Academy Center of the Arts

Lynchburg VA center for arts, culture, and community building

Westminster Canterbury – Patti Cox- Acrylic
January 24 - March 28
Virginian Hotel – Alex Sayer – Oils
February 14 - May 9
Magnolia Foods – Brenda Gay Simmons- Mixed Media
March 1 - March 31
Anne White Gallery – Priscilla Whitlock
March 6 - March 28
Up Front Gallery – Jawansa Hall
March 6 - March 29
Charlottesville Ballet: Swan Lake Act II & The Firebird
March 15
Clay Exploration
March 17 @ 9:30 am - 12:00 pm
The Potter’s Palette
March 17 @ 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Pottery Basics & Beyond
March 17 @ 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Clay Lab
March 18 @ 9:30 am - 12:00 pm
Education

Kid’s Clayworks: Wall Art

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Time: April 24 @ 4:15 pm - 5:45 pm
Number of Classes/Day: 6 Thursdays
End Date: May 29
Register By: April 22
Ages: 6-10
Venue: May Carter Pottery Studio
Cost: $120
Instructor: Lesley Burks & Brianna Falwell

Wall Art is the theme of this fun handbuilding class at the Academy Center of the Arts! Designed for ages 6-10, this festive class invites young artists to craft a wall planter, a slab sculpture, a candle holder, and a slab painting. Under the guidance of instructors Lesley Burks and Brie Falwell, students will explore various clay techniques while creating wall art masterpieces, aligning with SOLs 1.16 (applying a variety of media, materials, techniques, and processes to create artwork) and 2.15 (refining motor skills to create two- and three-dimensional works of art). This hands-on class is perfect for sparking creativity and building artistic skills as we head into Spring!

Instructors: Lesley Burks & Brianna Falwell

 

Lesley Burks

Lesley Christina Burks is a passionate ceramic artist and dedicated pottery instructor based in Lynchburg, Virginia. Having started her own pottery journey in 2018, she quickly developed a love for handbuilding, functional pottery, and creating unique small ceramic animals and wall decor. After volunteering with children’s pottery classes, she discovered a deep passion for ceramics and began teaching classes in 2020, helping others bring their creative visions to life.

Believing wholeheartedly that “it is better to create than to do nothing at all”, Lesley fosters an environment where students can freely explore their creativity and feel encouraged every step of the way. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced artist, her classes emphasize the joy of the process, the therapeutic nature of working with clay, and the satisfaction of making something of your own.

 

Brie Falwell

I started working with clay in 2017 for a few courses while in University, and began to further my exploration of the art form in 2018 when I started taking classes with the Academy Center of the Arts. Since then I have continued my ceramic education via ACOA, and have begun selling my pieces via online retail or vendor fairs. Throughout the years pottery has grown to become one of the most fulfilling part of my life by watching my personal growth in both the technical skill and my personal achievements. I am very excited to combine my passion of working with children and my passion for art. I have learned so much throughout my few years, and I am so excited to be given the opportunity to share my passion with others.

The following Virginia Standards of Learning (SOLs) are integrated into our Pottery Studio and Kids Clayworks classes! These standards emphasize the creative process, skill development, and artistic evaluation. These tools are essential for fostering well-rounded and successful young artists in our clay programs!
 
Virginia Visual Arts Standards of Learning Pottery and Ceramics

Creative Process
Grade 1

1.1 Apply creative thinking to artmaking:
• a) Experiment with materials.
1.2 Apply a creative process for artmaking:
a) Examine a variety of solutions to art-making challenges.

Grade 2

2.1 Apply creative thinking to artmaking:
a) Incorporate unanticipated results of artmaking into works of art.

Grade 3

3.1 Apply creative thinking to artmaking:
a) Use imaginative and expressive strategies to create works of art.

Grade 4

4.1 Apply creative thinking to artmaking:
a) Apply imaginative and expressive ideas.

Grade 5

5.1 Apply creative thinking to artmaking:
a) Express personal ideas, images, and themes through artistic choices of media, techniques, and subject matter.
 

Technique and Application
Grade 1

1.15 Apply motor skills (e.g., cutting, modeling, molding) to create two- and three-dimensional works of art.
1.16 Apply a variety of media, materials, techniques, and processes to create artwork.

Grade 2

2.15 Refine motor skills to create two- and three-dimensional works of art.
2.16 Create three-dimensional works of art, using a variety of materials to include clay.

Grade 3

3.16 Use subtractive and additive processes in various media, including clay.

Grade 4

4.16 Use a variety of media, materials, techniques, and processes to create artwork:
a) Describe and use hand-building techniques to make a ceramic work of art.

Grade 5

5.15 Execute and complete works of art with attention to detail and skill in the use of art materials.
5.16 Use a variety of media, materials, techniques, and processes to create artwork:
a) Create sculpture in the round, high relief, or bas-relief, using three-dimensional media, including clay.

 

Sponsored by:

IWT

with Education Access Program Discounts Underwritten by

Foster Fuels