Summer 2008 Classes

Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

Going to the Elephant: A Creative Writing Class

Someone once said, “Writing is the easiest job in the world; all you have to do is stare at a piece of paper until blood comes out of your forehead.” This class breaks through the myth of writer's block. Silence your inner critic in a safe, encouraging environment designed for those who have always wanted to write but have never followed through. We will experiment with timed writing, monologues, and dream journals.

4 sessions, July 7-28
Mondays 7:00-10:00pm
Studio School, 2nd floor conference room
$125 (VMFA Members $110)
Enrollment limit: 10

Going to the Elephant: A Creative Writing Workshop

1 session, July 19
Saturday 10:00am-4:00pm
Studio School, 2nd floor conference room
$85 (VMFA Members $70)
Enrollment limit: 10

The Studio School is located at 2911-15 Grove Avenue (across the street from VMFA) at the corner of Sheppard Street. For information call Mary Holland or Frank Saunders at (804) 367-0816, or go to www.vmfa.museum/summerclass2008.html.


The Visual Arts Center

The Creative Spark

Clarissa Pinkola Estes writes about el duende, the “goblin wind”within us which can breathe our creative spark into creative fire. The ember may be a story, a poem, a confession, a play. It may not even what it is or wants to be--but it's there. So we'll experiment. We'll use timed writing, dream journals, guided imagery, Active Imagination and anything else we can think of to get in touch with the stories you want or need to tell--and those wanting or needing to be told. Come with an open mind. Be honest and brave. You'll come away not only a better writer, but with a beter understanding of self.

5 sessions, July 1-29
Tuesdays 6:00-9:00pm
$150 (Members $135)
Enrollment limit: 10


Writing Scenes and Monologues

The reality of playwriting is largely nuts and bolts. Can a play consist of a single scene? Read Edward Albee's Zoo Story. Can a play consist of a single monologue? Read Spalding Gray or Anna Deveare Smith. But when it comes right down to it, most plays combine scenes and monologues. Anne Lamott's father told his son to write his last-minute report on birds one at a time--”bird by bird.” This one-week intensive class will approach the craft of playwriting similarly: one scene or monologue at a time.
5 sessions, June 2-6
9:00am-12:00pm
$150 ($135 Members)

The Visual Arts Center is located at 1812 West Main Street. For information call Malinda Collier at 353-0094, or go to www.visarts.org.