Beginner-Friendly Art Workshops in Beacon, NY: What To Expect at Your First Class

Trying a new creative workshop can feel exciting… and a little intimidating. If you’ve ever thought, “I’m not an artist,” or “What if I’m not good at it?”, you’re in good company.

At That Creative Space in Beacon, NY, our workshops are designed for absolute beginners, the creatively curious, and anyone with experience looking for a supportive place to try something new or reconnect with their practice. Everyone is welcome here.

Here’s what you can expect at your first class, plus a few great beginner-friendly workshops to try this winter.

What To Expect When You Arrive

We recommend arriving 5–10 minutes early so you can settle in. Many of our workshops are 2–3 hours, and we want you to enjoy every minute. If a few students are running late, we typically begin about five minutes after the scheduled start time.

When you walk into the studio, you’ll be greeted by a teaching artist who genuinely loves sharing their craft. Our classes are intentionally small, which means you’ll receive plenty of support, gentle guidance, and one-on-one help throughout the session.The vibe: relaxed, encouraging, and never rushed.

Do I Need Any Experience? (Spoiler: No.)

Our workshops are intentionally beginner-friendly, but they’re also flexible enough to meet you where you are. Whether you’re brand new, returning to art after years away, or already creative, you’ll learn foundational skills and leave with something you’re proud to take home.

What’s Included in the Class Fee?

Most of the time, all you need to bring is yourself.
We include materials and tools for all one-day workshops.

For multi-week or series classes, we’ll send a materials list to purchase ahead of time so you know exactly what to bring. We normally have an extra set of materials in case anyone needs to use ours for the first session.

5 Beginner-Friendly Creative Workshops To Try This Winter in Beacon, NY

These workshops are perfect for first-timers and experienced creatives looking for something fun, inspiring, and low-pressure.

1. Cold-Process Soap Making

A hands-on introduction to making natural soap from scratch. You’ll learn how to safely mix oils, lye, and scents, then pour your own bars to cure at home.
Perfect for anyone curious about the science of soap, DIY skincare, or functional crafts.

2. Vision Board: Out With the Old, In With the New

A cozy, reflective workshop where you’ll design your year using images, words, and intuitive creative play. No crafting or drawing experience needed, just bring your imagination and an openness to explore. Great for both deep intention-setting and light creative fun.

3. Body-Led Movement Drawing

A beautiful blend of gentle movement and expressive drawing. No drawing experience required, this class is all about letting your body guide you. It’s a great way to loosen up, experiment, and create expressive abstract drawings.

4. Intro to SoulCollage®

A calm, introspective collage workshop using imagery, intuition, and guided prompts to create meaningful SoulCollage® cards.Perfect for beginners, journalers, or anyone looking for a reflective creative practice.

5. Decoden Handheld Mirrors

Playful, tactile, and pure joy. This Japanese-inspired craft uses charms, gems, and whipped-cream-like embellishments to decorate handheld mirrors.
Great for ages 10+ and anyone wanting a fun, low-pressure creative session.

If you every have questions about whether a workshop or class is a good fit for you, just send us an email at hello@thatcreativespace.org

Top 5 Creative Workshops to Try This Winter in Beacon, NY

Winter in the Hudson Valley is the perfect time to slow down, get cozy, and make something with your hands. Whether you live locally or you're planning a weekend trip to Beacon, our beginner-friendly art classes and one-day workshops offer a warm, welcoming place to create.

If you’re searching for art classes in Beacon NY, creative workshops near me, or indoor winter activities in the Hudson Valley, here are five inspiring workshops happening at That Creative Space.

1. Mini Abstracts: Painting with Melanie Delgado

A few years ago, I took a weekend printmaking workshop at the Woodstock School of Art. When I mentioned that I work in collage and mixed media, several students immediately said, “If you come back, you have to take a class with Melanie Delgado!” I never made it back for that class — so I invited Melanie to teach with us instead. I’m really looking forward to having her in the studio this winter.

In her workshop, you’ll explore color, movement, and playful mark-making in a relaxed, one-day session. Melanie’s gentle, encouraging teaching style makes this class perfect for beginners and anyone wanting to reconnect with their creative instincts. You’ll leave with a set of small abstract paintings you’ll love displaying at home.

2. Gelli Plate Printmaking

When we first ran this workshop in the fall, we had someone who works in the medical field join us. She told me she doesn’t consider herself creative but loves making things with her hands. By the end of class, she was completely immersed in the process, experimenting with textures, pulling print after print, and making the most fun and unique pieces. Watching that shift happen is exactly why I love offering this printmaking workshop in Beacon.

Gelli Plate Printmaking is a joyful, beginner-friendly printmaking class where you’ll explore layering, texture, and color using simple techniques that create beautiful results. It’s perfect for anyone looking for a playful, low-pressure way to make art this winter. Whether you’re new to creative workshops or searching for an easy entry point into art making, this one is always a favorite in the Hudson Valley

3. Felt Mending & Embellishments

This fall we had Jenny Torino join us for not one but two sold-out Needle Felting workshops, and both were such a hit. She’s back this winter with a new offering that’s perfect for anyone who wants to mend a favorite sweater with a hole or add a little personality to a denim jacket. I love how this workshop blends creativity with sustainability — and how excited people get when they realize how simple and beautiful visible mending can be.

In this hands-on fiber arts workshop, you’ll learn visible mending techniques, wool felt appliqué, and decorative embroidery stitches. You can bring a garment to repair or work on a sample in class. It’s a cozy, beginner-friendly project for winter, and a great way to breathe new life into clothing you already love. A perfect choice if you’re looking for fiber arts workshops in Beacon NY or want to explore creative, sustainable crafting this season.

4. Intro to Chinese Calligraphy

I first met Louisa Wah during our Botanical Ink Making workshop this past September. As students began painting with their inks, I noticed she was creating the prettiest little flowers with such ease. After class, I asked about her background, and she shared her experience as an artist and writer. When I asked if she might be interested in teaching with us, she suggested an Intro to Chinese Calligraphy, a beautiful blend of culture, brushwork, and meditative practice. I knew right away it would be a meaningful addition to our winter schedule.

In this beginner-friendly workshop, you’ll learn the foundational strokes, brush techniques, and structure behind traditional Chinese characters. Louisa will guide you through writing simple forms using brush and ink, helping you experience the calming, intentional rhythm of this centuries-old art form. It’s a wonderful class for anyone interested in cultural arts, mindful creative practices, or trying a new form of artistic expression here in Beacon, NY.

5. Frame Loom Weaving

I first saw Courtney Salerno’s weaving artwork at the Beacon Open Studios Winter Show at The Yard. I was completely mesmerized by the size and beauty of her woven pieces — the textures, the colors, the detail. When I later discovered she was teaching weaving here in the Hudson Valley, I reached out right away to see if she’d be interested in teaching with us. I’m thrilled to have her leading a workshop this winter.

In this beginner-friendly frame loom weaving workshop, you’ll learn the foundations of weaving on a simple loom, explore texture and color, and create a small woven piece to take home. Courtney’s approach is both accessible and inspiring, making it a great class for anyone curious about fiber arts, slow crafting, or hands-on creative workshops in Beacon NY. It’s a grounding, tactile way to spend a winter afternoon — and a perfect introduction to weaving