The Best Arts and Crafts Classes and Workshops on Maui


The Best Arts and Crafts Classes and Workshops on Maui
November 30, 2024

Maui is an island brimming with creativity, offering an exciting array of arts and crafts workshops for anyone looking to learn new skills or deepen their artistic practice.

Whether you’re a resident seeking a new hobby or a visitor wanting to immerse yourself in the island’s culture, Maui’s workshops are the perfect place to express your creativity. From traditional Hawaiian crafts to contemporary art forms, there’s something for every artistic soul.

Here’s a guide to the top classes and workshops to inspire creativity and help craft the next masterpiece.

Reeve Sherri Gallery & Gifts-Makawao

Tucked away in the charming town of Makawao, Reeve Sherri Gallery & Gifts is more than just a gallery—it’s a haven for those looking to immerse themselves in Maui’s creative spirit. Known for its welcoming atmosphere, this gallery offers workshops that blend traditional techniques with contemporary artistic expression.

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced artist, this space provides the perfect environment to develop your craft while connecting with the island’s rich artistic heritage.

What’s Offered:

Watercolor Shadowbox Workshop

In this hands-on workshop, participants will discover the art of watercolor through guided techniques. This experience isn’t just about learning to paint—it’s about creating something meaningful.

  • Guided Instruction: Receive step-by-step guidance from Sherri, ensuring that you learn fundamental watercolor skills to create your piece with confidence.
  • Personalized Creations: Choose from a variety of drawings and bring them to life using basic watercolor techniques that reflect your personal style.
  • Transformative Process: After painting, you will cut and sculpt your artwork, taking it from flat to dimensional. Sherri will then assemble your unique piece into a shadowbox frame, creating a beautiful, ready-to-display art piece that holds lasting value.
  • Satisfaction & Achievement: Walk away not only with a finished piece but with a newfound skill and a sense of accomplishment, perfect for gifting or as a keepsake.

This workshop offers more than just a fun activity—it provides a creative outlet and a chance to immerse yourself in the island’s artistic heritage. It’s a perfect escape for those looking to unleash their creativity in a supportive, friendly environment.

By joining the workshop, you’ll not only gain new artistic techniques but also connect with the local community of artists and experience the magic of Maui in a new way.

Art Lab Maui

Located in Kihei, Art Lab Maui is a cutting-edge studio offering a dynamic range of arts and crafts workshops. This creative space is perfect for those who want to experiment with new materials and techniques, surrounded by a community of passionate artists.

From painting to printmaking, Art Lab provides the freedom to explore your imagination and create original works of art.

What’s Offered:

Beginner Mixed Media (6-Week Workshop)

  • Experiment with Materials: This workshop introduces a variety of materials, including acrylic paints, oil pastels, and collages, allowing you to create layered, textured artwork.
  • Freedom to Create: After a guided session, enjoy unstructured studio time to explore and bring your ideas to life.
  • Nurture Your Creativity: In a relaxed and supportive environment, challenge yourself to discover new creative pathways while building confidence in your artistic abilities.

Little Artists (Sensory Play for Children 0-5)

  • Creative Exploration: Engaging in sensory-based activities helps children develop motor skills and stimulate curiosity.
  • Quality Time: Caregivers participate alongside their little ones, creating a bonding experience while fostering early creativity.

Preschool Ready (Thursday Sessions)

  • Essential Skill Building: This class helps prepare children for preschool by focusing on pre-reading skills, fine motor tasks, and following directions.
  • Confidence for Learning: Through hands-on activities, children strengthen foundational skills, setting the stage for future success in school.

Young Artist Wednesday (After-School Program)

  • Foster Creativity: In these fun, 60-minute sessions, children create art projects that encourage self-expression and imagination.
  • Individualized Attention: Small class sizes ensure each child receives personalized guidance, allowing them to grow and explore at their own pace.

Draw & Paint Lab

  • Skill Development: Students practice drawing and painting fundamentals while experimenting with various techniques and materials.
  • Constant Inspiration: Each session introduces fresh projects, allowing students to learn and build confidence as their artistic abilities grow continuously.

Winter Workshops

  • Seasonal Fun and Learning: Winter workshops like “Santa’s Workshop” and “GLOW Slime Lab” bring holiday cheer and creative exploration.
  • Hands-On Creativity: From color mastery to sock puppet making, these workshops allow children to create fun and unique art pieces while learning new skills.

At Art Lab Maui, every workshop is an opportunity for participants to stretch their creative muscles and explore new ways of making art. Whether for children, beginners, or seasoned artists, each class promises to unlock new possibilities and foster a deeper connection to the artistic process.

Barbara Steinberg Giclée Art Prints

For watercolor enthusiasts, Barbara Steinberg offers personalized art classes that cater to all skill levels. Based in Kihei, Maui, Barbara’s workshops provide intimate settings to explore watercolor painting, with classes available online or in person at select locations.

Whether you’re just starting or looking to refine your technique, Barbara’s expert guidance will help you bring the natural beauty of Maui to life.

What’s Offered:

  • Watercolor Techniques: Learn key techniques such as wet-on-wet, glazing, and brushwork to capture light, color, and texture in your art.
  • Personalized Instruction: Classes are tailored to each student’s skill level, from beginners to advanced artists.
  • Maui-Inspired Creations: Paint stunning Maui landscapes, learning how to capture the island’s vibrant scenery.

Barbara’s workshops are the perfect place to start or enhance your journey if you’ve ever dreamed of painting Maui’s tropical beauty in watercolors.

Yulia Maui Art’s Resin Art Classes

Imagine creating a stunning, ocean-inspired resin cheese board or a vibrant abstract painting, all while unlocking your inner artist. Yulia Maui Art offers a wide range of hands-on art classes in Maui, from epoxy resin projects to fluid acrylics, designed to help you discover your creative potential and leave with a masterpiece you’ll be proud to display.

What’s Offered:

  • Epoxy Resin Cheese Board Class: Create a stunning ocean-themed cheese board in this hands-on class. Learn the techniques of mixing resin and pigments to craft a functional art piece perfect for entertaining or as a special gift.
  • Epoxy Resin Coaster Workshop: Make a set of four personalized coasters using resin, dried flowers, and decorative accents. This workshop focuses on incorporating different elements into your resin art to create a functional yet elegant set of coasters.
  • Serving Tray & Lazy Susan Masterclass: In this class, you’ll create a custom resin-coated serving tray or Lazy Susan featuring mesmerizing ocean wave patterns. This class will teach you how to apply resin to make a beautiful, functional art piece for your home.
  • Private & Group Classes: Whether you’re looking for a one-on-one experience or a fun group activity, Yulia Maui Art offers private and group classes. Perfect for corporate events, team-building, or family gatherings, these workshops are designed to inspire creativity in any setting.
  • Fluid Acrylic Pouring Class: Explore fluid acrylics in this exciting workshop where you’ll create abstract paintings. You’ll experiment with pouring techniques to achieve unique, vibrant designs, regardless of your previous experience with art.

If you’re ready to discover your inner artist and create something beautiful, book a class today! Sign up now and start your artistic journey!

Haku Lei Workshop

At Haku Maui in Wailuku, you’ll have the opportunity to learn the traditional Hawaiian art of creating haku leis, floral crowns worn for special occasions.

These workshops offer hands-on experience in making beautiful leis using fresh, local flowers and other natural materials. It’s a meaningful way to connect with Hawaiian culture while creating a beautiful, personalized piece.

What’s Offered:

Lei Wili Workshop:

  • Create a Stunning Lei: In this 2.5-hour workshop, you’ll learn to make a Lei Wili, a lei crafted by wrapping fresh tropical flowers and foliage around a base. This hands-on workshop allows you to create a wearable Lei Poʻo (head lei) or Lei Aʻi (neck lei).
  • Learn Traditional Techniques: Gain valuable skills in lei-making using the traditional wrapping method, which requires patience and precision. You’ll not only create something beautiful but also gain insight into Hawaiian culture.
  • Cultural Insights: Delve into the history, symbolism, and cultural significance of leis in Hawaiian traditions. This knowledge will deepen your connection to the art form and the island’s heritage.

Kui A Lei – String a Lei Workshop:

  • Craft Your Own Lei: Learn the Kui Pololei (single string) and Kui Poepoe (double string) techniques to string tropical flowers into a beautiful lei, perfect for wearing around the neck.
  • Hands-On Learning: In just an hour, you’ll craft a unique lei using a needle and thread. This simple yet elegant technique helps build your skills in crafting leis for any occasion.
  • Cultural Education: As you create, explore the meaning and significance of leis in Hawaiian culture, gaining a deeper appreciation for the art and its role in Hawaiian traditions.

Benefits of Attending a Lei Workshop:

  • Cultural Connection: By learning these traditional art forms, you’ll forge a deeper connection to Hawaiian culture.
  • Creative Satisfaction: There’s a special joy in crafting something beautiful with your hands that carries both personal and cultural meaning.
  • Practical Skills: The techniques learned can be applied to create leis for personal use, gifting, or special events, giving you a lasting skill to continue practicing.

Whether you’re creating leis for personal enjoyment or as gifts, these workshops provide both a creative outlet and a deeper understanding of Hawaiian culture. Join a workshop today and leave with a stunning, hand-made lei, a wealth of knowledge, and a newfound appreciation for the art of lei-making.

Hui No‘eau Visual Arts Center

Located in Upcountry Maui, Hui No‘eau Visual Arts Center is one of the island’s premier cultural institutions, offering an array of classes for all skill levels.

From pottery to printmaking, this center provides high-quality instruction in a supportive environment. It’s a great space for artists to expand their skills, try new techniques, and connect with the island’s arts community.

What’s Offered:

  • Holiday/Christmas Wreath (Seasonal Workshop): This workshop lets you create a special holiday wreath using native Hawaiian plants and flowers. The class offers all the materials needed to craft a personalized wreath, adding a unique touch to your holiday decor while learning the cultural significance behind the materials used.
  • Family Funday – Solstice Lanterns (Ages 3+): Designed for families, this workshop gives parents and children the chance to create colorful, sparkly solstice lanterns together. The activity encourages creativity and provides a memorable bonding experience while celebrating the beauty of the winter solstice.
  • Reduction Linocut (Printmaking): Delve into the intricate world of reductive relief printmaking with this hands-on workshop. Using a single linoleum plate, you’ll learn advanced techniques to create multi-layered prints, perfect for artists looking to expand their printmaking repertoire. By the end of the class, you’ll have a collection of high-quality prints.
  • Winter Camp Kaluanui (Ages 8-10): An ideal creative getaway for young artists, this camp offers a variety of visual arts activities, including painting, sculpting, and drawing. With hands-on projects each day, children will enhance their creative expression while having fun in a supportive environment.
  • Winter Teens & Tweens Art Academy (Ages 11-15): This academy allows teens to explore different art media and build their artistic skills under the guidance of professional instructors. The immersive program helps young artists develop technical abilities while fostering individual creativity.
  • Paint and Play: Posca Pen Fundamentals: This vibrant, three-week course introduces students to the versatile Posca Pens, ideal for creating bold lines, intricate patterns, and colorful artwork. Beginners and more experienced artists alike will enjoy the hands-on projects that help develop fundamental artistic skills.
  • Printmaking 101 – Level 1+ (Adult): Perfect for both beginners and experienced artists, this workshop covers various printmaking techniques such as relief, monotype, and screen printing. Whether you’re new to printmaking or looking to refine your skills, you’ll gain confidence and experience working with different processes.
  • Argentium Stacking Rings – Level 2 (Jewelry Making): Learn how to craft elegant stacking rings using Argentium silver in this metalsmithing workshop. Students will gain hands-on experience working with silver to create a set of stackable rings, leaving with both a piece of jewelry and new skills to continue their jewelry-making journey.
  • Lei Poo Workshop (Head Lei): Learn the traditional Hawaiian art of crafting a head lei, or Lei Poo, using fresh flowers and foliage. This workshop offers insight into the cultural significance of leis, and participants will create a personal and meaningful floral crown to wear or share with others.
  • Beginning Sculpture & Hand-Building (Adult – Level 1): For those new to ceramics, this workshop introduces foundational techniques like coiling, pinching, and slab building to create sculptures. Whether you’re working on functional pieces or purely sculptural art, this class lays the groundwork for future growth in ceramics.

At Hui No‘eau Visual Arts Center, every workshop is an opportunity to deepen your artistic practice and connect with the island’s rich artistic and cultural heritage. Whether you want to refine your skills or discover a new passion, this center offers an inspiring environment that nurtures your creativity.

Tips for Getting the Most Out of Arts and Crafts Classes on Maui

Taking an arts and crafts class on Maui is a fantastic way to dive into the island’s creative culture. Here are a few quick tips to help you get the most out of your workshop experience:

  • Do Your Research: Each studio has a unique focus. Look up class descriptions to find one that suits your interests, whether it’s pottery, glassblowing, or traditional Hawaiian arts.
  • Wear Comfortable Clothing: Many classes involve hands-on work. Dress in clothes that you don’t mind getting messy, and wear closed-toe shoes for safety.
  • Be Open to New Experiences: Whether you’re a beginner or have some experience, be willing to try something new! Maui’s diverse arts scene is a great opportunity to expand your skills.
  • Book in Advance: Classes can fill up quickly, especially during peak seasons. Check schedules and secure your spot early to avoid disappointment.
  • Engage with Instructors: Don’t hesitate to ask questions or seek guidance from the experienced local artists teaching the class. Their insights can enrich your learning experience.
  • Bring Home a Piece of Maui: Enjoy the satisfaction of leaving with a handmade creation that reflects your time on the island—whether it’s pottery, jewelry, or a floral arrangement.
  • Prepare for the Climate: For outdoor or upcountry classes, bring sunscreen, a hat, and water to stay comfortable in Maui’s tropical environment.
  • Support Local Artists: By attending these workshops, you’re supporting Maui’s artistic community. Consider purchasing additional handmade items or artwork as a meaningful souvenir.

With these tips in mind, you’re ready to make the most of your Maui arts and crafts adventure, connecting with the island’s creative spirit while honing your skills.

Live Near Maui’s Creative Hubs: Own a Home Close to Top Arts Studios

Imagine living just minutes away from Maui’s top arts and crafts workshops, where creativity flows and inspiration is always nearby.

Whether you’re taking a pottery class in Paia or learning the art of Hawaiian feather lei making in Wailuku, owning a home near these vibrant studios brings artistic energy right to your doorstep.

With homes located in peaceful settings like Upcountry Maui or the charming beach towns of Kihei and Paia, you’ll enjoy a perfect blend of tranquility and creative expression.

Living near these artistic hubs also offers the opportunity to connect with a like-minded community and experience Maui’s growing arts scene. Many properties near these workshops not only provide a serene retreat but also serve as a smart investment in a thriving cultural area.

Whether you’re seeking a personal creative space or a vacation home with access to the island’s best classes, owning a home near Maui’s arts centers makes it easy to live surrounded by beauty and creativity every day.

Unleash Your Creativity: Explore Arts and Crafts Workshops on Maui

Maui offers a variety of arts and crafts workshops that allow participants to explore their creative side and immerse themselves in local culture.

From pottery and painting to traditional Hawaiian arts like feather lei making, these classes provide the perfect opportunity to develop new skills and make meaningful connections with the island’s artistic community.

Ready to get started? Sign up for a class today and experience the joy of creating something special on Maui!



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