“The program has had a tremendous impact on my professional practice by bringing together artists from diverse perspectives. The opportunity to exchange knowledge, gain insights, and receive valuable suggestions has been invaluable.”
—Mentwab Easwaran
Sparkplug Artists’ Collective, 2024
The
Workshop Series
A monthly cadence of workshops focused on advancing your artistic and professional practice.
The
Workshop
Series
A monthly cadence of workshops focused on advancing your artistic and professional practice.
“By offering resources, space, and community engagement, The DC Arts Center plays an essential role in uplifting local artists. It’s a place where artists can not only share their work but also find the encouragement needed to grow and evolve.”
—
Ahmad Al Khadi
Artist Member, 2024
At The DC Arts Center, we believe that greater access empowers every artist to reach their full potential. That’s why we’re offering more opportunities to learn from and connect with industry leaders—and if you’re an Artist Member, it’s free.
Next Workshop
Artistic Process
Saturday, September 6 - 3:00 PM
Poetry As Verbal Painting
With Thu Anh Nguyen
Leonardo Da Vinci said that, "painting is poetry that is seen rather than felt, and poetry is painting that is felt rather than seen.” In this hands-on workshop, we will consider the interplay between painting and poetry by reading Ekphrastic poetry that was inspired by paintings, and using the art in the gallery to write our own Ekphrastic poetry. No experience with poetry or painting are required; just be open to looking at and creating beautiful art with words and images.
Facilitator Bio: Thu Anh Nguyen
Thu Anh Nguyen is a Vietnamese Floridian whose work as a poet, painter, and educator tells her immigration story. In her social practice art, Thu shapes poetry while listening to conversations about what makes a flourishing community. Thu also paints large-scale watercolors and is obsessed with flowers, their symbolism and beauty. Thu’s floral murals captured the voices of AANHPI women at Gallery Y in D.C., and the Asian American community at Amphibian Stage in Fort Worth, TX. She is also a published poet whose poetry explores the intersections and tensions between her Vietnamese and American identities. Her writing has been published in Literacy Today, the Southern Humanities Review, the Cider Press Review, and the Crab Orchard Review. When she isn’t painting or writing, you can find her in someone else’s garden, nose in a book, snack in hand.
Website: www.thuanhnguyen.com
Instagram: @madebythuanh
Free for Artist Members.
$10 all others.
Registration required.
Our Design
The DC Arts Center is proud to offer a monthly series of workshops, conversations, and events designed to support artists in both their creative and professional growth. Led by established artists and industry leaders, these sessions provide practical, artist-to-artist insights that empower creatives of all backgrounds and experience levels. The Workshop Series features three dynamic tracks: Artistic Process, focusing on techniques, methods, and creative practices; Collector Conversations, offering insights into the art market and strategies for connecting with collectors; and Professional Development, covering essential skills like branding, networking, and the business of being an artist. Each session lasts approximately one hour, is interactive, and takes place in person at The DC Arts Center in Washington, D.C. Admission is free for Artist Members and just $10 for non-members. Don't miss this opportunity to connect, learn, and grow!
Artistic
Process
Whether you are looking to advance your own artistic process in a medium you love, or you’re looking to explore a new medium altogether, our Artistic Process workshops will provide you with new ways of creating. Join fellow artists in an interactive “doing” workshop as they walk you through their unique artistic process.
Next Up
Thu Anh Nguyen, Poetry as Verbal Painting
September 6, 2025: 3:00 PM
Register Here
Previous
Lucas J. Rougeux, Professional Art Installer
The Art of Installation
March 22, 2025
Monica Jahan Bose, Storytelling With Saris
Swimming: Art & Poetry Workshop for Public Art Project
April 10, 2024
Pixie Alexander, The DC Arts Center Sparkplug Member
Exploring the Intersection of Movement and Art
July 16, 2023
Collector
Conversations
Meet and build relationships with some of DC’s most prominent collectors in our Collector Conversations workshops. These interactive dialogues offer artists the rare chance to meet and socialize with collectors of all kinds! These workshops are all about relationships and access.
Previous
Museum Walkthrough with Philip Barlow, Prominent DC Collector
May 7, 2023
Philip Barlow & Lisa Gilotty, Prominent DC Collectors
February 25, 2023
Profesional
Development
The Professional Development track offers artists the chance to advance their professional practice. Previous workshops have covered topics such as improving your artist statement and marketing yourself as an arts professional.
Previous
Jerry Truong, Documenting Your Art: Techniques for Artists
June 14, 2025
Briget Heidmous, What You've Done + What You're Doing: A Bio & Artist Statement Writing Workshop
April 19, 2025
Adrian Loving, Curator, Art Educator, DJ, Producer
Unlocking the Art World: A Networking Guide
February 21, 2025
Jerry Truong, Former Program Manager, The DC Arts Center
Documenting Your Artwork
April 21, 2024
Benedetta Castrioto, Curator, The DC Arts Center’s The Curatorial Initiative
Curating Labor and the Labor of Curation
March 2, 2024
Learn how you can join The Curatorial Initiative here.
Eric Celarier, Artist, Washington Sculptors Group
Elevating Your Elevator Speech
June 17, 2023
Danielle Glosser, Artist Advisor, Client Raiser
Top Ten Business Strategies for Artists
March 12, 2023
Jerry Truong, Former Program Manager, The DC Arts Center
Effective ARTiculation
December 4, 2022
Danielle Glosser, Artist Advisor, Client Raiser
Business of the Arts Q&A
November 6, 2022