If you are looking for arts and crafts for kids on the Upper North Shore, we have eight art schools and studios listed, from Roseville and Killara to Pymble, Gordon and Hornsby. No arts events or one-off classes are listed right now, so this guide is about the studios that run regular programs.
Where the studios are
The listings are spread along the rail line and the main roads, so there is often one within a short drive. Here is where they sit:
- Roseville: Ku-ring-gai Art Centre
- Killara: WonderLab Creative Studio
- Gordon: Global Art Gordon
- Pymble: Distinction Arts, and Couture Arts Fashion Academy and Sewing School
- Hornsby: Sydney Art School and Global Art Hornsby
- Crimson Hill: ArtBeat Painting Studio
The clubs and studios below this guide link to each one. We have not been given their timetables, fees or age ranges, so please check those with each studio directly.
Different kinds of creative
Not every studio does the same thing. Some names point to general art schools, one points to painting, and the Couture Arts Fashion Academy and Sewing School in Pymble points to sewing and fashion. If your child loves making clothes, that one is worth a look. If they just like to paint, start with the painting studio and the art schools. Ask each place what a typical class covers, because the name alone will not tell you.
Questions to ask before you book
A few simple questions make it easier to compare studios:
- What ages does the class take, and is my child in a group of similar age?
- Is there a trial lesson or a single visit before I commit to a term?
- Are materials included, or do I need to buy them?
- Can I stay and watch, or is it drop-off?
- What happens if we miss a week?
Planning around the family
Pymble and Hornsby each have two studios listed, so you can compare without driving far. If you have more than one child, look for a studio close to another activity so one trip covers both. Parking and traffic around the main shopping streets can slow things down, so allow a little extra time for the first visit.
We are still adding arts events and one-off workshops for the Upper North Shore. Until then, the studios' own pages and phone numbers are the place to get the latest details on what is running and whether there is a spot.
