ADULT CLASSES
The Vita Arts Center offers studio classes in a wide range of visual arts. Whether you are a novice or professional the Vita Art Center has a class just right for you. Your space in a class cannot be confirmed until payment is received or payment arrangements are made with the office.
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Second Saturday of every month
Saturdays Sept.12, Oct. 10, Nov. 14, Dec. 12
Time: 10am-11am
Adults & children ages 7&up
Fees: $20. Per class.
Teaching Artist: Mona Lewis
Materials provided
Community Knitting Circle is a warm and welcoming introduction to the art of knitting for beginners ages 7 and up. Parents are encouraged to learn alongside their child as you discover the timeless joy of creating with your hands. Inspired by lessons taught in Waldorf schools for many years, the class begins by making your own smooth wooden knitting needles and learning finger crochet to build coordination, confidence, and an understanding of yarn tension. From there, you'll learn the foundational knit stitch and have time between classes to practice at home as your project takes shape. Working with beautiful natural wool yarn and handcrafted tools, each participant will create a project suited to their skill level while building the lifelong skills and confidence to explore endless knitting possibilities.
Community Knitting Circle
Second Saturday of every month
Saturdays Saturdays: Oct. 10, Nov. 14, Dec. 12
Time: 10am-11am
Adults & children ages 7&up
Fees: $20. Per class.
Teaching Artist: Mona Lewis
Materials provided
Travel Journals, Sketching & Watercolors
Thursdays, Oct. 15 - Nov. 5
Thursday, Nov.12-Dec.10, no class 11/26
Time: 10am- 12:30pm
4 weeks
Teaching Artist: Andres Salazar
Adults
Fees: $145.
Location: Outdoor Courtyard Classroom, Building 28
Abstract Painting
Thursdays, Oct.15-Nov. 5
Thursdays, Nov. 12-Dec. 10, no class 11/26
Time: 6-8:30pm
Supplies not included
Beginning & Intermediate
Teaching Artist: Andres Salazar
Adults
Fees: $145.
Location: The Drawing Room, building 50
Thursdays, Oct. .15-Nov. 19, 6 weeks
Time: 6pm-8pm
Adults
Fees: $225.
Teaching Artist: Mona Lewis
Materials provided
An Introduction to Embroidery is a welcoming, hands-on class that introduces the basic stitches and timeless techniques of hand embroidery through the creation of a beautiful embroidered sewing book. Using natural materials—including soft wool felt, linen fabric, and fine cotton embroidery thread—you'll learn a variety of essential stitches while constructing a practical keepsake to organize your needles, thread, and other sewing essentials. Perfect for absolute beginners yet engaging enough for experienced stitchers to personalize with more intricate details, this project builds confidence, creativity, and a strong foundation for a lifetime of embroidery.
Introduction to Embroidery
Thursdays, Oct. .15-Nov. 19, 6 weeks
Time: 6pm-8pm
Adults
Fees: $225.
Teaching Artist: Mona Lewis
Materials provided
Watercolors
Tuesdays, Oct. 20 - Nov. 10
Tuesdays, Nov. 17 - Dec. 15
Time: 10am-12:30pm
4 weeks
Supplies not included
Beginning & Intermediate
Teaching Artist: Andres Salazar
Adults
Fees: $145.
Location: Outdoor Courtyard Classroom
Saturday October 24
Time: 2-4pm
Instructor: Mary Perez
Ages 8 through Adult
Fees: $35.
Create a colorful cardboard bird nicho in this hands-on Cardboard Lab workshop! Students will design, cut, assemble, and decorate their own bird-shaped shrine using cardboard, paint, and mixed-media details. We’ll use ChompSaws to safely cut cardboard pieces and explore simple construction techniques for building dimensional forms.
Participants can personalize their bird with bright colors, patterns, feathers, flowers, and other decorative elements inspired by folk-art traditions.
Ages 8 & up. Students under 10 must be accompanied by an adult. No experience necessary.
Cardboard Lab - Bird Nichos
Saturday October 24
Time: 2-4pm
Instructor: Mary Perez
Ages 8 through Adult
Fees: $35.
Fridays, Oct. 30 - Dec. 18, No class 11/27 & 12/11
6 sessions
Teaching Artist: Claudia Pardo
Time: 11am-1:30pm
Adults
$200.
This introductory class focuses on basic drawing techniques, learning how to observe objects from real life, and exploring a variety of drawing media. Through guided exercises, brief lectures, demonstrations, and fun hands-on experiences, students will build foundational skills in a welcoming and supportive environment.
Designed for beginners or anyone wanting to refresh their skills, this course prepares students for our next-level drawing class. Students will learn the essentials of drawing, including line work, shape construction, and an understanding of light and shadow. Through simple projects and observational practice, participants will gain confidence with materials while developing stronger drawing and seeing skills.
Instructor Bio
Claudia studied Art and Art History at California State University, Northridge, where she earned both her BA and MA. She has taught at Oxnard College, CSU Channel Islands, and now Ventura College, where she teaches Drawing & Composition and Color & Design. Teaching has always come naturally to Claudia; she enjoys helping students slow down, observe details, and find joy in the creative process.
Supplies
Supplies are available online from Michaels.com and Blick.com.
Supply List
Strathmore 400 Series drawing paper, 11" x 14"
2B pencil
Kneaded eraser
Blending stump
14" x 18" drawing board
Drawing, Oct.30-Dec1
Fridays, Oct. 30 - Dec. 18
No class 11/27 & 12/11
6 sessions
Teaching Artist: Claudia Pardo
Time: 11am-1:30pm
Adults
$200.
Sunday, November 15
Time: 3-5pm
Teaching Artist: Maia Landau
Adults
Fees: $55.
Learn how to create clear, color-accurate photographs of your artwork for prints, portfolios, websites, exhibition submissions, and social media. Teaching photographer Maia Landau will guide artists through the equipment, lighting, camera settings, and positioning needed to photograph two-dimensional artwork successfully.
The workshop will explore techniques for three different setups—basic, intermediate, and advanced—so you can achieve strong results using the equipment available to you. Maia will demonstrate how to work with daylight, continuous lights, or flash and discuss options for photographing artwork with either a smartphone or a digital camera. Participants will also learn how to minimize glare and distortion, capture accurate colors, and prepare high-quality images suitable for reproduction.
Photographing Art: How to Photograph Your Artwork for Reproduction
Sunday, November 15
Time: 2-5pm
Teaching Artist: Maia Landau
Adults
Fees: $55.
Introductory Stained Glass
New Dates Added:
Sunday, Nov 15 & Dec 13, 10:30am-3pm
Sunday, Sept 13 OR Oct. 18, 10am-2:30pm
One Day Workshop
Teaching Artist: Laura Evans-Mills
Adults
$175.
5 students per class
All tools and supplies provided to make a stained-glass nightlight, mirror, or sun catcher. Many patterns to choose from.
Hand Building Ceramic Workshops
Get your hands dirty and discover how much fun clay can be! Our monthly ceramic handbuilding workshops are a relaxed, creative way to make something you'll actually want to take home. Each session features a different seasonal project, including Autumn Leaf Dishes, Pumpkin Jars, Ghosts in Costumes, Serving Bowls, and Cookie Ornaments. Whether you're trying clay for the first time or looking for a fun creative night out, these workshops are for you. No experience needed—just bring your imagination, and we'll provide the clay, tools, and guidance!
Pumpkin Jars
Sunday, Sept. 6, 10-11:30am
Fee: $35.00
All ages 6&Up
Teaching Artist: Izzy De Paz
Get your hands dirty and discover how much fun clay can be! Our monthly ceramic hand building workshops are a relaxed, creative way to make something you'll actually want to take home. Each session features a different seasonal project, including Autumn Leaf Dishes, Pumpkin Jars, Ghosts in Costumes, Serving Bowls, and Cookie Ornaments. Whether you're trying clay for the first time or looking for a fun creative experience, these workshops are for you. No experience needed—just bring your imagination, and we'll provide the clay, tools, and guidance!
Costumed Ghosts
Sunday, October. 4, 10-11:30am
Fee: $35.00
All ages 6&Up
Teaching Artist: Izzy DePaz
Get your hands dirty and discover how much fun clay can be! Our monthly ceramic hand building workshops are a relaxed, creative way to make something you'll actually want to take home. Each session features a different seasonal project, including Autumn Leaf Dishes, Pumpkin Jars, Ghosts in Costumes, Serving Bowls, and Cookie Ornaments. Whether you're trying clay for the first time or looking for a fun creative experience, these workshops are for you. No experience needed—just bring your imagination, and we'll provide the clay, tools, and guidance!
Leaf Dishes
Sunday, Nov. 8, 10-11:30am
Fee: $35.00
All ages 6&Up
Teaching Artist: Izzy DePaz
Get your hands dirty and discover how much fun clay can be! Our monthly ceramic hand building workshops are a relaxed, creative way to make something you'll actually want to take home. Each session features a different seasonal project, including Autumn Leaf Dishes, Pumpkin Jars, Ghosts in Costumes, Serving Bowls, and Cookie Ornaments. Whether you're trying clay for the first time or looking for a fun creative experience, these workshops are for you. No experience needed—just bring your imagination, and we'll provide the clay, tools, and guidance!
Serving Bowls
Sunday, Nov. 29, 10-11:30am
Fee: $35.00
All ages 6&Up
Teaching Artist: Izzy DePaz
Get your hands dirty and discover how much fun clay can be! Our monthly ceramic hand building workshops are a relaxed, creative way to make something you'll actually want to take home. Each session features a different seasonal project, including Autumn Leaf Dishes, Pumpkin Jars, Ghosts in Costumes, Serving Bowls, and Cookie Ornaments. Whether you're trying clay for the first time or looking for a fun creative experience, these workshops are for you. No experience needed—just bring your imagination, and we'll provide the clay, tools, and guidance!
Monday, September 21
Time: 6pm-8:30pm
*Some supplies not included
Beginning & Intermediate
Teaching Artist: Claudia Pardo
Adults
Fees: $45.
Class location: The Drawing Room, Building 50
Join teaching artist Claudia Pardo for a still life painting workshop exploring color, composition, light, and form. Working from a thoughtfully arranged still life, students will learn techniques for creating depth and bringing everyday objects to life using acrylic paint. This workshop is open to all experience levels. A selection of acrylic paints will be available, although students are encouraged to bring their own paints and favorite brushes.
This class is located in the Drawing Room inside of building 50. A door code will be sent before the first day of class.
*Class supplies list:
Vita will have some acrylic paints on hand, students are encouraged to bring their own paints, SUGGESTED ACRYLIC PAINTS
Students are responsible for bringing canvases no larger than 10×10” SUGGESTED CANVAS BOARDS
optional: bring your personal paint brushes
All other supplies are provided.
Still Life Painting Workshop
$45.00
Monday, Sep. 21 and/or Sep. 28
Time: 6pm-8:30pm
*Some supplies not included
Beginning & Intermediate
Teaching Artist: Claudia Pardo
Adults
Fees: $45.
Thursdays, Sep. 17-October 8, 4 weeks
Instructor: Andres Salazar
Time: 6-8:30pm
Adults
Fees: $145.
supplies not included
Classes are held in Vita Art Studios, studio #15 (50 West Main Street). Before the first class you will receive an entry code to the front door.
Explore the art of pen and ink through hands-on projects that build confidence and skill. Students begin with essential tools and classic techniques—hatching, cross-hatching, pointillism, and expressive line work—before moving into structured drawings from life and photo reference.
Along the way, you’ll learn composition, shape-building, shading, and how to add depth with optional washes or color accents.
By the end of the course, you’ll have a collection of finished ink drawings and a strong foundation in illustrative pen and ink techniques.
CLASS SUPPLIES:
Paper - mixed media, bristol, vellum, or something that is at least 96 lb weight. 9x11 or 11x14 , brands don't matter, Canson is a common one.
Ink - waterproof - Higgins would be fine. My favorite is Dr Ph Martin's Black Star
White acrylic paint - this can be Pro White, or normal acrylic paint
Brushes - small watercolor/inking type of round brushes sizes 1,2,4 in that range. Also perhaps a flat brush. They can be cheap or get fancy and get real sable
Micron Pens - These are tech pens, doesn't have to be Microns, but that's the popular brand now. Sizes of any tech pen brand 0.1, 0.3, 0.5
Crowquill pens & nibs Speedball makes a good set.
cheap plastic water/brush holder (I'm assuming you have things like this) and paper towels.
Pen & Ink Illustration, Fall 2026
Thursdays, Sep. 17-October 8, 4 weeks
Instructor: Andres Salazar
Time: 6-8:30pm
Adults
Fees: $145.
supplies not included
Tuesdays, Sep. 15 - Oct. 20, 6 weeks
Time: 6:00-8:30pm
Adults
Fees: $250.
Teaching Artist: Rosel Weedn
Beginners & Intermediate
Materials provided
Classes are held in Thinker Maker Space
Student will learn machine sewing through guided projects. The class will explore different fabrics, textures, and embellishments while developing essential sewing skills.
The Thinker Maker Space is located in building 38. Park at the back of the building and enter through the front on Main Street.
Sewing, Tuesdays, pm
Tuesdays, Sep. 15 - Oct. 20, 6 weeks
Time: 6:00-8:30pm
Adults
Fees: $250.
Teaching Artist: Rosel Weedn
Beginners & Intermediate
Materials provided
Classes are held in Thinker Maker Space