Art Classes in NYC: Various

Drawing Class at the Art Students League on 57th Street and 7th Avenue

I have been an art enthusiast all of my life.  With a little investigation, I have been able to find some great art classes that I think are uniquely available in a resource-rich city like NYC.

Watercolor of Peonies

I've taken a drawing and collage studio course at the MOMA.  They were in the evenings once a week for a couple of months and they included after hours access to the galleries in our private class group with an assigned security guard!

I've taken a one-off painting course at Paint Along.  This is a low commitment, fun commercial class that could be fun for a group of friends or a couple to do together.

I've taken a Korean folk art water color painting class called minwha at the Korea Society (see my last project at right).  There are various courses at numerous cultural centers around the City to match almost any interest.  It just takes some hunting on the internet.

Currently I am enrolled in a full-time anatomical drawing class at the Art Students League. For a mere $200 I attend classes taught by professional artists and monitored by 1-2 assistants Monday through Friday for 3 1/2 hours a day for a whole month.  What a bargain!  Also, you should know that they have a gallery and a small but well-stocked art supply shop open to the public with the best prices in town (see below left).  For the commitment phobic, you might also try the model drawing classes hosted by the Society of Illustrators twice a week for $15 a session.

Art Students League Store

Finally, this November I am taking a two-weekend intensive jewelry making class at the Pratt Institute.  I discovered this when I visited the gallery down at their Manhattan campus in Chelsea.  I've never really made jewelry (yes, I've strung beads and made a couple of earrings from the handmade African paper beads I purchased at the Museum of Arts and Design (MAD) but that was a one-off thing that I MacGyvered on my own).

There are also places one can try ceramics, photography, glass blowing (Kim Fraczek teaches in Brooklyn--she hosted a booth at the Maker Faire), cooking (try the Institute of Culinary Education's recreational classes), music lessons, etc.  I don't think I could do all of the options justice without starting a new blog, so I thought I would just write this entry to let folks know that there are tons of enrichment classes available in NYC.  They are taught by real professionals, and if you are in the City, they are definitely worth a try.


Prices vary from around $400 for 8, 2-hour sessions to as low as $200 for a Monday-Friday 3 1/2 hour sessions for a whole month of classes.  If you want to just dip a toe in, you might also join in for the free Crafternoons at the New York Public Library once a month (I'm going this Saturday) or go to one of the open sketch Sundays or Saturdays at one of the numerous museums (like the Frick) around the City (check out their websites for details).

The thing is, all of these enrichment classes are available at all price points in NYC.  It really is a tremendous resource that should not be overlooked.  Take a chance and try one. 

Martha Stewart Show Taping: 26th Street and 7th Avenue

I have loved arts and crafts since I was a little girl, so when I had the opportunity to attend a taping of the Martha Stewart Show yesterday, I jumped on it.  Tickets are free, but you need to generally plan ahead and go on her website (www.marthastewart.com) and fill out a form to request tickets.  I did that and got tickets for a day on which the weather in NYC was sleeting and raining.  Nevertheless, folks were lined up early outside of the studio (see right) for a chance to see the beautiful studio in person and watch Martha in action.  Martha is an icon.  Whether you love her or hate her, you have to be in awe of what she has been able to create.  She wields an empire that spans home decor, crafts, cleaning products, furniture, rugs, hardware, magazines,books, television, and the list goes on and on.  The show I was scheduled to attend was a LIVE show.  That meant it was a little more exciting (and faster paced) than those that are taped and edited for later airing.  And due to the inclement weather and the canceled flights into NYC, there were also openings to attend the taped show in the afternoon.  I decided that if I was going to be there for one, I may as well do a little shopping and get a little lunch and then stay for the afternoon session.  Boy, am I glad I did. 

The first show was the one airing February 1st, launching Martha's countdown to Valentines Day--yeah, no pressure.  It highlighted lots of the predictable candy and chocolates, and Valentines crafts.  I eat that kind of stuff up, so I was in HEAVEN!  The second one was in honor of the beginning of the Chinese (lunar) New Year (this year is the year of the rabbit).  The fabulous cooking, arts and crafts, books, etc. are all things that one comes to expect from Martha Stewart, but one thing that you may not know is that if you have the opportunity to attend the show, Joey Kola (see above left) is also really entertaining and likable.  He keeps the crowd entertained between shots, gives away prizes (left over gifts from prior shows--I received a Cleopatra book), and "coaches" the crowd through the requisite clapping, hooting and hollering.

The audience of the first show came away with a gift card for $20 for candy, a shirt, Godiva chocolates, lip spa treatments, and crafting stickers.  Fantastic, one might say, especially for those who love crafting and sweets (and who doesn't and is a fan of Martha anyway?).  But wait, there's more. The audience of the second show received a cook book, a craft book, and a Sony eReader (ergo my earlier comment about being glad I dedicated my whole day to Martha and stayed for the second show).

After each taping, Martha also stays on and interacts with the audience.  She takes questions and really takes the time to respond thoughtfully and carefully (see right).  When I asked her how she protects her dogs' feet in the winter with all the chemicals and the snow and sleet (and noted, that my dog won't wear galoshes), she responded that on her property she doesn't use any harsh chemicals and that in other places where she can't control what gets put down (like in the City), she makes sure that she has warm water to wash their feet every time they come in from outside.  When I said that is what I already do, but was hoping for an easier solution, she responded with a laugh that they (the dogs) don't mind it--but perhaps I did. I conceded she was right.  

It was a fantastic day.  Winter weather could not squash my spirits or my determination to take advantage of living in the City, and I was well rewarded at the Martha Stewart Show!