Figure Academy (Ages 12+)

Take Your Art to the Next Level — Enroll in the Figure Academy at Visual Art Institute!

Are you ready to grow as an artist, challenge yourself, and create work you’re truly proud of? The Visual Art Institute’s Figure Academy is a powerful 2-week immersive experience designed for passionate Jr. High, Sr. High, and adult students ready to elevate their craft.

Each day, you’ll work from the figure in either drawing or painting, guided by professional artists who have taught at several universities. With daily, in-depth critiques, you’ll sharpen your skills, gain personal direction, and learn to create with confidence and intention.

By the end of the program, you’ll walk away with impressive, portfolio-ready artwork, stronger technique, and the momentum to pursue college art programs or excel in any creative field. This is a rare opportunity to experience the kind of focused, intensive training that sets serious artists apart.

Adults are welcome too — this is an incredible chance to refresh skills, grow rapidly, and reignite your artistic practice.

Choose either 2-week session, the 1-week watercolor session, or commit to all three for an extraordinary summer of accelerated artistic growth.

We highly recommend students to have taken at least one drawing class before registering for Figure Academy.

EVEN IF YOU HAVE JOINED US BEFORE, PLEASE REVIEW THE SUPPLY LIST!!!

SUPPLY LIST: (PRINTABLE VERSION)

Oil Painting Supplies

1/8” Hardboard (Buy at Home Depot and cut into (SEE CUTTING GUIDE) panels or purchase pre-primed canvas board or stretched canvas

White Hog Bristle Brushes: Flats: #6, #4, #2; Filberts: #6, #4, #2

Synthetic Sable Brush: Flats: #16, #10, #6. Round #6

1” Flat Synthetic Acrylic brush for gesso.

Gesso (at least a pint)

Double Cup Palette Cup for solvent and mediums

Turpenoid or Gamsol (pint or smaller) DON’T BUY TURPENOID NATURAL (green bottle)

4 oz Bottle of Liquin or tube of Gamblin Solventless Gel

Rolls of Paper Towels (Scott Shop Towels are the best) buy at Costco or hardware store.

large disposable paper palette (12 x 16)

Masterson Lidded Palette Box (12 x 16)

Palette Knife or Painting Knife

Oil Paint:

Large Tube of Titanium White                      

Cadmium Yellow Light Hue

Yellow Ochre 

Raw Sienna                                                  

Cadmium Red Light Hue

Alizarin Crimson 

Ultramarine Blue                                               

Cerulean Blue                                                   

Viridian or Phthalo (phthalocyanine) Green

Sap Green

Burnt Sienna                                            

Burnt Umber

Drawing Supplies

10 Sheets 22 x 30 Heavy Drawing Paper

1 Pad 18 x 24 Drawing Paper 

1 box of Soft Vine Charcoal

2 Conte 1710 B Charcoal Pencils or 3 General 2B Charcoal Pencils

2 General White Charcoal Pencils

1 stick of Compressed Charcoal

I large kneaded eraser

1 white plastic eraser

1 cartridge eraser

Roll of 1” masking tape

Single edge razor blade

100 grit Sanding Block or Sandpaper

Sharpie marker

Stomp

Sketchbook and Drawing Pen

MORE INFORMATION:

Figure Academy is an intensive all-day program.

We recommend students arrive by 8:30 to set up their space as class starts AT 9 am. 

While we take multiple short breaks and a longer lunch break, students can plan on actively painting and drawing for up to 8 hours per day.

We try to end at 6 pm, but may go longer depending on how critiques are going.

There are limited food options in the area. There is a taco stand out front, but the next closest options are several blocks away. While only water is allowed in the studio, students can bring lunches and snacks for the breaks.

The nearest public transit is over half a mile away. Please plan travel accordingly. We do have free parking on-site (NORTH SIDE).

All students need to bring their own supplies INCLUDING PAPER.

LOCATION:

Visual Art Institute 2900 S 300 W, South Salt Lake, Utah 

INSTRUCTOR:
This class is taught by Bruce Robertson and Shelley Young. Learn more about our instructors at https://www.visualartinstitute.org/art-faculty 

REFUND POLICY:

We are only able to offer refunds up to 2 weeks before the start of class. We do not offer refunds or credits or make-up classes to students who miss class.

TRANSFER POLICY:

We may be able to transfer you to a different class depending on space availability.

CLASS CANCELLATION:

We find that students learn better in larger groups. If we feel the number of registrations is too low to promote a good learning environment, we may cancel the class. In the event we cancel a class, we will reach out to you as soon as possible.

TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM:

We try to make our classes as accessible to everyone as possible. We are able to offer a limited number of tuition assistance scholarships each term. You can complete an application on our website or call our office for assistance applying. Applications are available in Spanish and English.

ADA ACCESSIBILITY & ACCOMMODATIONS:

Our classrooms are ADA accessible. Some courses may involve tasks or activities that may be difficult for individuals with limited strength, difficulty bending over, and sitting or standing for long periods of time. We are happy to work with students to find solutions to make their experience positive and doable. For example, wheel throwing takes arm strength and bending over the wheel. Students may work on hand-building projects instead of throwing. Please reach out to our office to discuss your needs.

DIFFICULTY REGISTERING?

Please call our main office for assistance! 801.474.3796