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!
MINI ART LABS
Mondays at 12:30pm & Fridays 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
Wednesdays at 10:30am& 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
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
Wednesdays at 12pm
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:
September 20th - Marvel/DC
September 27th - Monster Design
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!
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 MENTORSHIP
Fridays at 6pm
Art teaches life skills such as critical and visual thinking, time management, self-reflection, and pursuing lifelong learning. The Art Mentorship program will aid in the development of these life skills by providing an art mentor who can guide a student's artistic development into individualized steps in their personal artwork.
The program will consist of 5 weeks of mentorship, providing individualized and engaged steps for the student's success in their artistic vision and development. These classes will be limited to up to 6 students ages 11+. Each class will be 1.5 hours.
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:
Sept 17th - Dungeon Meshi
Sept 24th - Weapon Design
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:
- September 20th - Marvel/DC
- September 27th - Monster Design
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!
FACEPAINTING WORKSHOP
Tuesday's at 6pm
Have you ever wished you knew how to face paint? Come to the Art Factory to learn how! This class will be instructed by Ashley Pickin, who has been a professional face painter for over 18 years. She knows all the tips and tricks to creating fabulous designs.
Upcoming Classes:
Oct. 22nd - Skulls
Nov. 19th - Flowers
Dec. 17th - Winter
HENNA WORKSHOP
Tuesday's at 6pm
Join us for hands-on exploration as we learn to use henna cones. Discover henna basics, create your own designs—from elegant swirls to intricate patterns—and care tips. No experience needed—just bring your creativity!
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.