Sip, Paint & Create in Cape Town – Creative Workshops
If you’re looking for fun ways to tap into your creativity, we’ve made a list of places where you can sip, paint and create in Cape Town. Whether you want to hone your artistic skills or discover a new passion, there are a couple of artsy options in and around the city…
Creative Workshops in Cape Town
Take a pottery class, pick up a paintbrush and a glass of wine with your besties, attend a floral workshop and watch your imagination bloom – here are some ways to get artsy:
Follow Your Nose – Guided Scent Tours & Perfume Workshops
The pioneer for olfactory tourism in the Western Cape, Follow Your Nose, is introducing a series of new sensory experiences, putting Cape Town on the olfactory map.
Founded by foraging expert and fragrance enthusiast, Justin Williams, this exciting project invites locals and visitors to get to know the Cape through scent. Embark on a guided scent tour and explore fynbos and healing indigenous plants, or discover the art of creating fragrances at one of their upcoming Perfume Workshops.
Price: from R 550 | Charged per person, according to group size; group discounts apply.
Location: various locations throughout Cape Town’s Atlantic Seaboard & Southern Suburbs
Details: Tours usually last around 2-3 hours and don’t require any level of fitness | *themed drink and snack provided
Contact: varies | view upcoming tours and workshops
followyournose.co.za | Instagram | Email
The Ladder on 136 – Creative Workshops
Besides serving delicious food, this beautifully decorated café supports local artists by hosting creative workshops and exhibitions. Experienced artists with varying mediums are featured each month at The Ladder – previous workshops offered include embroidery, painting, punch needling and floral pressing. They also have Watercolour & Wine nights on Thursdays, with different participating wineries. Seats are limited for these experiences, so be sure to call or email in advance. Follow them on socials to be in the know.
Price: approximately R 360 per person
Location: 136 Bree Street, Cape Town City Centre
Hours: Mon-Fri: 07h00–16h00 | Sat: 08h00–14h00 | Closed Sun
Contact: Email
theladderon136.com | Instagram
Art Jamming -Painting Experiences
Art Jamming welcomes everyone to unleash their creativity, whether having a family outing or a kids’ birthday party. They also host team-building workshops, be it at their studio or online – they supply the painting materials while you work magic. If you’re looking to take up painting as a hobby, you can pop by their studio any time, and their qualified assistants can offer guidance. They have 45 colours and a bunch of tools at your disposal, so go wild.
Price: from R 185–R 2000 depending on the canvas size
Locations: V&A Waterfront (above Toy Kingdom) | 1 Bright St Somerset West | Melrose Arch shopping Centre (next to Woolworths)
Hours: location-dependent | *visit website
Contact: 021 425 5050 (Waterfront) | 082 560 3866 (Somerset West) | 011 684 1608 (Melrose Arch)
Clay Café in the city – Clay painting
Clay Café has become one of the go-to places for family, friends and colleagues to bond while getting creative. Their select and sit-down process makes everything simple. All you have to do is pick a clay bisque, colours and brushes before you paint. They have a range of ceramics to pick from – paint a vase for your flowers, a coffee mug or customise a water bowl for your dog. Nibble on something from their menu, and sip on bubbly for ‘inspiration’.
Price: R 55–R 400; this depends on the item you pick, but it’s pretty affordable.
Locations: 199 Bree St, Cape Town City Centre | Clay Cafe, Main Rd, Hout Bay | Groot Parys, Jan Van Riebeeck Dr, Paarl
Hours: location-dependent | *visit website
Contact: 061 917 4191 (Cape Town) | 076 810 5120 (Hout Bay) | 064 656 6165 (Paarl)
claycafe.co.za | Facebook | Instagram
Create Hobby – Sewing Workshops
As more people turn to slow fashion and preloved garments, there’s never been a better time to take up sewing. Whether you want to ‘flip clothes’ for a profit or make something from scratch, the team at Create Hobby will teach you the ropes. Their sewing courses range from beginner to intermediate and advanced levels – you can also take a pattern-making course or build your own course, tailored to your needs. Attend courses online or in-person at their sewing studio in Woodstock, and they’ll provide the equipment.
Price: varies
Location: 142 Lower Main Road, Observatory, Cape Town
Hours: Mon & Tue: 09h0018h00 | Wed-Fri: 09h00–17h00 | Sat: 11h00–15h30
*Beginner’s class dates are: Fri, 12 May: 10:00-12:00 | Sat, 13 May: 11:00-13:00
Contact: 076 494 0069 | Email
createhobby.co.za | Facebook | Instagram
Flower Café – Floral Workshops
Creativity isn’t limited to abstract art or pottery, there’s beauty in nature too. Flower Café provides floral workshops for those who love flowers and want to water their creativity. Their Tussie Mussie workshop allows you to do freestyle floral arrangements and make handheld bouquets. They also host Terrariums Workshops, as well as Flower Pressing and Dried Crown Workshops, where you can make flower halos. End off your experience with coffee and cake from their café.
Prices: Workshops from R 350 to R 750
Location: Flower Café, 184 Sir Lowry Road, Woodstock, Cape Town
Hours: Tues–Fri: 09h00–16h00 | Sat: 09h00–13h00
Contact: 021 461 8809 | 082 321 7371 | Email
Klomp Ceramics – Clay Play Workshop
Based in Vredehoek, Klomp Ceramics offers an intimate space for people to create ceramics. Playing with clay is the ideal experience if you want to be reacquainted with your creative side or explore a new medium. The Clay Play Workshop offers a hands-on experience – owner and artist, Alexia Klompje, teaches basic clay hand-building techniques and surface decoration. Friends or partners can tag along, as they allow groups of 6 people. The full experience is five hours long, so ideal as a weekend activity – they have a harvest table and provide beverages. You also get to create ceramics while overlooking views of Lion’s Head.
Price: available upon request
Location: Vredehoek, Cape Town
Hours: By appointment only | Book online
Contact: 082 895 5018 | Email
shawoman.me | Facebook | Instagram
Lindsay Quirk Printmaking Studios
If you’ve ever wanted to start a niche hobby, then printmaking is where it’s at. Fine artist, Lindsay Quirk, offers weekend workshops to adults and high school students. Her studio is based in Kommetjie at the much-loved Imhoff Farm, where locals can learn about the world of printmaking and all the elements involved. Their team offers a guided experience, inspiring students of all levels and creative styles to produce stunning prints.
Price: available upon request
Location: Imhoff Farm, Kommetjie Rd, Kommetjie
Hours: By appointment only
Contact: 083 771 1861 | Email
imhofffarm.co.za | Facebook | Instagram
Montebello Design Centre – Paint, Pottery & Private Art Lessons
Located in Newlands, Montebello Design Centre provides the perfect setting for a creative session among the forest trees. The Design Centre hosts a couple of artists, each offering unique creative workshops. Enrol your kid in extra mural art classes with Imagination Station – if you also want to get creative, Butterfly Art Studio offers adult art lessons. Treat colleagues to an art party with artist, Amy Cornfield, or do a ceramics course with Explosive Ceramics. Visit The Gardener’s Cottage for delicious eggs Benny while you’re there.
Price: available upon request | book here
Location: 31 Newlands Avenue, Newlands, Cape Town
Hours: Tues: 09h30–12h00 (Art Parties) | Tues: 13h30–17h10 (Kids’ Extra Mural Art Classes) | Tues: 18h15–20h45 (Adult Art Lessons) | Sat: 18h00–20h00 (Ceramics Course)
Contact: 076 568 8178 (Art Parties) | 076 568 8178 (Kids’ Extra Mural Art Classes) | 071 760 2723 (Adult Art Lessons) | 072 145 8433 (Ceramics Course)
montebello.co.za | Facebook | Instagram
Paint & Sip
Sip and paint activities are usually about the experience more than anything else, but at this creative workshop, you can get your creative juices flowing and indulge in delicious wines and beers at some of the best wine estates and breweries. Paint & Sip hosts monthly workshops at various locations – previous venues include Constantia, Stellenbosch and Durbanville. What makes this experience special is that all proceeds go to Call 2 Care, a non-profit organisation assisting vulnerable communities. Each month, one of the artists on their team selects a focus piece – great for those who struggle with inspiration.
The next scheduled event (Mother’s Day Celebration) takes place on Friday evening, 5th May, at Ntida Wine Estate at R 655, which includes drinks, dinner and dessert. Painting equipment is provided.
Price: varies
Location: *varies monthly
Details: For upcoming events, follow Paint & Sip on social media for updates.
Contact: 021 884 4410
Paint & Sip | Facebook | Instagram
Studio Melissa Louise – Candle Making
If you love candles and all things interior design, then Studio Melissa Louise’s Candle Making Workshop is for you. Creative Director and founder, Melissa Louise Lawrence, decided to turn her personal blog into a business, allowing people to make bespoke candles. There are many candle makers, but few make sustainable, soy wax candles. In this workshop, you’ll get to create organic candles infused with essential oils – great for your home or gifting. Learn the art of candle making and connect with others. The studio is based in Hermanus, but they also offer online workshops for those who prefer to create in the comfort of their home.
Price: ~ R 2300 (Mother’s Day Workshop) *price of each workshop varies
Details: The next candle-making workshop is on Mother’s Day, 14 May | Workshop dates are posted on their website; follow them on social media for regular updates.
Location: Hermanus; they also offer online candle workshops.
Contact Hours: Mon-Thurs: 09h00–17h00 | Fri: 09h00–15h00 *Closed on weekends and public holidays | Email
melissalouise.co.za | Facebook | Instagram
Ruth Prowse School of Art – Jewellery Making
Image source: Unsplash
Personalised jewellery is truly something special. The Ruth Prowse School of Art offers part-time courses in jewellery making at beginner and intermediate levels – this is perfect if you appreciate jewellery or would like to craft a piece of your own. The course offers hands-on experience and teaches the fundamentals of jewellery-making. Intermediate-level students are welcome to create something of their own design.
Price: Jewellery Beginners & Intermediate, R 1230 | Starter tool kits, R 370
Details: The course includes 4 lessons (12 hours in total), offered on Tuesdays or Saturdays weekly (see website for course dates).
Location: Elson Road, 5 Birkdale Ave, Woodstock
Contact: 021 447 2492 | Email
Perfume Prive – Create Signature Fragrances
The only thing better than being complimented on your perfume is being able to respond with ‘Thanks I made it’. Perfume Prive offers scent-creation workshops, allowing visitors to create signature fragrances and scented body creams. Started by Kumanov Perfume, this Franschhoek-based perfume museum hosts four different workshops. Couples, friends and family can learn all about perfume composition while bonding, with this unique experience.
Price: from R 620 per person
Details: Workshops are up to three hours long, depending on the chosen package. Offered by appointment only.
Location: 2 Huguenot Road, Franschhoek
Contact: 072 342 4174 | 074 121 0012 | Email
perfumepriveworkshops.com | Facebook | Instagram
Struggling to find your inner creative? Learn all about honouring your inner child & finding a hobby as an adult.
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