Get Crafty: The Best Martha’s Vineyard Classes & Workshops

Not all souvenirs come in boxes — consider bringing home a new skill from your next Martha’s Vineyard trip. Master craftspeople in fields from cooking to painting, fishing to the performing arts, call this island home, and many of them take pride in passing their skills onto the island’s visitors. The next time there’s a rainy day or you’re just looking for a break from the beach, stop into these Martha’s Vineyard classes. Who knows? You just might make some of your fondest vacation memories.

For Chefs and Foodies – Martha’s Vineyard Cooking Classes

Martha’s Vineyard is obviously brimming with fresh seafood, but the abundance of local meat, dairy, and produce might take you by surprise. You’ll leave the following Martha’s Vineyard classes with a full stomach and an island-inspired recipe. Connect with local farmers and fishermen with a visit to Kitchen Porch, or consider a more focused workshop and sign up for one of Farm.Field.Sea’s signature classes (personally, we’re crazy for their cheesemaking demonstrations). For those seeking to explore the nuances of a specific skill set — say, soupmaking or vegetarian cooking— hop over to West Tisbury Kitchen Lab‘s mahogany countertop for a session with Chef Catherine Walthers.

Martha’s Vineyard Painting & Art Classes

Try your hand at a new medium and bring the island’s sailboats, beaches, and lighthouses — or whatever your heart desires — to life. If you’ve strolled the few blocks down to Edgartown’s Memorial Wharf from Vineyard Square, you’ve almost certainly noticed Old Sculpin Gallery. Head there to refine your drawing and painting of seascapes and local flora with instruction from the Martha’s Vineyard Art Association. Featherstone Center for the Arts also offers classes for both beginners and experienced painters, allowing art-minded islanders to hone their skills with watercolor, acrylic, and pastel.

Dance & Music Classes on Martha’s Vineyard

Days of watching the waves dance along the shores just make you want to move! Drop in to Dance the Yard‘s gorgeous open-air studio during the summer months for a relaxed class open to all levels. If words like Tango, Salsa, Mambo, and Fox Trot make your feet start to tap, Ballroom Dance MV‘s weekly gatherings can get you stepping across the floor and on your way to impressing your friends with your ballroom dancing know-how. Prefer making music to moving to it? The weekly ukulele jams and workshops at Featherstone Center for the Arts are a personal favorite of one of Vineyard Square’s owners. Their fun, lighthearted atmosphere lets uke players of all ability levels make great music.

History, Fishing, and More

Explore island geography or architecture or perfect your shore casting technique with an in-depth summer class from ACE MV. Some of these Martha’s Vineyard classes meet in multiple sessions throughout the summer, but many are perfect for visitors with just one or two meetings.

Martha’s Vineyard Classes in Knitting and Quilting

Knitters, your island home is Heath Hen Yarn & Quilt Shop. Learn new tricks or finish a project at one of their drop-in classes. And feel free to bring your yarn to the beach — we won’t judge.

No matter what makes your heart sing, Martha’s Vineyard classes can give you a dose of island expertise to bring back to the mainland. And, once you’ve danced, cooked, or quilted your way across Martha’s Vineyard, head back to the Square and show off you skills — our whole team is eager to cheer you on.