One thing about me is that I will always be taking a class. Always. It’s a great way to expand the repertoire and/or the mind, have fun, and meet new people! As an art lover, I tend to seek out a lot of art-related and otherwise creative classes. Next up for me is taking a class on making film soup. As in 35mm film. More on that later.
I’ve been gathering lists of art classes to take in Los Angeles, and the following are some I’ve either already checked out, or plan to do so soon!
The School of Light
Located in downtown Los Angeles, the School of Light offers classes and workshops on all things photography—with a large focus on film photography and alternative processing methods. Ie heaven on earth. (This is where I’m learning how to make film soup.)
Their two-day workshops focus on things like Cameraless Photography, Mural Printing, and Darkroom Techniques, while the ongoing classes blend studio and location assignments on various topics. Think Still Life on Film and Creating a Portfolio.
Heavy Manners Library
Heavy Manners Library is an actual library in Echo Park, but it’s not your average library. From the book selection—many of which come directly from artists and small publishers—to the setup. It’s a welcoming spot that has an event space in the basement, ready for exhibits or like what brought me there…a zine-making workshop.
On any given week you might find that they’re hosting an animation screening, music performance, figure drawing class, or soft sculpture sewing workshop.
Art + Mind Studios
Have you ever been a part of a collage club? Do you want to be? (I do.) Because that’s one thing that Art + Mind Studios has to offer, meetups to make collages—at Los Angeles coffee shops and wine bars no less. They also offer an intuitive painting class and a book exchange. More info about each can be found on their website!
I have not yet attended this one but I absolutely plan to. So cute. So fun.
Echo Park Film Collective
The Echo Park Film Collective offers all-ages community film/video workshops, screenings, resources, and residencies in Los Angeles and around the world. The workshops they offer range from online haiku poetry workshops to Intro to Adobe Premiere Pro. It was through Echo Park Film Collective that I first found out about Heavy Manners Library.
The Artsy Backyard
The Artsy Backyard offers monthly painting classes in Los Angeles as well as ongoing classes in things like 2D animation and digital art, and workshops like Designing Earrings with Alcohol Ink & Resin. They also take applications for instructors, should you happen to be one!
St. Elmo Village
St. Elmo Village offers classes for both kids and adults—and some are open to both—like their black and white photography workshop. Classes offered for adults only are held on Tuesdays and include things like hand-building with clay.
Do you know some other good ones? Let me know!
