Pratt Fine Arts Center is the non-profit studio where I not only learned everything I know about metal work, it’s also the studio I rent out for my personal use. It’s an incredible resource and one of the main reasons I moved to Seattle. Anyone who lives in the area and is interested in art should check it out. They offer classes in:
- Welding
- Forging
- Bronze Casting
- Stone Carving
- Jewlery
- Metalsmithing
- Hot Glass
- Warm Glass
- Drawing
- Painting, and
- Printmaking
as well as numerous classes and workshops in a variety of diverse disciplines, including:
- Bookmaking
- Collage
- Felt, and
- Visiting Master Artist workshops.
The only thing they don’t have is ceramics, but that’s because there are other amazing resources in Seattle that already offer ceramics classes including Pottery Northwest.
At Pratt I have taken classes in welding, forging, and drawing and have been impressed with all of my teachers as well as the facility and tools available. Eight-week classes meet once a week and seem to cost around $300 (drawing classes being cheaper and bronze classes more expensive) but they offer both merit and need-based scholarships as well as work-study opportunities. Also, when you are in a class they offer Free Fridays where you can come in on Fridays and use the studio to your hearts content from 9am to 10pm. It’s amazing.
Having come from a classically-trained music background (which, while I love, admit that it has its snobby elements*) I was a little apprehensive about entering into another world where opinions and snobbery could run high. I was more than pleased to find that Pratt welcomes everyone with open arms. The classes are informative and challenging, but they accept everyone at their own level. There are no expectations beyond those that you place on yourself.
Once you are familiar with the studio Pratt offers a studio rental program. After passing a test to make sure you know what you’re doing you can rent the studio by the day, week, or month. It’s an incredible resource for those of us who don’t have the space or money for our own place and for those who are just getting started.
Pratt pretty much just rocks.
*Don’t get me wrong, I love me some good snobbery as you’re likely to find out should you ever ask me about cheese, chocolate, or outdoor gear.