Whether you want to create calligraphy or candles, there’s an art class for everyone.

It doesn’t matter if you don’t know your Picasso from your Pollock, as you can embrace your creative side at cool art classes in Dubai. It’s not just about having a brush at painting, as there are classes covering sewing, sculpting and sketching. Plus, if you thought Dubai lacked quirks, we implore you to try painting on paper cups or deodorant making – there’s an art to everything, after all.  

Alserkal Avenue is home to many of the art classes in Dubai, but there are workshops you can enjoy in a range of venues, from five-star hotels to the comfort of your home. Since many of the studios provide the tools, all you have to do is come with your imagination. Here are the most amazing art classes in Dubai. Sign us up. 

Gulf Photo Plus

Your holiday snaps will look a whole lot better after you visit Alserkal Avenue’s Gulf Photo Plus. The studio offers some of the best photography art classes in Dubai, as courses cover food photography, studio lighting, Adobe Photoshop and the basics of analog photography. Even if you don’t have a fancy digital camera, you can take the smartphone photography and editing course. Plus, there are kids summer photography camps, where children can learn to use a camera and it culminates in a photo shoot.

GO: Visit https://gulfphotoplus.com/workshops for more information.

Kave: The Story of Things

Knitting is cool – just ask the likes of Cara Delevigne, Sarah Jessica Parker and the students who come to Kave: The Story of Things. The bohemian vibes are real at Alserkal Avenue’s Kave. These art classes in Dubai make an effort to equip you with upcycling, eco-conscious and cost-saving skills. Other classes to look out for include jam-making, chemical-free deodorant making, painting, and, of course, a community embroidery club.

GO: Follow @kavepeople on Instagram for more information.

Sketch Art Café 

 If you’re a compulsive doodler, let your drawings run wild at Sketch Art Café. Proving that just about anything can be your canvas, this café-meets-studio on Al Wasl Road in Jumeirah encourages you to embrace your inner child and draw directly onto paper cups. Whether you want to go full David Shrigley or create your own mug shot, this is one of the more alternative art classes in Dubai. Plus, the best cups will be displayed on the Instagram-friendly wall of fame. 

GO: Follow @sketchartcafe on Instagram for more information.

SkillDeer

You can paint the town and more, thanks to SkillDeer Dubai. This database is home to tons of art classes in Dubai – the more you scroll, the more your creative juices will begin to flow. The joy is in the variety, flexible dates and the fact that you can join an art class in a group, privately or online. The endless list of art classes includes silk painting, glass painting, mandala drawing, African art, gouache painting, pillow art, and resin art for coasters and tissue boxes. 

GO: Visit https://skilldeer.com for more information.

The Palette Art 

If you want to get your Monet’s worth, then make a beeline for Al Barsha’s The Palette Art. The studio offers some of the most impressive range of art classes in Dubai. The painting classes alone cover acrylic, life drawing, mixed media, oil, pen and ink, realistic drawing and watercolour. While the specialised classes cover abstract expressionism, Arabic calligraphy, clay sculpture, fashion design, jewellery making and photography. The schedule is updated each week online and many of the classes are part of longer courses.

GO: Visit www.palettedubai.com for more information.

Thejamjar

 If romantic images of a room where you can paint – think Allie in The Notebook – are what you’re dreaming of, then the closest you’ll get to that in Dubai is Thejamjar. The studio offers an extensive list of art classes in Dubai, which cater for kids, teens and adults. There are one-off classes and courses, which cover anything from acrylic techniques to transcendent healing through art. Plus, the painting parties, which can be organised for children, colleagues or celebrations, are also a fun way to learn a new skill.

GO: Visit www.thejamjardubai.com for more information.

ThreadWerk

ThreadWerk wears its art on its sleeve, as it specialises in sewing classes. The instructors are passionate about ditching fast fashion for handmade clothes. Whether you want to save your garments or create brand-new ones, these sewing classes will help you feel confident behind the needle as well as the machine. The classes cover freestyle sewing and dressmaking, plus there are niche classes that teach you how to handle certain fabrics. The studio also loves to host groups, as baby showers and birthday parties are welcome.

GO: Visit www.threadwerk.com for more information.

The Workshop 

Art lovers will feel right at home at The Workshop. The venue is located off of Al Wasl Road and is home to an art gallery, antique gallery, boutique shop and a café with speciality coffee. Plus, if you want to show off your skills, it hosts music and poetry nights. Compared to other art classes in Dubai, this studio has the local touch – there’s gold leaf painting, abstract Arabic calligraphy, mirror mosaics, acrylic desert landscape painting and farouka making. While the traditional art classes cover candle making, sculpture painting and clay art.

GO: Visit www.theworkshopdubai.com for more information.

We Love Art

With a name like We Love Art, there’s no denying that the creators are passionate about all things arty. The studio offers one-off paint and grape classes as well as an eight-week painting course. The beginner course will teach you different strokes – landscape, portrait, still life and collage. Plus, over time you can flex your style and create a masterpiece. The classes take place in different locations across Dubai and Abu Dhabi, from five-star hotels to restaurants. While the Artbox experience delivers the tools and tutorials to your door, so you can learn to paint without anyone watching.

GO: Visit www.weloveart.com for more information.