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Originally published by Sophie Pettit. Last updated by Catharina Cheung and Annette Chan.
Whether you love painting or singing, acting or dancing, or even making your own jewellery and perfume, there are loads of fun classes and workshops to choose from dotted around Hong Kong. Why not swing by and give one a whirl—you could find yourself becoming the next Basquiat or Beyoncé!
Upgrade your university tie-dye skills by learning the art of shibori, an ancient Japanese dyeing technique that utilises manual manipulation of the cloth (a.k.a. bunching, folding, and tying) in order to create traditional patterns with plant-derived indigo dye. Hong Kong’s first—and best—shibori studio is Lantau Blue, a picturesque village studio located in Shek Pik, Lantau. The fabric-dyeing workshops last for around two to three hours, and prices range from $50 for coasters to $1,000 for clothing imported from Japan—just don’t forget to drop by an ATM first as the classes are cash-only!
Lantau Blue, 26 Tai Long Wan Tsuen, Shek Pik, Lantau Island
Displaying a beautiful flower arrangement is one of the easiest ways to brighten up your home, but anyone who’s tried to build their own bouquet will know that it’s not as easy as sticking a dozen roses in the nearest vase. For a blooming lovely experience, learn how to create a contemporary bouquet or mini flower jar at Floristry by Art of Living’s hour-long “floral jamming” workshop ($380).
If you prefer houseplants to flowers but fear that your thumb is more black than green, try your hand at creating a terrarium—these self-sustaining mini-ecosystems are incredibly low maintenance and act as interesting alternatives to floral centrepieces. Bonart offers a wide variety of terrarium workshops (starting from $380), from enclosed moss and bonsai terrariums to open-air versions for succulents, as well as kokedama classes ($400), where you can learn to make adorable little Japanese moss balls.
Floristry by Art of Living, G/F, One Island South, 2 Heung Yip Rd, Wong Chuk Hang | (+852) 9547 3744
For a unique, beginner-friendly workshop that will add colour and light to your home, look no further than the Anatolia Cultural Centre’s year-round mosaic art workshops, where you can decorate traditional Turkish lamps with hand-cut glass and beads. Prices start from $320 for small candle-holders, while lamps can cost anywhere from $460 to $790, depending on the size and design. The lantern-lit studio is one of the prettiest places to spend an afternoon, and is made all the cosier with the complimentary mint tea and Turkish delight that comes with every package.
Mosaic Art Studio, Room 705, 7/F, World Interests Building, 8 Tsun Yip Lane, Kwun Tong | (+852) 9151 6968
Kit your home out with bespoke wooden décor and pick up a new skill while you’re at it by attending a woodworking course! Learn how to make wooden stools, clocks, and serving trays under the tutelage of a German master carpenter at Drewswork; the shop also offers family-friendly classes where parents and children can craft tabletop catapults and Minecraft swords as a family (starting from $480 per piece).
If you prefer the look of Japanese-style woodworking, check out hip upstairs café-slash-furniture store Twenty One From Eight, where previous classes have covered everything from small stools to magazine racks and storage boxes for film canisters (starting from $600).
Drewswork, 13A, 14/F, Block A, Veristrong Industrial Centre, 34–36 Au Pui Wan Street, Fo Tan | (+852) 6345 6965
Twenty One From Eight, 11/F, Pang Kwong Building, 59 Hung To Road, Kwun Tong | (+852) 2321 1738
There’s something magical about turning a lump of clay into a work of art; so much so that clay features in many cultures’ creation myths. While we can’t promise that pottery classes will give you the ability to create new life, you will walk away with some snazzy new crockery and a renewed appreciation for ceramics. Head to Tung Yao Ceramics’ studio in Poho for beginner-friendly classes if you want to learn how to use a potter’s wheel, or try your hand at shaping the clay into a set of dinky sake cups or geometric plates with Hama Pottery Studio’s hand-building workshops (starting from $680). Click here to find more pottery and ceramic studios in Hong Kong.
Hama Pottery Studio, Room 702, Hing Tai Commercial Building, 114 Wing Lok Street, Sheung Wan
Tung Yao Ceramics, 4 Po Yan Street, Sheung Wan | (+852) 2989 2300
Are you a budding artist just bursting to unleash your creativity? If so, why not spend a rainy day at one of Hong Kong’s quirky art studios? Head to the charming boutique painting studio KA Atelier to try your hand at Chinese ink painting (starting from $380), where you can paint on everything from traditional rice paper to ceramics, silk fans, and wooden jewellery boxes. Alternatively, pull up an easel and get messy in Artjamming’s 2,000-square-foot Southside space, or at Paint Palette in Causeway Bay. Grab a canvas and all the acrylic paints you need, and enjoy complimentary soft drinks to keep your creative juices flowing. If you fancy something a little stronger, both Artjamming and Paint Palette allow you to bring along your own alcoholic drinks, and if you ask nicely, they’ll even let you play your own music, too. Click here to find more art jamming studios in Hong Kong.
For art that’s a little more out there, Choco L’Art Studio has classes teaching you how to make glow-in-the-dark paintings ($270). Not only will this be an interesting flex, it will also make for a good focal point in children’s rooms. If you’re looking to revamp your kitchenware, then head to one of Hidden Tones’ “porcelarts” workshops (starting from $300) where you can decorate mugs, bowls, and other porcelain goodies with paint. Functional, fun, and affordable, this is a great activity for budding artists.
KA Atelier, 2D, Moonstar Court, 2A–2G Star Street, Wan Chai | (+852) 3484 2919
Artjamming, 4D, Yally Industrial Building, 6 Heung Yip Road, Wong Chuk Hang | (+852) 2541 8816
Choco L’Art Studio, 2B, Yan King Court, 119–121 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai | (+852) 6695 1161
Paint Palette, 3/F, 532 Jaffe Road, Causeway Bay | (+852) 2575 8830
Hidden Tones, 16/F, Oriental Crystal Finance Centre, 107–109 Chatham Road South, Tsim Sha Tsui | (+852) 3704 7480
Fancy making your own bespoke perfume that encapsulates you in a bottle? Join perfume artisan and founder of fragrance brand Intime Artisan de Parfum, Angel Cheung, in her beautiful studio in Tsim Sha Tsui for the Perfume & Personality workshop ($680) where you get to sniff your way through a collection of 32 unmarked ingredients to select the ones you are intuitively drawn to for your own signature scent. Along the way, Angel will analyse your personality based on the top, heart, and base notes that you select, and invite you to name your fragrance so she can create a label for your bottle.
Intime Artisan de Parfum, Room 903, Koon Fook Centre, 9 Knutsford Terrace, Tsim Sha Tsui | (+852) 9782 1237
Unleash your domestic goddess (or god) at one of the city’s top baking schools. Whip up some gorgeous cupcakes, master the skill of creating beautiful floral decorations with icing, or craft your very own couture handbag cake (yes, you read that right), with the sweet treat maestros at Complete Deelite. There are several workshops (starting from $650) for different experience levels to choose from, so you could find yourself creating tropical hibiscus flowers and leaves in a Wilton advanced skills workshops, or baking delicious dairy-free cupcakes. There really is something for every aspiring baker, and all tools and supplies are included.
For more variety in the kitchen, head to The Mixing Bowl in Sheung Wan for enjoyable classes on making everything from bread to macarons, scones, traditional Hong Kong bites, and more. Classes range from 2.5 to three hours long (starting from $400), during which a light home-baked snack will be served with coffee or tea. You will take home everything that you bake, and the recipes will be sent to you via email after each class. Click here to find more baking studios in Hong Kong.
Complete Deelite, 3/F, On Lan Centre, 11–15 On Lan Street, Central | (+852) 3167 7022
The Mixing Bowl, 23/F, The Pemberton, 22–26 Bonham Strand, Sheung Wan | (+852) 2524 000
From ballet to Bollywood, pole dancing to break dancing, our city is full of fun dance classes inviting you to bust out those moves. Swing by the spacious Dance Trinity studio in Central to try everything from hip-hop to jazz, ballroom, and even aerial hoop dancing ($180 per class). To pick up some Latin moves and get a bevvy in at the same time, check out Dance With Style’s free, beginner-friendly salsa parties at various bars across the city.
Dance Trinity, 8/F, Fung Woo Centre, 279–281 Des Voeux Road Central | (+852) 9634 9770
Dance With Style, locations across Hong Kong | (+852) 6389 6213
Are you a little songbird who loves a good karaoke night? With a little fine-tuning, you could be entertaining the masses—or at least your best friends. The Voize Centre of Contemporary Singing can help nurture your talent with a team of nine highly trained teachers using contemporary proven techniques to help you achieve a marketable voice, all without compromising the longevity of your vocal cords. Lessons range from $300 to $3,800 per hour, depending on your choice of coach.
If you decide to train up your vocals more professionally, Christine Samson Music and Arts Studio might be the one for you. Founded by celebrity vocal coach Christine Samson, who counts Joey Yung, Bishop Briggs, and Kelly Chen among her clients, private lessons with the studio’s coaches (including Samson herself) range from $900 to $3,800 per hour. We can almost smell that record deal!
Voize Centre of Contemporary Singing, 16/F, Shun Feng International Centre, 182 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai | (+852) 2529 9444
Christine Samson Music and Arts Studio, Room 2B, Timmar Court, 10–12 Wing Hing Street, North Point | (+852) 2762 0112
All the world’s a stage, and you could be on it! If you’re interested in theatre, either on stage or behind the scenes, then Hong Kong Players should be a no-brainer for you. This volunteer-run organisation is keeping the drama alive and kicking in Hong Kong, thanks to its many brilliant workshops and productions. They take the phrase “community theatre” fairly seriously, but they have fun doing it, inviting talented actors, seasoned artists, and complete beginners alike to audition for roles. Drama, comedy, panto: you name it, they have it.
If you’ve ever wanted to direct a play, now could be your chance to make it happen. Every show needs set, lighting, and sound designers, make-up artists, and a stage crew to run performances—not to mention producers, stage managers, costume designers, and administrative and general help—so they are always on the lookout for talented people who wish to learn the ropes. A technical background is not necessary to become involved, so get in touch now if you want to be the next Andrew Lloyd Webber.
Hong Kong Players, 3/F, On Tat Building (Block D), 3–5 Pat Tat Street, San Po Kong, Kowloon | (+852) 2294 0388
What could be cooler than making your own bling? Hatton Jewellery Institute invites you to create your own beautiful pieces at its silversmithy and jewellery design courses for all experience levels. Its co-working space provides everything from mentoring and training, to bench rental and exhibition space, allowing students to branch out and develop their own collections and brands.
A beginner jewellery course costs $2,950 per person, with a maximum of six students per course for four weeks (one night per week, 2.5 hours per class). Course prices include tools and silver, and each student will leave with a piece of jewellery made with their very own hands! Advanced classes, private lessons, and bench hire are also available. Alternatively, Ever True offers workshops from $550 (excluding material costs) on how to make sterling silver rings, pendant, bracelets, and name tag charms in its Central studio.
Hatton Jewellery Institute, 13/F, Cheong Sun Tower, 118 Wing Lok Street, Sheung Wan | (+852) 2857 7751
Ever True, Room 705, 7/F, Won Hing Building, 74–78 Stanley Street, Central | (+852) 3489 6418
Want to handwrite letters and cards in the most beautiful cursive? Learn the art of modern calligraphy with Jackaline Chow of LittleThings JC and you'll soon be well on your way to creating magic with your pen. During the two- to three-hour workshops (starting from $500) you will learn how to use either a dip or brush pen, how to create thick and thin strokes, and be able to write the full lowercase letterforms by the end of the session. Alternatively, you can join artist and designer, Kalo at her boutique stationery design company, Kalo Make Art, for a calligraphy workshop (approximately $950) in Central.
Kalo Make Art, Room 201, Ivy House, 18–20 Wyndham Street, Central
Forget Prada and Gucci; make leather wallets after your own style at Own’s Leather in Kwun Tong. From wallets and cardholders to bangles and coin bags, there are loads of lovely products to explore. You will have a one-on-one lesson (from $800) with an expert, coming out of it secure in the fact that your finished product is totally unique and definitely not something you would find in the local market. Alternatively, Fungus Workshop in Sai Ying Pun teaches handbag-making classes (starting from $1,480), with the latest workshops featuring cut-out polka dot and basket bags.
Own’s Leather, Room A1, 7/F, Hung Mou Industrial Building, 62 Hung To Road, Kwun Tong | (+852) 6185 1517
Fungus Workshop, G/F, 1 Leung I Fong, Sai Ying Pun | (+852) 9477 4166
Covering the hottest new eats, the best places to play, offbeat takes on local culture, and so much more, Localiiz is every Hongkonger’s destination for how to live a well-rounded life in our vibrant city. Why the strange spelling? Well, Localiiz is designed to be your ‘local eyes’—and for that, you need two i’s.
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