Find your inner artist with these 7 art classes around Atlanta

Have you always wanted to paint on a canvas, throw pottery on a wheel or attempt blacksmithing, but never seemed to find the time? Maybe you feel nervous trying something new. Never fear.

Atlanta offers an array of opportunities and variety of mediums for those with a penchant for the arts.

With all the classes and programs found throughout the Atlanta area, you can easily unleash your inner artist and discover a talent you never knew you had.

Here's what you can find at some of the top art centers and studios around metro Atlanta.

Drawing at Spruill Center for the Arts

5339 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Atlanta. 770-394-3447. www.spruillarts.org.

Classes available for adults, teens and children.

Prices range from $165 to $230 per session.

Course offerings:

• Figure Drawing

Explores spatial relationships, basic elements and more advanced techniques for drawing the human body.

• Drawing Pet Portraits

Utilizing techniques demonstrated in classes, you'll capture your favorite pet using a photo as a reference.

• Portrait Drawing

Learn how to successfully draw a realistic human face in this focused portrait drawing class.

Glassblowing at Decatur Glassblowing

250 Freeman St., Decatur. 404-849-0301. www.decaturglassblowing.com.

Classes available for adults and accompanied teens and children 10 and over.

Prices range from $120 to $250 per session.

Course offerings:

• Private and group glassblowing classes offered year-round.

Each class will begin with an explanation of safety and proper usage of tools and equipment, followed by demonstrations and step-by-step instructions for making your own one-of-a-kind glass creation. Choose private classes for up to four people or a group class with a specific focus.

Pottery at Callanwolde

Pottery at Callanwolde Fine Arts Center

980 Briarcliff Road NE, Atlanta. 404-872-5338. www.callanwolde.org.

Classes available for adults, teens and children.

Prices around $210 per session.

Course offerings:

• Handbuilding

This course is recommended before beginning on the wheel, and it helps you gain a solid grasp of the specifics of working with clay. Students will learn pinch, coil and slab clay construction.

• Pottery on the Wheel

Offered to beginner and intermediate students, this introduction to a potter's wheel will teach you the basics of throwing, design and decorative pottery techniques.

Jewelry making at Atlanta Art Worx

585 Cobb Pkwy South, Studio, G-1. Marietta. 404-532-9679. www.atlantaartworx.com.

Classes available for adults and supervised teens.

Prices range from $115 to $275 per session.

Course offerings:

• Introduction to Metalsmithing Workshop

Discover the basics of metalsmithing at this hands-on workshop that will cover torch/tank safety, torch soldering, texturing, joins, hammers and mallets, embellishments and more.

• Jewelry Making

Offered to beginner and intermediate students, this course will cover using a jeweler's saw, cutting and piercing, soldering with gas, setting stones and finishing your piece.

Fibercraft at Marietta/Cobb Museum of Art

30 Atlanta St. SE, Marietta. 770-528-1444. www.mariettacobbartmuseum.org.

Classes available for adults, teens and children.

Prices range from $35 to $220 per session.

Course offerings:

• 3-D Needlefelting

Learn how to transform and sculpt wool, roving into beautiful 3-D forms using barbed felting needles at this beginner-friendly class.

• 2-D Needlefelting

Create your own needle felted work of art on an embroidery hoop, which you can enjoy as a decorative wall hanging.

Painting at Johns Creek Arts Center

6290 Abbotts Bridge Road, Building 700, Johns Creek. 770-623-8448. www.johnscreekarts.org.

Classes available for adults, teens and children.

Prices range from $25 to $190 per session.

Course offerings:

• Watercolor

Suitable for all ability levels, this watercolor painting course will cover tools, materials, techniques and tips to help you work with this gentle and intuitive medium.

• Oils and Acrylics Introduction

This course designed for beginning painters will cover how to use paint supplies, the differences between oil and acrylic paints and the basics you need to get started.

• Painting Techniques

Further your painting skills with this class, which combines lectures, demonstrations and hands-on activities to improve your compositions.

Local artist Masa Sasaki hand paints fanciful details onto his ceramic pieces, such as this rice keeper. See Sasaki's work through Dec. 23 at Spruill Center for the Arts Gallery in Atlanta. Photo credit: Masa Sasaki

Blacksmithing at Spruill Center for the Arts

5339 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Atlanta. 770-394-3447. www.spruillarts.org.

Classes available for adults and teens.

Prices range from $150 to $355 per session.

Course offerings:

• Basic Blacksmithing

If you've ever wanted to learn the basics of blacksmithing, this is the course for you. It covers everything from building and maintaining your forge fire to working with tools to create basic forms.

• Forge a Flint and Steel Fire Striker

Create your own forged fire-making toolkit using basic forging skills.