Hayley ThomasNashville is famous for the neon lights on Broadway and steel guitars. But try finding a place to wield a paintbrush instead of a guitar pick, and you might feel a bit lost in the noise.
I certainly did.
That’s why I swapped the honky-tonks for quiet studios to find where the visual magic happens. I explored everything from dusty pottery wheels to pristine oil painting galleries, looking for instructors who could teach a total beginner without being condescending.
After days of charcoal dust and clay-covered hands, I found the best art schools in Nashville that actually deliver high-quality instruction in a supportive environment.
Here is where you should go to get creative if you are ready to trade a night out on the town for a skill that lasts a lifetime.
How much does art school cost in Nashville?
The price of art education in Nashville varies depending on whether you want a degree or a hobby.
If you are looking at a full-blown academic route like Vanderbilt, you are staring down the barrel of standard private university tuition, often exceeding $60,000 a year.
However, skill-building without the diploma is much more accessible. A specialized workshop at a place like Warehouse 521 can run anywhere from $150 to $800, depending on the visiting artist and duration.
If you are just dipping your toes in, single drop-in classes at smaller studios often hover around the $35 to $85 mark.
For a more committed multi-week course, like a pottery semester, expect to pay around $275 plus materials.
1. Warehouse 521
Website: https://www.warehouse521.com/
Address: 521 Heather Place
Contact: (615) 337-2570 | [email protected]
Schedule: Hours May Vary Per Workshop
Warehouse 521 feels less like a school and more like a gathering place for serious painters who want to improve their skills.
Notably, they operate on a specialized workshop model. Instead of a static curriculum, they fly in master artists from around the country for intensive, multi-day sessions.
They’re the destination to learn specific techniques, like “Alla Prima Floral” or “Dynamic Portraits,” directly from the experts who paint them best.
When I visited for a weekend session, the Berry Hill location struck me immediately. It sits in a converted house that feels incredibly homey yet professional.
The studio has amazing natural light, which is non-negotiable for painters. The trade-off, though, is the schedule. Because they rely on visiting artists, classes aren’t always available on demand. You have to book these workshops months in advance.
Artists of all levels feel welcome and refreshed
I adore this place, which has a superb line up of workshops by visiting artists as well as regular drawing sessions. Jeanie is a wonderful host and organizer and she makes artists of all levels feel welcome and refreshed.
– Betsy Marsch, Google Review
Friendly and accepting, spacious in size and feel, accommodating and flexible.
Warehouse is in the name so don’t go looking for a modern, hipster, high tech, statue lined, Gregorian chanting space to do your art. It IS friendly and accepting, spacious in size and feel, accommodating and flexible.
They have several classes or open studio events going on frequently, from painting to sculpting, still life and live model. They have the golden egg of a private parking lot which is getting more rare for Berry Hill area. Walking distance to coffee shop, burrito shop, and other cutesy shops because… Berry Hill.
– Shaun Stallings, Google Review
2. Department of Art, Vanderbilt College of Arts and Science
Website: https://as.vanderbilt.edu/art/
Address: Buttrick Hall, 350-404, 2400 Vanderbilt Pl
Contact: (615) 322-2851
Academic Studio Hours: Varies By Program and Class
If you are looking for the heavyweight champion of academic art in Nashville, this is it.
Vanderbilt’s Department of Art offers a rigorous BA program that treats art as a serious intellectual discipline, not just a craft.
The curriculum here moves beyond technical instruction, pushing students to examine the reasoning behind every brushstroke using the resources of a top-tier research university.
The E. Bronson Ingram Studio Arts Center houses specialized labs for ceramics, photography, and digital arts on a scale rarely found in smaller community spaces.
However, this path requires significant commitment.
The barrier to entry includes formal admission and standard university tuition. It can also feel more structured compared to a relaxed community studio, but the networking potential is unmatched.
Great alternative to the Ivies
Great school where students work hard and play hard. Great alternative to the Ivies and the school is generous with financial aid that is not loan based. Nashville is an amazing town to live in. You will never regret taking this admit. Go for it.
– Timothy Anderson, Google Review
One of the best none-Ivy schools.
Well, what can I say? It is Vanderbilt University, one of the best none-Ivy schools. Campuses are great, organized. Students are smart and work hard. While understanding some negative reviews about the school, I think it is indeed one of the best your kids can attend.
– Minh Cao, Google Review
3. Little Art House, Hillsboro Village
Website: https://www.littlearthousestudios.com/hillsboro-village
Address: 2106B Acklen Ave
Contact: (615) 933-9644 | [email protected]
Schedule: Hours Vary By Class, Contact For Availability
Little Art House is exactly what it sounds like: a cozy, inviting space that prioritizes the joy of creating over rigid academic rules.
They have mastered the “drop-in” class format to prioritize inclusivity, catering to toddlers and burned-out adults needing a wine-and-paint night alike.
That said, this art school is ideal for total beginners.
The vibe here is also incredibly wholesome. I loved that the instructors focus on the process rather than a perfect product, which takes the anxiety out of holding a paintbrush.
The location in Hillsboro Village is charming, though parking requires some patience. The studio space itself is intimate, so classes can feel lively when fully booked.
High quality, engaging classes and events!
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!
– Andrea, Google Review
I 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.
– Jessica D’Angelo, Google Review
4. The Clay Lady’s Campus
Website: https://theclaylady.com/
Address: 1416 Lebanon Pike
Contact: (615) 242-0346 | [email protected]
Class Hours: Varies By Class (Mornings & Evenings Available)
Beyond being a studio, The Clay Lady’s Campus is practically a pilgrimage site for potters in the South. This sprawling “campus” is dedicated entirely to ceramic arts, complete with an on-site supply store (Mid-South Ceramics).
The environment here connects students with a dedicated guild of enthusiasts rather than simply offering isolated lessons.
The space fosters a “second home” feeling for its members, which makes sense given the 9-week class structures that encourage long-term bonding. The facilities are also massive, with more kilns and wheels than you can count.
Because of its popularity, securing a spot can be competitive. Classes often fill up shortly after registration opens, though the waitlist moves.
Great facility, and the community of people is really great.
I have been coming to the Clay Lady’s Campus for 3 years, first as a student and now as a Shed Artist/member. They have such a great facility, and the community of people is really great.
– Hannah Shumate, Google Review
A rare gem of a community and an incredible family to be a part of.
I’ve been taking class at the Clay Lady studio since 2019 and may never stop! This is such a rare gem of a community and an incredible family to be a part of. It’s a creative outlet, of course, but it’s become so much more, having woven its way into my life in a way that I can never imagine it being extricated again! All levels of experience or lack thereof are welcome, don’t be intimidated! We’d love to have you!
– Alysse Sephel, Google Review
5. 7 Fine Arts
Website: https://www.7finearts.gallery/
Address: 801 12th Ave N #110
Contact: (732) 299-5488
Schedule: Hours Vary By Class
7 Fine Arts offers a distinct pivot from the other schools on this list by focusing heavily on specific technique and classical methods, particularly in oil painting.
Instructor Sheri Alimonda uses a proprietary teaching method that breaks down complex painting into manageable steps. It’s also the only spot on this list famous for offering unique Mosaic Lamp workshops.
The atmosphere is intimate and highly supportive. Sheri has a knack for making you believe you are an artist, even if you have never held a brush, and the results students produce are genuinely impressive.
You won’t find vague advice here. Every lesson is structured to build tangible confidence.
While the curriculum is specific to realism and mosaic crafting, those looking to master these styles will find the instruction unmatched.
It’s all in the technique, and not in the artists’ capabilities.
Sherry has a great teaching strategy; she sees the talent of every individual and knows how to guide and steer them in the right direction. Sherry also has a charm that makes the class atmosphere engaging. I must say, that 90% of the painting is done based through trusting her expertise, the other 10% is based on the person’s ability. Every painting will come out extraordinary, you just have to trust her knowledge. Its all in the technique, and not in the artists’ capabilities. Trust me!
– Jake Smith, Google Review
10/10 recommend!
Oil Painting class with Sheri was beyond anything I could’ve imagined it would be. She is incredibly present and intentional with the way she interacts with her students, and she radiates love for what she does. It’s contagious! I learned so much and I felt supported and guided the whole class. Sheri strikes an excellent balance of nurturing and creating a safe space to create, while also pushing you to make mistakes and try things out so she can help you overcome challenges. 10/10 recommend! Thank you Sheri!
– Matt & Cait Berry, Google Review
