Sometimes it feels great to step outside your comfort zone. That might mean learning a new skill, taking an art class or meeting new people.
Guess what? You can do all three (and more) at the Creative Arts School in downtown Delray Beach.
There are classes, open studio days, social hours, art for sale and listening sessions where you can unwind to music.
The best part is that the school is located on the Old School Square campus, making it easily accessible from most places in Palm Beach County.
The Creative Arts School (CAS) is the perfect place to expand your creative horizons and become part of a thriving community. Learning a new skill can stimulate your mind, awaken your creativity and introduce you to people who share your interests.
Though the offerings are diverse, ceramics classes and Ceramic Open Studio sessions are among the most popular.
Taking control of your life is one thing, but creating something out of nothing can be an endorphin rush.
That’s why ceramics classes have become a favorite, attracting everyone from beginners curious about pottery to students eager to develop their artistic skills.
With two kilns and 10 pottery wheels, the studio offers ceramics classes every day, with morning, afternoon, and evening sessions.
Evening classes give people who work during the day an opportunity to unwind, explore their creativity and leave the day’s stresses behind.
Students can choose between wheel throwing, which transforms spinning clay into functional pieces, and hand building, which allows them to shape clay without a pottery wheel.
Students can create pots, trinket dishes and other items while learning new techniques and exploring their own artistic styles. Couples can take ceramics classes together, and families can share the experience. The studio offers a welcoming place to learn, experiment, and connect with others along the way.
The CAS’s ultimate vision is to make art accessible to people of all ages, backgrounds and skill levels. One way to do this is through its $5 Studio Days.
The program gives people an affordable opportunity to enjoy a shared creative experience. You might discover a hidden talent or simply have fun trying something new. Activities range from sculpting and printmaking to other hands-on projects.
The family program, held the first Saturday of each month, brings generations together. There are also culinary classes in the school’s industrial kitchen, featuring everything from Korean dishes to baking and pastry, sweets and macarons.
The beauty of these programs is that creativity isn’t reserved for professional artists or chefs. Everyone has a spark of creativity just waiting to be ignited by inspiration. All it takes is an invitation, guidance and the willingness to try something new.
There are also painting classes, jewelry making, pottery and printmaking. Monthly markets give artists a chance to share their work while offering visitors the opportunity to purchase original creations and explore classes.
For those who enjoy making things but prefer a more social approach, a new Stitching Social debuts in November.
Adults can bring their own knitting, crochet, sewing or embroidery projects and spend an informal evening creating alongside others.
This free gathering welcomes participants at every level, including those just beginning their creative journeys.
Another source of inspiration is the school’s open Listening Rooms. Visitors can listen to music, browse art books, read, paint or make collages.
With comfortable furniture, plants and a rotating musical theme, the experience encourages people to slow down and enjoy creativity without signing up for a class.
The school also celebrates the work of its artistic community. Its Art in Practice: 2026 Student–Faculty Exhibition features 50 works of drawing, printmaking, and photography.
Visitors can explore the exhibition and use QR codes to learn about the artists instructors and the classes they teach. The artwork is available for purchase.
From the pottery studio to the exhibition walls, each program offers another way to experience and engage with the arts.
Some people arrive hoping to master a pottery wheel; others want to meet new people, spend time with family, or discover a new hobby.
Building an artistic community means providing opportunities for people to exchange ideas, learn from one another and feel welcome.
Whether you’re an experienced artist or simply someone who loves art, there’s a place for you.
In a world that demands our attention in so many different directions, working with clay, stitching a piece of fabric, or listening to a record can be a welcome change of pace.
And the act of creating might lead to something even more meaningful: making new friends, discovering a new hobby, or seeing the world in all its luminous colors.
Ready to try something new? Explore classes, workshops, and events by calling 561-243-7062 or visiting DelrayBeachFL.gov/CAS.
