Somewhere between fourth grade art class and having our first baby, many of us moms seem to lose our knack for spontaneous creativity. Maybe we never felt very creative in the first place, especially if art forms like drawing or painting didn’t come naturally. And when sleep deprivation is in the mix, who has the time or energy for creative work? We nurture our children’s creativity, proudly hanging their scribbles on the fridge or office wall. No one questions whether a preschooler’s stick figure family was a waste of time because it wasn’t perfect! It is good to create something new and beautiful for no other reason than that – whether you’re five, the mother of a five-year-old, or a mother of five!
If letting your creative juices flow feels like self-care, do it. If being handed a blank canvas intimidates you, consider other forms of creative expression that do bring joy. And if you’re reading this and thinking, “But I’m really not creative,” I challenge you to reconsider. I’m sharing ways to get creative in Lansing that are all for moms, whether you go solo, grab a friend, or have a date night, these are sure to not disappoint.
Ways to Get Creative In Lansing with Paint
Painting
- Wine and Canvas (Lansing)
- Enjoy the popular “paint and sip” format by yourself or with friends! Most workshops are led step-by-step by an instructor, with everyone working off the same painting. The Open Studio days also have an instructor on hand to offer help, but you’re on your own to copy either one of the provided paintings or your own design.
- Cost: Instructor-led classes are $36, and an Open Studio session is $21. Paint, canvas, and apron provided (drinks are separate, wink).
Paint Your Own Pottery
- Playing Picasso (Lansing)
- Pick an unfinished piece (how about a new favorite coffee mug to replace the one that broke?) and help yourself to a wide range of paint colors, as well as sponges, brushes, and stencils. Staff is on hand to get you settled and will keep your finished project to glaze and fire (pickup is usually available within a few days).
- Cost: Prices range, but a mug will probably be under $20. Studio fee is included.
- Art Unlimited (Okemos)
- Like at Playing Picasso, choose and paint-your-own ceramic piece, from ornaments to serving bowls and a variety in between.
- Cost: Most pieces are within the $12-16 range, plus a studio fee of $5.50-$10.
Ways to Get Creative in Lansing with Hands On Art
Pottery/Ceramics Making
- REACH Art Studios (Lansing)
- REACH offers a variety of adult art classes throughout the year, but clay wheel throwing and hand building – both for beginning and experienced students – is usually a favorite.
- Cost: REACH’s last Adult Clay summer session is $110, plus the cost of clay.
Woodworking/Wooden Décor
- Art Unlimited (Okemos)
- Paint your own wooden pallet for home décor – stencils and paint provided.
- Cost: $30+
- Board and Brush (Westside Lansing)
- The studio offers various workshops, most of them featuring rustic/farmhouse-style wood décor. The most common is a Pick Your Own Project workshop, where you can decorate and customize items from coat racks to welcome signs.
- Cost: The Pick Your Own Project workshops starts at $68.
- Tiny Bit of Wood (Delhi Charter Township)
- Owner and operator Megan Shannon seeks to provide a space where “anyone, regardless of identity, ability, or background, can learn woodworking.” Many of her workshops are listed for “LGBTQ+, Women, Non-binary, Marginalized Identities, and Survivors.” Some courses aim to familiarize students with the tools and principles of woodworking – like Power Tools 101 – while others result in a project (examples of upcoming classes include a birdhouse, picture frame, and cutting board).
- Cost: Upcoming courses range from $40-60. However, Tiny Bit of Wood values low-cost offerings and says it operates “on a ‘pay-what-you-can’ pricing structure. If someone can’t afford to take a class, then it will be offered to them at no cost. Individuals facing financial barriers are always welcome here.”
Glass Art
- Delphi Glass (Lansing)
- Delphi offers a myriad of glass-based art classes, from beginners’ stained glass or mosaic classes to multi-day workshops for experienced artists.
- Cost: Varies by class. Beginners Stained Glass starts at $80, plus the cost of glass.
- Art Unlimited (Okemos)
- Learn how to fuse glass and create projects like a shadow box, three-dimensional flowers, and more. Choose a specific project workshop or an open studio night.
- Cost: Varies by workshop, but pricing for June’s open studio started at $20.
Ways to Get Creative in Lansing with Food
Cooking
- Sweet Encounter Bakery (Lansing)
- This new gluten and peanut-free bakery in downtown Lansing also offers classes for kids, teens, and adults. Adult classes this summer include cake decorating, gluten-free pasta making, and Creole recipes.
- Cost: The adult summer classes are each $65.
- Social Sloth Café and Bakery
- Learn to cook two Turkish dishes in a private class. You’ll collaborate with the café beforehand to choose your menu and schedule your class. And of course, there will be time to chat and eat.
- Cost: $75 per person
- Crowded Table Cookies (Okemos)
- Have you ever swooned over impeccably decorated sugar cookies? Crowded Table Cookies will teach you how the secrets of Pinterest-worthy cookie art. A fall class schedule is in the works!
- Cost: Classes are typically $55 per person
