The Academy is conveniently located in Mount Sterling, Kentucky - only 40 minutes from downtown Lexington and within a 30-minute drive for 150,000 Kentuckians - we are the prime location for your next creative outing!
From our popular Paint & Sip classes to Ballroom Dance workshops… from a foodways cooking class with a renowned chef to lessons in Appalachian mountain dulcimer… we have a little bit of everything for everyone!
Our classes are open to the public, and we do our best to keep everything affordable for you and your family to enjoy. Please note that new classes will regularly be added throughout the year, so keep checking back if you don’t see what you want right now!
All the Arts for All the People!
Our building is fully ADA Accessible. GRAC is a certified Safe Space.
With any questions, comments, or concerns, please contact our Director of Education & Community Programming, Jill Kohr at jill@grackentucky.org or call 859-498-6264.
Cancellation in less than 3 days prior to class (fewer than 72 hours)
No refund or class credit can be given for cancellations under 72 hours prior to the start time of the class the ticketholder is enrolled in.
Cancellation with greater than 3 days to class (72 hours)
If the ticketholder cancels via email or written notification to the Gateway Regional Arts Center at least 72 hours (three days) prior to the start time of the class, they will receive a class credit for the amount paid.
Cancellation greater than one week (7 days)
If a ticketholder cancels via email or written notification to the Gateway Regional Arts Center at least one week (seven days) prior to the start time of the class, they can receive a refund minus a $5 processing fee.
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Visual Arts
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Dance
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Music
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Theatre
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Foodways
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Photography
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Literary
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Language
Super Saturday Explorers: Winter Wonderland
Calling all young explorers! Join us for Super Saturday Explorers this month! Theme: Winter Wonderland!
Super Saturday Explorers is an exciting hands-on STEAM workshop, where kids dive into science, technology, engineering, art, and math through fun, themed activities! Each session brings a brand-new adventure—all designed to spark creativity and curiosity. Explorers will receive their own vest and earn a unique patch every time they attend, matching that month's theme. No long-term commitment—just sign up for the workshops that interest you!
$15/Student with Arts for All pricing available.
Ages 7-13. Pre-registration is required. Materials and snack included.
Paint & Sip: Degas December
Grace, Movement, and Magic! Paint Degas' Dancers with a Nutcracker Twist!
Sip, paint, and unwind! No experience needed—just bring your creativity and enjoy a fun, guided painting session with your favorite drink. Unleash your inner artist, savor every sip, and create lifelong memories!
Featuring trivia games on Degas and The Nutcracker Ballet!
Ages 16+. Includes one drink voucher per attendee. Non-alcoholic beverages available. Please bring a valid 21+ ID if planning to purchase adult beverages.
Yulefest SoulFlow
Find your calm at Yulefest SoulFlow. Take a peaceful pause from the holiday rush during this gentle, cozy yoga session designed to bring warmth, grounding, and mindfulness to your winter season. This one-hour flow offers a soothing reset to help you reconnect with yourself amid the festivities. Mats are provided, just bring your breath and your holiday spirit.
Handbuilt Pottery: Holiday Ornaments
Perfect for all skill levels, join us for a hands-on pottery class where clay meets the magic of the holidays!
You’ll design and create up to a dozen festive holiday ornaments, shaping, stamping, and glazing them in cheerful colors and textures. Your handmade ornaments will be ready just in time to add a personal, artistic touch to your holiday décor!
Session #1
The $25 price point covers 1 attendee for both required sessions, students under the age of 12 are welcome to register but MUST be accompanied by an adult. Pick-up date: December 16th
Sterling Writes Session
Throughout November, GRAC is proud to host Sterling Writes sessions in celebration of National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo)! Writers of all experience levels are invited to drop in, share space with other creatives, and spend dedicated time writing. These community-led sessions meet at various locations around Mt. Sterling, including the Gateway Regional Arts Center. Bring your notebook, laptop, or ideas and join fellow storytellers for an inspiring month of words and creativity!
Sterling Writes Session
Throughout November, GRAC is proud to host Sterling Writes sessions in celebration of National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo)! Writers of all experience levels are invited to drop in, share space with other creatives, and spend dedicated time writing. These community-led sessions meet at various locations around Mt. Sterling, including the Gateway Regional Arts Center. Bring your notebook, laptop, or ideas and join fellow storytellers for an inspiring month of words and creativity!
Sterling Writes Session
Throughout November, GRAC is proud to host Sterling Writes sessions in celebration of National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo)! Writers of all experience levels are invited to drop in, share space with other creatives, and spend dedicated time writing. These community-led sessions meet at various locations around Mt. Sterling, including the Gateway Regional Arts Center. Bring your notebook, laptop, or ideas and join fellow storytellers for an inspiring month of words and creativity!
Kentucky Music Heritage Workshops
Explore the sounds of Kentucky at our Heritage Music Workshops. Choose your session, and all are welcome to participate in the Songwriter’s round—just $10 covers the whole series.
2:00pm - 3:45pm
Clawhammer Banjo with Carla Gover
Mandolin with John Looney
Fiddle with John Harrod
Guitar with Matt Parsons
Songwriting with Anna Kline
4:00pm - 5:00pm
Songwriter’s Round
Super Saturday Explorers: Secret Agents & Spies
Calling all young explorers! Join us for Super Saturday Explorers this month! Theme: Secret Agents & Spies!
Super Saturday Explorers is an exciting hands-on STEAM workshop, where kids dive into science, technology, engineering, art, and math through fun, themed activities! Each session brings a brand-new adventure—all designed to spark creativity and curiosity. Explorers will receive their own vest and earn a unique patch every time they attend, matching that month's theme. No long-term commitment—just sign up for the workshops that interest you!
$15/Student with Arts for All pricing available.
Ages 7-13. Pre-registration is required. Materials and snack included.
Sterling Writes Session
Throughout November, GRAC is proud to host Sterling Writes sessions in celebration of National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo)! Writers of all experience levels are invited to drop in, share space with other creatives, and spend dedicated time writing. These community-led sessions meet at various locations around Mt. Sterling, including the Gateway Regional Arts Center. Bring your notebook, laptop, or ideas and join fellow storytellers for an inspiring month of words and creativity!
Paint & Sip: No Ear November
Swirl, shine, and create—paint like Van Gogh!
Sip, paint, and unwind! No experience needed—just bring your creativity and enjoy a fun, guided painting session with your favorite drink. Unleash your inner artist, savor every sip, and create lifelong memories!
Featuring trivia games on Van Gogh!
Ages 16+. Includes one drink voucher per attendee. Non-alcoholic beverages available. Please bring a valid 21+ ID if planning to purchase adult beverages.
Handbuilt Pottery: Leaf Dishes
Perfect for all skill levels, join us for a hands-on pottery class where clay meets the beauty of fall! You’ll craft delicate leaf plates using real leaves for texture and design, then glaze them in warm, earthy tones. Your finished piece will be just in time to add a handmade touch to your Thanksgiving table!
Session #1 - Sculpt
The $40 price point covers 1 attendee for all 4 required sessions, students under the age of 12 are welcome to register but MUST be accompanied by an adult. Pick-up date: November 19th
Sterling Writes Session
Throughout November, GRAC is proud to host Sterling Writes sessions in celebration of National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo)! Writers of all experience levels are invited to drop in, share space with other creatives, and spend dedicated time writing. These community-led sessions meet at various locations around Mt. Sterling, including the Gateway Regional Arts Center. Bring your notebook, laptop, or ideas and join fellow storytellers for an inspiring month of words and creativity!
Creative Freedom: "Fall" In Love With Art
FREE for Veterans and their families, another Creative Freedom Workshop is here! Come learn from local artist Tyler Henderson to make your own masterpiece. All skill levels are welcome! Sip some cider, paint the rich colors of Autumn, and “Fall” in love with art!
A Taste of Fall Cooking Class
Come savor the season! Roll up your sleeves for a hands-on cooking class where you’ll make a cozy three-course harvest meal:
- pasta with seasonal sauce
- harvest salad with fresh-made dressing
- autumn spice dessert
Learn new kitchen skills, enjoy your creations together, and take home the recipes to share with family and friends.
Ages 16+. All Materials Provided.
Puppy Yoga
Join us for Puppy Yoga where adorable, adoptable puppies from the Montgomery County Animal Shelter will roam freely throughout the class. You’ll flow through relaxing poses while playful pups offer cuddles, kisses, and might even climb onto your mat. Not only is this a unique way to unwind and connect, but it’s also a chance to make a difference. A portion of the proceeds will go directly to support the shelter and, who knows; you might even meet your new best friend!
Come for the stretch, stay for the snuggles, and support a great cause!
Ages 10+. Mats provided.
Super Saturday Explorers: Halloween
Calling all young explorers! Join us for Super Saturday Explorers this month! Theme: Halloween!
Paint a glow-in-the-dark skeleton, fly a ghost glider, and more! Don't forget to wear your costume!
Super Saturday Explorers is an exciting hands-on STEAM workshop, where kids dive into science, technology, engineering, art, and math through fun, themed activities! Each session brings a brand-new adventure—all designed to spark creativity and curiosity. Explorers will receive their own vest and earn a unique patch every time they attend, matching that month's theme. No long-term commitment—just sign up for the workshops that interest you!
$15/Student with Arts for All pricing available.
Ages 7-13. Pre-registration is required. Materials and snack included.
Handbuilt Pottery: Ghost Friends
Perfect for all skill levels, this fun and spooky workshop will guide you through shaping, glazing, and firing adorable ceramic ghosts that will haunt your home. Students can make up to 6 ghosts, enough to make your whole family! Embrace your creativity and bring some playful spirit to your pottery. No tricks, just treats!
Session #1 - Sculpt
The $40 price point covers 1 attendee for all 3 required sessions, students under the age of 10 are welcome to register but MUST be accompanied by an adult. Pick-up date: October 21st
Creative Freedom: "Fall" In Love With Art
FREE for Veterans and their families, another Creative Freedom Workshop is here! Come learn from local artist Tyler Henderson to make your own masterpiece. All skill levels are welcome! Sip some cider, paint the rich colors of Autumn, and “Fall” in love with art!
Super Saturday Explorers: Space
Super Saturday Explorers is an exciting hands-on STEAM workshop, where kids dive into science, technology, engineering, art, and math through fun, themed activities! Each session brings a brand-new adventure—all designed to spark creativity and curiosity. Explorers will receive their own vest and earn a unique patch every time they attend, matching that month's theme. No long-term commitment—just sign up for the workshops that interest you!
$15/Student with Arts for All pricing available.
Ages 7-13. Pre-registration is required. Materials and snack included.
Paint & Sip: Spanish September
From Picasso to Dalí—Paint with the Passion of Spain!
Sip, paint, and unwind! No experience needed—just bring your creativity and enjoy a fun, guided painting session with your favorite drink. Unleash your inner artist, savor every sip, and create lifelong memories!
Featuring trivia games on Spanish artists and the Surrealist art movement!
Ages 16+. Includes one drink voucher per attendee. Non-alcoholic beverages available. Please bring a valid 21+ ID if planning to purchase adult beverages.
Creative Freedom: Handmade Pasta Making
FREE for Veterans and their families, another Creative Freedom Workshop is here! Come learn from Veteran James Garbarini to make your own pasta from scratch. All skill levels are welcome! Come create a delicious meal, share in the joy of cooking, and take home a new learned skill!
Handbuilt Pottery: Birdhouse
Join us for a fun, four-session pottery workshop where you'll create your own handcrafted birdhouse! Perfect for all experience levels, this hands-on class will guide you through each step—shaping, refining, decorating, and glazing your pieces. Walk away with unique, functional pottery to gift or to add charm and personality to your garden!
The $40 price point covers 1 attendee for all 4 required sessions, students under the age of 13 are welcome to register but MUST be accompanied by an adult. Pick-up date: September 2nd
Session #1