ARTFUL FREE TIME: CREATIVE WORKSHOPS IN VILLACH
This blog post was inspired by one very special morning: a breakfast & painting workshop where croissants, coffee, and canvas came together in the most beautiful way.
After this inspiring experience, one question stayed with me: What else is out there? Villach actually offers a wide range of artistic workshops – for beginners, curious minds, and experienced creatives alike. From relaxed café painting, to hands-on pottery and museum-based art formats, creativity in Villach comes in many forms.
OLANA’S ART WORKSHOPS
The local artist Olana Bogachuk regularly hosts art workshops, usually twice a month, and each of them is designed as more than just a painting session. For her, these workshops are a space of exchange — of energy, creativity, inspiration, and learning.
Participants are guided through a relaxed, almost meditative painting process. There is no pressure to be "perfect" or experienced. Instead, the focus lies on discovering something new, trusting intuition, and enjoying the moment.
In addition, the setting of the workshops plays an important role: they are usually held outdoors or in a cozy café atmosphere where art blends naturally with everyday pleasures, as illustrated by the special session “Creative Breakfast” held at Pasta Mama last November. The workshops have a fixed price, including all painting materials such as canvas and colors, and of course the finished artwork — which you take home with you. Depending on the session’s main topic and location, food and drinks may also be included in the price.
A new workshop is already set for January 24th at Pasta Mama in Villach, and more workshops are sure to follow. To stay up to date, follow Olana on Instagram and check her page for upcoming dates.
POTTERY & CERAMICS: WORKING WITH CLAY
If painting isn’t your medium, maybe clay is. Pottery workshops are another beautiful way to slow down, work with your hands, and create something tangible.
BIRAMIK - POTTERY WORKSHOPS
BirAmik offers pottery workshops in the Villach area, led by artist Birgit Karner. She regularly shares upcoming dates, insights, and impressions from her work on Facebook and Instagram. If you’re strolling through the city center, you can also stop by her art studio at Lederergasse 19 and experience her creative world in person.
SABINE MODL-STERNIG – CERAMICS & POTTERY
Sabine Modl-Sternig offers pottery and ceramic workshops with a strong focus on craftsmanship, material, and creative expression. Working with clay can be grounding and meditative — a perfect balance to a busy everyday life. However, her workshops do not take place in Villach itself; they are held at the Kunstbahnhof Wörthersee in Velden. More information and current workshop dates can be found on her website.
TÖPFEREIBEDARF ING. LEHRER GESMBH
Known primarily for ceramic supplies, this business is also closely connected to the regional pottery scene and worth following for workshops, events, and ceramic-related inspiration. More information can be found here.
MORE CREATIVE POSSIBILITIES IN VILLACH
VHS KÄRNTEN – ADULT EDUCATION CENTER
The Volkshochschule Kärnten (VHS) regularly offers art-related courses in Villach and throughout Carinthia, ranging from painting and drawing to various creative crafts. Their programs change seasonally and are ideal if you want to deepen your skills or try something completely new.
Good to know: For selected workshops at VHS Kärnten, the AK Bildungsgutschein — a €100 education voucher provided by the Chamber of Labour (Arbeiterkammer, short: AK) — can be used. If you are employed in Austria, you are automatically a member of the AK and entitled to receive this voucher once per year as part of its education support program. The voucher can be redeemed for eligible courses and workshops, making creative learning even more accessible. More information about the AK Bildungsgutschein can be found here.
ART & MUSEUMS: CREATIVE WORKSHOPS AROUND EXHIBITIONS
Villach’s museums and cultural institutions, such as the Galerie Freihausgasse, occasionally offer workshops linked to their exhibitions and featured artists. These formats combine hands-on artistic practice with deeper insight into contemporary art. Through workshops and guided creative sessions specifically designed for adults or for kids, participants are invited to engage with art in an interactive and thoughtful way.
BABSIS – CREATIVE COURSE PROGRAMS
The craft and art supply store Babsi’s Künstler- und Bastelbedarf offers a colorful mix of creative courses and workshops, especially visible in their seasonal and summer programs, which are usually announced on their blog. From acrylic and oil painting to crochet and jewellery making, these workshops suit anyone who enjoys creative learning that’s both structured and playful. Stay inspired by following them on Facebook & Instagram, or explore more ideas on their Pinterest page.
What all these workshops have in common is not just art — it’s the experience. Whether it’s painting croissants over breakfast, shaping clay, or exploring art in a gallery, these spaces bring people together, spark shared interests, and turn individual inspiration into a collective creative experience.
If you’re looking to experience something different in your free time, these workshops invite you to slow down, connect, and create. Sometimes, all it takes is a brush, a cup of coffee, and an open mind.