Creative Classes Across Kansas City
Creative Classes Across Kansas City
Expand your horizons and learn new things at these local classes:
Food
The Kearney Culinary Academy is a hidden gem north of the river. It offers a variety of classes (several a week) for both kids and adults. They have hands-on classes, Chopped-style cooking competitions and full, five-course themed meal events. The class fee includes a glass of wine or beer, and you can purchase more at the full bar.
The facility itself has multiple cooking stations, so you have a full mini kitchen and all ingredients provided to you to try out your new culinary knowledge. My favorite classes have been a pasta making class (It was so helpful that I’ve made pasta myself at home several times since class!) and a Dim Sum Date Night class.
Savory Spice is a cozy, fully stocked spice shop in the heart of Brookside. Aside from a fun shopping experience, they regularly offer classes on a variety of topics: natural body products, truffles, curries and salad dressings. Many of the classes are free or have a nominal charge. They keep their Facebook page up to date, so it’s easy to see their latest offerings.
The Culinary Center of Kansas City
You’re likely to find any style of cooking class you’re looking for at the Culinary Center of KC. They have more than 600 classes a year in their Overland Park facility. From Asian cuisine and barbecue to homemade cinnamon rolls—there is something for everyone! Some classes are hands-on and some are demo style, so you can choose the type of outing you’re looking for. They also have kids cooking classes! You can see their full schedule and register on their website.
This full service beer and wine supply store also has classes and interesting events, and several of them are free! A variety of classes throughout the year teaches you to make beer, wine and even cheeses. If you decide to continue brewing or wine making as a hobby, they have many kits and ingredients to choose from in the store, and their staff is great about helping you through the process.
April of Sweet and Saucy Life hosts several classes each month on the art of making beautiful sugar cookies. For beginners, she’ll walk you through the process of decorating with royal icing, and each student will take home her creations. For those who have taken her classes before, she offers an advanced techniques class with the same theme as that month’s beginner class, but where students can build on their skills. Aside from her regular classes, she offers private parties and classes!
Art
Sara, the owner of Public Glassworks, has a full flame-working studio located in Lenexa. She hosts beginner classes regularly for those wanting to learn basic bead making, but she also hosts nationally- and internationally-known guest artists for weekend workshops. Students can expand their bead-making skills from basic beads to marble making, specialty cane and frits, sculpture work and more. Classes generally fill up quickly, so it’s best to sign up early!
Anyone interested in glass art needs to know about Monarch Glass, a full-service glassblowing studio in the heart of the city. Beginners can learn the basics of glassblowing in a four-week class, and those with experience can continue their practice in intermediate classes. Monarch also hosts occasional specialty workshops like glass sculpting. Classes are small and fill up, so you’ll want to keep an eye on their website for when new classes are announced!
The KC Clay Guild is a nonprofit organization that’s open to the public. They host adult and children’s classes with a flexible scheduling structure. They also have advanced specialty workshops and events. In addition to classes, you can purchase a membership or rent studio time by the hour!
The Strawberry Hill Museum not only is home to a unique museum that celebrates the many ethnicities that call Kansas City home, it also hosts a variety of classes throughout the year. With more traditional classes like pysanky egg decorating or cabbage rolls, to crochet or painting events, it’s a great place to explore. They also have a tea room that serves traditional Eastern European treats on select weekends.
Gale is an amazing local artist who has her work featured at Hallmark and other local boutiques. Luckily for Kansas Citians, she also shares her talent with the public at her lettering classes. She teaches in various cities and at Bella Patina in the West Bottoms. She posts upcoming classes on her Facebook page, and no experience is necessary!
Misc.
Yoga
Kansas City is home to a variety of great yoga studios and communities. If you’re looking for something outside the studio, watch for pop-up yoga events in the summer months (like free yoga classes at the Nelson-Atkins (www.facebook.com/groups/yogaintheparkkc/about/), yoga classes at the Kauffman Center (www.facebook.com/events/1783859461916204/) or even hip hop yoga (www.facebook.com/ThePortKCFitnessAndPerformance). Of course, if a traditional class is more your preference, you’ll easily be able to find a studio that fits your particular style.
Based in Blue Springs, Natural Farm Soap creates handcrafted natural bath and body products. They also have classes so you can learn to make your own soap, bath bombs and body products. Classes typically include all ingredients and instructions so you can make your own soap products to take home.
Andrea Plunkett Ishmael loves to learn new things and explore her hometown.