Art Classes in Christchurch: Painting, Pottery & Creative Workshops (2026)
Looking for art classes in Christchurch? Whether you want to learn to paint, try pottery, make your own jewellery or simply spend a few hours doing something creative, Christchurch has plenty of classes and workshops to explore.
There are options for complete beginners as well as experienced makers, with classes covering painting, drawing, watercolour, ceramics, jewellery making, mixed media and more.
Here are some Christchurch studios and creative spaces worth checking out.
Tahan Art Studio
If you want to build strong foundations in drawing and painting, Tahan Art Studio is a good place to start.
Led by Christchurch artist Mehrdad Tahan, the studio offers group and individual art tuition for beginners through to more experienced students. Teaching focuses on classical drawing and painting techniques, with students able to explore mediums including oils, watercolour, pastels and drawing.
If you’re interested but not sure where to begin, Tahan Art Studio also offers a complimentary introductory session.
Good for: Drawing, painting and beginners who want structured art tuition.
Art Metro
Based in Papanui, Art Metro offers art tuition for both adults and children, with options for complete beginners through to more experienced artists.
Adult classes cover areas including watercolour, oils and acrylics, pastels, abstract painting, drawing and sketching. There is also an Absolute Beginner’s Programme for people who have never painted before.
Classes are taught in small groups with individual guidance, so students can work at their own pace while still being part of a social studio environment.
Good for: Adults wanting regular painting or drawing classes, complete beginners and children’s art classes.
Art and Soul
Art and Soul offers Christchurch art classes across several different mediums, including drawing, watercolour, mixed media and acrylic painting.
Run by Leanne Malloch, the classes provide an opportunity to experiment with different materials and techniques in a relaxed environment.
Individual tuition and small group classes are available for complete beginners as well as more experienced artists looking to further develop their skills.
Good for: Watercolour, acrylics, drawing and mixed-media art.
Workspace Studios
Prefer making something you can actually wear?
Workspace Studios offers hands-on jewellery-making classes in Christchurch, ranging from short introductory workshops to multi-week courses.
Beginners can learn foundational jewellery-making techniques, while other classes explore areas such as lost-wax casting, textured jewellery and more specialised techniques.
If you don’t want to commit to a longer course, Workspace also regularly runs short taster workshops designed for beginners.
Good for: Jewellery making, one-off creative workshops and longer skills-based courses.
Jewellery-making classes in Christchurch
Workspace Studios has a Christchurch studio at 49 Ferry Road and regularly offers both short workshops and longer jewellery courses.
If you’ve been wanting to try pottery in Christchurch, Canterbury Potters is one of the city’s established places to learn.
The Canterbury Potters Association offers small-group classes for different experience levels, covering wheel throwing, hand-building and other ceramic techniques.
There are beginner-to-intermediate options as well as more advanced classes and youth pottery sessions.
Good for: Pottery, ceramics, wheel throwing and people who want to develop their skills over time.
Risingholme Learning
Risingholme Learning is another strong option for adults looking for pottery classes in Christchurch, particularly beginners.
Its pottery programme includes beginner wheel throwing, beginner hand-building and introductory pottery workshops, alongside other creative and practical courses.
Risingholme courses are generally open to people aged 16+ who are no longer in the school system, making it a useful place to look if you want structured adult classes without needing previous experience.
Good for: Beginner pottery, adult courses and people looking for a multi-week programme.
Village Arts Centre
For affordable and accessible creative classes, Village Arts Centre in Linwood is worth a look.
The centre runs a varied programme of weekly activities including drawing, painting, art therapy, creative writing and other arts activities.
There are beginner-friendly options, free Saturday activities and community-based classes, with materials supplied for many sessions.
Good for: Affordable art classes, beginners and community-based creative activities.
Paint ’n’ Sip Studio
Not every art class needs to become a new hobby.
If you’re looking for a one-off creative activity in Christchurch, Paint ’n’ Sip offers guided painting sessions where the emphasis is more on enjoying the experience than traditional art tuition.
These types of sessions can be a good option for beginners, groups, date nights or anyone who simply wants to spend an evening doing something creative.
Good for: A creative night out, beginners, groups and one-off painting experiences.
Mud Magic Pottery Studio
For another hands-on pottery option, Mud Magic Pottery Studio in Hoon Hay offers classes for both beginners and people with some previous pottery experience.
You can start with a one-day wheel-throwing session or choose a longer course if you want more time to develop your skills.
The studio also runs six-week beginner throwing courses, intermediate classes, private group sessions, Paint-a-Pot workshops and kids’ pottery activities.
Good for: Beginner wheel throwing, small-group pottery classes and people who want to try pottery before committing to a longer course.
Find art classes in Christchurch
Christchurch has plenty of ways to get creative, from regular painting and drawing classes to pottery courses, jewellery-making workshops and one-off creative sessions.
