From shaping and fabricating clay or cloth to designing with paint or graphite, we’ve compiled a list of hands-on arts and crafts activities in Johannesburg for some of the most engaging spots where you can get imaginative and thusly, create.
Discover the traditional art of block printing at Blocks & Hue
Blocks & Hue are bringing the traditional art of block printing to art-lovers and curious minds alike with their monthly, hands-on, block printing workshops. Hosted three to four times per month in Johannesburg, these three-hour workshops run from 10am to 1pm and are designed to be both inspiring and accessible with no prior experience needed.
Guests are guided through the beautiful process of block printing using over 200 handcrafted Indian block stamps and a wide range of vibrant, non-toxic paints. Participants create their own custom-printed piece to take home while learning a timeless textile art form in a warm and welcoming space.
Cost: Each workshop is R800pp including access 200 handcrafted Indian block stamps, a wide range of vibrant paint colours, expert step-by-step guidance, a light snack and a drink. Book online
When: Multiple times a month from 10am to 1pm
Where: Under Bar, 11 Rothesay Ave, Craighall Park, Randburg | Prison Break Market, 10 MacMillan Rd, Glenferness AH, Johannesburg (on select days)
See the schedule here
Studio Artwave workshops
Step out of your comfort zone and learn a new art skill with a variety of workshops in ceramic-making, life drawing, punch needle art, textured art, tote painting, portrait painting, and more.
Studio Artwave creative workshops are meant to suit every skill level, being completely beginner friendly but also the perfect, relaxing art experience for self-considered pros. The workshops are all about having fun, relaxation and connection.
Artwave is a space where anyone can explore their creativity, meet like-minded people, and enjoy making art. Arrive to a complimentary drink (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) and snacks to enjoy while you get creative.
The workshop experiences include fully guided art tuition by art professionals excluding the Art Cafe experiences which are fully self-guided and do not include complimentary drinks and snacks.
All materials are provided for, and while you may receive an apron for some of the messier sessions, it is suggested that you wear something that you aren’t afraid to get damaged during the art sessions. Workshops are open to anyone aged 5 and up, though the punch needle workshops have a minimum age limit of 12 years old.
Cost: From R85pp to R750pp (dependent on the chosen workshop). Book online
When: There are multiple workshops per week at various times
Where: Artwave, 44 Stanley Avenue, Milpark, Johannesburg
Goethe Writing Club Inauguration/Launch
This is your sign to start writing again!
Join the inaugural/launch of the Goethe Writing Club, a community of aspiring writers meeting in order to train their writing muscles and improve each other’s writing.
The community will meet every third Thursday of the last month of the quarter. Everyone will be required to write a piece of fiction (any form of fiction), up to 3000 words each and upload it to a shared folder, as well as read everyone else’s writing in order to prepare for the meeting.
Writing themes and challenges will vary with each assignment. For more information contact Ana Maria Panait at [email protected]
Cost: Free entry
When: Launch on Thursday, 18 March 2026 from 6.30pm to 8.30pm. Takes place every third Thursday of the month
Where: Goethe-Institut South Africa, 119 Jan Smuts Ave, Parkwood, Johannesburg
Clay Cafe Maggies Farm
Let the expert hosts at Clay Cafe Maggies Farm teach you new skills in the fun and relaxing environment of their studio space in Lanseria.
Their aim is for every attendee to own a personalised and beautiful functional piece of art for their home they can be proud of. Guests will collect their finished ceramic pieces once it’s ready. There’s also a menu featuring breakfast, pizza, sandwiches and a kid’s offering.
Choose from an extensive range of local clay cups, plates, vases, ornaments and other beautiful homeware accessories and be sure to dip your chosen item in water before applying paint. The team is on standby to teach you the ceramic painting essentials and some specialised techniques.
Cost: Bisque items are priced individually from R100 to R500 and include paints and equipment to be used during your visit. Book via Dineplan
When: Wednesday to Sunday from 8am to 5pm
Where: Maggies Farm, R512 Pelindaba Road Lanseria, Johannesburg
Coco Craft Studio
If you’re big on crafts or new ways to spend some quality time with the crew, Coco Craft Studio offers fun and unique rug tufting classes in Johannesburg. This craft class in Midrand provides a relaxing and beginner-friendly space for you to experience the magic of tufting by learning how to set up your own frame, operate tufting guns and finish your design.
The session includes an insightful introduction to rug tufting and basic techniques, and share the colours available before you get to try your own design. An instructor is on standby to help you make tufting rugs, wall hangings, and mirror frames in no time.
Cost: 35cm x 35cm – R500pp. 50cm x 50cm design – R950pp. 70cm x 70cm design – R1450pp. 1m x 80cm design – R1950pp | Book online
When: Wednesday to Friday, 9am to 3pm. Saturday & Sunday, 9am to 4pm
Where: Prison Break Market, 10 MacMillan Rd, Glenferness AH, Johannesburg
The Pottery Studio
You’ve seen so many shops, studios, and cafes that offer pottery painting that you’ve reached the stage of wanting to make your own pottery. It’s a natural progression fuelled by the feeling of having that raw cup, plate, or figurine head in your hand.
At The Pottery Studio in Bryanston, seasoned clay professionals, John and Michelle, will expand your horizons into the full-body experience that is pottery making. They don’t offer once-off lessons as students are encouraged to learn the basics first before then taking their time with a project like a vase or wall mount.
The Pottery Studio sells lessons in batches of four and eight, once a week or twice a week for a month, and includes all the materials in the pricing. The studio also caters for varied schedules, offering night classes on Tuesdays to Thursdays to supplement the usual morning slots, so there’s no excuse not to roll up your sleeves and get stuck in.
Cost: R2550pp a month, for one lesson per week for four weeks
When: Classes are three hours long and are hosted on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursday and Saturdays from 9.30am to 12.30pm; Tuesdays and Thursdays also from 5.30pm to 8.30pm; and Wednesdays from 6pm to 9pm
Where: 24 Old Kilcullen Road, Bryanston, Johannesburg
Lillian Gray Art School
At the Lillian Gray Art School, they teach classes that range from toddlers, teens, and tweens to adults of all ages, which permits a safe space to be creative, without judgment.
These classes and workshops offer a vast and diverse selection. From entertaining paint nights to workshops for watercolouring, printmaking, face-drawing, and photography. The school also recently added its very own online store, with ideal products for its students.
In case you were wondering, Lillian Gray is a Contemporary South African Fine Art’s Artist with international recognition and displays in New York, London, Spain, Chicago, and Miami. She believes that her work must empower people to reach their own creative pinnacles whilst also serving as an investment to all her patrons.
Cost: Classes and workshops vary from R450 upwards. For more booking information see here.
When: Various times
Where: Lillian Gray Art School, 82 Kessel St, Fairland, Johannesburg
The Slow Studio
The Slow Studio offers Joburg and Pretoria-based craft lovers the perfect opportunity to unwind with a set of incredible creative offerings. With a choice from multiple workshops dedicated to teaching embroidery, Lino printing, and punch needling, secure your spot and grab an opportunity to create your own personal creative masterpiece!
Cost: From R415pp to R450pp, book via [email protected] or by sending a dm via Instagram
When: Various Times.
Where: Various Venues in Pretoria and Johannesburg
Messy Masterpieces Paint Night
Messy Masterpieces is a guided paint workshop designed for everyone regardless of experience. Join for a relaxed paint night, each with its own dedicated theme.
Follow along step-by-step with a local artist to create a masterpiece. All the materials are provided, along with a welcome drink, and good vibes. The event is perfect for a girls’ night out, date night, or a solo self-care session.
The session is two hours long and included materials are paint, brushes, and easels. For bookings of two and more, please use a single name for all the tickets to ensure that everyone that booked together is seated together.
Cost: From R220pp, book via Quicket
When: Select days at 10am, 12pm, 1pm, 4pm or 6pm
Where: Various venues in Pretoria and Johannesburg
The Fine Arts Workshop
Step things up at the Fine Arts Workshop. Whether in the kitchen with their rotation of personal recipes or chasing a qualification or course to hone your professional skills, this is your first stop. Beginners are welcome but those who have basic foundations and skills of art are invited specially to enhance those skills with like-minded folk.
Founded in 1997 by University of Cape Town Fine Arts graduate, Taryn Millar, the workshop is centrally located and its reputation today is built on 25 years of experience.
Artists need to provide their own painting materials as they’ll be immersed in a world with real-life models and understand the intricacies and nuances of drawing with graphite. Classes are scaled to cater for the level of artistic experience.
Cost: Open studio classes – R3900pp for 12 lessons | Conceptual Art Making classes – R3000pp for Module 1 and R2600pp for Module 2 | Foundation drawing classes – R4000pp, materials excluded | Foundation oil painting classes – R6000pp, materials excluded
When: As per course details
Where: The Riverclub, Sandton, Johannesburg
Lavender and Time
Nestled in the avenues of Edenvale, Lavender and Time is your one-stop haberdashery spot.
Stocking an extensive range of quilting fabric, embroidery thread, knitting needles, wool, and accessories, which are used in the weekly classes, it was described by one customer as “a shop you can spend hours in”. Charmaine and the rest of the team take care of you as Shan, Dianne and Dorothy come in to take weekly quilting, embroidery and smocking classes.
The Lavender and Time team has spent years moulding the business into the kind of welcoming space only needlework can create. Be sure to check their website for a detailed schedule of the month’s classes and be sure to book in advance as classes are known to fill up quickly.
Classes include quilting, embroidery and crochet. The kettle’s already boiling at Lavender and Time, and they’ve got a cup ready for you, so come on over and let’s get those needles working.
Cost: From R160pp (kids classes) and R300pp (adults) per class. Book via email at [email protected] or call 063 551 6909
When: Classes take place multiple times a month
Where: 80 7th Avenue, Edenvale, Johannesburg
Painting With Grapes
Painting With Grapes offers exciting pop-up sip and paint classes in Johannesburg that are simple, fun, and specifically aimed at beginners. In other words, a quirky and unique date night for you and your beloved friend or partner.
In these classes, it’s not only the creativity that flows but also the wine. Paint your own version of beautiful artwork, while you wield a glass of wine in one hand and a paintbrush in another. Each class is led by an expert artist who shares industry tips and tricks in easy step-by-step methods to help students create stunning art pieces. All painting materials are provided, such as a canvas, easel, paints, brushes, and an apron.
Painting with Grapes also caters for private parties, events, kid-friendly classes and team-building activities.
Cost: From R240pp, book online
When: Multiple times a month at 10am, 6pm or 6.30pm
Where: Painting with Grapes Joburg, 19 Melanie Ave, Northcliff, Randburg
