7 Creative Spaces in Toronto

From the budding artist to the soon-to-be-featured jewellery designer, tap into the artsy vein and discover talent while letting your kids express themselves. These seven creative Toronto businesses deliver experiences with something for everyone involved.

At the Freehand School of Art, creativity is unleashed through drawing, painting, sculpting and mixed media. Run by a mom and daughter team, former elementary and visual arts teachers, the small inventive art classes (for ages four and up) in a bright studio in North Toronto offer an interactive educational element in each class which then inspires the creative craft to be completed afterwards. It'll make an impression on any future impressionist or modern artist(s) to be.

So you think you can sew? When the creative role-modelling in your home is exemplified by a badly sewn-on button, it's probably time to take a future designing diva to a professional. Sew Be It Studio offers classes for boys and girls ages 8 to 13 (as well as a mother/daughter class) where they'll learn to hand-stitch, use a sewing machine, make a pattern and more. Being sew-savvy is definitely in fashion.

The Gardiner Museum, Canada's only museum dedicated to ceramics, has had a bit of a rebirth. But we've known the secret of their amazing children's classes for a while. If you have a child six years or older who likes to get their hands dirty (what kid doesn't?), we recommend you check out the Open Clay Studio and make some space on your bookshelves for the incredible clay creations that will come home.

Both kids and parents can enjoy their own pursuits separately, but together, at the Seasons Family Centre in the Bathurst and Davenport area. Started by an art therapist and a teacher, it's no surprise that there's something for everyone, with classes for babies as young as four months-old, all the way up to adults. The centre offers three spaces: an art studio, a kitchen, and an interactive play/yoga and Pilates area. We'd love this concept in any season.

Consider Toronto's 4Cats Art Studio. The city's first location, on Avenue Road, offers age-appropriate art classes for kids (and adults), including their successful Artist of the Month classes which run for up to seven weeks. These fun and focused sessions immerse and educate participants in the life and style of the masters, including Van Gogh and Warhol. Along with classes in clay and sculpting, drawing, and mixed media, 4 Cats Art Studio also offers workshops, camps and birthday parties throughout the year.

While we moms appreciate popcorn necklaces and bowtie pasta brooches (that we wear with pride), you'll be amazed by what your kids can create with beautiful materials and some creative guidance. Designher Co., located on Avenue Road in the Bedford Park neighbourhood, is the place in the city for the ‘high-end craft connoisseur.' In a chic space, kids ages seven and up create and decorate stunning home decor and jewellery that you'll want to borrow.

For kids ages four and up, The Centre for Art & Soul has been a favourite place for west-end families promoting children's arts and wellness through visual arts, music, theatre and yoga. From The Very Fine Artist (visual arts), Shakespeare in Tune (drama and musical theatre), The Downward Drawing (yoga and art) and Stage with a Paintbrush (drama and art), they focus on enhancing creativity, educating the mind and stimulating the soul.