A new year brings new ideas, and perhaps a few new resolutions or intentions. Make this the year you dive into what local businesses offer their clientele. Attending a few creative classes and/or workshops is a fun way to do this.
Whether you vow to meet new people, hone your creativity, or just try something different this year, any of the following creative classes will help you meet those goals.
This article is fully updated as of September 2023.
Cooking Classes
A great way to try out something new is in the kitchen. And I can't think of a better place to start than learning from a professional. If you want to learn a new skill, take one of these popular cooking classes. There is bound to be one near you!
The London Chef
Location: Victoria
The London Chef offers a variety of cooking classes. Whether you are a novice or a seasoned cook, this premier cooking school will help anyone hone their kitchen skills. Students have their own cooking stations and will cook alongside the chef in real time.
They offer private classes, online classes, and an assortment of varying public lessons, as well as dining events.
Cook Culture
Location: Victoria
Cook Culture offers a variety of cooking classes for every interest and skill level. You will find everything from learning the basics in the kitchen to tackling Rustic Italian. They offer hands-on instructional classes, where the chef guides you in making the courses, as well as demonstration classes, where you get to sit back, watch, and learn.
Kallayanee's Kitchen
Location: North Saanich
Learn how to cook authentic Thai food from a master cooking instructor. The great thing about taking a class with Kallayanee is that you will benefit from free cooking support whenever you try to cook your new recipes at home. She is just an email away, and willing to help!
Deerholme Farm
Location: Duncan
A variety of cooking classes are available at Deerholme Farm. They have both hands-on classes for smaller groups, as well as larger demonstration classes. You will be working with the finest local ingredients, and each class is under the expert guidance of Bill Jones (author of 9 cookbooks).
Seraphina's Oven
Location: Ladysmith
With years of experience as a bakery owner, a pastry chef at the Fairmont Empress, and head of the Professional Baking and Pastry department at VIU, Martin Barnett now inspires others through Seraphina's Oven. It is here that Martin, along with other talented associates, teaches classes at this community home-based bakery.
Parks and Rec Nanaimo
Location: Bowen Complex – Nanaimo
Nanaimo Parks and Recreation offers a variety of cooking lessons through their activity guide. Whether you want to learn how to make various types of cheese or learn how to cook Punjabi foods, they've got you covered. And the prices are extremely reasonable too! Enrollment is through the latest activity guide.
Craft & Painting Workshops
Have you ever wanted to paint furniture but were afraid to do so? Or how about creating a statement piece? The following workshops can help you with both!
Urban Night Signs
Location: Nanaimo
Urban Night Signs provides a fun night out with friends and family and great fundraising events that reward with custom, personalized signs. Events are hosted at local pubs, allowing everyone to experience easy custom sign-making. Check out their event calendar to find one near you!
McMillan Arts Centre
Each season brings different workshops at the McMillan Arts Centre in Parksville. Whether you are looking for drawing lessons or oil painting, there's something for you. Perhaps you don't know what type of class you are looking for. Then sign up for one of their ‘Art Bites' which gives you a lesson in various mediums.
Zentangle® Art
Zentangle ® is an easy-to-learn, relaxing and fun way to create beautiful images by drawing structured patterns; in other words, patterned drawing. It can be done anywhere, with little supplies, and requires no specific artistic talent or previous training. People of all ages can enjoy Zentangle.
A Zentangle class is perfect for individuals, couples, corporate retreats or team building, family gatherings (reunions, bridal showers, birthdays), community or special interest groups. Taught by Certified Zentangle Teachers (CZTs), classes can be tailored to your needs, or you may wish to sign up for an advertised event.
Zentangle® Instructors
- Sherrie Dupont, CZT – Victoria and Vancouver Island
- Facebook: Tangle On Victoria
- Rhonda Roy, CZT – Parksville and area
- Website: www.atanglinglife.com
- Nancy Dawes, CZT – Courtenay and Comox Valley
- Website: www.ITeachTangling.com
VI Plant Shop
This Victoria-based plant store offers various workshops, including Macrame hanging baskets, building a terrarium, and plant information workshops.
The Lost Arts Club
The Lost Arts Club in Nanaimo offers a variety of macrame and weaving workshops throughout the year. If you prefer to learn independently at home, there are also several ‘take-home kits' to purchase.
So, have any of these ideas ignited a creative spark yet?
If, after reading this list, you feel I have missed a Vancouver Island business that provides fun, creative classes, please let me know in the comment section below.
Read our post, Fun Group Activities on Vancouver Island, if you are searching for fun things to do with a big family or friend group.
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Looking for furniture upholstery classes…qualicum parksville and area. please email thanks
Looking for a photography class during the day for my 14 year old home schooler and I.
You and me both!! I’ve been searching for something similar for a few years now and keep coming up empty. I wish I could help you. If you happen to come across something, please let me know!
Zentangle Inspired Art Workshop – next one is April 29/19. Check out the Facebook page TangleOn Victoria for a upcoming workshops or create your own.
Learn how Zentangle has brought relaxation, stress relief, mindfulness, increased focus and creativity back into people’s lives by creating beautiful images by drawing structured patterns. Taught by a Certified Zentangle Teacher. No artistic ability required.
http://www.studioplay.ca
Kids steam classes
We did a “Wild Foraging Weekend” at Deerholme Farm, based on your article and it was great. Bill James is a great, humble and fun teacher. Not to mention, he made lots of delicious food for us all weekend. Thank you for the article.
Edit: I meant Bill Jones.
Yay! That is so great to hear! Thank you for letting me know.
In search of print making classes which would include t-shirt printing specifically
Hi Charles, I put your question out to our FB readers and this is what came back:
http://www.squeegeeville.com/ “I’ve done the 2 day weekend course, it was excellent.”
Apparently, they are located in Royston. Hope that helps!
The Old Attic Antiques Store in Saanichton BC also offers furniture painting classes……
Thank you so much for letting me know! I will look into adding them to this list.
Fantastic post idea – love these ideas!!! Apparently those ‘art’ classes at schools are really popular right now ‘Ladies Night Out’ or something where you get to paint a masterpiece in 2 hrs.
Thank you! Yes, I will be mentioning those art classes in a future post. 🙂