June in NYC: Start your summer with creativity!

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.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your incredible support!

The production team from Akin & It Means Light - GIRL POWER!!!

Hello Akin community!

Last month, we took a leap of faith and launched our very first New York Asian Arts Festival as part of AAPI Heritage Month. We weren't sure what to expect, but wow—you absolutely blew us away!

Meeting so many of you in person was the highlight of our month, and seeing this community come together around arts and culture has left us more inspired than ever to keep building something meaningful together.

The numbers tell an amazing story:

15 events co-hosted across the second half of May 2025

10 partnerships with independent, local, AAPI-owned or allied studios, makers, & creatives

4 emerging AAPI artists exhibited

434 tickets sold to incredible experiences

419 of you subscribed to our Luma calendar to stay connected

Donations made to Meals for Unity, Asian American Federation, Heart of Dinner, Slant'd, and EnoB from our proceeds

If you missed it this year, don't worry—we're already dreaming up next year's lineup! Follow us on Instagram @discoverakin and @nyasianartsfestival to be the first to know about 2026 plans.

And please follow our partners, It Means Light, on Instagram. We could not have done it without them!

(Also, THANK YOU for 1000+ followers on Instagram! WOWOWOW <3)

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Creative Happenings

Try something new with a workshop

June 8: Come through for an afternoon of inspiration, connection, and creativity with handcrafted tea, artist networking, and live performances in this Arts and Tea Creative Event. (FREE with RSVP). Tin Roof Gallery in Williamsburg

June 10: Craft your own custom-scented candle while enjoying the cozy vibes and a complimentary drink in this Candle Making Craft Night. ($45). Maggie Hall's in Astoria

June 11: Learn to make buttery, flaky croissants from scratch and master lamination techniques to create delicious filled pastries in this hands-on Stuffed Croissants baking class. ($99.99). NY Cake Academy in Manhattan

June 13: Enjoy a late-night teahouse experience with floor seating, soft lighting, and intimate gongfucha sessions in Tea.haus 002. ($15). Telos.haus in East Williamsburg

June 13: Combine sound healing and botanical ink painting in this meditative Botanical Alchemy: A Frequency & Flow Workshop where you'll extract pigments from plants and learn watercolor techniques guided by Christie Rafol. ($75). From Here to Sunday in Crown Heights

June 15: Process emotions through poetry writing in this On Grief & Mourning Workshop for QTBIPOC community members. (FREE, Registration required). Land to Sea in East Williamsburg

June 18: Learn how to use a tattoo gun and practice on bananas in this creative and silly Tattoo for Beginners workshop with host Angel providing flash stencils or bring your own custom design. ($75). The Studios at Moxy Hotel in Williamsburg

June 29: Learn to create stunning floral cake decorations using farmer's market flowers in this Cake Club Workshop with expert tips and hands-on practice. ($105). RecCreate Collective in Brooklyn

June 30: Get off your screen and into creative mode with a buffet of crafty materials, art gurl stickers, scrapbooking supplies, and washi tape in this cozy Crafty Hour: Junk Journaling evening of cutting, pasting, and collaging with tea and snacks. ($25). Art Gurl at Fabrik NYC in Tribeca

Up-level with a class series

June 13-15: Escape to the Catskills for a weekend of crafts, yoga, journaling, hiking, and campfire s'mores in this Craft Camp Retreat with fewer than 12 spots for intimate connection. ($500 double room, $800 single). Mojo Studio in the Catskills

June 25th - Aug 13th: Join this 9-workshop, 8-week Clay Practice Series deep dive into clay work to shape, build, and express yourself through the language of ceramics. ($695). NYC Drawing Room in Williamsburg

Attend a fun creative event

June 7-8: Browse and shop from talented local artists in a weekend of "really good shoppin'" at Renegade Craft Brooklyn. (Free entry). ZeroSpace at Gowanus & Park Slope

June 8: Learn about sake varieties and production techniques or enjoy tastings with craft sake and cocktail pairings in this Sake Tasting Tour. ($45). Kato Sake Works in Bushwick

June 12: Shop from 16 curated local vendors while enjoying DJ sets and a drag show at The Wonder Market: Pride. (FREE with RSVP). The Wondermarket at Carroll Hall in Carroll Gardens

June 13: Escape the heat with iced coffee and browse multiple book events including launches, talks, and clothing swaps at Yu & Me Books. (Various prices). Yu & Me Books in Chinatown

June 20: Solve mysteries while dining Italian-style with renowned thriller writers in this Murder Mystery Party. ($75-$100, Dinner included). Carmine's in Times Square

June 20: Laugh the night away with top comedians followed by a dance party in Best Night Ever Comedy Show. ($12 advance, $16 door). El Santo Bar in Bushwick

June 20: Experience storytelling with fairy tale themes featuring comedian Billie Bullock in Menage A Trois II: Fairy Tales. ($15 advance, $20 door). Open Book at Parkside Lounge in Lower East Side

June 21: Dance in the streets with live DJs, free crafts, and community eats at this neighborhood Block Party. (FREE with RSVP). Third Place at South 2nd Street in Williamsburg

June 28: Create art inspired by the stunning English Elm trees and honor these gentle giants through collage, paintings, doodles, and photographs at the Green Easel Art Club Meet-up with limited art supplies provided. ($10 suggested donation). Stuyvesant Square Park in East Village

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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 👨‍🎨