Six Creative Classes in Brisbane for When You Want a New Post-Iso Hobby

in partnership with

If 2020 has taught us anything, it's how much we value both creativity and community in tough times. Cast your mind back to those early housebound days: it was all a rush of sourdough starters and tie dyeing tracksuits. Wholesome, right? While some of those iso trends can stay firmly in the past (Dalgona coffee, we're looking at you), that shared creativity really sparked a sense of togetherness during an utterly bonkers time.

As Brisbane continues to open up, it's time to rediscover the creative outlets our city has to offer. In partnership with LEGO Art, which is a new range of adult-friendly wall art including one featuring The Beatles, we've put together a list of creative classes so that you can craft a new 2020 hobby that doesn't have the aftertaste of being a lockdown trend. With these classes, you can get green-thumbed, musical or creative in the kitchen. It's now up to you to get started.

Flickr; Gergely Hideg

CRAFT A NEW MOSSY HOUSEMATE

If you're a fan of minimalist design, then you might have noticed these delicate Japanese string ball plants dotting your Instagram feed. Kokedama loosely translates to 'moss ball', and these hanging beauties are essentially living sculptures. If you'd like some guidance in how to create a moss ball to be proud of, join one of The Soul Pantry's upcoming sessions, which are held several times a month at Mappins Nursery, West End. During the two-hour class, everyone will make both a large and a small kokedama, and display bowls will also be provided for participants to take home. Workshops are $95 and you can book into an upcoming class, here.

PERFECT YOUR BRUSH STROKE

Sometimes, it just takes a few glasses of vino to unleash a wave of creativity, and the team at Cork & Chroma is here to help you channel that artistic flair. Classes are held daily, so all you need to do is book a seat and BYO drinks (anything except spirits). Each class lasts for three hours, which includes time for paint drying breaks, and opportunities to admire everyone's work. If your painting skills tend to be a bit more abstract, don't despair; Cork & Chroma encourages everyone to let their imagination run wild. Under the friendly tutelage of its resident artists, you'll go from rookie to Rembrandt in no time. Find Cork & Chroma at Montague Road and Little Stanley Street, and expect to fork out $60 per person per session.

CHURN YOUR OWN CHEESE

If you've been surviving exclusively on cheese since March (same), then you're probably ready to branch out from store-bought brie. This two-hour Cheese Making Basics class is held every few weeks at Work-Shop in Newstead. Your hosts Valerie and Joanne are experts in cheese making and sustainable living. The $65 class kicks off with wine on arrival, while you watch the ladies prepare a fresh batch of mozzarella. You'll get recipes and tips on how to make your favourite cheese, plus the chance to taste handmade feta and quark. Trust us, your next charcuterie board is in for a serious glow up. If you're unable to make the classes at Work-Shop, you can find more of their classes here.

Alex Lawton

MAKE WEARABLE ART

Mark 2020 down as the year that earrings became the MVP of the jewellery world. Countless hours spent on Zoom calls meant that a pair of bold hoops (and some bright lipstick) could elevate any loungewear look to 'corporate professional' in an instant. If your accessory collection needs a quick update, then grab a spot at this Flora and Fauna Earring Making Workshop at Colab 4010 in Albion. Led by jewellery designer Alex Lawton (aka Lazer Unicorn), each participant will create four pairs of acrylic earrings over three hours. No experience is required, and all equipment is provided. Choose from a range of hand-drawn flora and fauna designs, such as proteas, gumnuts and bottle brushes, and then customise each piece to create your own bespoke jewellery. Each class is $120, and you get a $5 discount if you book in with a mate.

SIGN UP FOR A NIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY COURSE

Anyone else have a digital camera gathering dust in a forgotten drawer? This one's for you. Award-winning photographer Alfonso Calero recruits some of Australia's brightest talents to lead photography workshops across the country. This $99 nighttime course is a great chance to learn how to juggle those tricky low-light situations, while shooting some of Brisbane's iconic locations, such as the Kangaroo Point Cliffs and the Storey Bridge. Classes run on one Saturday evening per month, and each lasts for three hours. Just make sure your camera is fully charged, and bring a tripod to get those slow shutter speed shots looking super slick.

JOIN A COMMUNITY CHOIR

If you've ever had aspirations to audition for The Voice, or join a glee club, perhaps it's time you joined a community choir? Cheep Trill is so much fun it'll have you singing in the streets as you meander home after class. Sign up for an eight- or ten-week term of weekly rehearsals, then take part in a live performance of contemporary vocal arrangements and mashups. No audition is required, and Cheep Trill encourages everyone from shower singers to experienced entertainers to join. Past choirs have performed at Laneway Festival, the Brisbane Powerhouse and the QPAC Concert Hall (and they're known for a good flash mob, too). Cheep Trill is planning to return to in-person rehearsals later this year, which it runs at Woolloongabba and Enoggera. It's $150 for one session a week, or $225 for two. And it definitely beats lip syncing to Cardi B on Tik Tok, we promise.

Discover more about the new LEGO Art range, here.