No matter where you may find yourself in your career — student, early career professional, experienced practitioner or simply wanting to know more — the Shockoe Artspace Summer Institute is about focused time to improve your skills and abilities. With a foundation rooted in how to see well and make better, the 8-week Summer Instititue works with painters, illustrators and designers to become practitioners who can sustainably build culture through their work for years to come.

The Shockoe Artspace Summer Institute is led by Director and Curator Ryan Lauterio and Design Director Dr. Garreth Blackwell and will include artist talks, studio visits and portfolio reviews.

The culmination of the eight-week program will be a group show in which participants will be able to showcase the work they have done through direct instruction or personal development during the program.

Ryan has been a contemporary painter for over 20 years and Garreth has owned his own design firm for 12 years. Their combined experience allows for a holistic view of art and design and the ways in which these two spheres overlap, intersect and inform each other.

The design track will focus on creative work in graphic, web and product design. With more than a decade of experience leading projects for small to international corporations and nonprofits, Dr. Garreth Blackwell will guide students through the practical application of skills, critical design process thinking and business practices.

The Summer Institute is modeled after a graduate-level studio course. Participants should expect intensive interaction with their peers and instructors during the Summer Institute with the expectation of a high level of personal drive and follow through. Participants should be self starters capable of confidently exploring new methods, areas and directions under the instruction of expert makers.