Glow Room. Be sure to stick around after as we transform the Glow Room into an epic glow-in-the-dark dance party!
Please note, that this ticket no longer includes playtime in the Play Space. Instead, we invite you to party in the glow room with bouncy balls and riding toys until noon.
This is a parent-inclusive event. Ages 5 and under only.
ART ACADEMY - ART ADVENTURES
Homeschool: Tuesdays at 10:30am & 12:30pm
Tuesdays & Wednesdays at 5pm
Art Adventures is a part of our Art Academy, for our friends 4-7 years old. Students will
LEARN about the concept or technique
PLAY a game, do a fun activity or read a book that reinforces the concept
LOOK at and discuss artwork that is inspired by the concept or displays the technique
CREATE two works of art that incorporates what was learned
ART FOUNDATIONS
Tuesdays, Wednesdays at 5pm
Homeschoolers Wednesdays at 10:30am
Art Foundations is a part of our Art Academy, for our friends 8-12 years old. Students will
LEARN about the concept
PRACTICE the concept through sketches or visual activities in a provided art journal
LOOK at and discuss an inspiring source (artwork, artist, illustrator, designer, etc)
CREATE two works of art, in two different mediums, that incorporate what was learned
TALK about each other’s art. Participate in a class critique of final projects
ART METHODS
Mondays at 6pm
Fridays at 12:30pm
A weekly art class with a rotating medium offered in the afternoon for homeschooled kids. These classes are designed to improve upon, or add a new fine art skill to your artistic toolkit. We hope you join us for one, or sign up for them all.
This class is for ages 6+.
CARTOONING FOR KIDS
Fridays at 6pm
Cartooning for Kids! Explore how to draw cartoons in various styles and poses. From Pokémon to Lego, learn how to draw, shade or color your favorite characters. We will also explore comic book layouts and story development in some classes. Look for themes for each week of class.
Upcoming Class Topics:
August 2nd - Bluey
August 9th - Dragons
August 16th - Super Smash Bros
August 23rd - Design a Robot
August 30th - Spiderverse
CREATIVE CANVAS FOR KIDS
Wednesdays 6:30-7:30pm
Whether your child is a beginner or an advanced painter, Creative Canvas provides a fun, friendly, laid back environment where kids can explore their creative side.
Similar to the adult class, our instructor will walk students step by step through the featured painting offering guidance along the way. Your child will have a great time while also learning different paint styles and techniques. Join us for a fun experience and go home with an amazing piece of art painted by YOU!
In addition to our midweek canvas class, we also offer Family Fun Creative Canvas on Sundays at 1pm to paint together!
LITTLE NIGHT OWLS & EARLY BIRDS
Mondays at 6pm
Wednesdays at 10:30am
Night Owls and Early Birds classes are for kids ages 4-7 who enjoy listening to a story and making crafts. Each class will begin with the instructor reading a book that sets the theme for the art activities, games and/or songs that we will make, play and sing throughout the class. It is a “parent-free” class so kids can be dropped off unless your little one needs the extra support. It’s a perfect way to get the wiggles out before bed (or before lunch) and beat the summer heat!
ART CLUB
Wednesdays at 10:30am (Home Schoolers)
Thursdays at 4:30pm
Art Club is the oldest age group of our Art Academy program. It is the next step up from Art Foundations and is for kids in 6th grade and up.
Each five class session will have a theme that guides the ideas and instruction. Students will have an opportunity to create work in a medium of their choice that fits with the theme. Each session will also focus on a particular medium so students are always being introduced to new techniques.
ART FOUNDATIONS
Tuesdays, Wednesdays at 5pm
Homeschoolers Wednesdays at 10:30am
Art Adventures is a part of our Art Academy, for our friends 8-12 years old. Students will
LEARN about the concept
PRACTICE the concept through sketches or visual activities in a provided art journal
LOOK at and discuss an inspiring source (artwork, artist, illustrator, designer, etc)
CREATE two works of art, in two different mediums, that incorporate what was learned
TALK about each other’s art. Participate in a class critique of final projects
ART METHODS
Mondays at 6pm
Fridays at 12:30pm
A weekly art class with a rotating medium offered in the afternoon for homeschooled kids. These classes are designed to improve upon, or add a new fine art skill to your artistic toolkit. We hope you join us for one, or sign up for them all.
This class is for ages 6+.
ANIME DRAWING
Wednesdays at 6pm
A series of classes breaking down the art of anime by analyzing various elements from different shows, movies, and clips in order to apply them to the pieces we create. Each class will focus on different topics from character design to backgrounds featured in different anime. Through analyzing the anime we love, different drawing and art techniques and elements of design can be learned and further improved upon.
Upcoming Class Topics:
- August 14th - Monster Design in Anime
- August 21st - Drawing SFX Basics (magic, fire, explosions, etc.)
CARTOONING FOR KIDS
Fridays at 6pm
Cartooning for Kids! Explore how to draw cartoons in various styles and poses. From Pokémon to Lego, learn how to draw, shade or color your favorite characters. We will also explore comic book layouts and story development in some classes. Look for themes for each week of class.
Upcoming Class Topics:
August 2nd - Bluey
August 9th - Dragons
August 16th - Super Smash Bros
August 23rd - Design a Robot
August 30th - Spiderverse
CREATIVE CANVAS FOR KIDS
Wednesdays 6:30-7:30pm
Whether your child is a beginner or an advanced painter, Creative Canvas provides a fun, friendly, laid back environment where kids can explore their creative side.
Similar to the adult class, our instructor will walk students step by step through the featured painting offering guidance along the way. Your child will have a great time while also learning different paint styles and techniques. Join us for a fun experience and go home with an amazing piece of art painted by YOU!
In addition to our midweek canvas class, we also offer Family Fun Creative Canvas on Sundays at 1pm to paint together!
DIY DUNGEONS & DRAGONS
Mondays at 5:30pm
Join us as we combine the magic of crafting with the excitement of Dungeons and Dragons. Each session will combine hands-on crafting activities with informative demonstrations led by an experienced Dungeon Master and artist. Participants will have the opportunity to showcase their creations, receive feedback, and collaborate with fellow adventurers in a supportive and engaging environment.
TEEN STUDIO
Thursdays at 6pm
Teen Studio is a 90 minute class where students age 12 and up will focus on learning the methods and techniques of various art mediums. Students can pick their subject matter and adapt their ideas to meet the challenges of the materials provided. The first part of class will include instructional time where the tips and tricks of the particular medium will be demonstrated. Then students will spend the remaining time creating and implementing what they learned.
VDSA CREATIVE CANVAS FOR TEENS & ADULTS
*SPECIAL NEEDS FRIENDLY*
Second Friday of every month at 12:30pm
Creative Canvas at the Art Factory exclusive adaptive painting class for individuals with disabilities and Virginia Down Syndrome Association. This class is opening to individuals with Down syndrome or other disabilities.
For homeschoolers ages 13 and all adults with Down syndrome or other disabilities welcome. Seasonal canvas painting for each class.