Private workshops for communities and public institutions in Montreal
Libraries, community centres, public services: our hands-on workshops adapt to groups of all backgrounds, in an inclusive and welcoming environment. A turnkey activity that fits naturally into your programming, at your location or ours.
Why choose a workshop at Les Affûtés?
Our workshops adapt to the diverse audiences you serve: families, adults, seniors, newcomers, etc.
Overtaking
Your participants push their limits in a supportive and encouraging environment.
“The wood engraving workshop allowed me to surpass myself by making my own personalized print!”
Geneviève, Dorval resident
Skills
Every participant leaves with a concrete, practical skill they can be proud of.
“I now know how to fix a flat and change my bike brakes on my own. I feel ready for my next tune-up and excited to show others how.”
Catherine, Montreal North resident
Cohésion
A true moment of sharing that builds bonds between your members and strengthens their sense of belonging.
“We came as a group of friends and had an amazing time, creative and full of good energy, that we’ll definitely remember. We all left with a beautiful personalized terrarium.”
Adrian, Town of Mount Royal resident
Self-confidence
Creating with your hands is empowering and unforgettable.
“I discovered a passion for sewing! I’m impressed and proud to be leaving with a hoodie I made myself, in just a few hours.”
Alejandra, Laval resident
Public institutions and communities we've worked with
Our workshops for public institutions and communities in Montreal
With over 50 workshops to choose from — woodworking, cooking, sewing, basketry, and more — your institution will find the activity that fits your audience and your programming.
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Create your entryway shelf in solid wood
During this 3.5 hour workshop, we will make a beautiful, customizable and practical pocket-sized piece of furniture to install in our entryway.
3.5h / 10 participants -
Carving level I – Sculpting your butter knife
In this 3-hour workshop, Jesse introduces us to the art of wood carving by making a butter knife!
3h / 8 participants -
Basketry initiation – Making a small basket
In this 3 hour workshop, you will learn different techniques for weaving and tightening rattan to make your own small basket.
3h / 10 participants -
Introduction to mosaic – Create your own mirror
During this 3-hour workshop, we will discover all the necessary steps to create a personalized mosaic mirror.
3h / 10 participants -
Make a leather belt
In this guided workshop, you will learn all sorts of techniques to work with leather to make your own custom-made belt.
3h / 8 participants -
Making molded candles
Discover how to make molded candles. Each participant will make two candles, according to their preferences and intended use!
3h / 10 participants -
Creating a terrarium of cacti and succulents
This 3-hour workshop will enable you to make your own dry terrarium with cacti and succulents and bring greenery into your home.
3h / 10 participants -
Linocut – print your own botanical greeting cards
During this 3-hour workshop, Sarah takes us into the delicate world of stationery, through the creation of printed greeting cards!
3h / 10 participants -
Introduction to wool felting – making a small animal
In this workshop, Jesse takes us into the delicate world of wool felting, creating a little animal!
3h / 10 participants -
Sew a lined and quilted all-purpose case
In this 4-hour workshop, you'll learn to sew an all-purpose lined and quilted pencil case, to organize your daily essentials in style! You'll learn the basics of the sewing machine, straight-stitch and zigzag stitching, topstitching, quilting, how to fit a zipper, and how to create a complex, lined volume.
4h / 8 participants -
Discover Jesmonite by creating useful and decorative objects
Would you like to make your own beautiful decorative and practical home accessories while discovering a new versatile, colorful, and durable material? In this 3-hour workshop, we will create molded objects in Jesmonite—an eco-friendly, solid composite material made from gypsum mineral powder, water, and liquid acrylic resin. You will be able to pigment it in the colors of your choice and learn how to create a variety of organic textures and patterns.
3h / 10 participants -
Create a solid perfume to suit you
Do you like fresh scents or spicier notes? Would you like to create your own personal fragrance to scent everyone you meet? In this 3-hour workshop, you'll make a natural perfume in solid form, to be applied with your fingertips, ideal for taking everywhere.
3h / 10 participants -
Discover the technique of tablet weaving
This 3-hour workshop introduces you to tablet weaving. An ancestral technique for weaving sturdy straps.
3h / 10 participants -
Learn beading techniques on a loom
Does the art of beading fascinate you with all its finesse and beautiful designs ? In this 3h workshop given by Alyag, our expert artist, you'll make a small accessory of your choice, such as a key ring, learning the best techniques on a loom for a magnificent result.
3h / 10 participants -
Have fun with glass mosaic tiles by creating a luminous decoration
Have the plays of light through colored glass always dazzled you with their beauty? Would you like to treat yourself to a moment of gentle creativity? In this 3-hour workshop, guided by our multidisciplinary artist, we’ll explore the luminous art of glass mosaic, transforming a simple jar into a vibrant candle holder.
3h / 8 participants -
Making your own pizza: Kneading, baking, proofing, sauce
In this 3-hour workshop, we'll make pizza dough by hand, a vegetarian tomato sauce and learn about cooking techniques.
3.5h / 12 participants -
Carfting Your Own Fresh Pasta – Advanced Techniques
In this 3.5-hour workshop, we’ll make a two-tone pasta dough and shape farfalle, gemilli, cappelletti, and agnolotti.
3.5h / 10 participants -
Patisserie – Perfectly prepare classic pastries (chocolate mousse, madeleine, financier)
During that 3-hours workshop, we will discover how to make a chocolate mousse, madeleines and financiers pastries.
3h / 12 participants
Plan your private workshop
Your workshop can take place in one of our two Montreal spaces or directly at your location. Here’s everything you need to know before booking.
Our locations and capacities
Our private workshops
We offer 2h, 3h, 3h30 or 4h workshops, depending on the subject and your needs.
You can choose the number of participants per workshop depending on your teams.
We can organize up to 6 simultaneous workshops, with privatization of the facilities.
You can choose the language of the workshop according to your teams.
We also offer tailor-made adaptations (time, content of certain workshops), organization of snacks and meeting rooms rental.
Our mobile workshops
Les Affûtés comes to you
We also travel to your office within approximately a 1-hour radius of Montreal.
Multiple simultaneous or rotating workshops can be organized depending on available space.
Marie's expert tip
Our mission is to offer a range of experiences that are accessible to as many people as possible, built around shared values: kindness, ecology, autonomy, equity, and respect.
Hands-on activities are recognized for their therapeutic and social value. And there's something truly satisfying about making things in a fun, inclusive space!
Tell us what you have in mind. We'll do everything we can to offer workshops that work for your group.
Marie, Corporate, mobile and private events manager
Want to know more?
Once we have received your request, we will contact you within 48 hours to discuss your project in more detail. We will also share our detailed brochures, so that together we can choose the ideal formula for your event!
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Frequently asked questions about our workshops for public institutions and communities
Find answers to the most common questions about our private workshops. Can’t find what you’re looking for?
How much does a private workshop cost?
Pricing depends on the number of participants, the duration, and the workshop chosen. Weekday sessions (Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm) start at $840 (+tax). Evening and weekend sessions start at $1,090 (+tax). A management fee of $45 per workshop applies when booking two or more simultaneous workshops.
How far in advance should we book a workshop?
For institutions working with programming calendars planned ahead of time, we recommend reaching out at least one month before your target date.
For a one-time activity, at least two weeks is usually enough outside of our busiest period (October through February).
The earlier you book, the more flexibility you’ll have when it comes to scheduling and workshop selection.
Can we privatize the entire Les Affûtés space?
Yes, absolutely. We can privatize our entire space for your event.
Contact us to find the format that works best for your group.
Can you adapt the workshop content to our institution's theme?
Yes, and it’s something we genuinely enjoy doing. Whether you’re a library celebrating a themed week, a cultural centre building around a craft series, or a recreation centre looking for a seasonal activity — we can shape certain workshops to fit your programming.
Can we take several identical workshops at the same time?
We only have space and equipment for one workshop at a time, per subject. We can organize several different workshops simultaneously.
Can workshops be offered in a bilingual format?
Although most of our artisans are bilingual, the length of the workshops means that we can’t provide all the information in both languages. You must therefore choose a main language.
Do all private workshops have the same capacity?
The maximum capacity of our workshops varies according to location and subject. We can accommodate from 7 to 15 people per group.
Les Affûtés is a certified B Corp
B Corp is the most recognized certification for businesses committed to having a positive impact on the world around them. We're proud of it — and it shows in everything we do, from the materials we source to the way we support our instructors.
