7 Art Courses to Develop Your Creative Eye in the DC Area

Heavy Metal

Jewelry

Sure, you can scour shops for one-of-a-kind jewelry, but what if you could make your own custom bling? In Capitol Hill, jewelers Daniel Valencia and Carlos Muñoz lead a “Metals I” course in which novice smiths can learn soldering, stone-­setting, polishing, forging, and other skills. By the end of eight weeks, you walk away with at least four handcrafted sterling-silver pieces. The cost is $645, including materials. Creative couples can also take a course to forge their own wedding bands, starting at $895.

First Impression

Photography

Learn how to capture precious moments on camera—and get lots of moody Instagram photos in the process—at the Art League in Alexandria. In “Black & White Darkroom Photography,” instructor Peter Duvall takes you through the entire process, shooting photos on 35mm, then heading into the darkroom to unveil the results. The course costs $285, and cameras are available on loan.

Go Figure

Drawing

At Capitol Hill Arts Workshop, five-week “Figure Drawing” classes feature live models, so students can master the human form in charcoal. Classes centered on acrylic paint and colored pencil are other ways to bring creativity into your weekly routine. Most courses run $150 to $300 for five weeks.

License to Kiln

Pottery

Get your hands dirty at District Clay Center, where a beginner-friendly wheel class takes you from a lump of clay to ready-to-use pottery in ten weeks ($390 to $410). If you want to try your hand at the wheel before committing, the $80 “one shot” class is a great way to experiment—or even makes a fun date night. Ready to level up? The center periodically offers workshops on all things ceramic, from tea sets to human busts.

Hot Spot

Glassblowing

Not afraid of a little heat? Instructor Paul Swartwood of Glen Echo Glassworks can ease you into the ancient art of glassblowing. Swartwood encourages students to be bold with color and work together while infusing molten glass with air to form eye-catching, moldable bubbles. Classes are kept to six or fewer to ensure individual attention. Try a one-time workshop ($145 to $155) or enroll in “Beginning Glassblowing” ($575) for four weeks.

In Stitches

Knitting

Whether you’re just learning to knit and purl or need help tackling your next project, Fibre Space in Alexandria has courses for all levels. During $90 intro classes, students learn the basics of knitting over three sessions, taking home the beginnings of a scarf. More experienced knitters can pack their needles for clinics focused on specific styles or garments such as Fair Isles and raglan sweaters.

Pick Up the Pieces

Stained Glass

Colorful stained glass is typically seen in houses of worship, but you also can create a piece for your home. At Monroe Street Studio in Herndon, artisans teach intimate groups of four how to make a vibrant Tiffany-style sun catcher. The $295 five-week course, which includes materials, covers cutting, grinding, foiling, and soldering.

This article appears in the December 2024 issue of Washingtonian.