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You are invited to visit the last surviving 1700's structure of its kind in Virginia's Northern Neck!

The story of this tavern and its relationship to the development of Northumberland County and Virginia's Northern Neck reflects what happened in countless court house villages throughout Virginia and the nation.

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Winter / Spring 2025

Beginning Woodturning OR Bowl Turning, One-day workshop - Saturday, Februay 15, 9 am - 4 pm

For those completely new to using a woodturning lathe, students will learn the skills necessary to safely use a wood lathe along with spindle gouges and embellishing tools to create one or two of several kitchen tools.  Project options for beginners will be a handle for a pepper grinder, ice cream scoop, bottle opener or wine bottle stopper. 

Students who have previously taken the Guild’s introductory course or who have experience on a wood turning lathe, can opt to learn the skills necessary to turn a small bowl from a blank of wood.

- Instructor: Tavern Woodworkers Guild; Classes will be held in the "Tavern Meeting Building."
- Maximum of 7 students.
- $80. An additional material fee ($5 to $25, depending on selected kitchen tool) is payable to the instructor at the class.

Click Here to Register for this Class and More Information.

 

 

Coffeetime Sip and Art: Painting Water and Shore Birds in Winter, Friday, February 21, 10 am to 12:30 pm

Students will paint from photos or images you bring, or those provided by the instructor. Paintings can be in watercolor or acrylic. All supplies are included, but feel free to bring your own. Stroll over to the Tavern after class for a bite to eat.

- Instructor: Celeste Johnston; Class will be held in the "Tavern Meeting Building", which is located directly behind the Tavern.
- Maximum of 10 students.
- $40.
There is a material fee of $5, payable directly to the instructor on the day of class.

Click Here to Register for this class and more information.

 

 

Beginning Coiled Pine Needle Baskets, Saturday, March 8, 10:30 am -  2 pm

Learn the ancient craft of turning pine needles into beautiful and functional coiled baskets. You'll be taught how to gather, prepare and start a small basket or woven mat, using pine needles gathered locally on the Northern Neck. No experience is necessary. Whether for yourself or as a gift, these handmade beauties will hold pride of place in any room.

- Instructor: Vicki Cornish; Class will be held in the "Tavern Meeting Building".
- Maximum of 8 students.
- $35, the majority of which the instructor is donating back to the Tavern Foundation. All equipment will be provided but a small material fee of $10 will be payable directly to the instructor.
Time will be provided for you to stroll over to the Tavern Café for lunch.

Click Here to Register and Get Additional Information


 

 

Beginning Weaving, Three-day workshop: Friday, Saturday, Sunday, March 28, 29 & 30, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

This three-day class is an introduction to the process of handweaving on a floor loom. All materials and equipment are provided, and no previous weaving experience is required. Students will be provided with ample support from two experienced instructors as well as current members of the Tavern Spinners & Weavers Guild.

- Instructor: Tavern Spinners & Weavers Guild; Classes will be held in the "Tavern Meeting Building" and the Spinners & Weavers Guild Studio inside the Tavern.
- Maximum of 6 students.
- $250 for the 3-day class.

This Class is Now FULL. Click Here to Be Put on the Waitlist.

 

 

Coffeetime Sip and Paint: More Botanical Art, Friday, April 4 and 11, 9 am to 12:30 pm

Whether you have taken the first class of Botanical Illustration with Celeste or not, this class will enhance your technique and skills when drawing and painting natural plant material.

In this two-day class, held successive Fridays, students will learn history, technique and procedures for creating a true botanical work of art. The first class will cover background information, making sketches and developing values. You will then pick your plant or flower, make thumnail sketches, learn its anatomy and begin drawing. In the second class, you will critique and tweak your drawing, transfer it to watercolor paper and paint. Finally, we will share your beautiful botanical work of art with classmates. Stroll over to the Tavern for lunch after your class!

- Instructor: Celeste Johnston; Class will be held in the "Tavern Meeting Building", which is located directly behind the Tavern.
- Maximum of 10 students.
- $125. All supplies and materials will be provided.
Stroll over to the Tavern after class for a bite to eat.

Click Here to Register for this class and more information.

 

 

Sourdough for Beginners, Saturday, April 5, 10 am - 4 pm

Learn how to make a beautiful and delicious loaf of sourdough bread. Along with a foundational understanding of sourdough, you will go home with your own batch of sourdough starter to begin your sourdough journey.   

- Instructor: Barbara Hoxsie; Class will be held in the "Tavern Meeting Building".
- Maximum of 12 students.
- $65. All equipment and supplies are included.
Time will be provided for you to stroll over to the Tavern Café for lunch.

This Class is Now FULL. Click Here to Be Put on the Waitlist.
 

 

 

Blacksmithing 101 (Beginner), One-day workshop - Saturday, April 12,  9 am - 4 pm

Learn the basic skills of blacksmithing to create your own metal projects from the Tavern's Heathsville Forge Blacksmith's Guild. You will learn tapering, tempering and hardening of mild steel, and make a punch or chisel to use in another project you will complete. All supplies included in the price of $120 per student. Eight slots available. The Forge is located behind the Tavern.

Click Here to Register for this Class and More Information.

 

 

The Art of Pressing Flowers, Herbs & Foliage, Thursday, May 1, 1 - 3 pm

This unique program teaches participants the art of pressing plant material.  Sheila Weisensale starts her program by discussing the mechanics of pressing flowers- harvesting, pressing and storing plant material.  She then demonstrates the ABCs of how to make a design using actual pressed flower material.  Once you know all the tips and tricks, Sheila will facilitate a hands-on workshop.  

Each student will make their own one-of-a-kind pressed flower bookmarks to take home - two per person.   Sheila will provide all the workshop materials including a wide variety of locally grown pressed flower material from her own garden. Enjoy lunch at the Tavern Café prior to the class! 

- Instructor: Sheila Weisensale; Class will be held in the "Tavern Meeting Building", located behind the Tavern.
- Maximum of 12 students.
- $35. All supplies are provided.

Click here to register for this class and more information.

 

 

Heron in Profile: Oil and Acrylic Class, Saturday, April 26, 9 am - 4 pm

Create a realistic-looking Blue Heron in profile, using a technique that includes an acrylic undercoating with an oil overlay to finish the look of this dreamy heron.  10" x 10" gallery canvas will be ready to hang. Open of all skill levels.

- Instructor: Janet Hockman; Class will be held in the "Tavern Meeting Building", directly behind the Tavern.
- Maximum of 15 students.
- $115. All supplies and equipment will be supplied. 
Stroll over to the Tavern Café at lunchtime for a bite to eat.

Click Here to Register for this Class and More Information.


 

Splash or Bubbly Turtle Painting: Oil on Wood, Friday, May 9, 9 am - 3 pm

Paint a fun and festive turtle on a 12-inch round wooden surface suitable for hanging. Demonstrations and a talks about materials and supplies used will be given. Open of all skill levels.

- Instructor: Janet Hockman; Class will be held in the "Tavern Meeting Building", directly behind the Tavern.
- Maximum of 15 students.
- $95. All supplies and equipment will be supplied. 
Stroll over to the Tavern Café at lunchtime for a bite to eat.

Click Here to Register for this Class and More Information.

 

 


 

 



 

 


 

 

 



 

 

 



 



The Heritage Arts Classes are sponsored and supported by the Rices Hotel/Hughlett's Tavern Foundation, Inc.

Heritage Art Classes

Check out our Heritage Art Classes!

Contact Information

RH/HT Foundation, Inc.
PO Box 579
73 Monument Place
Heathsville, VA 22473

Phone: 804-580-3377

Located on Route 360 behind the old courthouse.


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