Sitting at home sewing popcorn onto a string (or, alternately, poking yourself repeatedly, bleeding, and swearing)? The Visual Arts Center of Richmond is offering another timely and generous option: the Art Free for All annual open house, where you can choose one of many super-creative classes and learn to make something beautiful for the holidays. For FREE. Come one, come all to 1812 West Main Street on December 14—that’s Sunday—from 1:00 to 4:00, especially if it’s your first crack at seeing what this year’s renovations were all about. The Center “encourages people of all backgrounds, ages and skill levels to explore, participate and experiment in the visual arts.” Art Free for All organizer Sarah Hand had those ideas in mind as she coordinated the event, drawing upon the wide range of talent present at VACR in order to provide something interesting for kids of all ages. “We want to attract people from the community, show them what we’re all about, share ideas,” she notes. Cool teachers, lovely music by the Happy Lucky Combo, snacks, drinks, good cheer. Definitely a bright addition to your holiday plans.

Now, picking a class… that’s the hard part. Let’s think:

Origami
You’ll never have to buy ornaments again. Your office has everything you need: colored copy paper, giant paper cutter to make it square (extra fun), cubicle in which to hide and fold for hours.

Glass kaleidoscopes
Come on, who doesn’t love kaleidoscopes? I could make a kaleidoscope for everyone on my list. Especially if you can make the dirty kind.

Copper bookmarks
You get to bang and punch stuff. For me, this is a major pro.

Paper garlands
Seriously, folks, avoid the popcorn, these are way prettier and the smell of the theater is alluring for only so long.

Watercolor notecards
Gift-worthy and easier than you’d think. I was intimidated by the paintbrush for a long time, but watercolor is good therapy.

Sewing and fibers
It doesn’t even matter what you make in this class, people will think you’re really cool because you can SEW. Sew a napkin. Sew a button on something. People will freak out.

Woodturning demo
I can’t go watch this because I will want to play with the dangerous tools. But you should go. The lathe is so awesome.

Cartooning workshop
Richmond has its very own Matt Groening, and you will shine under his tutelage. Remind your loved ones that under that waxy coating of holiday stress, you’re quite funny.

WEB | http://www.vlsarts.org | 1812 West Main St. | 353.0094 | December 14 1 - 4 p.m.