Art Classes in Baltimore

Looking to express your artistic side? Perhaps you’ve always wanted to know how to use Adobe Photoshop. Or maybe you want to publish your own website. Always wanted to learn to paint or sketch? The Creative Alliance in the Patterson Park neighborhood of Baltimore is the perfect place to learn all of these things and more through their programs and workshops.

The Creative Alliance is a non-profit, community based organization that is dedicated to bringing art, in all its forms, to the communities of Baltimore. While it is located in Patterson Park and principally serves the surrounding communities of Fells’ Point, Canton, and Butcher’s Hill in the southeast, it is open to anyone from Baltimore or the surrounding suburbs.

The organization has been around since 1995, and it has grown through the support of grants and donations. The organization started in Fells Point, but outgrew the space and moved to its new home in The Patterson Theatre in May of 2003. The new location contains two art galleries, a 250-seat theater, several art labs, and living quarters for resident artists.

The Creative Alliance offers many courses in a variety of different areas. Their main areas of focus are: “Film, Video & Digital”, “Kids & Community”, “Music, Performance & Writing”, and “Visual Arts.” A quick scan of their courses list reveals the depth of instruction that is available: “Introduction to Illustrator,” “Advanced Songwriters Critiques” and “Life Drawing” are just some of the courses that are being offered throughout the end of 2005. Each season, they add new courses to the list, so be sure to check the website frequently if there is nothing that interests you right now. Most of the courses are offered at night or on the weekends (which is perfect for working professionals looking to take up an additional hobby), and take place in one or several sessions. During the holidays, there are even special courses such as a wreathmaking field trip and a course on designing woodblock holiday cards.

Courses range in price from as much as $90 for several sessions for non-members to as little as $3 for a single session for members. Some classes, workshops, and round table discussions are free. It is important to register early for courses because some fill up quickly and there are additional fees for late registration.

If you enjoy the Creative Alliance and want to help support it, there are several levels of membership, from student ($25) to A-List ($1,000). Membership brings discounts and good karma, but you do not have to be a member of the Creative Alliance to enjoy the classes. That is one of the best parts about the Creative Alliance – everyone is welcoming and supportive, as long as you are equally as open-minded.

The Creative Alliance is located in the Patterson Theater at 3134 Eastern Avenue, Baltimore Maryland 21224. The phone number is 410-276-1651 and the fax number is 410-276-3206.

For a full list of courses, workshops and events, you can stop by the Patters on Theater or visit the website at www.creativealliance.org. The Creative Alliance is open Wednesday through Saturday from 11am to 5am.