AGES 10-15
VITA ART CENTERS art classes provide high-quality enrichment experiences in the visual arts for ages 10 & Up. Classes are taught by professional artists and instructors who design fun and educational projects taught in a hands-on studio environment. Enrollment is limited to 10 students per class.
Ages 13 - 18 check out our teen art program click here
Home School students must first complete a registration form (link below) to secure your spot. P.O.’s be must be received before the first class date. Thank you!
BUILD A CLASS, OR HOST A PARTY
Gather a group of up to 10 friends and we can customize an art class or special occasion especially for your group. To set up your class, or if you have any questions email Mary Perez, mary@vitaartcenter.com.
FALL 2025 REGISTRATION OPEN
SCROLL DOWN THE PAGE FOR A FULL LIST OF CLASSES
Rooted: Celebrating Chumash Culture
Saturday, Sept. 27, 10am–5pm
Sunday, Sept. 28, 11am–4pm
The OASIS, Vita Art Center’s outdoor gathering space adjacent to Vita Art Studios. 50 West Main Street, Ventura
Rooted: Celebrating Chumash Culture is a two-day gathering of workshops, storytelling, and tomol (Chumash plank canoe) viewing.
Join culture-bearers and artists for hands-on learning, story telling, and teachings that honor Chumash heritage and connection to place. Throughout the weekend, participants can explore traditional crafts, nature-rooted artmaking, and the living stories that carry these traditions forward. Visitors will also have the opportunity to view a tomol in progress, being built onsite by Chumash community members.
Workshops & Events
Chumash Storytelling
Chumash Abalone Necklaces & Storytelling
Chumash Stories & Painting with Pigments
Nettle Cordage Workshop
Chumash Storytelling with Elder Alan Salazar & Friends
Community Round Reed Baskets: Foundations with Kat High
Community Sage Bundling Workshop: Grow, Gather, and Make with Respect
Tomol Viewing — Plank Canoe in Progress
This community event is made possible by the generous support of the Ruth and Joseph C. Reed Foundation for the Arts.
Community Workshop
This workshop is part of “Rooted: Celebrating Chumash Culture” a two-day gathering honoring Chumash traditions through storytelling, art, community workshops, and tomol viewing.
Saturday, Sept. 27, 10am-12pm
$10. per person
Pre-Registration Required
Ages 6 thru Adult
Youth ages 6 -12 must be accompanied with a registered adult
Teaching Artists: Alan Salazar & Mona Lewis
Located at the OASIS our outdoor gathering space adjacent to Vita Art Studios 50 West Main St.
Join Chumash elder Alan Salazar and artist Mona Lewis for a special hands-on workshop celebrating the traditional art of Chumash abalone jewelry. Participants will select a piece from Alan’s personal abalone shell collection, learn how to carefully polish and oil the shells, and create their own unique necklace to take home.
As you work, Alan will share traditional Chumash stories, offering deeper insight into the cultural significance of abalone and its role in Chumash life. This workshop is a rare opportunity to connect with Indigenous traditions through both art and storytelling, guided by two inspiring teachers. All materials are provided. Open to all ages 6 & up no prior experience necessary. This workshop is a part of the 2 day event :“Rooted: Celebrating Chumash Culture”
Saturday, Sept. 27, 1-3pm
$10. per person
Pre-Registration Required
Ages 8 thru Adult
Youth ages 8 -12 must be accompanied with a registered adult
This workshop is part of “Rooted: Celebrating Chumash Culture” a two-day gathering honoring Chumash traditions through storytelling, art, community workshops, and tomol viewing.
Located at the OASIS our outdoor gathering space adjacent to Vita Art Studios 50 West Main St.
Teaching Artist: Mona Lewis with Alan Salazar
Join Chumash and Tataviam elder Alan Salazar and artist and author Mona Lewis for a unique and immersive experience that brings traditional Chumash stories to life through art.
Alan will begin by sharing traditional Chumash stories passed down through generations—tales of animals, nature, and sacred lessons rooted in the Central Coast landscape. After listening to these stories, participants will be invited to grind local ochre stones into natural earth pigments and use them to create an illustration inspired by the story that spoke to them most. Artist Mona Lewis will guide participants in using these handmade paints to create their artwork inspired by the Chumash stories.
All materials are non-toxic, respectfully and locally foraged., and provided.
Saturday, September 27
Time: 3:30-5:00pm
All ages
$5. per person
Located at the OASIS our outdoor gathering space adjacent to Vita Art Studios 50 West Main St.
Bring your own beach chair
This workshop is part of “Rooted: Celebrating Chumash Culture” a two-day gathering honoring Chumash traditions through storytelling, art, community workshops, and tomol viewing.
Dress for outdoor Ventura weather, a hat is suggested
feel free to bring a beverage and snack
Join us for a powerful afternoon of traditional Chumash storytelling with Elder Alan Salazar and guest Chumash storytellers. Appropriate for all ages, this gathering honors ancestral stories that have been passed down for generations—tales of animals, nature, and sacred lessons rooted in the Central Coast landscape.
Through humor, wisdom, and heart, Alan and his guests will offer a rare opportunity to experience the depth and richness of Chumash culture. This is not a performance, but a communal experience—one that celebrates storytelling as a way to teach, remember, and connect across generations.
Please bring your own beach chair, Dress for outdoor weather, a hat is suggested. Feel free to bring a beverage and snack.
Free Community Art Activity at Vita Art Center
• Saturday, Sept. 27, 10am–5pm
• Sunday, Sept. 28, 11am–4pm
• All ages
Join us during ArtWalk for a fun, hands-on activity at Vita Art Center! Each participant will receive a free organic tote bag to customize. Start by printing the VITA logo, then make it your own with colorful fabric paints and creative embellishments.
Community Felting Workshop
Saturday, October 18, 3-5
$20. per person
Pre-Registration Required
Ages 8 thru Adult
Youth ages 8 -12 must be accompanied with a registered adult
Instructor: Michelle Wilson
Join us for Community Felting, a gathering designed for felting enthusiasts and beginners eager to learn. Whether you already enjoy felting or are interested in picking up this craft, this event is perfect for you.
All necessary supplies and tools will be provided for use during the class. Even if you've never tried needle felting before, our supportive community will help you get started with a small and manageable project.
Seaweed Rattles
Sunday, October. 12 , 2-5pm
$35. per person
Pre-Registration Required
Ages 9 thru Adult
Youth ages 9 -12 must be accompanied with a registered adult
Instructor: Alan Salazar
Seaweed Rattles are a traditional tribal rhythm instrument of the Chumash People.
Learn to make traditional tribal Seaweed Rattles with Alan Salazar. As an elder in both the Chumash and Tataviam tribes, Alan works to revitalize his Native culture through his books, storytelling and traditional arts. Alan will bring an assortment of Bull Kelp bulbs, respectfully collected along the central coast of California along with driftwood from the same area and teach how to transform these natural materials into traditional rhythm instruments.
Earth pigments from traditional Chumash lands will also be available if you would like to paint your rattle as well. Mona Lewis, artist, author and Alan's wife, will guide participants in making paint from locally foraged ocher rocks to paint your rattle.
This class is suitable for adults and children, aged 9 and up. Students ages 9-12 are welcome if a parent is registered for the class and is there to help with the project.
Looking forward to our time together!
Grades 5-8
Wednesdays, Sep. 10 - Oct. 15
Time: 3:30-5:30 pm
Instructor: Jem Morris
Fees: $225.. (or 2 monthly payments of $125.)
Materials provided
Classes are held outside in our patio
Create, learn and experiment as you have a ton of fun experiencing the joy of making art. Projects will include a variety of techniques and materials including ceramics, painting, sculpture, drawing and more. All experience levels are welcome and supported with individualized instruction.
Grades 5-8
Fridays, Sep 12- Oct. 17
Time: 3:30-5:30 pm
Instructor: Jem Morris
Fees: $225. (or 2 monthly payments of $125..)
Materials provided
Classes are held outside in our patio
Create, learn and experiment as you have a ton of fun experiencing the joy of making art. Projects will include a variety of techniques and materials including ceramics, painting, sculpture, drawing and more. All experience levels are welcome and supported with individualized instruction.
Grades 5-8
Wednesdays, Nov. 5 - Dec. 17, no class 11/26
Time: 3:30-5:30 pm
Instructor: Jem Morris
Fees: $225.. (or 2 monthly payments of $120.)
Materials provided
Classes are held outside in our patio
Create, learn and experiment as you have a ton of fun experiencing the joy of making art. Projects will include a variety of techniques and materials including ceramics, painting, sculpture, drawing and more. All experience levels are welcome and supported with individualized instruction.
Grades 5-8
Fridays, Nov. 7 - Dec. 19- no class 11/28
Time: 3:30-5:30 pm
Instructor: Jem Morris
Fees: $225. (or 2 monthly payments of $120.)
Materials provided
Classes are held outside in our patio
Create, learn and experiment as you have a ton of fun experiencing the joy of making art. Projects will include a variety of techniques and materials including ceramics, painting, sculpture, drawing and more. All experience levels are welcome and supported with individualized instruction.