In the Bay Area, learning opportunities aren’t just confined to a college or high school classroom. Several East Bay organizations offer hands-on classes on niche topics: from stained glass making to urban farming and cooking. The activities are open to people of all ages, experience levels and abilities, and are taught by local professionals.
Whether one is looking for a new hobby or seeking a bonding opportunity with a group of friends, they may check out the following classes in the area.
Stained Glass Making
With its translucent colors and intricate designs, stained glass is mesmerizing to look at. Stained Glass Garden, a Berkeley-based business, offers weekly introductory courses on how to make glass panels and mosaics. Participants can learn techniques like glass fusing or decorating from the center’s instructors. The space also doubles as a shop, where community members can purchase art glass supplies and handmade glass gifts made by Bay Area artists.
Stained Glass Garden, 1800 Fourth St., Berkeley, 510.841.2200. Open all week from 10am to 5pm.
Urban Farming
If soaking in soil and being around bees sounds like fun, then Urban Farm Oasis has one covered. This Berkeley-based, community-centered urban farm store hosts classes on beekeeping, where locals can discover the basics of starting a hive and using equipment. There are also occasional gardening classes that demonstrate how to plant and care for unique plants. The Oasis store also sells beekeeping supplies, live chicks, chicken feed and other urban farming essentials.
Urban Farm Oasis, 1441 Ashby Ave., Berkeley, 510.665.5509. Open daily from 10am to 6pm.
Embroidery
Yarns, needles and a sense of creativity are the only things needed to create elaborate embroidery and knitted items. In Alameda, Coven of Stitches provides community classes on how to utilize yarn, whether it be through embroidery, needle felting, crochet or knitting. The organization launched in 2023 to share the art of crafting with locals.
Coven of Stitches, 1602 Webster St., Alameda, 510.263.8039. Open Wed to Fri from noon to 8pm, Saturday from 10am to 6pm and Sunday from noon to 6pm.
Urban Homesteading
There is a craft to living sustainably and self-sufficiently in an urban environment, and The Institute of Urban Homesteading knows all about it. This organization offers classes in Berkeley and Oakland on mastering age-old techniques like canning, soap making and herbal medicine. Each class is held inside the private homes or gardens of the organization’s instructors or at other community homestead sites.
The Institute of Urban Homesteading, iuhoakland.com, Oakland and Berkeley.
Sewing
Fabrics and thread come to life in local sewing classes. The Sewing Room in Alameda has an array of classes, including how to use a sewing machine, and a review of how to work with different fabrics and patterns. Class sizes are between four to six students, and sewing supplies and stock fabrics are provided. Locals can experiment with making projects like a zipper pouch, tote bag or apron. The Sewing Room also has a Fashion Studies series, where adults and teens can learn about designing and making clothes from scratch.
The Sewing Room, 1419 Park St., Alameda, 510.710.9525. Open Monday, Tuesday, Friday from noon to 5:30pm, Wednesday and Thursday from noon to 8pm, Saturday from 10am to 5:30pm and Sunday from 10am to 3pm; thesewingroomalameda.com.
Music/Jazz
A wide range of music classes and ensembles awaits adult musicians of all skill levels at The Jazz School. The classes cover different styles, including jazz, blues, Brazilian, funk and Latin. Locals can test their skills on the piano and keyboard, guitars, drums and percussion. The school also has ensembles for people to join, and the groups perform free events for the public.
The Jazz School, 2087 Addison St., Berkeley, Mon to Wed from 4 to 10pm, Thursday from 10am to 10pm, Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 4pm; jazzschool.org.
Dance
Adults hoping to immerse themselves in the world of dance can shuffle their way towards the Shawl-Anderson Dance Center in Berkeley. The center hosts dance classes, from contemporary ballet and modern to belly dancing and hip-hop. Their ongoing dance classes run on a drop-in basis, while their four-week courses begin at the start of every month. Financial aid programs are available for adults who qualify under the center’s requirements.
Shawl-Anderson Dance Center, 2704 Alcatraz Ave., Berkeley, 510.654-5921. Open Mon to Thu from 9am to 9pm, Fri from 9am to 8pm and Sat and Sun from 9am to 6pm; shawl-anderson.org.
Cooking
Ever wanted to learn how to be a home chef? Kitchen on Fire is a cooking school that offers hands-on experiences in Berkeley and Oakland. Their list of classes includes a 12-week course on learning cooking basics, and an introductory class on using knives and other equipment. The organization also offers food-specific cooking classes on how to make the best dosas, sushi, pizza, dumplings and other familiar dishes. Day and night classes are offered weekly at the two locations and are taught by trained chefs.
Kitchen on Fire, 1509 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley; 6506 San Pablo Ave., Oakland; 510.548.2665; kitchenonfire.com.
Industrial Art
Woodturning, glass making and flameworking are all classes locals can take at The Crucible in Oakland. The nonprofit organization and art school aims to make fine and industrial arts accessible to locals of all ages, backgrounds and abilities. Crucible has 18 departments for every interest and level of experience. Participants can learn arts like ceramic making, welding and even blacksmithing from professionals. The organization also offers full and partial scholarships for youths and adults who would otherwise not be able to participate in classes or camps.
The Crucible, 1260 7th St., Oakland, 510.444.0919. Open Mon to Fri from 10am to 10pm and Sat and Sun from 10am to 5pm; thecrucible.org.
