About Us

About Us

Elisabeth Scott Bocock founded the Hand Workshop in 1963 because she wanted young people to learn to work and create with their hands. Today, the Hand Workshop remains at the heart of the Richmond arts community.

It has evolved from a narrowly focused educational organization into a broad-based, full-service art center that encourages people to explore and develop their creative spirits.

• Each year we offer more than 400 studio classes for adults and children — more than any visual arts organization in the city.
• We provide school groups with free, multi-visit studio classes using professional artists and studio facilities.
• 139 artists participated in the 2004 Craft & Design Show.
• Our exhibition program, dedicated to presenting contemporary art that models creative excellence and opens the mind as well as the eyes, has featured over 300 nationally recognized artists.
• Our Art After School program provides 300 elementary and middle school students from our neighboring schools with the opportunity to explore hands-on art.

Our Mission

The Hand Workshop Art Center engages the community in the creative process through the visual arts.

We believe there is a creative spirit in all of us that nourishes our humanity and enriches our society. We foster a creative culture that encourages people of all backgrounds, ages and skill levels to explore, participate and experiment in the visual arts.

Affiliate support for the Hand Workshop Art Center is provided by investors in the ArtsFund, grants from the Virginia Commission for the Arts, the Arts and Cultural Funding Consortium and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Our People

• Board of Directors, Advisory Council and Staff Members
• Instructors