Waterworks strives to enhance the creative capacity of individuals and communities. Exposure to professional art exhibitions fosters art appreciation. Art instruction provides a foundation in art history, a vision for original creativity, and desire for life-long learning.

Waterworks aspires to lead and innovate in museum education by engaging and inspiring students of all ages, socio-economic levels, and cultures.

Art Education Opportunities at Waterworks include…

5th Grade ARTstops

Virtual ARTstops

Adult Studio Classes/Workshops

2024 Summer Visiting Artist Residency

Jr. ARTpops & Family Fun

ARTpops for Adults

Youth Art Classes

Education Partnerships

Because everyone should get to experience art-making for themselves, the Katharine W. Osborne Scholarship Fund provides tuition assistance for Waterworks’ studio art classes to adults and children in financial need.

Click “Education Scholarship Application” above to download and print a form.

2024 Summer ARTventures

Meet the Artistic Team

  • Jackie Black

    WVAC Education Coordinator / Instructor

    Jackie earned a BA in Fine Arts with an emphasis in Painting and Printmaking from Hampton University, Virginia. She taught public elementary art for 16 years.  Jackie has been teaching Claymation and other art classes during Summer ARTventures at Waterworks since 2010. She was a 2017 recipient of the Waterworks’ Lucille P. and Edwin O. Norvell Family Art of Teaching Award for her contributions, and outstanding work in art education. Jackie currently serves as the Art Center’s Education Coordinator.

  • Brenda Gariepy

    Instructor - Clay / Mixed Media

    Brenda studied at Alfred University, New York, and has teaching experience in NY, PA, and NC. She currently teaches art in the Rowan-Salisbury Elementary Schools.

    For the last 13+ years, Brenda has specialized in teaching hand-built and wheel-thrown pottery classes at Waterworks. She was a 2017 recipient of the Waterworks’ Lucille P. and Edwin O. Norvell Family Art of Teaching Award for her significant and generous contributions, and outstanding work in art education through Waterworks and its educational studio programs.

  • 'Ms. Debbie' Hoffman

    Instructor - Messy Art / Toddler Time

    Debbie is retired from the Rowan/Salisbury school system after nearly twenty years working as an Exceptional Children teacher. She taught dance for over forty-five years. Debbie graduated from Rowan-Cabarrus Community College with an associate of arts degree. Debbie was the recipient of Waterworks’ 2009 Lucile P. and Edwin O. Norvell Family Art of Teaching Award for her significant and selfless contributions and outstanding work in art education through Waterworks’ children’s educational programming. She returns to WVAC for her 16th year.

  • Brent Smith

    Artist Instructor - Hand & Wheel Pottery

    Brent is a 1993 ECU graduate who works as a full-time potter. He works in his studio and showroom behind his farmhouse in Rowan County, where he continually experiments with forms, clays, glazes, and textures. He sometimes digs his own natural clay. Brent is known for his lidded jars, and large wheel-thrown pots.

    Brent has been teaching youth and adult hand and wheel classes at Waterworks for over 17 years. He received the Waterworks’ Lucille P. and Edwin O. Norvell Family Art of Teaching Award in 2014 in recognition and appreciation for his contributions to the visual arts in Rowan County.

Class Registration & General Infomation

Discounts & Scholarships

Member Discounts:

  • To receive member rates and discounts, the Annual WVAC Membership must be valid at time of registration.

  • MEMBERS who register for 3 or more classes (at the same time for the same student) will receive $5 off the class tuition fee for the 3rd and subsequent classes.

Join & Register Together: First-time members receive a 20% membership discount when joining Waterworks and registering for class(es), at the same time.

Scholarships: A limited number of need-based scholarships are available through the KATHARINE W. OSBORNE SCHOLARSHIP FUND. For additional information and an application please contact WVAC Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm, 704.636.1882. Please note: Limit one scholarship per family/household, per calendar year.

Registration & Payment

  1. Select classes in the appropriate age group for your child. Children must reach the specified age by the first day of class or by June 1 for Summer ARTventures. (NO exceptions)

  2. All tuition fees are expected to be paid in full at time of registration. If this is not possible, a NON-REFUNDABLE and NON-TRANSFERABLE deposit of $25 per class, per student is required to hold the student’s spot. The fee will be applied toward the full class tuition.

  3. For your convenience, you may register online with payment via PayPal, by phone with a credit card, or in person during regular business hours with cash, check, or credit card.

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Cancellation & Withdrawal

  1. Waterworks Visual Arts Center reserves the right to cancel any class with insufficient enrollment and will refund 100% of your class fee including the $25 registration fee. Notification of class cancellations will be made by email at least 7 calendar days prior to the first day of class.

  2. Any request for withdrawal must be made in person or over the phone ten (10) days before the start of the class(es) to be eligible for a WVAC voucher. Email and voicemail withdrawal or cancellation WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED and any voucher due will be forfeited.

  3. No monetary refunds will be given for withdrawal. WVAC Vouchers will be issued, and can be applied to future class registrations.