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The 5 Best Art Classes in Nashville to Help Unleash Your Inner Artist

art-classes-in-nashville
We extensively test and research all services we review. Here's why you can trust us.

Instructor Qualifications: We looked at the backgrounds and everyday experience of the folks teaching at each studio. Having classes led by working artists or trained educators usually means you get better guidance.

Curriculum Diversity: We reviewed the different media and techniques on the schedule to see what they offer. Finding spots that give you room to grow helps you build your skills at your own pace.

Atmosphere and Approach: The overall vibe of the room was a big factor for us. A welcoming, laid-back space really helps you feel comfortable trying out new ideas without feeling judged.

Accessibility and Scheduling: Finally, we looked at class sizes, age ranges, and the flexibility of their hours. Seeing a mix of different time slots makes it much easier to actually fit a session into a busy week.

If your house is anything like mine, your dining room table has seen its fair share of casualties. Between spilled acrylics and trying to follow a painting tutorial on the living room rug, my do-it-yourself art phase was a certified disaster. 

So, stepping into a proper studio keeps your furniture safe while letting your creativity run wild. Thankfully, Nashville has some of the best art classes where you can get your hands dirty without worrying about the cleanup. 

Read on to know where to unleash your inner artist!

How much do art classes cost in Nashville?

Art classes in Nashville generally range from $30 to over $100 per session, with specific prices varying by medium, studio format, and whether it is a one-time workshop or a recurring monthly program.

Service TypeAverage Cost
Ongoing Painting Classes (Monthly)~$115
Private Art Lessons~$50 per hour
Workshops & Specialized Classes$30 – $100+ per session

1. Little Art House

little-art-house

Website: https://www.littlearthousestudios.com/

Address: 2106B Acklen Ave

Contact: (615) 933-9644

Schedule: 

  • Mon 12:00 PM – 6:30 PM
  • Tue, Thurs 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM
  • Wed 8:30 AM – 6:30 PM
  • Fri 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM
  • Sat 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Sisters Emma and Leighton started Little Art House after working as public school art teachers. Armed with Master’s degrees in Art Education, they bring serious teaching skills to every lesson. 

Instead of grading your final piece, they focus on the creative journey itself, helping students of all ages find their own artistic voice. 

This approach builds a lifelong love for art, whether you are bringing a toddler for sensory play or helping a teen prep an Advanced Placement (AP) portfolio. 

To make sure everyone gets enough guidance, they cap most sessions at just eight seats. This super-small class size creates a cozy, focused room, but spots get snatched up fast, so booking early is a must. 

On the bright side, they offer steady weekly schedules, making it incredibly easy to build a regular creative routine.

Pros

  • Qualified instructors with art degrees
  • Diverse class options for all ages
  • Consistent weekly scheduling
  • Community-minded mission program

Cons

  • Limited 8-seat capacity
  • High demand requires advance booking


Customer Reviews

Brings so much to our community
A wonderful place and that brings so much to our community. A welcoming environment with lots of intentionality for kids of all ages and adults. They are especially great with kids. High quality, engaging classes and events!

Will definitely take more classes here
I took watercolor 101 with Sara and loved it! It was a fun group of people, class size was small, and there was a nice balance of one-on-one instruction from Sara and time to zone out and work on your project. I’ve taken some art classes over the years and tend to get very bored when an instructor spends a large chunk of the class demonstrating. I like that Sara would give short instruction snippets throughout the class with freedom to practice and learn as you go. I will definitely take more classes here.

2. Art Urban, Inc.

art-urban-inc

Website: https://www.arturbantn.com/

Address: 3101 Clarksville Pike, Suite 11

Contact: (615) 544-5090

Schedule: 

  • Mon-Thurs 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
  • Fri-Sat 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
  • Sun 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Art Urban is a black-owned community hub that puts diverse, culturally relevant canvas themes front and center. As a popular paint-and-sip spot, they focus on high-energy group experiences rather than quiet, traditional seated painting. 

Whether you want an adults-only night out or a lively social gathering, this energetic studio shakes up the typical art workshop format.

There’s no need to have drawing skills here! They have pre-sketched canvases that cover specific subcultures, so participants can actually see themselves in the art they make. 

If you’d rather host a creative night on your own couch, you can easily grab one of their take-home kits. 

Just keep in mind that they strictly enforce a no-refund policy for cancellations within 48 hours, leaving little wiggle room if an emergency pops up.

Pros

  • Diverse culturally relevant themes
  • Convenient take-home art kits
  • High-energy group experiences
  • Pre-sketched canvas options

Cons

  • No-refund policy for late cancellations


Customer Reviews

A blast!
We gifted the Splatter Paint class to our kids for Christmas, and it was a blast! They loved splattering the walls and each other in addition to their canvases! We will definitely be back if we make it back to Nashville!

Highly recommend
This was a great way to spend a Saturday with friends.  I loved that we could pick our own painting to do rather than a “class” like the other paint studios.

Preston and Harrison were the best hosts!!  They were very accommodating and friendly.  We will for sure come back to try the Splatter Paint.  Highly recommend.

3. Painting with a Twist

painting-with-a-twist

Website: https://www.paintingwithatwist.com/studio/nashville-charlotte-ave/

Address: 4009 Charlotte Avenue

Contact: (615) 982-8320 | [email protected]

Schedule: 

  • Mon-Sat 1:00 PM – 7:00 PM
  • Sun 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM

As the original franchise that kick-started the paint-and-sip trend back in 2007, Painting with a Twist is one of the most established brands in the creative entertainment industry.

They even have the world’s largest copyrighted art library, giving participants access to over 20,000 exclusive designs created specifically for guided sessions. 

And while glossy PR agencies might push other flashy night-out venues, this studio genuinely delivers step-by-step instruction without any intimidation. 

It’s also notable that, every month, their Painting with a Purpose program donates its proceeds to local non-profit organizations. 

Another draw here is that participants can bring their own beverages for total flexibility. It’s an incredibly fun, laid-back way to spend an evening.

On the downside, sessions frequently sell out, so they require pre-payment and reservations to secure your seat at the canvas. Also, evening classes are strictly for adults aged 15 and older, so you’ll have to book that sitter.

Pros

  • Access to over 20,000 exclusive designs
  • Zero-intimidation step-by-step instruction
  • Complete bring-your-own-beverage flexibility
  • Charitable donation program

Cons

  • Strict evening age restrictions
  • Requires pre-payment and reservations


Customer Reviews

Highly recommend
My daughter and I have taken a couple of classes here. We decided we will make this our go-to for sip/paint. We love our candle too. The area is spacious, the instructions are clear and no one rushes you ! I highly recommend !! See you soon!

Cannot say enough good things about Painting with a Twist
Such a fun experience!!!! Seriously cannot say enough good things about Painting with a Twist in Nashville. Our instructor was very knowledgeable, encouraging, and fun. She led the class along at a perfect pace and was cracking jokes throughout the evening, which helped us all bond as a group! The wine helped too, haha. Highly recommend!

4. Art & Soul

art-soul

Website: https://eartandsoul.com/

Address: 4340 Sidco Drive

Contact: (615) 460-1161 | [email protected]

Schedule: Varies By Class

Operating as a nonprofit, Art & Soul focuses on personal growth rather than commercial profit. 

And unlike classical art schools that demand photorealistic perfection, the curriculum here prioritizes holistic wellness and playful experimentation. 

Here, they weave meditation and breathwork into their sessions, helping creators connect deeply with their personal expression. You’ll step into a completely non-judgmental space that champions authentic artmaking over rigid critique.

Creators of all skill levels are welcome here, too, and you can even join a supportive membership tier for ongoing community events.

Since they prioritize the creative process over technical skill, this might not be the right fit if you want formal training in perspective or composition. Also, their classes cater mostly to adults, so families with younger kids will need to look elsewhere.

Pros

  • Inclusive setup for all skill levels
  • Holistic wellness and breathwork benefits
  • Supportive membership tier available
  • Prioritizes authentic artmaking

Cons

  • Lacks formal technique training
  • Classes cater primarily to adults


Customer Reviews  

I’ve taken it 6-7 times and every time it’s new and fresh
The Creative Arts Discovery Practice class is my favorite! I’ve taken it 6-7 times and every time it’s new and fresh. The teachers are intuitive and open allowing us to explore our creativity! So many amazing art classes, movement and sounding experiences!

A Nashville treasure
This is my artistic home and a spiritually nurturing center! This community is loving, non-judgmental, and encouraging of all levels of creators, makers, movers, crafters, sounders, players, and writers. I have been a student of Art & Soul since 1998, and a member, administrator, & teacher since early 2000’s. This is a Nashville treasure. More than an Art Studio, it’s a Human Studio!!!

5. River Art Studio

river-art-studio

Website: https://www.riverartstudio.net/

Address: 8329 Sawyer Brown Road

Contact: (615) 260-2604 | [email protected]

Schedule: 

  • Mon-Thurs 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
  • Mon 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
  • Tue-Wed 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

River Art Studio balances a serious adult curriculum with specific tracks for homeschoolers and kids starting in the third grade. 

Offering mastery-based instruction, their lead artist, Staci Garner- Spivak, uses an old-school teaching method. For instance, beginners must fully master values in black-and-white oil painting before mixing in primary colors. 

Once past the beginner fundamentals, intermediate students earn the freedom to choose their own projects rather than work on assigned group projects. 

Although they offer daytime and evening slots, you’ll definitely need to commit since their monthly class fees are non-refundable. 

But if you want more one-on-one guidance, private hourly lessons are also available to help you dive deeper into the craft.

Pros

  • Personalized intermediate project choices
  • ​​Specific tracks for kids and homeschoolers
  • Private hourly lesson availability

Cons

  • Non-refundable monthly class fees
  • Requires firm schedule commitment