ADULT WORKSHOPS
PERMISSION TO CREATE: A FOUR WEEK TUNE-UP
A relaxed, guided workshop for adults to explore creativity without critique or pressure.
April 14th - May 5th
Tuesdays, 10-11:30am
$125 for members (discount at checkout)
$150 for non-members
Most adults didn’t make a conscious decision to stop being creative. It simply drifted out of daily life, crowded out by obligations, routines, and constant demands on our attention.
This course is an invitation to bring creativity back in a low-pressure, welcoming way. No background in art is required. No artistic skill is assumed. The focus is on curiosity, experimentation, and the simple pleasure of making and noticing.
Over four weeks, participants work with accessible materials, engaging prompts, and supportive group activities. We explore creativity in ways that are playful, surprising, and free from performance. There is no focus on talent or technique and no pressure to produce “good art.” There are no grades, no critiques, and no expectations of prior experience.
Who This Course Is For?
-
Artists looking for fresh inspiration
-
People who once loved making things and stopped
-
Those who believe they “aren’t creative”
-
Anyone who wants to keep their mind curious and engaged
Each weekly session introduces new prompts and themes, allowing participants to return and continue their creative exploration.
About the Instructor: Lainie Mabbitt, Second Stories LLC
Lainie Mabbitt is both an artist and an experienced adult learning facilitator. For more than 25 years, she has designed and led adult learning and leadership programs across the United States, Mexico, and Europe. Her background includes senior roles in training and organizational development, where she helped individuals and organizations navigate change, build confidence, and explore identity shifts.
She holds the Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) credential, is a certified Myers-Briggs practitioner, and has a Certificate in Instructional Design from the Association for Talent Development.
In addition to her professional work, Lainie has spent decades building women’s communities centered on connection and vitality. She founded The Staunton Magnificent Women and holds a Certificate in Menopause Coaching, which she draws on in teaching courses focused on midlife transition.
She teaches local art classes, participates in community theater, and volunteers with and serves on the Board of Directors for the Verona Community Food Pantry.
Learn more at:
www.LainieMabbitt.com
BOTANICAL MONOPRINTING ON TOTES
Saturday, April 4th
1:00 pm
$70 per person
All materials are included
Join us for our botanical mono-printing workshop where you will learn how to print with nature and create your own unique tote bag. We will discover and reveal the natural textures and shapes of leaves and flowers by applying fabric-safe ink with a brayer then pressing onto your tote bag and repeating the process to create a one-of-a-kind design. The extra large tote bags provide the perfect canvas for printing on. Plus they have interior pockets!
Registration includes instruction, a 15 x 15 x 10 inch heavy duty canvas tote bag, cardstock for practice prints, a selection of ink colors and a variety of plant material. All materials and tools will be provided.
About the Instructor: Leslie Geer
Leslie Geer is a botanical designer with a design studio in downtown Staunton, in the historic Stonewall Jackson Schoolhouse on Beverley Street. She creates custom botanical pieces, with a focus on succulents and airplants, repurposing found and collected vintage treasures. Since 2021, she has collaborated with the Staunton Downtown Development Association, designing and maintaining the planters of over 30 businesses in Staunton's shopping district from May to October during their Shop & Dine Out season. Leslie also tends gardens year round on the grounds of Pharsalia, a 200 year old flower farm and event venue in Nelson County. She has been developing a program of botanical workshops that have been well received at Pharsalia and also in Staunton, Harrisonburg, and Culpeper, VA.
Learn more at:
INTRODUCTION TO COLLAGE WORKSHOP
Saturday, April 25th
10am - 4pm
$150 for members (discount at checkout)
$165 for non-members
All materials are included
Open the door and take a peek into the world of collage. Discover the how, what, and why of this fascinating, artistic medium, including video instruction and real time collage forensics from an experienced collage artist and passionate educator. Lay the groundwork now for bigger projects and sophisticated gallery-ready work. Students will complete multiple collages by Saturday afternoon.
Begin the adventure!
Beginners always welcome!
About the Instructor: Chris Watts
Chris Watts brings a lifetime of artistic pursuit and professional design experience to her teaching. Accredited in graphic design in California, she spent 20 years in corporate marketing before relocating to Virginia in 2000, followed by eight years as a graphic artist at The News Leader newspaper in Staunton. Throughout her career, she has continued studying with accomplished instructors, refining her practice and expanding her visual language. Chris is a member of CoArt Gallery here in Staunton. Her artwork is collected both nationally and abroad.
Working primarily in abstraction, Chris is especially drawn to collage for its quiet magic—the way translucent papers and layered surfaces can create an illusion of depth and atmosphere. She is fascinated by how simple materials, handled with intention, open into unexpected visual space.
In the classroom, she creates a welcoming, well-structured environment where artists at different stages feel encouraged to explore and grow.
Learn more at: www.christinewattsart.com