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Artworks Fine Art Studio has expanded its more than two-decade-old teaching program to Falls Church, opening a third location at 819 W. Broad St.

Founder and owner Erin Johnson launched Artworks in 2003 after recognizing a need for art education in the Washington area. The business, which also operates studios in Bethesda and Potomac, opened its Falls Church location in November 2024.

Johnson has taught thousands of students during the past 22 years. At the new studio, she currently shares teaching duties with a graduate art student.

“It’s great, and it’s so much fun,” Johnson said of her work. As a parent, she added, working with children feels like “second nature.”

Johnson studied visual arts and semiotics at Brown University and took courses at the Rhode Island School of Design, Lorenzo de’ Medici school in Florence and the Art Institute of Chicago. Although she continues to paint, most of her time now goes toward teaching and managing the three studios.

Her own work is generally soft, representational and realistic, though she also creates abstract landscapes. She works primarily in oil on canvas and has also explored ceramics and three-dimensional art.

Building skills from the first pencil line

Artworks teaches drawing and painting through a structured curriculum modeled on foundational fine-art training. Johnson said students begin with basic techniques before progressing through pastels, watercolor and oils.

“We believe that anyone can learn to draw and paint,” she said. “It just takes practice and a few little techniques.”

The studio emphasizes realistic drawing as a foundation students can later apply to any artistic style. Instruction can begin with details as fundamental as holding a pencil, sitting properly and drawing a line.

Johnson said that approach is particularly helpful because students at every experience level often arrive feeling nervous. Beginners receive step-by-step guidance, while instructors assess experienced artists and build upon their existing abilities.

“You’ve got to want to learn,” she said. “And, yeah, you’ve got to practice.”

Classes are available for children, teenagers and adults, ranging from first-time artists to seasoned students. A teacher-student ratio of seven to one allows instructors to tailor lessons to individual abilities.

The curriculum is also intended to help students build confidence alongside their technical skills. Johnson said the goal is to provide the tools needed to draw a wide range of subjects rather than confining students to one genre.

Once the Falls Church location becomes more established, Johnson hopes to begin displaying students’ work.

Broad Street location draws local families

Johnson said the W. Broad Street site has given Artworks strong visibility, particularly because it sits across from St. James Catholic School. Students from Haycock Elementary, Oak Street Elementary and other nearby schools have already enrolled.

“Our location is great,” she said.

Johnson has also embraced Falls Church’s community atmosphere, pointing to its families, festivals, farmers markets and other public gatherings. She met residents during the Botanologica Makers Market while displaying her own artwork outside the studio.

“There’s just really a sense of community, which I like,” she said.

Artworks offers classes, workshops, parties and camps, including summer programs. The studio also provides free introductory classes for people who want to try its approach before enrolling.

Johnson’s invitation to the community is simple: “Come visit us. We’re open to everybody and would be happy to meet all of them.”