COZY & CREATIVE. The Chippewa Valley's creative hubs span beyond just one artistic medium or age range; folks from all walks of life continue to gather in third spaces, local libraries, coffee shops, community clay centers and more. We've compiled a list of upcoming craft clubs and workshops for you to savor this winter season. (An ornament workshop at Half Moon Clay Center, pictured above)

I firmly believe this to be true (especially in the winter months): Eau Claire, Menomonie and Chippewa Falls have no shortage of things to do, places to eat and drink and spaces to discover. Yet, what excites many of us this time of year, is the chance to slow down and maybe pick up a new hobby or two – especially when it ties to the arts.

Our local community’s creative groups span beyond the confines of just one age or medium; folks from all walks of life and talents gather together in third spaces, coffee shops – even the home of a friend or loved one.

Want to channel your creative side this winter season? From glass fusing to quilting, woodworking and pottery, these are all the kinds of workshops and classes to take across the Chippewa Valley.

Half Moon Clay Center | Eau Claire

Half Moon Clay Center, (930 Galloway St., STE 117, Eau Claire) opened its doors in 2022 inside the historic Banbury Place studios. Led by ceramicist Whitney Stuart, the community center continues to offer month-long workshops to build the foundations of hand-building or throwing clay on the wheel. In addition to these weekly offerings, Half Moon Clay also features seasonal sip-and-spin events, solstice candelabra workshops, and even ceramic jewelry making courses.

Glaze N' Glass | Chippewa Falls

"The way we as humans live is always go, go, go." One Chippewa Falls creative arts business, Glaze N' Glass (24 W Cedar St.) welcomes patrons to its website and storefront with this truth – and an open call to slow down and enjoy the relaxing process of designing a one-of-a-kind ceramic glass and/or fused vessel of your own. Open Wednesday through Saturday, the glass studio has an open calendar from 10am-5pm for parties and small groups, birthday parties among others to schedule an appointment and decorate your own sculptures, tea set, glass plates and more.

The Imprompt | Cornell

An immersive art space, gallery and pottery studio is nestled within the town of Cornell at The Imprompt (100 S 1st St.). Founded by Marlee Agner just this year, the 2,000 square foot welcomes potters of all levels, offering memberships that include valuable wheel time, access to reclaimed clay, a selection of house glazes, and firing services. Between monthly rotating classes (view an up-to-date calendar view through The Imprompt's website online) and private events, there's something for beginning potters to experts alike.

West Wisconsin Wood Carvers Guild | Chippewa Falls, Eau Claire 

From whittling to carving and simple crafting to fully-immersed artistry, the West Wisconsin Wood Carvers Guild breathes new life into the material we often pass on walks in the great outdoors. This collective – with recurring meetings at the Chippewa Falls Senior Center (1100 Grand Ave., Chippewa Falls) and L.E. Phillips Center (1616 Bellinger St., Eau Claire) – was founded in 1987 and brings together carvers of all ages. The group will often begin meetings by sharing techniques, equipment and – most importantly – friendship.

Bring Your Own (BYO) Craft Night at SHIFT | Eau Claire

Paper Palette Company | Eau Claire

After 19 years as a local art instructor, one Eau Claire creative began her next artistic venture and introduced the Paper Palette Company (507 S. Barstow St.) to downtown Eau Claire. This imaginative new business – which opened in fall of this year – has created an inviting community space for artists, young and old alike, to come in and create things with paper. Paper Palette Company will share its weekly and monthly events or workshops online through Instagram and Facebook (@PaperPaletteCompany); they range between step-by-step guided sketching tutorials, finger-knitting and looming yarn, among other paper-centered workshops for young adults.

Menomonie Public Library | Menomonie

For residents in Menomonie, it will surely be a "January Jamboree" of creativity at the local library! The Menomonie Public Library (600 Wolske Bay Rd, Menomonie) will offer four, free to attend, weekly workshops for kiddos ages 7-12 on Thursdays from 4-5pm – with themed crafts including paper collages, lego building, building boxes with tape and other materials and origami demonstrations (led by a University of Wisconsin-Stout Japanese outreach coordinator).

L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library | Eau Claire

Eau Claire's local library (400 Eau Claire St.) is home to the "Dabble Box" makerspace, a do-it-yourself (DIY) program where guests of all ages can explore arts and crafts, along with technology resources not always available at home or in school. Open daily – with ranging hours available to view on the library's website, ecpubliclibrary.info – the Dabble Box will often host specialized classes and "Open Lab" sessions for residents to explore tools like 3D printing, drawing and painting, among other artistic mediums.

Check out other art workshops and craft events in the Chippewa Valley, online through VolumeOne.org/Events. (And if we missed something, feel free to send us a message with your craft club or group at editorial@volumeone.org.)