November in NYC: Dream Out Loud This Month

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. It’s time to turn your local neighborhood into your creative playground!

When Dreams Become Reality

November feels like the right time to get honest with ourselves about what we really want to spend our time on, by redirecting and focusing on the fruits of our labor. People say that the grass is greener where you water it, and we believe it, too! Before the rest of the year slips away in a blur of holidays and never-ending obligations, let’s carve out some space to dream.

I’m talking about the kind of dreaming and imagining you do with your hands, stemming from a string of thoughts. Grab some paper and doodle what your ideal life looks like. Make a vision board by cutting magazines. Write down the things that make you feel most alive. There’s something really magical about getting your dreams out of your head and onto something you can see and touch.

Once you can see what you want, ask yourself what small thing you could do today to move closer to it. Not someday. Today. Maybe it’s a five-minute sketch, a text to someone you’ve been meaning to reach out to, or signing up for that thing you’ve been putting off. Perhaps a new class to try something new? Glassblowing, textile dyeing, book talks, or theater nights to name a few. What will you create space for this month when you give yourself permission to dream?

Photo by Ash Amplifies on Unsplash

Calling all writers & community builders!

Share your dreams: We want to see what you’re creating! Tag us (IG: @discoverakin) with your vision boards, dream doodles, or any projects you’re bringing to life this month. Let’s inspire each other through co-creation and

Collaboration Corner: Looking to partner with someone on a creative project? Drop a note to our email account (info@discoverakin.com) about what you’re working on or what skills you’re hoping to find. You never know who might be the perfect match.

Next newsletter for December: In a couple weeks, we’ll be sending out our annual reflection guide to help you process 2025 and set intentions for 2026. It will be a great way to create art to pick out your highlights from the year!

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Creative Happenings

Try something new with a workshop:

November 8th: Beeswax Candle-Making is happening at Wave HIll’s Mark Twain Room to craft your own autumn-themed rolled candle using fragrant sheets of beeswax. Decorate with colorful wax leaves to take home and enjoy. (FREE with Fall Foliage ticket purchase) – Website! – Wave Hill Cultural Center & Public Garden, Bronx

November 15: Creative Arts Workshop with Veterans Rebuilding Life. Hands on art session guided by teaching artists in a community studio setting, free for all veterans and their family members. Register here. (FREE with RSVP) – Astoria, Queens

November 15: BRAC Idea Generation Workshop for Bronx program and community needs. Enjoy a free lunch, childcare & live Spanish translation provided on-site, NYPL Library Cards, and enter our raffle for a chance to win a complimentary BRAC workshop or class! RSVP (FREE) West Farms, Bronx

November 16: Ever been curious about composting in NYC and how it works? There will be a Composting Systems Tools and Scales workshop at Queens Botanical Garden. It consists of a Master Composter series session with hands-on demonstrations and Q&A Session. Registration is required. (FREE) –Queensboro Hill, Queens

November 19: It’s NYC Jewelry Week again! Take a guided tour through Marei’s New York Private Tour during NYC Jewelry Week. Intimate behind the scenes visit to a working jewelry studio with conversation and shopping. Register here. (FREE) – Dumbo, Brooklyn

November 23: Join us for a free Printmaking Session at Queens Museum! This will be a bilingual workshop for adults to create linoleum and watercolor transfer prints. Guided by teaching artist Michelle Melo, you’ll create a linoleum print and a watercolor transfer, then merge both into a striking one-of-a-kind image. All materials provided. Free with suggested donation – Corona Park, Queens

Up-level with a class series:

November 4th-December 2nd: Students will learn the basics of drafting for knitting and garment shaping, different cast on processes, how to get a finished edge, how to increase and decrease, and garment finishing techniques. Students will walk away with a Machine Knitted garment based on their vision. Previous projects include sweaters, tank-tops and more! Website. ($470) – Textile Arts Center, Gowanus

November-January 21st: Dive into the world of Broadway hits, show tunes, and timeless American Songbook classics in a fun, uplifting environment. Whether you’re an experienced vocalist or new to singing, this Wednesday night class welcomes all levels. Located on the Upper East Side, this class offers a convenient, inspiring space for music enthusiasts to connect and explore their passion. Class calendar here. ($42) – Upper East Side, Manhattan

November 10th & December 4th: Come for one, or check out both Hip Hop Dance workshops! These workshops are a great way to stay connected with dancers between seasons, brush off the cobwebs, or check out DanceWorks for the first time in a low pressure, judgement free zone. Instructors Lenny and Gabriella will guide 18+ dancers through the upcoming November workshop. Register here. ($5 per class) – Astoria, Queens

Attend a fun creative event:

Weekends in November (Saturday & Sunday): In collaboration with celebrated local pastry chef Caroline Schiff, nominated by the James Beard Foundation for her nostalgic desserts at Gage & Tollner, we’re hosting a diner-inspired pop-up on the first floor. Don’t miss this exclusive menu! Walk-ins only (Museum Admission) — Brooklyn Museum, Prospect Heights

November 1st: Join Women of Culture on Saturday, November 1, for a meaningful and artful day (Día de los Muertos) honouring heritage, memory, and community. We’ll come together to share stories, connect with art and history, and celebrate life through culture, food, and tradition. ​— Greenwood Cemetery, Brooklyn

November 4th: Join us for MakeTime, a creative meetup for people who are looking to write, paint, edit, draw, or sketch more. Bring that uncolored watercolor, that half-written poem, that sketchbook that’s currently under a stack of receipts. We’ll provide a warm, encouraging space for everyone to dust off the creative cobwebs and make something—together! Make-Time now (FREE) — East Village, Manhattan

November 4th: The Bryant Park Jugglers provide free classes in the park throughout the year. Join in for a quick lesson, stay for the whole time, or just enjoy watching them put their skills to the test. They’re a friendly group and open to drop-ins, even if you catch them outside of the regular juggling lessons. Intrigued? (FREE) — Bryant Park, Manhattan

November 5th: Join us for Color & Sip, a cozy night of creativity, connection, and coloring outside the lines. We’ll sip wine, make art, and rediscover the simple joy of creating. Featuring pages from Drawing a Deep Breath, a collaborative coloring book that invites you to slow down and reconnect with your creativity. Buy tickets here ($28.52) — East Williamsburg, Brooklyn

November 6th-8th: The UrbanGlass Crafting Mastery Symposium is the perfect opportunity to network, experience the cultural landscape for the city, exchange ideas, and gain fresh insights into the world of glass education. Academic Symposium Page ($195) — Downtown Brooklyn

November 7th: In Samland, an artist presents the magical property he has been building and designing on Little Cranberry Island off the coast of MDI, Maine, for the past 30 years. Filmmakers in person. Tickets found here ($20) —Museum of the Moving Image, Astoria

November 9th: Highlighting Pioneer Works programs, artists-in-residence, and Red Hook community members, Second Sundays features open studios, exhibitions, workshops, live music, and food—with programming across all three floors and in our garden. Food and drink by Pioneer Works Bar. (FREE RSVP) — Red Hook, Brooklyn

November 10: Center for Book Arts talk and workshops week. There are multiple book art programming workshops with pay what you can and ticketed options. Think fiber arts as a form, introduction to natural dye applications, designing round boxes, and a photopolymer crash course. Browse and register here. (Pay what you can - up to $445) — Chelsea, Manhattan

November 12: Documentary filmmaking NYC (DOC NYC) festival begins with aims of connecting artists and audiences through powerful stories and diverse voices. Screenings and creator talks across IFC Center, Village East and SVA Theatre with in person and online options. Buy passes here. ($9-$30 depending on event) — Greenwich Village and East Village, Manhattan

November 13-December: Union Square Holiday market begins! Named the best holiday market in America in 2023, the Union Square Holiday Market welcomes 185 vendors featuring unique gifts created by local craftspeople, artists, and entrepreneurs. (FREE) — Union Square, Manhattan

November 15: New York Botanical Garden Holiday Train Show opening day. Iconic model trains weave through landmark recreations in the conservatory. Tickets here. ($25-$35) — Bedford Park, Bronx

November 19: Who Brings What to the Table at NYC Jewelry Week. Panel from contemporary jewelry artists and a community salon will be available on jewelry practice and collaboration hosted at Fou Gallery. Register here. (FREE) — Flatiron, Manhattan

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

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Until next time,

Your Creativity Guides 👨‍🎨