Order what inspires you. Stay as long as curiosity lasts.
Welcome to The Art Makery—the heart of Carolina Arts Café + Studios and our most beloved way to create. Think of it as a creative kitchen: instead of recipes, you’ll find mediums; instead of entrees, you’ll choose projects; and instead of pressure, you’ll get permission to play.
Here, artists of all experience levels select from a curated menu of mediums and projects—or take a leap with our ever-changing Weekly Special.
How It Works
- Browse the Menu
Start by exploring our Art Makery menu, featuring a rotating selection of creative options across multiple mediums. Choose what speaks to you—or surprises you. - Choose Your Path
- À La Carte: Pick a medium and follow a guided project suggestion
- Chef’s Choice: Combine mediums and design your own creation
- Weekly Special: Try our featured project—available for a limited time and designed to spark experimentation
- Gather Your Supplies
We’ll set you up with everything you need—tools, materials, prompts, and gentle guidance if you want it. - Make, Explore, Repeat
There’s no right way to create here. Stay with one project or try multiple. Start over. Change your mind. Follow the joy.
The Menu of Mediums
Our menu rotates regularly, but may include:
- Painting (acrylics, watercolor, experimental techniques)
- Collage & assemblage
- Mixed media & found materials
- Fiber & textile arts
- Printmaking (non-toxic, beginner-friendly methods)
- Paper arts, journaling, and book-based projects
Each option comes with suggested projects—clear enough to get you started, open enough to make it your own.
The Weekly Special
Every week, our studio team designs a Weekly Special—a featured project inspired by:
- A theme (joy, rest, rage, wonder, memory)
- A technique or constraint
- A season, holiday, or community moment
The Weekly Special is perfect if you:
- Want something low-decision and high-fun
- Are new to art-making
- Love trying something unexpected
- Enjoy creating alongside others doing the same project
It’s available while supplies last—and once it’s gone, it’s gone.
Who It’s For
The Art Makery is for:
- First-time art makers and lifelong artists
- Kids, teens, adults, and families
- Friends on a creative outing
- Solo visitors needing a reset
- Anyone who wants to do art, not just look at it
No experience required. No perfection expected.
Our Philosophy
At The Art Makery:
- Process matters more than product
- Curiosity beats confidence
- Mess is encouraged
- Comparison is not invited
You don’t have to know what you’re making when you start. You just have to start.
So grab a menu.
Order boldly—or play it safe.
Try the special.
Carolina Arts Cafe + Studios 