Freedom Through the Arts – Free Classes for Returned Citizens
A Pilot Program offering free art classes to individuals impacted by the criminal justice system — empowering creativity, healing, and self-expression.
Adult Workshops for Returned Citizens
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Introduction to Watercolors
Saturday, February 22, 11AM-1PM
Tuesday, April 15, 6PM-8PM
An excellent introduction to the medium and materials needed to get started with this type of painting! You’ll begin by exploring watercolors and a variety of unusual tools, resists, and additives to create a variety of small works of art on paper. This class allows for recognizing the importance of a positive attitude toward play and experimentation on a self-care journey of artistic expression. Ages 18 and up. No previous experience required, but those with experience are welcome. All materials provided.Teaching Artist: David Vickers
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Introduction to Flameworking: Pendants
Sunday, April 27, 5PM-8:30PM
Tuesday, May 13, 6:30PM-9PM
In this introductory course, you'll be taught the basics of flamework safety and glass torching techniques to creating original art with the flame. You will use these skills and your creativity to create small pendants. Ages 18 and up. No previous torching instruction required. All materials included. PLEASE WEAR 100% cotton clothing – no shorts or open-toed shoes allowed. Finished pendants will be available for pickup within 72 hours once cooled or will be mailed to participants when ready.Teaching Artist: Candi Durusu
Family Workshops for Families Impacted by the Justice System
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Printmaking!
Saturday, May 31, 11AM-1PM
Amazing art can be made with unusual tools! Using adhesive weather stripping, you will create printing blocks to stamp patterns onto T-shirts inspired by traditional African stamp designs. Bring your creativity and wear clothing that can get dirty. Every registered participant will be provided with a T-shirt to print on, but you can bring additional pieces of clothing and other fabric items (tote bags, scarves, etc.) to print on as well. For ages 5 years to 105 years. While adult participation is encouraged, adult supervision is required for any youth under 16 years of age. For every three children, one adult must be present.
Teaching Artist: David Vickers
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Raku Ceramics
Saturday, May 10, 2PM-5PM
Get fired up for an action-packed day learning all aspects of the Raku firing process. The Raku technique is when glazed ceramics are taken from the kiln while they are still hot and then placed in a burnable material. This technique creates works with truly unique finishes. Participants leave with a unique and one of a kind glazed ceramic piece to take home the same day. PLEASE WEAR natural fiber clothing consisting of long sleeves, long pants and close-toed shoes, with long hair tied back. This event will take place outside in the center of the Workhouse campus, so dress up for the weather. In the event of rain, the event will be rescheduled. For ages 5 years to 105 years. While adult participation is encouraged, adult supervision is required for any youth under 16 years of age. For every three children, one adult must be present.
Teaching Artist: David Newquist
Discover the Healing Power of Art in Lorton, VA
The Workhouse Arts Center, located in Lorton, Virginia, is proud to announce the launch of Freedom Through the Arts, a pilot program dedicated to supporting individuals impacted by the criminal justice system. With a commitment to empowering underserved communities, this initiative builds on our history and successful Workhouse Military Arts Initiative (WMAI) model to offer creative pathways for healing, growth, and self-expression.
Who Can Participate?
Adults: Returned citizens seeking an outlet for personal growth, healing, and creative expression.
Families: Loved ones affected by incarceration who want to reconnect through shared artistic experiences.
Connect With Us
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Watercolor Instructor
David is a recently retired art educator, former art therapist, and carpenter. He attended Central Michigan University and graduated with a BA with honors and earned an MA in art therapy from George Washington University. David has been a painter for more than 30 years. In that time, he has mostly painted landscapes and explored abstraction, exhibiting in galleries in Washington DC, Pittsburgh, and Saugatuck, Michigan. He has been teaching the WMAI Make & Take Military Family workshops for the last several years.
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Flameworking Instructor
Candi first took up glass as an art form through lampworking with a class at the Corcoran School of Art in 2008. She knew she had found the right combination of sculptural design and material challenge in glass. She became more interested in borosilicate/scientific glass and studied for several years with Robert Kincheloe. Candi is inspired by the kinetic sculptural works of Bandhu Dunham, the natural colors of Deborah Carlson’s sculptural glass and prints, and the playful storytelling hollow forms of Carmen Lozar. She is currently a Resident Artist in Building 7 at the Workhouse Arts Center and has shown her work in local shows in Northern Virginia, including being juried into the Glass National Exhibition in 2018.
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Printmaking and Raku Ceramics Instructor
A motorcycle mechanic and musician by trade, David began searching for more in his life about 6 years ago. He found it in clay. He quickly developed the passion and found working with the clay to be both therapeutic and healing. David is inspired by what he sees in life and then translating into clay with his own two hands. He prefers to make industrial-styled utilitarian pieces that are both aesthetically enjoyable and functional. David finds the process of creating to be as satisfying as the finished work. He has a small gallery in Plains, Virginia.
What is Freedom Through the Arts?
Let creativity guide your journey toward healing, connection, and growth. Join us for this transformative program and discover the power of art to inspire change.
Free Art Workshops
Provide free art workshops to returned citizens, offering a safe space for creative exploration and skill-building.
Build Confidence & Social Skills
Help participants build self-confidence, social skills, and potential income opportunities through the arts.
Family Healing
Supporting families affected by incarceration with family art workshops, fostering connection and healing through shared artistic activities.
FAQs
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Freedom Through the Arts is a pilot program at the Workhouse Arts Center that provides free art workshops for justice impacted individuals (returned citizens) and their families. The program focuses on creative expression, skill-building, and personal growth through therapeutic-informed art instruction.
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The program is open to:
Returned citizens: Adults who have been impacted by the criminal justice system.
Families: Family members of individuals affected by incarceration, with workshops open to participants ages 5+ (all children must be accompanied by an adult).
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The workshops will cover a variety of art forms. During this pilot of the program, we will have workshops on watercolor, printmaking, flamework glass, and raku (ceramics). Each workshop will focus on a specific medium, providing participants with hands-on experience.
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All workshops are free of charge. Supplies costs are included. Additionally, travel subsidies may be available for participants to assist with transportation.
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Workshops will be held at the Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton, VA. They are scheduled from February to May 2024 on a mix of weekday evenings and weekend afternoons to accommodate participants’ availability. Specific dates will be announced soon.
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Yes! Participants are welcome to attend multiple workshops, space permitting. You can explore different art forms or deepen your skills in a medium you've already tried. Space is limited and claimed on a first-come, first-served basis.
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Please complete the online registration form linked to each workshop description. You can email Freedom@WorkhouseArts.org or call (703) 584.2914 to contact us directly for assistance or more information.
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With the success of this pilot program, we hope to offer an expanded version soon after its conclusion. Stay tuned to learn more.
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The program offers standalone family workshops to provide loved ones impacted by incarceration an opportunity to create, bond, and heal together through art.
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No. All children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult for the duration of the program.
Unfortunately, we do not have the capacity to safely administer workshops and monitor minors. But our Family Workshops are fun and engaging for all ages – parents will enjoy the activities as much if not more than their kids.
We’re here to help and look forward to your participation!
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When you register for the workshops you are interested in, please indicate that you do not have reliable transportation to access the Workhouse campus. We will work with you to provide adequate subsidies.
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The Workhouse Arts Centers offers hundreds of arts classes of the course of the year, taught by professional artist instructors. The instructors for this program are seasoned art teachers with decades of combined experience in working with students. Each workshop description lists the instructor.
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For inquiries or updates, please contact:
📧 Email: Freedom@WorkhouseArts.org
📞 Phone: (703) 584.2914
🌐 Website: WorkhouseArts.org/FreedomWe’re here to help and look forward to your participation!
Why Choose Workhouse Arts Center?
Nestled in the heart of historic Lorton, VA, the Workhouse Arts Center is a vibrant cultural destination just 50 miles from Washington, DC. Once a correctional facility, the Workhouse has been transformed into a dynamic hub for creativity, education, and community engagement. With its unique blend of rich history and modern artistic innovation, the Workhouse provides a welcoming space for individuals to explore their creative potential.
Our programs are thoughtfully designed to inspire both personal growth and collective transformation, fostering connections through the arts while celebrating the power of self-expression. Whether you’re an artist, a visitor, or a participant, the Workhouse is a place where history meets hope, and creativity shapes the future.
How to get involved.
Interested in participating or learning more? Join us in this exciting new initiative and help shape the future of community-based arts programming.
Location: Workhouse Arts Center, Lorton, VA
Cost: Free for all participants
Travel Subsidies: Available for eligible participants
Freedom@WorkhouseArts.org
(703) 584-2900
