Programs

Visual Arts

An exciting and ever-changing schedule of exhibitions in the two-story Gallery Building will include the work of local art organizations, private collectors, national and international artists, both emerging and professional, curated solo and group shows as well as regular exhibitions of juried work from members of the Workhouse Artists Association and the Workhouse Art Guild. 

The Collector’s Showcase is a series of exhibitions from private collections. The exhibitions are accompanied by panel discussions on the art of collecting for both the novice and the seasoned collector.

Performing Arts

ArtNotes is a concert series celebrating the union of music and the visual arts and the soulful inspiration that both can provide. The ArtNotes musical performances are held in conjunction with the opening of new exhibitions in the Workhouse’s main gallery building and they feature performers selected from the list of the Virginia Commission for the Arts Touring Artists. Concert-goers are able to preview the latest Workhouse exhibitions before they are open to the public and to participate in the People’s Choice Awards where they can vote for their favorite piece.

Gallery After Hours is a music series that highlights new and innovative performing artists in the intimate setting of the Workhouse’s Gallery Building.

ArtStar Theatre Camp is designed for children ages 8-15. It is an exciting theatre program developed to promote self confidence and creative expression, while learning the basic tools of the theatrical trade. Students receive a fundamental, working knowledge of theatre in classes that encompass acting, music, and theatre dance, all of which are taught by professional actors and theatre educators. Students work together toward the common goal of producing a Showcase that is performed at the end of camp. 

ArtStar Youth Theatre Advanced Workshop is for students 14-18 that have had two or more years of training and are interested in pursuing a more in-depth theatrical experience. In a two week period, acting students rehearse a full length production while technical students design and build the scenery for the production. Admission to the Workshop is by audition/interview only.

The Spot-LYTE-s (Lorton Youth Theatre Ensemble) offers young actors the opportunity to perform no-cost productions for family audiences. In addition, educational partnerships with local schools may provide alternative opportunities for the Ensemble to perform to audiences of their peers, and to share their experiences with other students that may be interested in the performing arts. Admission to the Ensemble is by audition only and students are strongly encouraged to have completed one or more WTA programs or be currently enrolled in one or more of our classes.

Mind & Body Program

Along with the visual and performing arts, the Workhouse offers a premier Mind & Body center. From the moment you arrive to the moment you leave, you will discover the best in all mind & body movements. Our newly opened and fully equiped studios offer programs and classes for all ages and abilities. Three beautiful studios encompass the program where Yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi, Balletone, Nia, Kukuwa Dance, and Kempo Martial Arts are held. The Pilates studio features state of the art Stott Pilates equipment including V2MaxPlus Reformers, Stability Chair, Cadillac, Barrels, and an array of small equipment. Our team of highly skilled and caring instructors, lead by Mind/Body Program Director Lesley Spalding, are dedicated to helping you achieve measurable results. For more information email Lesleyspalding@lortonarts.org, or call Lesley Spalding at 703-584-2965. To see the most current schedule of Mind & Body classes, go to Classes and Workshops and choose Art of Movement in the Select Category field.

Kids Zone

 Kid Zone is a place for young people to explore the world of creativity and to discover their own artistic passion. Students will have the opportunity to work with paint, clay, wire, glass, and so much more. Classes are broken up into 2 day workshops, 4 week courses and 9 week semesters and they are taught by experienced and enthusiastic instructors who focus on the process and not the end result. The age groups for the classes and workshops are 3-5, 6-9, 10-13, and 14-17. For more information on the Kid Zone sessions go to the Classes/Workshops links or contact Audrey Sullivan at audreysullivan@lortonarts.org.

Arts Education and Outreach

The Business of Art is a certificate program jointly issued by the Arts Business Institute and The Workhouse Arts Center to artists interested in positioning themselves to be competitive in the art market.

Art for a Change! is a dynamic visual and performing arts education outreach program delivering authentic learning opportunities by professional artists to local elementary, middle, and high school students. The program is designed to augment curriculum in fine arts and core curriculum areas. For more information contact Caren Hearne at 703-495-0001, ext. 245.

The Workhouse Institute is the center’s rigorous and progressive collection of arts education courses and workshops designed for life-long learning experiences. Beginner through master classes are offered in all media and new course schedules are created quarterly.

Partnerships

Encore at the Workhouse  
The Workhouse Arts Center is partnering with Encore Creativity for Older Adults to provide seniors citizens with an artistic outlet in the areas of music, both choral and band, and dance. The Encore programs are designed for adults age 55 or older at any level of musical ability. The Workhouse Encore Choral will present three concerts in the area at the Kennedy Center, the Strathmore and at the Workhouse Arts Center.
www.encorcreativity.org

Tiny Dancers
The Workhouse Arts Center has teamed up with the Tiny Dancers® ballet school. Tiny Dancer instructors will offer exceptional performance-based programs for young children at the Workhouse. The program provides dancers with outstanding training while emphasizing a fun and nurturing environment. Students are encouraged to learn through creative self-expression, exploration of movement and age-appropriate choreography.
www.tinydancers.org

Scholarships

The Workhouse Arts Center’s scholarship program has two components. The first is a higher education scholarship, in the amount of $1,000, offered to a Fairfax County and Prince William County high school seniors through the Lorton Arts Foundation. To qualify, high school seniors must be planning to continue their education in an art related field. Area art teachers can recommend students to be juried for selection or the recipient may qualify if they are participating in one of the student exhibitions at the Workhouse Arts Center. Workhouse program participation scholarships are also available for individuals participating in programs such as the ArtStar Youth Theatre Camp, Emerging Artist Studio Rental and for participation in workshops and classes.

For questions about arts programming at the Workhouse Arts Center, contact Kevin Sheehan at kevinsheehan@lortonarts.org or 703-495-0001 ext. 236.