🖌️ Guide to Adult Learning Classes + Workshops on Martha's Vineyard
30+ Arts, Cooking, Farming, Music and Dance In-Person Classes or Workshops
I love taking adult classes on the island! It’s one of the best ways to meet new people, support local creatives, and spend a fun afternoon with friends or a partner. Today I’ve rounded up 32 places offering in-person classes of all types on MV:
🧑🎨 What’s Included: In-person adult classes only. A mix of drop-in and structured options. I’ve included approximate costs where available to save you time.
🚫 What’s Not: No kids' programs, no online-only classes, no yoga or general fitness (dance only)
📅 Timing Notes: Some run year-round, others are summer-only (June–September). Check availability and book up to 1 month in advance for summer.
Adult classes and workshops are also featured every Thursday in the Weekend and Save the Date sections of the MVacay newsletter. Be sure to check those for current seasonal picks!
🎨 Art & Creative Workshops
Featherstone Center for the Arts (Oak Bluffs) – Offers year-round classes in painting, ceramics, drawing, collage, mixed media, and photography. Workshops cater to beginners and intermediate artists. (average class cost $35–$55)
Island Libraries (various towns) – Provide free creative meetups such as knitting circles, art journaling, seasonal crafts, watercolor clubs, and drop-in art nights. (free)
Stillpoint Martha’s Vineyard (West Tisbury) – Offers reflective, nature-inspired workshops including memoir writing, poetry, creative nonfiction, and seasonal woodworking. (average class cost $50–$85)
Private Studios & Instructors – One-time and short-term visual art workshops, often held in home studios or pop-up gallery spaces.
Althea Designs (Vineyard Haven) – Offers private printmaking workshops for individuals or small groups, plus creative wellness sessions focused on mindfulness and self-expression. (average class cost $90–$250)
Elizabeth Whelan (Chappy) – Offers seasonal workshops focusing on oil techniques (average class cost $75)
Seastone Papers (West Tisbury) – Specializes in handmade paper and book arts workshops. (average class cost $60)
🎭 Performing Arts, Music & Theater
Martha's Vineyard Playhouse (Vineyard Haven) – Offers "Theater Fun For Adults," a lively workshop including acting, improvisation, and theater games for adults of all ages. (average class cost $15 per class)
Island Music (Vineyard Haven) – Offers private music lessons in guitar, piano, voice, ukulele, and trumpet. (average lesson cost $35 per half hour)
Dance Classes – Various styles and levels are available across the island. Workout-focused dance options listed here.
Ballroom Dance MV (Vineyard Haven) – Hosts informal weekly sessions covering Latin, Swing, and Ballroom dance styles. Open to all, couples or singles, experienced or beginners. (free or nominal donation)
The Yard (Chilmark) – Provides seasonal dance workshops and performances, focusing on contemporary choreography and community engagement. (contact for class schedules and pricing)
Circuit Arts (West Tisbury) – Hosts a variety of performing arts events, including theater productions, film screenings, and live music performances. (ticket prices vary by event)
PathwaysARTS (Chilmark) – Encourages artistic collaboration through events like live music performances, poetry readings, and dance showcases. Off-season only. (free admission)
🍳 Food, Wine & Floral Workshops
The FARM Institute (Edgartown) – Seasonal cooking classes with guest chefs using farm-fresh ingredients. (average class cost $45–$60)
Martha’s Vineyard Pasta (Island-wide) – Private in-home pasta workshops with all ingredients provided. (average class cost $85–$125)
The Grey Barn & Farm (Chilmark) – Cheese tastings, farm tours, and occasional cooking workshops. (average class cost $25–$125)
MV Cheesery (Island-wide) – Private cheese education experiences like “Cheese 101,” “Build Your Own Cheese Board,” or Raclette night, hosted at home or at a partner location. (pricing varies – inquire directly)
Private Wine + Cocktail Classes – Custom tastings and mixology sessions available on request by Social Coast Mobile Bar. (average class cost varies)
Donaroma’s (Edgartown) – Seasonal floral workshops like wreaths and bouquet arranging. (average class cost $65–$85)
🌾 Farm & Nature Education
Slough Farm (Edgartown) – Workshops on regenerative farming, food systems, and animal care. (average class cost varies; many free or donation-based)
MV Agricultural Society (West Tisbury) – Beekeeping, composting, seed saving, and homesteading events. (average class cost varies; many free or donation-based)
Native Earth Teaching Farm (Chilmark) – Sewing circles, goat visits, and seasonal homesteading workshops. (average class cost varies; often donation-based)
Polly Hill Arboretum (West Tisbury) – Native plant walks, garden design, and conservation lectures. (average class cost $20–$40)
Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary (Edgartown) – Birding walks, nature journaling, and outdoor science classes. (average class cost $10–$25)
Misty Meadows Equine Learning Center (West Tisbury) – Equine-assisted farm experiences including Herd Meet & Greets, unmounted horse communication classes, and therapeutic farm tours. (average class cost $10–$230+)
📚 Writing & Literature Workshops
Martha’s Vineyard Institute of Creative Writing (Edgartown) – Offers annual summer conferences with week-long classes in fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction, including individualized manuscript sessions and panel discussions. (average class cost varies)
Islanders Write (Oak Bluffs) – A free annual event at Featherstone Center for the Arts featuring panel discussions, writing workshops, and a pitch panel with editors and agents.
💼 Career & Life Skills
ACE MV (Vineyard Haven) – Offers certifications in trades, healthcare, and business, including programs like Offshore Wind Technician, Electrical Journeyman, and Small Business Management. (average class cost varies)
Island Libraries (various towns) – Provide free career resources such as job search assistance, resume workshops, and digital literacy classes. (Free)
🌟 Lis’s Picks: Favorite Beginner-Friendly Classes
📅 April & May 2025: 20 Classes to Check Out
Some of these are recurring events!
4/15 – 🎭 Mah Jongg Instruction for Beginners (or a Refresher) Course at Edgartown Public Library / $80 for series
4/15 – 💼 ASL Practice Group at Oak Bluffs Public Library / Free
4/15 – 📚 Essence Meditation with Dr. Elliott Dacher at Stillpoint / $80 for series
4/16 – 🎭 Tap Class with Hannah at Oak Bluffs Public Library
4/16 – 🎨 Assisted Knitting Open Studio at Featherstone Center for the Arts / $10
4/16 – 📚 The Haiku: Reading and Writing at West Tisbury Public Library / Free
4/16 – 🎨 Quilting Circle at West Tisbury Public Library / Free
4/17 – 🎭 Bridge Basics with Bea at Oak Bluffs Public Library
4/17 – 🎨 Stitch Society Craft Group at West Tisbury Public Library / Free
4/22 – 🌾 Forest Bathing at Polly Hill Arboretum / $15
4/24 – 🍳 Found Foods Supper Club: A Hands-On Culinary Experience at FARM Institute / $45
4/25 – 🎨 Needle Felting for Beginners at West Tisbury Library / Free
4/26 – 🌾 Staff-Led Seasonal Walk — Spring Bloomers at Polly Hill Arboretum / $5
4/27 – 🎭 Improv Acting Class at West Tisbury Public Library / Free
4/27 – 🎭 MV Ballroom Local Off-Season Dancing at Unitarian Universalist Society of MV / Free
4/28 – 💼 Breathwork Workshop at The Red House Peer Recovery Support Center / Free
4/28 – 🎨 Visible Mending Workshop at Agricultural Hall / $15
4/29 – 🌾 Growing Herbs and Edible Flowers with Rosemary Confalone at Agricultural Hall / Free
🌟 Before You Go
A few of these book up fast, especially in peak season. Some fill weeks in advance, so give yourself time. Others operate more casually and drop their schedule just a few days before. If you know of a great local class I’ve missed, send me a message at info@mvacay.com so I can keep this list fresh.
This guide is funded in part by a grant from the Martha’s Vineyard Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
MV Cheesery also hosts private cheese tastings or build-your-own-board workshops, similar vibe to MV Pasta! 🙌