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Current Schedule | All Classes & Events

You can sort by the “activities” tab within the widget, or click on the “learn” tab at the top of our website for a more detailed search.  You can toggle between a list or calendar view on the far right of the class listings widget. You will need to make an account with Sawyer to register. Details on how to do so are lower on the page, or it will automatically walk you through it when you register for your first class.

You can sort by the “activities” tab within the widget, or click on the “learn” tab at the top of our website for a more detailed search.  You can toggle between a list or calendar view on the far right of the class listings widget. You will need to make an account with Sawyer to register. Details on how to do so are lower on the page, or it will automatically walk you through it when you register for your first class.

2024 Fall into Art Festival

Go to Get Involved for more details on the 2024 Fall into Art Festival,     October 5, 2024 – 9am to 5pm Main Street Downtown Galax VA

Like us on Facebook to keep up with the latest details.

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Downtown Galax Locations

CCSA MAIN CAMPUS

100 N Main St
Galax, VA 24333

GIFT SHOP/EXHIBITS OPEN HOURS

Tuesday- Friday | 10am-6pm
Saturday | 11:00 am – 3:00 pm

OPEN STUDIOS

Fused Glass
2nd Wednesdays | 2-4:30pm
276.236.3500

Knots & Needles – Fiber Community
4th Saturdays | 11am-12pm
Join us to help making fiber items for community members in need.
Sewers, Knitters, Crocheters and Beginners ALL WELCOME!
276.236.3500

CCSA WOODWORKING STUDIO

107 West Oldtown St
Galax, VA 24333

Open Studio
Monday-Friday | 9am-1pm
1st Saturdays | 11am-3pm
276.236.3500

Safety Class
1st Tuesdays of the Month 6-8:30pm

Scroll Saw Basics
1st Tuesdays of January, March  & May 2023 | 6-8:00pm
$15 to learn about how to use a scroll saw

CCSA POTTERY STUDIO

110 East Oldtown St
Galax, VA 24333

Open Studios
Fridays | 6-8pm
1st Saturdays | 2-4pm

Pottery Studio Members have 24/7 access.
Call 276.236.3500 for more info.

New Student Registration Process

CREATE AN ACCOUNT WITH SAWYER

Step 1: Creating your account is easy: 

Follow the prompts listed in the sign up module and enter all specified fields to finalize your account creation. https://www.hisawyer.com/chestnut-creek-school-of-the-arts/auth/sign-up Already have a Sawyer account?  If you’ve previously set up an account with Sawyer, you can use those same account credentials to log in. https://www.hisawyer.com/chestnut-creek-school-of-the-arts/auth/log-in

Step 2: Customize your account:

Once your account is created, you can add children to your profile, add payment methods on file, and more.  https://www.hisawyer.com/account

Should you have any questions feel free to contact us at info@chestnutcreekarts.org.

TRANSITIONING TO SAWYER

All our registrations and payments are handled by the software platform, Sawyer.

Sawyer powers registration for thousands of children’s activity businesses so you can safely and easily book activities for your family. You may even have an account with them already!

Here’s what you can expect from using Sawyer: 

  • Create a family profile and add multiple children all under one account (no more switching profiles for each registration!)
  • Book activities with ease and on the go, directly from our website
  • User friendly and mobile responsive management
  • Pay online automatically and securely
  • Manage your schedule all in one place
  • Sync your child(ren)’s bookings to your iCal or google calendar

Guitar Chairs

custom stands by the CCSA woodworking team

Introducing the “Guitar Chair”- Chestnut Creek School of the Arts making the most of their talented and dedicated Safety Captain team, shut-down during COVID and indigenous woods and music culture.

(Galax, Virginia) – August 24, 2020

The Luthier and Woodworking Teams of the Chestnut Creek School of the Arts in Galax, VA are happy to announce the availability of the “Guitar Chair.”  The Guitar Chair gently nestles any acoustic or electric guitar as well as a banjo.  Its elegant lines and curves are designed to complement and enhance the beauty of the instrument being cradled.  More than just a stand, the Guitar Chair is made from finely-crafted wood can be customized to include names, and/or initials making it a great gift item for your favorite guitar or banjo player!  It can also be used to promote your business or even a musical event.  The “Guitar Chair” can be shipped to you via mail and is easily assembled in minutes.

Your purchase of a Guitar Chair helps to support the Chestnut Creek School of the Arts.  Chestnut Creek School of the Arts (CCSA) is changing lives by enriching children, adults with disabilities and the region through skilled arts, cultural and music education.  CCSA offers a variety of programs including art for youth; Junior Appalachian Musicians (JAM); Art4Life Wellness in the arts programming; and CRE8! youth art programming.  Engaging community members previously under served, such as residential at-risk youth, adults with disabilities, and home-schooled children; CCSA seamlessly synthesizes and integrates partnerships.  Chestnut Creek School of the Arts, where “Art is for Everyone!”

“The Art4Life program has allowed students of all ages and abilities be creative in a friendly and judgement free environment, where the process of making art allows for self-expression, healing, and growing to become a better person. During these classes students share their own stories of success, struggles, problem solving whether it is about the art they are creating or the life they are living. Many classes are full of laughter and encouragement, leaving students and the teachers with a feeling of belonging as well as pride.”  – CCSA Instructor

Get Involved

There are many ways to get involved with our cause! As a non-profit we depend on community members and visitors to help make our programs the best ever. We’d love to have you join us.

About Us

“Chestnut Creek School of the Arts is the hidden gem of Galax.” —Nicole Mckenna

Welcome to Chestnut Creek School of the Arts! We are a unique, hybrid organization formed as a function of the City of Galax.   Created as a vehicle to stimulate economic growth in the community we have formed our own non-profit and discovered that this is just as much about community development as it is economic development.

We offer classes, events and exhibits year-round for all ages in one of three studios located in the heart of downtown Galax. We have fully equipped studios in: Woodworking, Pottery, Stained Glass, Metalsmithing, Sewing, Painting, Printmaking and offer classes in several other disciplines.

It is our mission to preserve the cultural heritage unique to this region, communicate the value of the arts through hands-on instruction, create an environment conducive to learning free of intimidation. Our classes are designed for those visiting this area as well as those living in this region with evening and weekend classes. With help in funding from the Twin County Community Foundation we are now offering a multitude of workshops during the day serving but not limited to: Seniors, Homeschoolers, Veterans and those with special needs.

In addition to our classes we offer several community service opportunities including but not limited to: Empty Bowls- Helping feed the hungry and Stuffed with Love- Making stuffed animals for kids in trauma with plans to create miniature libraries in our Wood Studio. It is free to participate in our community service projects and they are designed so that everyone can participate in a meaningful way.

We believe that Art is for everyone and everyone has an inherent ability to create. Our Main Building was the first bank in Galax built in 1932. It was historically renovated and houses our Gift Shop, Administrative Offices and Studios: Stained Glass, Metalsmithing, Painting, Drawing, Printmaking, and Music. With support from Department of Housing and Community Development, Department of Agriculture, The Tobacco Commission, Rural Development we were able to purchase equipment and tools necessary to not only teach our classes but be available to students and community members for use outside of class in the spirit on entrepreneurial growth.

We offer a Junior Appalachian Music Program allowing students aged 9-13 the opportunity to borrow a guitar, fiddle, mandolin, or banjo coming twice a week for two terms in the school year to learn local old time music. We also are home to the Bobby Patterson lending library, providing use of a wide variety of instrument for those wishing to learn to play an instrument.

We have one full time and five part-time staff members and over 50 volunteers. Our Executive Founding Director, Chris Pollins reports both to the City of Galax City Manager and City Council, but also to a 15 member board of Directors governing the non-profit.