Spruill Center for the Arts: A Local Guide for Atlanta Creatives and Visitors

If you’re looking for hands-on art experiences near Atlanta, the Spruill Center for the Arts in Dunwoody is one of the most established places to start. From pottery and painting to jewelry and photography, it functions as a community hub for people who want to make art, not just look at it.

Where the Spruill Center for the Arts Fits in the Atlanta Arts Scene

The Spruill Center sits just north of the Perimeter in Dunwoody, serving people from:

• Intown neighborhoods (Brookhaven, Buckhead, Midtown)
• North Fulton (Sandy Springs, Roswell, Alpharetta)
• Perimeter-area suburbs (Dunwoody, Chamblee, Peachtree Corners)

Unlike museums like the High Museum of Art, Spruill is focused on classes, workshops, and studio practice rather than exhibitions alone. It’s a place where:

• Kids can take weekly art classes after school
• Adults can try pottery, metalsmithing, painting, and more
• Working artists can rent studio space and teach

Location, Parking, and How to Get There

Main Teaching Campus (Art Center)

• Address: 5339 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Dunwoody, GA 30338
• General Phone: Typically a central office line is available during weekday business hours; check current listings before you go.

The teaching campus is close to:

• I-285 (Perimeter) – usually easiest via the Chamblee Dunwoody Road exit
• Dunwoody Village – a familiar landmark area with shops and restaurants

Parking & Access

• On-site parking is generally available in surface lots.
• On busy days (like weekend workshops or events), arrive a bit early to find a spot and get your bearings.
• The area is car-friendly; MARTA access is possible but usually involves a bus connection from nearby rail stations such as Dunwoody or Sandy Springs.

What the Spruill Center for the Arts Offers

Core Focus: Classes and Workshops

Spruill is best known for its art education programs, which usually include:

• Multi-week classes (often 4–10 weeks)
• Weekend or one-day workshops
• Youth camps during school breaks and summer

Common areas of instruction include:

• Ceramics & Pottery – wheel throwing, hand-building, glazing
• Painting & Drawing – watercolor, acrylic, oil, figure drawing, illustration
• Jewelry & Metalsmithing – basic jewelry, enameling, metal clay, fabrication
• Photography & Digital Arts – camera basics, editing, creative projects
• Fiber & Mixed Media – textiles, collage, printmaking, mixed techniques

Classes are usually divided into beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels, so you can jump in even if you haven’t touched a brush or clay since grade school.

Programs for Kids, Teens, and Families

Families in metro Atlanta often look to Spruill for structured, creative activities. Typical offerings include:

• After-school art classes for elementary and middle school students
• Teen programs that go deeper into drawing, painting, ceramics, or digital art
• School break & summer camps with themed weeks focused on different mediums

These programs can be helpful if you:

• Want your child to have screen-free, hands-on time
• Have a teen interested in building a creative portfolio
• Need a local camp option that’s convenient to the Perimeter area

💡 Tip: Popular kids’ camps and beginner pottery classes often fill quickly, especially for summer. Atlanta parents typically sign up several weeks or even months in advance.

Adult Classes: Try Something New or Go Deep

If you’re an Atlanta adult looking for a creative outlet after work or on weekends, Spruill offers:

• Intro courses for complete beginners
• Ongoing studio-style classes for returning students
• Skill-specific workshops (for example, “Intro to the Potter’s Wheel,” “Weekend Watercolor,” or short jewelry intensives)

These can be a good fit if you:

• Work in the Perimeter or North Atlanta area and want an evening class nearby
• Have taken a class at another Atlanta studio and want more regular instruction
• Are looking for something social but low-pressure that isn’t bar- or nightlife-centered

Exhibitions and the Spruill Gallery

While the teaching campus focuses on classes, the Spruill Gallery showcases work by regional and local artists and often highlights instructors and students.

Spruill Gallery (Exhibition Space)

• Common Address Used: Around 4681 Ashford Dunwoody Road, Dunwoody, GA 30338
• Set in the historic area off Ashford Dunwoody, usually separate from the class campus

What you might find there:

• Rotating exhibitions featuring contemporary and traditional art
• Shows highlighting local Atlanta and Georgia artists
• Opportunities to view and sometimes purchase artwork

This space helps connect students and visitors with the broader Atlanta arts community and gives a sense of what more advanced work in different mediums can look like.

Typical Schedule and How Classes Work

While exact times vary, most Atlanta-area visitors will notice a few patterns at Spruill:

• Daytime classes – Often geared toward adults with flexible schedules, retirees, or serious students
• Evening classes (after 6:00 p.m.) – Popular with people commuting from jobs in Buckhead, Midtown, or Perimeter Center
• Weekend workshops – Ideal for visitors or locals who can’t commit to weekly sessions

Here’s a simple way to think about their offerings:

Costs, Registration, and Membership

Spruill operates as a nonprofit art center, so pricing is typically structured to cover instruction, materials, and facility upkeep while remaining accessible.

Common patterns you may see:

• Class fees – Vary by medium, length of course, and materials required
• Materials or lab fees – Especially for ceramics, jewelry, and specialized classes
• Membership options – Often provide reduced class rates or other benefits

If you’re comparing options across Atlanta:

• Pottery and jewelry classes at Spruill are often considered competitive in price with similar programs around the city, especially given the availability of kilns, wheels, and metalsmithing equipment.
• Short workshops may cost less up front and are a lower-commitment way to see if you like a particular instructor or medium.

💡 Tip: If you’re unsure which class level to choose, many Atlanta-area students call the office to talk through their experience level before registering.

What to Expect When You Attend a Class

Spruill’s environment is generally casual but focused. Typical expectations:

• Arrive 10–15 minutes early for your first class to find your room and settle in
• Wear clothes you don’t mind getting messy, especially for ceramics and painting
• Follow studio safety rules, particularly in jewelry/metals, where tools and torches may be used
• Instructors are often working artists from the Atlanta metro area, bringing real-world experience into the classroom

Students commonly report that classes include:

• Demonstrations of techniques
• Hands-on work time
• Individual guidance, especially in smaller classes
• A mix of ages and backgrounds, especially in beginner and intermediate sections

Who the Spruill Center for the Arts Is Best For

Spruill is especially useful if you:

• Live or work near Dunwoody, Sandy Springs, Brookhaven, or North Atlanta
• Want consistent, structured art instruction rather than one-time “paint and sip” events
• Are seeking a community feel, where you might see the same classmates across multiple sessions
• Prefer learning in a dedicated art facility with professional equipment and studios

It can also be a strong option for:

• New Atlanta residents looking to plug into a creative community
• Retirees seeking a regular activity and social connection
• Teens exploring whether they want to pursue art more seriously

Practical Tips for Atlanta Visitors and Locals

• Check schedules early: Many Atlanta art centers, including Spruill, run on seasonal sessions (spring, summer, fall, winter). Registration usually opens weeks in advance.
• Account for traffic: If you’re coming from Midtown, Decatur, or Westside, plan for I‑285 and GA‑400 congestion, especially for 6:00–7:00 p.m. classes.
• Look at instructor bios: If you have a particular style or medium in mind, choosing a class by instructor can help you find the right fit.
• Ask about waitlists: Popular ceramics and jewelry sections sometimes fill; waitlists are often available.

How Spruill Compares to Other “Things to Do” in Atlanta

For someone exploring things to do in Atlanta, Spruill serves a different role than many attractions:

• It’s participatory, not just observational
• You’ll usually commit to a block of time (multi-week or a full weekend)
• It can become a repeat destination, where you return for new skills and community

If you’re staying in Atlanta for a short visit, a weekend workshop or a visit to the Spruill Gallery can fit into a typical sightseeing schedule. If you live here, the center can become an ongoing part of your routine—similar to a gym membership, but for your creative side.

For Atlanta-area residents and visitors who want more than just walking through a museum, the Spruill Center for the Arts offers an accessible, well-established place to learn, experiment, and connect with the city’s creative community.