So you’ve tried kimchi and didn’t burn your tongue on that “wild spice.” You’ve toured the DMZ and all the temples and palaces to tick the tourist qualification off your list. You’ve had enough wild nights out in Hongdae and Gangnam to get you into the drinking hall of fame. So now what?
How about trying your hand at creating something with your own hands? Remember what that was like? For some of us, it harkens back to playing with finger paints as a child, while others are just a few years out of art school.
No matter where they’re coming from, many people have a need to express themselves. The problem is it’s hard to find that creative outlet when living in a foreign land. Between the language barriers many of us face and the sheer size of the city, it can be pretty difficult to find what we’re looking for when in need of an art or craft experience.
Graduating with a degree in fine arts, it still took me three years here before I found a studio with a printing press to use and a regular life drawing session to drop in on. So we’ve put together a roundup of a bunch of great places in Seoul where you can get your creative juices flowing in English friendly environments.
Traditional Art
First up, if you’re interested in trying something cultural, the Seoul Museum of Art has regular workshops throughout the year in oriental ink painting where you can learn various traditional brush techniques to produce your own Asian masterpieces.
Also check out the Seoul Cultural Center to create Korean traditional handicrafts that you have probably either bought or seen at souvenir shops. They also have tons of other Korean culture activities at the center as well.
Jewelry
CYE Studio near MeaBong Station is the place to go for intensive jewelry making classes under master jeweler YoungEun Choi. In her small group classes from beginner to advanced levels you’ll learn about silversmithing, goldsmithing, wax carving and stone settings as well as gemology.
Ceramics
I get a lot of people contacting me about ceramics. So here are two options for the pottery lovers out there or for those just curious about giving it a try.
MORE Pottery Studio near Hyehwa Station (Hansung Univ. line 4) offer classes in wheel throwing, molding and hand painting.The Studio near Hyehwa Station>Hansung University Station (line 4) mudtoy0910@hotmail.com
JiHyun Chung Ceramist Studio in Garak dong (line 3) provides lessons in handbuilding & throwing, as well as glazing and firing. minnie0109@hotmail.com
Photography
Want to learn how to use that fancy camera you spent a month’s salary on? Sidiaz Photography offers creative workshops tailored to your equipment, whether it’s a DSLR or smartphone. These workshops combine theory with practice and provide tips to improve composition, lighting, and overall photographic skills. In-person classes are available for hands-on learning.
Located near Itaewon, this guesthouse offers panoramic views of Seoul alongside professional photography classes taught by Park Jae-heon, a photographer with over 30 years of experience. Stay for a month and learn photography while making friends from around the world.r.
Music
If you’re interested in expressing yourself through music, Lesson With You connects students with professional music instructors in Seoul for personalized lessons. They offer guitar (acoustic, electric, bass), piano, and music theory classes tailored to individual goals. Lessons can be scheduled flexibly and include options for trial sessions.
There’s also the Camarata Music Company if you’re after vocal lessons or more classical musical training. They also offer a number of performance opportunities if you’re interested in hitting the stage with a professional choral group. They’re also located in Haebangchon.
Leather Making
Interested in making your own fine leather bag wallet, Chad Keane Artelier in Myeongdong offers courses in hand stitching and saddle stitching throughout the week. Sign up for a course of 2 to 12 months and walk away with a great collection of high quality leather gear to make your friends envy you over.
Their website is mostly in Korean, but English instruction is offered and spoken well by their talented instructors. There is a trial class every Sunday, so stop by and give it a try. chadkeane@naver.com
For Children
Do you have kids? Sangsang Sketch is a creative kids café located in I’Park Mall, Yongsan. It offers arts and crafts activities, interactive games, and creative play zones for children. Staff supervision is available, making it a safe and engaging space for kids while the parents can enjoy their time at the café.
Drawing Club Studio
Drawing Club Studio provides a wide range of art workshops, including backdrop painting, fluid art, landscape drawing, and even Bearbrick painting classes. These workshops cater to all skill levels, from beginners to semi-professionals, and focus on techniques like working with acrylic paints, gradients, and abstract designs. It’s a great option for those looking to explore different art mediums in a professional yet relaxed environment.
