Art studios in Metro Manila for a new hobby
There is always a sense of fulfilment in doing things yourself and letting out your creativity. That’s why activities such as painting, pottery, and woodwork draws in a lot of enthusiasts because you get to express yourself and make something from scratch.
With that in mind, these art studios in Metro Manila offer online and in-person classes so you can discover or rekindle a creative hobby.
Table of Contents
– Pottery classes in Metro Manila –
1. Tahanan Pottery – basic wheel pottery with free studio membership
Image adapted from: Tahanan Pottery Shop & Studio, Tahanan Pottery Shop & Studio
Tahanan Pottery in Quezon City includes seven sessions of basic classes with a free six-month membership in the package. You get membership privileges such as studio access, member rates for tool rentals, kiln usage, and consultation with the resident artists. Annual membership rates start at P9,000 (~USD161.55).
Image credit: @angelrnadz via Instagram
Additionally, Tahanan Pottery offers a basic pottery class for beginners, so you don’t have to worry about having zero pottery knowledge. You’ll learn about clay molding, glazing, and firing as you go along the way.
If you’re undecided about signing up, you can opt for their single pottery classes for P2,700 (~USD48.49). This way, you can get a feel of what you’ll be learning in the sessions.
Image credit: @elleeenbright via Instagram
For group activities or gatherings, you can go for their private or party pottery classes and workshops. They can accommodate a minimum of four people to a maximum of 30 people.
Address: 27 Scout Tobias, Cor Sct Lozano, 1103 Quezon City
Opening hours: Mon-Wed, Fri-Sat 9am-6pm (Closed Thursdays)
Contact: (02) 7117-3401 | 0917 127 7207
Email: [email protected]
Tahanan Pottery Shop & Studio Facebook | Instagram
2. Wabi Sabi Studio – pottery classes as a form of therapy
Image adapted from: @wabisabistudio.ph, @wabisabistudio.ph via Instagram
Celebrities such as Kathryn Bernardo, Maine Mendoza, and Bea Alonzo separately tried out pottery at the Wabi Sabi Studio in San Juan, and from their respective posts and vlogs, they all seem to enjoy the calming sensation of forming clay on the pottery wheel.
Image credit: @wabisabistudio.ph via Instagram
You can also get the same experience. The studio offers a three-hour crash course P4,400 (~USD78.99) where you can learn how to use a potter’s wheel. You’ll be taught how to make form and design your own ceramic ware. Once you’re done, the glazing and firing stages will be done for you to come up with the finished product.
Image credit: @wabisabistudio.ph via Instagram
If you want to make it a hobby and become a pro in creating quirky designs, you can sign up for their three-day full course for P10,600 (~USD190.32). You’ll learn how to use the pottery wheel, design, color, glaze, and fire the clay to create your very own ceramic ware from start to finish.
Image credit: Wabi Sabi Studio
For virtual lessons, you can get their Wabi Sabi Clay Kits for P4,500 (~USD80.79). You just go on an online Zoom meeting and follow along using the tools included in your kit. You can catch more details on their website.
Address: Flossom Place, 187 N Averilla, San Juan, 1500 Metro Manila
Opening hours: Mon-Tue 9am-6.30pm | Wed-Fri 1pm-6.30pm | Sat-Sun 10am-6.30pm
Contact: 0917 635 5720 | 0917 655 7285
Wabi Sabi Studio Instagram
3. Bumi & Ashe Pottery – occasional special pottery classes
Image adapted from: @bumi.and.ashe, @bumi.and.ashe via Instagram
Bumi & Ashe Pottery in Quezon City is a great option if you want to discover a new hobby together with your young ones. The Kid + Parent Hand Sculpting Class (P3,950, ~USD70.84) is a two-hour beginner friendly session that’ll teach you the basics of pottery.
You get to make ceramic ware with your kids and you won’t even have to worry about snacks as they’ll be provided during the session. You can check out the details here.
Image credit: @bumi.and.ashe via Instagram
Aside from the regular pottery workshops and classes, they also have occasional workshops that you can join for a different experience. One example would be the Pottery & Rug Tufting at Seltsam, Makati this coming 28th May.
Make sure to keep a look out on their social media pages or website for events like this.
Address: 59a Cubao Expo Drwy, Cubao, Quezon City
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 10am-5pm (Closed Mondays)
Bumi & Ashe Instagram
4. AMT Ceramic Studio – learn pottery by yourself
Image credit: AMT Ceramics via Facebook
For those with some pottery experience who want to hone their skills, AMT Ceramic Studio in Quezon City might be the place for you if you want to try a self-guided learning experience in pottery. For P100 (~USD1.78) per hour, you can practice pottery however you want, at your own pace. This will give you freedom to be creative in a completely chill environment.
Take note that studio usage and materials are exclusive of the hourly fee.
Image adapted from: AMT Ceramics, AMT Ceramics via Facebook
On the other hand, if you prefer to be guided and learn special pinch and slab techniques (P2,500, ~USD44.61 per person), you can opt for their one-session workshops over the weekends. You can try your hand at making unique and abstract designs to practice all that you’ve learned.
Address: Lot 1 Block 1 La Chesa Heights Subdivision, Tandang Sora, Quezon City
Contact: (02) 7755 0862 | 0960 205 5627
Email: [email protected]
AMT Ceramic Studio Facebook | Instagram
– Painting studios around the metro –
5. KIT101 – Acrylic painting for teens and adults
Image credit: KIT101 via Facebook
While there are many ways to express our creativity, painting is still one of the most recognizable art forms that you can explore. KIT101 in BGC, Taguig allows anyone at any age to create art using various art materials from acrylic paint to pencils and markers.
Image adapted from: KIT101, KIT101 via Facebook
Depending on the curriculum and number of sessions, classes may range from P6,800-P45,800 (~USD122.06-USD822.20). The classes can go anywhere from beginner to advanced levels for kids, teens, and adults. Aside from the hands-on work, you’ll also go through a step-by-step structured learning to discover your inner Picasso, Monet, or Pollock.
If you want to learn at the comfort of your own home, they also offer one-on-one online classes for P15,000 (~USD269.28) per 10 sessions.
Address: 9th Floor, Menarco Tower, 32nd Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
Opening hours: Thu-Sat 9am-6pm (Closed Sundays to Wednesdays)
Contact: 0905 462 3661
Email: [email protected]
6. Sip & Gogh – a studio where you can drink and paint
Image credit: Sip & Gogh Century City Mall via Facebook
As the name implies, Sip & Gogh in Makati is an art studio that offers a fun and casual way to enjoy an afternoon by sipping on good wine and painting on a canvas. They have branches in Makati, Pasig, and Quezon City, so you can book a group painting session (P1,000, ~USD17.97) with all your friends from the north or south of the metro.
Sip & Gogh serve complimentary drinks and snacks and all the art materials for each class, making it a fun and convenient activity you could enjoy with friends. You also don’t have to worry if you’ve never painted before because their instructors will guide you through all the necessary steps to create your very own masterpiece.
Image credit: Sip & Gogh Century City Mall via Facebook
Some branches even offer gift certificates worth P1,000 (~USD17.97) each to give your friends or family. What’s cool about it is that they don’t have an expiration date and can be redeemable online and in the studio.
Sip & Gogh Century City Mall branch
Address: 4th Floor, Century City Mall, Kalayaan Ave, 1210 Makati
Opening hours: 10am-7pm, Daily
Contact: 0919 002 8690
Sip and Gogh Instagram
Note: opening hours vary on location.
7. Galvez Atelier Art Workshops – become a pro from intensive painting workshops
Image credit: Galvez Atelier via Facebook
As it happens, painting allows you to feel passionate about your work. And sometimes, you can love it so much that you’d want to fully master its craft. If you’re one of those people, then joining the Galvez Atelier Art Workshops is for you.
Image credit: Galvez Atelier via Facebook
They offer hands-on intensive drawing and painting workshops for P41,600 (~USD745.31). It consists of 20 sessions of classical drawing, oil painting, underpainting, and color layering. Each workshop is also limited to five students only, so that the teacher can fully focus on each individual’s work and progress.
This can also be a good start for you if you’re aiming to become a professional in painting.
Image credit: Galvez Atelier via Facebook
Like any art workshop, they also offer short and basic beginner-friendly workshops for art enthusiasts. You can book their 10-session classical drawing (P12,000, ~USD214.82) or traditional oil painting (P24,000, ~USD429.65) workshops if you want to take painting on as a hobby.
And if you want to get a quick feel of the classes, then you can book their 1-session workshops (P2,500-P3,500, ~USD44.76-USD62.67) too.
Address: 8 11th Jamboree, Diliman, Quezon City
Opening hours: Mon, Wed, Fri-Sat 10am-1pm (Closed Tuesdays, Thursdays, & Sundays)
Contact: (02) 7621 7811
Email: [email protected]
Galvez Atelier Facebook | Instagram
– Woodworking classes in Metro Manila –
8. Wood Academy – learn basic carpentry skills
Image credit: Wood Academy via Facebook
Although there are already a lot of do-it-yourself (DIY) tutorials online, crafting with wood can still be challenging when you’re just starting out. This is why the Wood Academy in Quezon City offers basic woodworking classes (P4,500, ~USD80.79) up to numerous advanced classes (P8,050, ~USD144.51).
You’ll learn about the different uses of power tools and how to use them safely. Moreover, you’ll get to learn the theory behind picking types of wood for your projects. And of course, you’ll get to cut, plane, sand, and assemble wood, which eventually translates into you being able to create functional wood furniture.
Image credit: Wood Academy via Facebook
If woodworking is already a hobby for you, Wood Academy’s website also offers tools and materials that you can browse through for your personal projects.
Address: 772 Aurora Blvd. Corner Betty Go-Belmonte St., Quezon City
Opening hours: 9am-6pm, Daily
Wood Academy Facebook | Instagram
9. Craft MNL – Do-it-yourself skills for woodworking
Image credit: Craft MNL via Facebook
Aside from soap making, candle making, and screen printing classes, Craft MNL in Makati also offers woodworking workshops focused on using hand tools instead of intricate power tools.
Their DIY woodworking class (P5,000, ~USD89.76) lets you learn how to measure, cut, and nail wood— all by hand using affordable non-powered tools such as a hammer, drill press, and hand saw. Knowing this, you’ll get to create wooden crafts without investing money in pricey power tools.
Image adapted from: Craft MNL, Craft MNL
Not only can adults learn new skills, but kids can, too. While DIY woodwork may be hard for the young ones, they can go for fun, lighter activities such as Taka painting and Pabalat Pastillas Papercutting.
Address: Unit 302, Pamana-Languages Building, 926 Arnaiz Avenue, Makati
Opening hours: Tue-Sat 1pm-8pm (Closed Sundays & Mondays)
Telephone: 0917 124 4382
Email: [email protected]
Craft MNL Facebook | Instagram
Art studios in Metro Manila
It makes perfect sense to go out there and experience things, especially now that Covid-19 is no longer a global risk. So, get out there and discover a new worthwhile activity through visiting the art studios in Metro Manila that offer painting, pottery, and woodworking classes.
For more hobby inspirations, you can check out biking around the metro, collecting analog cameras and film, or starting a vinyl record collection. For more things to do, visit The Smart Local Philippines.
Cover image adapted from: Wood Academy, Tahanan Pottery, Sip & Gogh Eastwood via Facebook
This article was originally published on 15 March 2022 by Kim Shelley Tan and updated by Jaya Fanoga on 12 May 2023.
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