Santa Fe Art Classes: 7 Unique Art Forms To Try

Updated for 2024

Santa Fe has the United States’ second-largest art market after New York and Los Angeles. Canyon Road alone has over 200 galleries and museums to explore. Whether you’re a collector, an enthusiast, or even a beginner, there are plenty of Santa Fe art classes and workshops to try your hand at. Tap into your inner genius with these seven unique art classes in Santa Fe!

1. Cooking Classes Santa Fe

Learn how to cook authentic New Mexican cuisine in the City Different with the help of the epic cooking classes at Santa Fe School of Cooking. “Master the flavors of the real Southwest with a cooking class reflecting the unique cultural mix of Santa Fe.”

You can book a class, plan a special event, shop the Marketplace, and go on a Restaurant Tour with their dedicated guides. Can’t attend in person? Take an online cooking class.

2. Pottery Classes Santa Fe

Pottery is one of the oldest art forms, originating before the Neolithic period (also known as the New Stone Age). Pottery is made by heating shaped clay (from about 1,800ºF to 2,600ºF), drying it out and hardening it into something useable.

The art of pottery-making lies in the hands—the main tools of the trade. There are plenty of places to take pottery and sculpture classes in Santa Fe. This one’s our favorite:

PASEO POTTERY (+ COCKTAILS)

Founder Jason loves hand-crafted cocktails. Founder (and wife) Angela loves spending her days in the studio, creating the perfect vessels for Jason’s libations. Enjoy the fruits of their labor with Tumbleroot Pottery Club at Paseo Pottery, where you can throw clay and drink delicious cocktails (made with organic, local, and wild-crafted ingredients) simultaneously.

Plus, 100% of the net proceeds from their First Friday Pottery Throw Downs are donated to local charities.

3. Glass Art Classes Santa Fe

Glassmaking dates back to about 2500 BCE in Mesopotamia. Most glass today is created mechanically, but here in the Land of Enchantment, there exists a love for glass art that is honed, blown, etched, and painted by hand.

Think glassmaking is only for the pros? No way! At the end of these beginner art classes in Santa Fe, you’ll have several handcrafted souvenirs to take home with you.

LIQUID LIGHT GLASS SANTA FE

You can learn the epic art of glassmaking at Liquid Light Glass in Santa Fe on Fridays, Saturdays, and Mondays. Have fun learning how to make paperweights, cups, vases, ornaments, and decorations like Southwest-appropriate chilis and flowers.

PRAIRIE DOG GLASS SANTA FE

Prairie Dog Glass offers the best Santa Fe glass classes right in the heart of downtown. During a one-hour lesson, you’ll craft several glass artworks by hand, choosing your colors and styles.

4. Painting Classes Santa Fe

Whether you’re a contemporary connoisseur or an abstract aficionado, there’s a painting class in Santa Fe for you. Experiment with oil, acrylic, watercolor, chalk, and everything in between.

While the art form of painting has taken millennia to develop, you can start at any age! There are plenty of beginner painting classes to choose from.

SANTA FE ART CLASSES

Robbi Firestone has 25 years of teaching and 35 years of art-making experience. Join Robbi and her team as they support your unique journey to discover your inner artist. Book a 2-hour private painting class or join a group painting event at their studio in downtown Santa Fe.

“ART ADVENTURES IN THE SOUTHWEST” WITH JANE SHOENFELD

Offering personalized art classes for every skill level (and schedule), Jane Shoenfeld’s Art Adventures in the Southwest is a great place to practice painting. Using pastel as the medium, you’ll paint the beautiful landscapes of the Southwest en plein air, including colorful canyon sunsets and adobe architecture. Pastel is great because it’s vivid in color and requires no drying time, making it easy to take back home with you. Check out Jane’s schedule.

ADVANCED PAINTING CLASSES

Looking for something more in-depth? The Ryder Studio is an advanced art school in Santa Fe with the expertise you need.

5. Photography Classes Santa Fe

The first permanent photograph wasn’t produced until 1827. The camera has evolved from roll film to digital technology, now widely available on smartphones.

Although it’s simple to just “take a picture,” the true art of photography is a skill acquired through years of practice. If you want to improve your skills or simply learn the basics, sign up for a class at a local Santa Fe photography studio.

ELOQUENT LIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOPS

Founded in the rocky red hills of Ghost Ranch (a landscape made famous by painter Georgia O’Keeffe), Eloquent Light Photography Workshops offer opportunities to capture the light, color, beauty, and culture of Santa Fe by traveling to inspiring locations. With over 35 years of experience, their thrilling classes are designed for photographers of all skill levels.

SANTA FE DIGITAL DARKROOM PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOPS & PHOTO TOURS

The Santa Fe Digital Darkroom Photography Workshops & Photo Tours (long name, but they do it all…) offers individualized one-on-one/group classes, mentorships, and workshops. You can take a one-hour, half-day, or full-day workshop.

They also instruct in Adobe™ Photoshop and Lightroom (extraordinary photo editing software).

During your class, the instructors will help you develop and process your images in the digital darkroom, explore graphics and editing, and much more.

6. Weaving Classes Santa Fe

With over 45 years of professional experience, Miriam Leth-Espensen teaches both novices and experts the fine art form of weaving at her downtown Santa Fe School of Weaving. Explore beautiful natural fibers like cotton, linen, silk, alpaca, and wool to make dreamy knits.

7. Writing Workshop Santa Fe

Land of Enchantment Writing promises “remarkable writing results” with founder Janna Lopez’s spiritual intuition, educated guidance, and scenic locations that awaken your inner author.

She offers individual & small group writing retreats, unique themed writing experiences, and therapeutic writing sessions for adults and teens in Santa Fe.

More Ways To Experience Art In Santa Fe

Art walks, markets, and tours await you!

SANTA FE ART TOURS

Peruse Santa Fe’s abundance of art galleries with a local guide through Santa Fe Art Tours. They offer several joyful experiences:

Canyon Road Gallery Tour — The 200+ galleries in Canyon Road Arts District are built in former homes, so there’s a quaint and approachable vibe.
Art Tour + Chocolate Elixir Tasting — Explore three stunning galleries and taste a chocolate elixir at one of Santa Fe’s most celebrated chocolate shops: Kakawa Chocolate House.
Plaza Art + Architecture Tour — Orient yourself in Santa Fe’s historic plaza area. Discover some must-see art galleries and enchanting courtyards. Learn about the stories behind some of Santa Fe’s iconic architectural landmarks.

ART MARKETS & WALKS

Santa Fe has several monthly events for you to peruse all the local artists at work.

Santa Fe Artists Market (every Saturday from March to December)
Downtown First Friday Art Walk (every month on the first Friday)
Railyard Arts District Last Friday Art Walk (every month on the last Friday)

An Artist’s Retreat

It’s time for you to explore your inner artist with these unforgettable art classes and workshops in Santa Fe. Inn of the Turquoise Bear is a gorgeous bed and breakfast in the heart of Santa Fe, with inspiration, history, and culture seeping through every room.

Choose the Georgia O’Keeffe guest room, the Ansel Adams suite, or one of our other seven guest rooms to get inspired for your artistic journey in the scenic Southwest.

Book your stay at Inn of the Turquoise Bear!

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Santa Fe Art Classes: 7 Unique Art Forms To Try | Beginner & Expert Levels