The 10 Best Adult Art Classes In NYC

NYC is a cultural mecca that draws artists and thinkers from all over the world. There is a plethora of adult art classes available for people curious about expressing their creative side.

We've compiled a list of the best art classes in NYC catering to every style and method, ranging from sculpting and painting to silk-screen printing and ceramics. The following are the best adult art classes in NYC:

1. Painting Lounge

Painting Lounge is precisely what it sounds like- a laid-back place that exudes a chill vibe. The establishment permits BYOB, excluding hard liquor, and even provides corkscrews, cups, and a fridge to ensure your drinks stay cold. Every evening, professional artists guide you through replicating a featured painting with a step-by-step approach.

In addition to their regular classes, Painting Lounge also offers private parties and events. This is a great option for birthdays, bachelorette parties, corporate team-building events, and other special occasions.

The studio can accommodate groups of all sizes and provides a fun and unique way to celebrate and create memories with friends and family. You'll find a relaxed, stress-free ambiance enabling you to unleash your inner artist.

2. 92nd Street Y

Renowned for its lectures, concerts, and discussions, New York's most prominent community center also features an array of art classes ranging from art appreciation to watercolor.

Even if you're a complete beginner, there are beginner classes that start from the fundamentals. The 92nd Street Y is a great choice if you want to revitalize your creativity with an experienced teacher.

3. New York School of the Arts

At the New York School of the Arts, the emphasis lies on the evolution of contemporary art. The school delves into fine arts, music, architecture, and design studies, providing a wide range of creative options to explore.

With classes spanning diverse mediums - from printmaking techniques to portrait creation to an introduction to Adobe Photoshop - there's something for everyone to experiment with.

4. The Decorus Atelier of Figurative Art

Decorus Atelier of Figurative Art allows students to learn classic drawing, painting, and even sculpture methods if desired. The school provides classes that lay the foundation for these mediums.

For instance, students can take the "Intro to Anatomy" course, which covers the architecture of the human body and the techniques for capturing its form in drawing.

Alternatively, they can enroll in the "Accelerated Portraiture Drawing" class, where they learn to master portrait drawing and related techniques. To ensure an intimate, hands-on experience, the classes have limited enrollment.

5. STUDIO

Whether you're an avid ceramics enthusiast or looking for a hands-on creative outlet, visit this community hub in Bushwick. It's renowned for its pottery classes, where you can get acquainted with using a slab machine to roll out clay and learn the fundamentals of shaping.

While at the location, check out the meditation room, the lower level for millwork and carpentry, and the café, which hosts gallery exhibitions, pop-up dinners, and other events.

6. School of Visual Arts

SVA, one of the country's leading professional art schools, provides many continuing education courses covering nearly every conceivable subject related to contemporary art.

These courses extend beyond the typical "how-to" classes in painting and include art history, critical studies, video production, and even creating art using genetic engineering. You'll have the opportunity to learn from instructors worldwide in a variety of classes ranging from conceptual debates to advanced research.

7. Secret Riso Club

There has been a significant resurgence of interest in 1980s-style risograph printing in recent years, as it is a quick and efficient method of screenprinting layers of ink to produce vibrant designs for posters, comics, and illustrations.

Gonzalo Guerrero started a riso studio in his apartment in 2011 to introduce people to this underrated printing technique. Guerrero believes that working with riso helps you concentrate and find inspiration, and it can even alleviate feelings of being stuck in other areas of your life.

You can give it a try by signing up for the three-hour introductory workshop, which includes a personal one-on-one session with Guerrero. Following that, you can reserve studio time to work on your designs.

8. Dirty Hands

Art workshops for adults of all skill levels can be found at Dirty Hands, a studio in Brooklyn. The studio has been around since 2010, and its emphasis on risk-taking, originality, and individuality in the classroom has made it a pioneer in the field of art instruction. Painting, sketching, printmaking, and sculpting are just a few of the mediums covered in Dirty Hands' many courses.

All skill levels are welcome, although if you're hoping to paint a sunset, that's not what you'll do in here. Dirty Hands' adult painting lessons stand out due to their encouragement of experimentation and the breaking of norms.

Participants are encouraged to try new things, both in terms of materials and methods of production, so that they can find what works best for them and what helps them grow as artists. Participants in the "Painting With Spatulas" workshop, for instance, learn to use just spatulas and acrylic paint to create complex, textured paintings.

In sum, Dirty Hands is a great choice for grownups who want to broaden their creative horizons and learn new methods. Those who are looking to challenge themselves creatively and find their own voice will find a welcoming environment at Dirty Hands.

9. The Art Students League of New York

The Art Students League of New York, founded in 1875, is one of the oldest and most prestigious institutions of its kind. Its alumni include renowned artists such as Norman Rockwell, Jackson Pollock, and Georgia O'Keeffe, and you can join their ranks by taking classes in sculpture, painting, and drawing.

The classes cover everything from sketching live models to the intricacies of color theory, providing a strong foundation in art fundamentals.

10. A/D/O

With its artistic flair, Greenpoint is home to a design haven that offers a variety of creative classes for hands-on experiences. What makes A/D/O art programs stand out is the way they prioritize environmental and social responsibility.

Many programs at the studio make use of salvaged or repurposed materials in an effort to reduce their carbon footprint. In the "Found Item Sculpture" course, for instance, students repurpose everyday items to create one-of-a-kind works of art. A/D/O offers more than just art lessons; it also provides a variety of free workshops, seminars, and other activities.

Opportunities to interact with other creative minds and learn from industry experts are just some of the benefits of attending these gatherings. Every month, the studio hosts exciting workshops catering to different interests, such as riso printing, screen printing, and ceramics. 

Conclusion

New York City is a hive of artistic and cultural activity, with many opportunities for individuals to develop their artistic skills. Classes are offered in a wide variety of media, from painting and drawing to ceramics and sculpture.

You can find a new interest, acquire valuable skills, or just have fun while developing as a person by checking out the numerous art studios available.

Some of the best places in the city to take an art class as an adult are Painting Lounge, which offers a friendly and encouraging atmosphere for painters of all levels, and A/D/O, which hosts a variety of one-of-a-kind classes and workshops with an emphasis on environmental consciousness and social justice.

Adult art classes in New York City are a wonderful way for artists of all experience levels to hone their craft, discover new avenues for expression, and meet like-minded people.