Too cold to play outside this winter? Stick to the indoors, and try a new art project instead! Whether you're trying a new hobby for the new year, creating a piece of decor for your home, or want to master the art of cooking for your guests, Eau Claire has no shortage of events and workshops all winter long that are sure to bring out your inner artist. So, let's get to work! Explore some of the best crafty things to do this winter in Eau Claire.
Photo: Half Moon Clay
Make Your Own Pottery at Half Moon Clay
Try something new this winter, and take a clay workshop at Half Moon Clay! This community clay studio is located at the historic Banbury Place and welcomes artists of all levels. Whether this is your first clay class or your 100th time making pottery, the instructors at Half Moon Clay make their classes feel incredibly comfortable and create an experience to remember. Sign up for classes like "Intro to Wheel" which is perfect for beginners, or "Sip & Spin" for the crafter who loves to pair their work with a drink! If you're an existing potter, Half Moon Clay also offers open studio memberships for those who have finished their level-2 course. Be sure to keep in touch with Half Moon Clay so you don't miss events that are added to their calendar; click here to find more info!
Paint a Wood Project at Board & Brush
Put your painting skills to the test this winter at Board & Brush Creative Studio in Eau Claire! This is the perfect activity to add to your girl's getaway itinerary in Eau Claire with wine and crafting. Here at Board & Brush, you can choose from multiple crafting experiences, but the most popular activity is the "Pick Your Project Workshop" where you select the size, shape, colors, and text for your wooden sign! The team at Board & Brush makes it easy and supplies all the materials you'll need and will walk you through step by step how to create your individualized masterpiece. Other workshops include DIY Doormats, Family Friendly Mini Signs, and more DIY creations. Click here to book your workshop at Board & Brush this winter!
Photo: Down to Earth Garden Center
Take a Plant Workshop at Down to Earth Garden Center
Life would succ without having plants to brighten up our homes! When you need to bring some more life into your spaces this winter, head to Down to Earth Garden Center for all of your plant and gardening needs. All throughout the year, Down to Earth offers select planting workshops to incorporate plants from every season! Sign up for Down to Earth's growing classes and create beautiful floral pieces that will add the perfect decorative touches to your homes– and learn about taking care of your plants, too! Click here to keep in touch with Down to Earth's event calendar and watch for new workshops added to the list!
Try a Cooking Class at Forage
Name a more romantic date night idea than taking a cooking class on a snowy, winter night... We'll wait! Forage in downtown Eau Claire is an event space and shared commercial kitchen that is perfect for testing recipes, hosting cooking classes, or catering parties. Expand your cooking skills and learn the art of pasta making, sushi making, healthy recipes, or even sign up to be wined and dined with gourmet, multi-course, international dishes. Keep up with events added to Forage's calendar, and sign up for the fun and functional cooking classes! Click here to see upcoming events.
Photo Credit: Northwoods Grazing
Make Charcuterie Boards with Northwoods Grazing
As they say at Northwoods Grazing, "Your eyes eat first." With charcuterie-making classes taught by Northwoods Grazing, you'll learn just how to master the art of crafting a beautiful cheese board! This charcuterie company is based out of Eau Claire, but they can be found all over the area teaching charcuterie board classes at places like Leinie Lodge, River Bend Winery, and other wineries and breweries in the area. Follow along on Northwoods Grazing's social media accounts to stay in the know of upcoming workshops in the Eau Claire area, and learn how to craft charcuterie boards that will "wow" all of your guests!
Explore More of The Art Scene in Eau Claire
Eau Claire Sculpture Tour
The largest sculpture tour in the nation is located right here in Eau Claire, and with over 150 sculptures, you can find stunning pieces of art scattered all throughout Eau Claire! View impressive, handcrafted sculptures that depict dinosaurs, horses, bears, roosters, giant guitars, and so much more. Visit the Eau Claire Sculpture Tour website to see an interactive map of the tour, see photos of this year's and past year's sculptures, and vote for your favorite!
Color Block
Color Block is another free public art project created in conjunction with the Eau Claire Sculpture Tour and allows emerging artists to create vibrant murals for Eau Claire and Altoona! See funky, eclectic murals on buildings, underpasses, utility boxes, and more throughout the city, and enjoy the talent & life that Color Block brings to the area! Click here to read more and see photos of existing murals.
Live Music & Entertainment at the Pablo Center
This winter, catch a concert, Broadway show, and more live entertainment at the Pablo Center at the Confluence! Plan an entire date night filled with dinner, shopping, browsing the galleries at the Pablo Center, and seeing performers like Christ Kroeze, Charlie Berens, Them Coulee Boys, and more! Click here to see all the performances coming to Eau Claire this season at the Pablo Center!
2 Roots Gallery
This downtown art gallery doubles as a self-serve wine bar with over 100 wines by the glass. Here at 2 Roots Gallery, you can take in local artwork, tune into live music events, and sip on on huge selection of wine. In fact, 2 Roots is working towards serving the largest wine list in the country with currently over 2,000 different bottles of wine. Click here to check out more about 2 Roots Gallery and to see their live music event calendar!