Spring is a season of growth. So why not take heed from nature and embark on some self-improvement, by way of learning a new skill? There’s a variety of options available for those in and around Glasgow, meaning you don’t even have to travel far to give these courses a go.
Cookery Classes at Ramekin and Rolling Pin
Unit 16 Whitegates Estate, Lenzie Road, Kirkintilloch
Various dates
Priced at £71 for a three-hour course
Plenty of us consider ourselves budding chefs – yet few people can claim to have any formal training. That could all change with an afternoon course at the Ramekin and Rolling Pin cookery school, in Kirkintilloch on the outskirts of Glasgow. They offer an array of exciting-sounding courses, including an Indonesian Street Food Workshop, a Korean Banchan Workshop and, for the bakers, a Braided Bread and Buns Workshop. All cookery is done under the guidance of a professional chef, but participants will also be taught about sustainability, provenance, and waste reduction. In the classes, where possible, you will use nothing but the finest locally, ethically and seasonally sourced ingredients. And best of all, as a social enterprise, all proceeds from the cookery masterclasses go towards providing free community-focused workshops for local people to cook healthy low-cost meals.
Splatter Art Class
15 Osborne Street, Glasgow
Various dates
£35 per person
You don’t need to be Vincent Van Gogh in order to fling some paint at a wall. But this is still art, just in a more fun and accessible format. Splatter Art has been a growing phenomenon among people looking to find a creative spark, as well as rediscovering a childhood instinct to make a mess without consequences.
Salsa at Academia de Salsa
Venue depends on chosen class
Various dates
Priced at £60 for seven weeks of classes
Keep fit, have fun, learn an impressive skill… salsa has it all. Academia de Salsa is Glasgow's largest and longest running salsa school, with a vast range of options to suit all abilities. Beginners’ classes welcome those with no prior experience – you don’t even need a partner – with the option to transfer up to the next level once you’ve completed seven weeks’ worth of classes. The £60 signup fee includes unlimited salsa, with as many 50-minute lessons as you can manage over the seven-week period. It also incorporates the cost of a free social event every Thursday at ARTA on Albion Street, making it a great way to meet new people.
Open Studio at the Glasgow School of Art
167 Renfrew Street, Glasgow
Various dates
Price varies depending on course chosen
The Glasgow School of Art is of the most respected art institutions in the country. Don’t think though, that this formidable reputation makes it unwelcoming to novices, with a range of beginners’ courses run through the ‘Open Studio’ programme. These include painting, drawing, jewellery, textiles, illustration, sculpture and more, all taught by professional artists and practitioners. You’ll be encouraged to continue your work between sessions, meaning you will learn how to develop a lifetime of creative practice – even opting for a more intensive week-long programme during the summer. There’s something for every skill level, with a Young Creatives programme that’s suitable for ages 7-15.
