For anyone who’s ever thought art was only for the Frida Kahlos and Andy Warhols of the world, Groundworks Art Lab is here to prove you wrong. This Boulder-based nonprofit aims to make creating fine art more accessible to the general public by offering beginner-friendly classes in five different mediums. “We primarily serve community members who have little to no experience in these art forms,” says executive director Kari Palazzari. “We are providing a foundational experience for people to enter these art forms as hobbyists or, in the case of a few, as a new career. It is powerful that the groundwork of their experiences can come from a community class.”

Starting October 5, burgeoning artists will have a brand-new (and much bigger) Groundworks space to channel their inner Bob Ross. The nonprofit recently opened a facility in northeast Boulder (3750 Canfield Street), which joins its existing pottery lab (1010 Aurora Avenue) and another class studio (3063 East Sterling Circle).

But while this third facility is new, Groundworks’ history dates back to the mid-1950s. Betty Woodman, an internationally acclaimed potter, persuaded the City of Boulder to locate her program in the historic Fire Station 2 on University Hill. It was the first city-supported pottery program in the country, and it was run by the Parks and Recreation Department for more than 60 years. Studio Arts Boulder agreed to take over the program from the city in 2015, and it rebranded as Groundworks Art Lab earlier this year.

Groundworks, which served nearly 9,000 students last year, according to Palazzari, should be able to increase its registration with the new space, which doubles the school’s capacity in clay and adds four new art forms to the curriculum: wood, metal, print, and glass. “What we saw coming out of the pandemic was that demand for hands-on art programs was skyrocketing,” Palazzari says. “People really wanted to get off their screens. They wanted to do things with their hands. They wanted to be in a social environment, and that led to a big spike in our waitlist. Now that we’ve opened, there are no waitlists anymore. Now we have the capacity to teach everybody who wants to take a class.”

To celebrate the opening, Groundworks is hosting a Grand Open House this Saturday, October 5, from 2 to 7 p.m. Visitors can explore the new space, meet the instructors, and learn about the upcoming class schedule, which begins on October 21 and runs through December 22. With so many options available, here are five classes you will not want to miss across all three locations.

1. Introduction to Woodworking

Woodworking is one of the new mediums offered at Groundworks Art Lab’s main campus. Photo courtesy of Groundworks Art Lab
  • Location: Main (3750 Canfield Street, Boulder)
  • Days: Tuesdays, 2–4:15 p.m. or Fridays, 5:45–8 p.m.
  • Cost: $275

If you’re looking to sharpen your woodworking skills and walk away with something you can actually use, this four-week class is the perfect fit. Over the four sessions, you’ll create a set of four sushi place settings, a cutting board, and chopsticks. Participants can embellish them with pyrography (wood burning) or wood carving. “People love that they’re making something both functional and personal,” says Palazzari. “There’s nothing quite like eating off a set you’ve crafted with your own two hands.”

2. Printing Holiday Cards

  • Location: Main (3750 Canfield Street, Boulder)
  • Days: Wednesdays, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
  • Cost: $245

Let’s be honest, if you don’t get your holiday cards ready by the end of October, you’re probably never going to do them. Cross something off your to-do list early this holiday season—and with considerably more joy—in Groundworks’ printing holiday cards class. You’ll learn the fundamentals of relief printmaking on linoleum, which involves carving a design on a block, applying ink to the surface, and pressing it against paper to transfer the image. Each session includes a short instructor demo followed by hands-on practice, where you’ll carve a linoleum block, mix and roll ink, and make a print using the press. All materials are provided, and attendees will leave with a stack of custom cards.

3. Introduction to Blacksmithing

Learn the basics of blacksmithing at Groundworks’ new main campus. Photo courtesy of Groundworks Art Lab
  • Location: Main (3750 Canfield Street, Boulder)
  • Days: Fridays, 6–9 p.m.
  • Cost: $410

The ancient craft of blacksmithing doesn’t have to be restricted to the Renaissance fair. In this blacksmithing course, learn how to shape metal into objects under the guidance of a highly experienced blacksmith. As a beginner, you’ll learn about various metal-shaping techniques, such as bending and tapering, as well as shop safety, basic fire management, and how to use an anvil properly. By the time the session wraps, you’ll have all the know-how you need to be a contestant on Forged in Fire.

4. Book Arts League Classes

  • Location: East (3063 East Sterling Circle, Boulder)
  • Days: Oct. 19, Oct. 20, Nov. 2, Nov. 3, and Nov. 13; times vary
  • Cost: $140–$250

If you’re the kind of person who gets a rush from the smell of paperbacks and the feel of a book in your hand, these classes are about to become your new happy place. Groundworks Art Lab partnered with the Book Arts League to offer courses on things like letterpress, bookbinding, and paper arts for all of Boulder’s bibliophiles. So whether you want to learn the Japanese art of momigami (making kneaded paper out of paste) or bind your own mini sketchbook, this suite of classes lets you learn in a supportive, low-stakes environment.

5. Clay Date Nights

Throw, glaze, and fire your own creation in a clay class. Photo courtesy of Groundworks Art Lab
  • Location: The Hill (1010 Aurora Avenue, Boulder)
  • Days: Saturdays, 7 to 9 p.m.
  • Cost: $60 per person

These weekly events are Boulder’s version of dinner and a movie, except way more memorable (and a little messier). Over two hours, you’ll learn the basics of wheel-throwing alongside other creative couples. At the end of the night, Groundworks will glaze and fire your favorite creation, which will be ready for pickup in about four weeks. And if you fall in love with the process and want more of your art finished, it’s just $5 per additional piece. This is the nonprofit’s most popular event, so Palazzari recommends purchasing your tickets in advance.

Groundworks Art Lab is located at 3750 Canfield St., 1010 Aurora Ave., and 3063 E. Sterling Cir., Boulder. Check out Groundworks Art Lab’s website for the full class schedule and pricing.