Humans seek comfort through technology ranging from streaming entertainment to sex bots. But sometimes you just want to opt out of digital everything. A healthy approach to clearing your mind is to unplug, get creative, and make something at one of many art classes and workshops across the valley. Here are a few to get you started.
Get in the Loop
Merri Medley has been crocheting since age 7. Now 66, and the founder of the Art of Crochet Project, Medley changes lives every day with a crochet hook and yarn. She shares the generational art and tradition of crocheting in individual and group classes for all ages and abilities, with an opportunity to sell what you create at a local farmers market. The Cultural Master Class is a journey through crocheting techniques from Japan to Ireland, Morocco to Mexico. Proceeds help support the nonprofit organization Mats Project, which upcycles plastic bags into bedding for the unhoused. (7495 W. Azure Dr., classes up to $160, crochetclass.org)
Multiply Your Mediums
Former school district art teacher Melinda Stender runs Clay Paper Ink, a creative hub for making art, both in classes and on your own. Try traditional media, such as painting and collage, or get crafty weaving wires for wearable art. Build a cottage for fairies, have fun with felt, sew — art journaling lets you dip your brush in multiple media. The studio is stocked with supplies and tools, such as felting needles for when you feel stabby. (9155 Las Vegas Blvd. South, Ste. 250, $15-$40, claypaperink.com)
Creative Freedom on Paper
The first rule of the Junk Journal Club is that there are no rules. Messy, personal, and expressive, it’s permission to slow down and use your hands layering scrapbook paper, stickers, receipts, clippings, washi tape, and anything else you can fit onto a page. Started by Ej Gonzalez to bring women together, the popular club has grown into a monthly meetup at her gift and stationery boutique, Shop Mama Sage, in the Downtown Container Park. Note: Spots are said to go fast. (707 Fremont St., $30, shopmamasage.com)
Project-Driven Pottery
It only takes a lump of mud to build art and community at Clay Arts Vegas. Co-owner Peter Jakubowski describes the teenage- and adult-only, project-driven classes as Sunday supper, because they bring students to the table for a common experience: building ceramic skills and discovering your creative voice. The Master’s Workshop Series is taught by pro clay artists and targets those with a ceramics background, but wheel throwing and hand-building classes cater to all levels, including novice potters. (1353 Arville St., $195 for 8 weeks, clayartsvegas.com)
Rage Against the Machine
Expressionism isn’t a modernist art movement at Arttherapy Cafe, though you will express yourself, move, and make art. Mental health advocate Leah Devora throws “art rage” events to help people de-stress and express themselves. She passes out ponchos, gloves, glasses, paint, and painting tools, such as brushes and squirt guns, then lets you go wild. Other classes, such as meditation with painting, or creating candles in the shape of a beloved pet, also bring peace through creative practices. (353 E. Bonneville Ave., Ste.183, $35 donation, arttherapycafe.com)
