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. 

Maker Faire (Queens): NY Hall of Science

Musical, Fire-breathing, Jungle Gym for Kids Young and Old

I'm planning to attend the Second Annual Maker Faire in New York City today, the second/last day of the fair.  I purchased tickets at my designated local Radio Shack to get a bonus $5 off from the ticket price, but I had to educate the sales people who had no knowledge of the fair and tried to sell me the wrong tickets (student rather than adult for the the adult price).

I'll add more to this posting when I get back from the fair, but I wanted to put up this posting early so folks with time today could attend this last day of the fair (rather than wait until next year).  I'm excited to see all of the new inventions, crafts, and whatnots.  Be back soon!
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The Maker Faire was absolutely amazing and had something of interest for everyone!  There were high tech booths where visitors could wait in line and make gadgets like flash lights and electronic sequence games like Simon.  There were also awe inspiring displays that demonstrated 3D automated carvings and plasticized sculpture (see the cathedral sample sculpture at right).  I also thought that the robotics areas were pretty cool, and although I didn't get a chance to try it out, the remote control motor bots (see left) seemed like they would be lots of fun.  For tech aficionados this fair is a little nirvana.

ASIDE: I wonder if re-naming this "Innovation Faire" wouldn't better attract all the people who would love this event.

There were great crafting stations and Etsy-like handmade crafts (jewelry by the likes of Jenine.net (see Jenine blowing glass for incredibly colorful and unique glass jewelry at right--last year she was featured on the Martha Stewart Show after the fair) and Jantar, paper-made gift by RePlayGround.com, wood working art, etc.) for sale in the middle part of the grounds.  I loved the buttons crafting area by BurdaStyle.com (see my headband craft at left) as well as the diverse demonstrations that were scheduled every hour and sponsored by Craftzine.com (I won a fantastic book/magazine called "Craft: Transforming Traditional Crafts" in a raffle after the paper crafting session led by Tiffany Threadgould).  

HINT: Be sure to get your liability waiver bracelets if you want to participate in more dangerous activities like glass blowing with instructor, Kim Fraczek (which I loved) or swinging through water sprayers (which I passed on).

There were also a steady stream of performance artists at the various stages sprinkled inside and outside of the New York Hall of Science.  My favorite was "ArcAttack!" (recently featured on a TV competition show), and some liked the theatrical "Life-Sized Mousetrap" (human sized sequential mouse trap similar to the board game).  The Volvo decorated with singing lobsters and bass fish, "Sashimi Tabernacle Choir," made me laugh out loud (see left).

I also stood in line to get my 1 minute matchbook portrait drawn by 0H10M1ke (see below right)--very cool.

I will definitely be back next year.  And now that I know how much is available (it can be overwhelming if you are not organized and plot out your day) I will make sure I am better prepared to schedule my attendance at my favorite events, performances, demonstrations, etc.

Check on the Maker Faire toward the beginning of September next year.  You won't regret it.