Top Art Classes For Adults In Philadelphia
Utilizing the artist within is healthy for your brain and your body because it allows you to relax and channels your creativity. Whether you love painting, drawing, ceramics or textiles, you can find many classes to choose from in Philadelphia. Some will be longer courses comparable to a college semester of 12-16 weeks, or you can take one-time workshops. There is no limit on what you can learn and experience, but where you go and how often may be up to your wallet, as prices greatly vary.
The Clay Studio
139 N. 2nd St.
Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 925-3453
www.theclaystudio.org
You can take a two-month course in pottery-making and ceramics at the Clay Studio to indulge your inner sculptor. Prices are in the $200-$300 area for the full course. Members receive a discount. If you just want to try your hand at art before making the course commitment, consider a workshop. Most introductory workshops are around $30 for a three-hour class. Everything is provided for you to make your first or next great creation.
The Expressive Hand
Belle Vista
622 S. 9th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19147
(267) 519-2625
www.expressivehand.com
A perk of The Expressive Hand is it's BYOB (bring your own bottle), so you can enjoy painting your own pottery or working with infused glass while also drinking a beer or a glass of wine. Infused glass works with picking pieces of colorful glass to make jewelry which is then heated to fuse them together. For pottery, you select the piece you wish to paint from dishes, bowls and other ceramic items, you paint it the way you want it to look and then leave it in the hands of the people of The Expressive Hand. They will glaze and fire up your item and it will be ready for pick up in about a week. Costs range from $8-$60 depending on the item. Handprints and paw prints are always free to make. On Thursday nights, this spot provides snacks while you provide your beverage. You can also have a private workshop for $30 a person with a minimum of five people when you call ahead for reservations.
Fairmount Art Center
2501 Olive St.
Philadelphia, PA 19130
(215) 765-2787
514 Bainbridge St.
Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 765-2787
www.phillyartcenter.com
To relax and enjoy your artistic side, the Fairmount Art Center offers classes in a variety of art including painting, drawing, sculpting, photography or jewelry making. Screen printing is a popular choice where you can learn how a printing press works and bring in your own t-shirts to stamp your own designs. There are two locations in Philadelphia.
Related: Top Murals In Philadelphia
Fleisher Art Memorial
719 Catharine St.
Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 922-3456
www.fleisher.org
The Fleisher Art Memorial School has about two dozen art classes for adults. You will have to pay for a membership plus lab fees, and that will range from $5-$45. You can take classes in drawing, painting, sculpting or even art history during 13-week courses in the fall or spring. Registration typically begins two months prior to the beginning of the class.
Painted Bride Art Center
230 Vine St.
Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 925-9914
www.paintedbride.org
If you ever wanted to try blowing glass, you may want to consider visiting the Painted Bride Art Center. Glass blower and metal-working artist Kort Walsh is an Artist in Residence at the center and has been glass blowing since 2006. The Painted Bride has been in Philadelphia for over 40 years and provides "a laboratory" for artists. The center is committed to the artistic experience, and you can choose to experience many other arts at the center as well, including musical and theatrical arts.
Christina Dagnelli is a freelance writer in Philadelphia and the author of Little Squares with Colors: A Different way to look at autism. Her work on examiner can be found here Examiner.com.
