Look to expertly guided workshops to help you make truly original gifts and décor this holiday season.
PHOTO: THINKSTOCK
Along with its unique selection of original paintings, ceramics, jewelry, textiles and home décor — all by Vancouver Island artists and makers — Curate Gallery & Workshop offers painting workshops for all levels of experience, with all supplies included. This November and December will feature special two-hour winter and holiday-themed painting workshops. Owner Michelle Barkway also hosts private painting events for groups of four to seven people.
“These have been a big hit so far,” Barkway says. “Especially for nights out with girlfriends and family.”
For Curate Gallery & Workshop’s upcoming classes, visit curategallery.ca.
PHOTO: THINKSTOCK
The Makehouse, Victoria’s one-of-a-kind sewing studio, has moved from Fort Street into a new, expansive space at 2950 Douglas Street. The light-filled workshop has more space for classes, plus open-studio time so you can use the equipment to work on a personal project.
“In the run up to the holidays, we do see a big [increase] in the number of people coming in to finish gifts,” says owner Jenny Ambrose. “We also run fun make-your-own-stocking or holiday-bunting workshops. A really popular one is for a group of friends to get together for our apron-making class.”
For the Makehouse’s upcoming workshops, visit themakehouse.ca.
PHOTO: COURTESY OF POPPET CREATIVE
From making greeting cards to holiday centrepieces, the workshops at the studio of Poppet Creative are designed to foster a creative community.
“All of our teachers are working artists and they all love sharing their knowledge,” says Poppet’s founder, Andrea Soos.
In addition to the seasonal workshops, the space will host a Mini Makers Market (a youth craft market) on November 25 and a Christmas Craft Exchange, with 18 makers trading homemade items for gifting, in December.
To see Poppet Creative’s workshops in November and December, visit poppetcreative.com.
This article is from the November/December 2017 issue of YAM.