Thinking about New Year’s resolutions? Is “try something new” or “get a hobby” on the list? Same. I said in 2024 that 2025 was going to be the year of personal growth… and then life happened. So let’s try again. 2026 is absolutely, definitely, for real this time going to be the year of personal growth. And there’s no better place to start than Waynesboro. We’ve got pottery wheels. We’ve got trout. Forges. Yoga. Art. Writing. Ukuleles. Take your pick and develop a new skill this year!
Get Hammered at the Virginia Institute of Blacksmithing – 724 N Augusta Avenue
Ever felt like forging your own sword or knife? Forged in Fire lit the blacksmithing world on fire (pun intended) and convinced everyone they could be a professional blacksmith. And they’re not wrong. Sign up for a weekend class at the Virginia Institute of Blacksmithing with class options like Build a Warhammer, Build a Hatchet, or Build a Sword. Imagine going home and showing off your homemade Warhammer to scores of jealous friends?
If you’re interested in actually becoming a professional blacksmith, the Virginia Institute of Blacksmithing is the only Artistic Blacksmithing school certified to operate by the State Council of Higher Education in Virginia for those who want to pursue a career in artistic blacksmithing.
Get Your Potter On at Make Waynesboro Clay Studio – 200 W 12th Street
Ready to channel your inner pottery pro (or at least improve from your 3rd grade ashtray disaster)? Make Waynesboro Clay Studio, one of the best equipped ceramics studios in Virginia, is the go-to spot for all things pottery. They have great options for visitors – single day workshops, two day workshops, or you can schedule private event with your party. How fun would it be to make some pottery on your bachelorette weekend?
If you’re lucky enough to live in Waynesboro, first of all, congratulations! Second of all, that means you can take Make Waynesboro’s longform workshops and learn some really cool stuff. Sign up for wheel-throwing and handbuilding classes, or learn more serious skills like surface treatment and glaze theory. I took a wheel-throwing class and left with a few bowls that actually looked like bowls. If I can make decent pottery, you can too. They also do other cool things like raku firing, IYKYK (which I didn’t, but the cool folks at Make Waynesboro explained it to me and IT. IS. AWESOME.) You can also become a member and have unfettered access to the members’ studios along with other perks.
Catch Some Reel Big Fish with South River Fly Shop – 323 W Main Street
A cool thing about Waynesboro is that we’re a dedicated Urban Trout Fishery with stocked waters in the South River, which runs right through downtown. Another cool thing is we have a full-service fly fishing guide service and store at South River Fly Shop, also right downtown, just steps away from the river. Whether you’re just looking for a good pic or a good story to tell, or are seriously serious about fishing, owners Kevin and Tommy will take you on a guided trip and teach you all the tips and tricks for making you a bona fide fly fisher. They also carry a full line of rods, fly reels, fly fishing gear, and fly tying tools and materials from top brands in the industry. Be sure to take a half or full-day while you’re in Waynesboro to soak up some nature and catch the big one!
Create Your Masterpiece at Shenandoah Valley Art Center – 126 S Wayne Ave & 416 W Main Street
The Winter Stretch & Release Yoga series is getting ready to start in January and this class is perfect for even the beginner. You can drop in Tuesdays starting January 27th or sign up for all 12 classes in the series if you’re serious about commitment. Also be sure and check SVAC’s website because there are tons of single day workshops like Loom Beading Snowflakes, Painting Snow Shadows in Pastels, and Kitchen Lithography all year long! Also, stop by each of Shenandoah Valley Art Center’s two downtown galleries to check out exhibits, resident artist space, and the gift shop on your next visit.
Once again, if you’re one of the lucky ones that get to call the magical City of Waynesboro home, you can sign up for Shenandoah Valley Art Center’s social dancing series, workshops like Sketching with Ink and Watercolor, and more!
Learn How to Write the Next Great American Novel with The Writer’s Well at Stone Soup Books – 402 W Main Street
If putting a pen to paper and keeping your hands relatively clean is more your thing, you’ll love the writing workshops at Stone Soup Books. Hosted by The Writer’s Well, these single day workshops are perfect for everything from learning how to put your thoughts on paper with classes like The Art of Observation: Writing Everyday Life to strategies for publishing your work. Bonus: you get to take the workshop in a downtown independent bookshop, what’s not to love?
Learn an Instrument with Strings Attached at Waynesboro Music – 325 W Main Street
So you’ve always wanted to learn guitar. Or banjo. Or mandolin. Or ukulele. Or Appalachian dulcimer. Or maybe you already own one of these instruments and it’s been living it’s entire life quietly in the corner of your house. Whatever your situation, Waynesboro Music can help.
With private lessons for all the instruments mentioned above, Waynesboro Music can help you become skilled enough to maybe not get your guitar smashed at a party. Lessons are beginner-friendly, low pressure, and for all ages. No talent required. Bonus: Waynesboro Music is moving into a new space right downtown at 325 W Main Street January 2026 making it even easier to pop in for a lesson and shop for your next instrument.
So, there you have it – Waynesboro is more than just a pretty face; it’s a place where you can roll up your sleeves, learn something new, and have a blast doing it. Craft metal, spin clay, cast a line, paint a masterpiece, or pen your next great work and make your trip memorable. Go ahead, get your hands dirty, and take home something that’s way cooler than a postcard!
