August in NYC: Art, Adventures & Unexpected Weather

Welcome to The Creativity Digest, a monthly newsletter series from Akin! We’re bringing you some of the most interesting creative classes, workshops, events, and pop-ups around New York City every month so that you can find your creative community.

Photo by Europeana on Unsplash

How is it already August?!

This summer feels like it's flying by at warp speed, and with all the wild weather NYC has been throwing at us lately – from those sudden downpours to the unpredictable storms – we hope you're all staying dry and safe out there.

Whether you've been dodging puddles or embracing the moody skies as artistic inspiration, there's still plenty of summer left to explore, create, and connect. Here's what we're excited about this month:

What else is new?

Easier event submissions: We've streamlined the process! Fill out this form to get your events featured in our weekly Instagram roundups and monthly newsletter. Please note the submission deadlines – they're important!

Discover NYC's Secret Photography Spots: Skip the tourist traps and explore hidden cobblestone streets, secret courtyards, and forgotten alleyways of NYC - plus insider tips on the perfect times to shoot for that golden hour magic ✨

Read our chat with Riki, founder of After Hours Club: Go behind the scenes with Riki of After Hours Club, who's creating judgment-free spaces where overstressed New Yorkers can shut off their minds, use their hands, and rediscover the simple joy of creating (no artistic skills required!) 🎨

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Creative Happenings

Try something new with a workshop:

August 7th: Get creative with acrylic paint and collage for a night of mixed media! Let's get messy. ($45) A Third Place at The Moxy Hotel in Williamsburg

August 9th: Learn Butterflies & Moths with watercolor in this online session with Claire Wilson-Oghedo. ($40) Case for Making online

August 10th: Join an amazing FREE community sculpture workshop - listen to stories and use your imagination to create clay sculptures with Artshack Brooklyn! All ages welcome. (FREE) Hilltop Playground in Prospect Heights

August 10th: Join Lyric II- an evening of live music and readings featuring musician Honey Marmalade and writers Tangie Mitchell, Phil SaintDenisSanchez, Tariq Thompson, and Hua Xi. ($10) Accent Sisters in Upper East Side

August 12th: Paint pre-made pottery pieces in this pottery painting workshop - perfect for all ages and experience levels. ($65-$70) Hoboken Historical Museum in Hoboken

August 14th: Join this abstract and intuitive paint-and-sip workshop for a peaceful, healing space to decompress and creatively express yourself. ($50) From Here to Sunday in Manhattan

August 16th: Level up your surface game with this one-day glaze intensive exploring advanced ceramics techniques like layering, masking, and underglaze painting. ($165) Dirt Bag Art Haus in Brooklyn

August 20th: Learn tattoo for beginners with resident tattoo guru Stabby Angel - covering tattoo machine basics, applying stencils and getting into line work! ($75) A Third Place at Moxy Hotel in Williamsburg

August 24th: Reflect, connect and create in this outdoor art therapy session that offers a creative space to therapeutically explore themes of hope, renewal, growth and change through art materials. (FREE) Hilltop Playground in Prospect Heights

Up-level with a class series:

July 13 - August 17: Join this 6-week Beginner Wheel pottery course on Sundays including studio clay, tool usage, glazing and kiln firings. ($490) Bushwick Ceramics in Bushwick

August-September: Master the 7-class storytelling workshop designed to make you an expert on the key elements of a great story - explore speed drills, memory mining, and turn your past experiences into brilliant works of art. Choose between Tuesdays or Thursdays. ($385) Written in Brooklyn over Zoom

Fri&Sat in August: Join the Happy Hour Craft Circle - a wholesome way to meet new people and work on your projects alongside a crafty community! Knitters, crocheters, and all crafters welcome. ($5-$15 sliding scale, includes $5 off first drink) Cleo's Yarn Shop in Greenpoint

Attend a fun creative event:

August 5th: Join the "No Ordinary Love" book launch party featuring Jen Winston with grotto cocktails, readings, and rooftop vibes. ($25) The Turk's Inn in Bushwick

August 7th: Experience "The Rhythm of Connection" - a soulful gathering blending intention, culture, and rhythm with live Latin music and salsa dancing. ($60) The Full at Culture Lab LIC in Long Island City

August 9th: Don't miss south Brooklyn's only free, family-friendly arts and music festival - the 3rd annual Canarsie FAM with local artists and community vibes. (FREE) Canarsie Park in Canarsie

August 9-10th: Join the inaugural NoMad Jazz Festival for free live jazz in the heart of NYC with unforgettable performances. (FREE) NoMad in Flatiron

August 10th: Shop small handmade goods from local artists at this outdoor Queens Makers Market with unique OOAK gifts. (FREE) Culture Lab LIC in Long Island City

August 12th, 26th: Enjoy family-friendly favorites and NYC throwback films at Movie Nights with pre-show DJ sets, plus 20% off ice cream. (FREE) Domino Park in Williamsburg

August 16th: Join the inaugural Queens Storytelling Festival featuring local NYC storytellers with live performances, panelists, and ghost stories. ($25-45) QED Astoria in Astoria

August 24th: Share your original songs at Songwriter Rounds followed by an open mic in this supportive music community. ($10-$15) Houghton Hall Arts Community in Manhattan

August 27th: Enjoy bottles and board games night with wine, games, and fun in an intimate cellar space. ($15) Bibliotheque in SoHo

August 31st: Join the Mrs. Dalloway bookclub with scholar Xiao Yizhi for an online discussion exploring Virginia Woolf's 100-year-old masterpiece and its modern interpretations. ($25) Accent Sisters via Zoom

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Support Us!

Do you know of a community-driven creative studio, art cafe, third place, or maker space that isn't on our directory? Are you a business owner of a space where people can discover new hobbies, develop skills, or connect through creative activities?

Fill out our form to get the business added to our directory! We're expanding our listings to include all kinds of places where curiosity and learning thrive—from pottery studios and art cafes to cooking schools, music spaces, dance studios, woodworking shops, and more.

Submit a Business here!

Follow us on instagram @discoverakin for the most up to date news & exclusive content. Tag us whenever you do something creative to be featured on our page!

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Happy creating and thank you for joining us on this creative journey!

Visit Akin to access the directory and learn more about us.

Until next time,

Your Creativity Guides 👨‍🎨