Low-Cost Art Classes to Help You Escape Your Existential Dread

Immerse yourself in art to get away from it all—at least for a while, and discover or increase your creative skills. While almost nothing is free, there are low cost classes with something for everyone, from one day workshops to longer time commitments so you can then move forward with the techniques you’ve learned. Here are top rated affordable spots, some likely off most readers’ radar, to take an assortment of art skill-enhancing classes and workshops.

These classes are almost guaranteed to free your hands of the smartphone, move away from the laptop, get up off the couch, and turn off that incessant TV news to learn something creative —and have fun doing it! You know you’ve been thinking about it anyway. What’s your secret creative passion?

If you’ve ever wondered how it would feel to push your hands wrist-deep into sticky, wet clay then maybe it’s time to find out. Learn everything you need to know about working with clay, including hand-building and wheel throwing techniques, at Ruby’s Clay Studio & Gallery, a welcoming community-minded setting.

The backstory of Ruby’s is pretty impressive. Ruby O’Burke was a well known California ceramicist when, in 1962, she opened her clay studio in Hayes Valley to provide crafting facilities for potters within a supportive environment. Originally a private art school, Ruby’s moved to its current Castro District location in 1967. In 1977, after single-handedly running the studio for years, Ruby brought in a management team to efficiently run the place. Ruby died in 1983 but the studio continued; in 1985 Ruby’s became a membership based, non-profit (501C-3) organization to continue supporting the local artists, students, craftspeople, and others within its outreach.

Throwing clay classes are pretty reasonable; for the 8-week course of in-depth learning you will get, the investment is hard to beat. There are 16-week sessions too. Note: classes are 2.5 hours, with morning classes beginning at 10:00 AM and evening classes beginning at 6:30 PM.

Ruby’s Clay Studio & Gallery
552A Noe Street
San Francisco, CA 94114
RubysClayStudio.org

WorkshopSF is a unique venue that has been teaching DIY skills to adults since 2009. Offering a variety of affordable painting, printing, sewing, and varied craft classes like ceramics, leather working, and floral design, it has become the go-to DIY spot in San Francisco. Taught by local talented, professional artists and craftspeople with too many creative skills to list, most classes are one day, scheduled during weekday evening hours, and on weekends during the day.

As an arts lover who began sewing at age three or four in my mom’s interior design shop, I am thrilled to see how popular sewing basics have become, along with a range of other textile and crafts classes. It is rare to find leather working and simple ceramic classes offered under one roof, so two thumbs up to WorkshopSF for its volume of DIY creative skills classes. Simply awesome!

WorkshopSF
1310 Haight Street
San Francisco, CA 94117
WorkShopSF.org

Art School of San Francisco Bay has an extensive art program for adults at its five locations around the Bay Area, including in San Francisco. Stating “We teach art fundamentals in a modern way,” lets us know the school is mindful of teaching art basics and beyond, tailored for today’s world where busy adults want to learn in the most effective ways. Having quality art workshops available and accessible at times geared to busy adult learners is the key.

The school offers a great range of instruction in multi-mediums in addition to studying the key elements of fine arts as a starting point for art fundamentals. An art foundation prepares emerging artists for a deep dive into further exploration in the mediums—watercolor, oils, acrylics, pastels, and more—that they want to study.

The highly trained instructors are professional working artists with many years of experience, both in the art field and as teachers. The bios of each teacher-artist is available to see on the website, and they are impressive!

Art School of San Francisco Bay
1601 & 1603 Irving Street
San Francisco, CA 94122
(plus locations in Marin, the Peninsula, and San Jose)
ArtsShoolSFBay.com

Center for Creative Exploration: Intuitive Painting SF is a leader in supporting freedom of expression in creating art with brush and paint. The center is committed to fostering a sense of community in its painting studio where artists can develop, explore, or continue their own painting styles. As an artist, you will learn to connect with your deeply creative self through the intuitive process nurtured by the experienced staff devoted to creativity and its connection to life.

Weekly painting classes are available in-person and online, plus there are 1-day workshops, longer retreats, and an intensive program too. Check under Programs on the website for full details

Center for Creative Exploration: Intuitive Painting SF
300 Chenery Street
San Francisco, CA 94131
IntuitivePainting.org

Precita Eyes is a community-based mural arts organization, and an iconic San Francisco original, based in the vibrant and pulsating Mission District. Since 1977 Precita Eyes has been committed to enriching and beautifying the rich urban environment that is home to the inherent creativity throughout the city’s neighborhoods. As only one of a few community mural arts centers in the nation, Precita Eyes has a direct positive impact on art education, tourism, and economic growth in the city’s Mission District. The art classes, mural education, workshops, and mural tours help unify the community, and preserve and advance mural art.

Currently, there are two adult activities offered at Precita Eyes: the Mural Magic Intensive Course and Mural Tours:

Precita Eyes Muralists
Precita Eyes Arts & Visitors Center
2981 24th Street
San Francisco, CA 94110
PrecitaEyes.org