Articles on: CourseHorse Partners

If you're anything like me, your social media is basically a highlight reel of people doing cool, creative things in New York. From pottery to baking to a million other hobbies that make you want to impulse buy tickets. This city is packed with amazing ways to learn something new, but trust me, picking the right class can be expensive and overwhelming.

I’ve run 26 marathons. And I’ve taught hundreds of people to knit, crochet, and craft everything from velvet handbags to plushie pigs.

Some people collect souvenirs when they travel. I like to collect new skills—preferably, the kind that comes with dough and a dusting of sugar. When you live in New York, you’ve got endless chances to try something new. But I’m just a girl from Ohio who’s only ever in New York on borrowed time, so when I show up, I do my best to line up workshops, experiences, and visits that teach me something new. Whether you’re like me and just popping in for a weekend or two, or living here permanently, I’d like to share my experiences to help you whittle down the best of what NYC has to offer.

My name is Carolina G. Iwanow, and I’m a multidisciplinary artist whose work blends fine jewelry, sculpture, music, photography, design, and spirituality into a vibrant creative language. With a career spanning over three decades, my artistic journey is rooted in deep curiosity, a passion for ancestral crafts, and an unyielding devotion to beauty, meaning, and transformation.

If you asked people on the streets what they think about graffiti, a large handful of them probably see it as vandalism with flair. Messy tags on walls are often viewed as a nuisance for cities. But I can say with confidence that spending time around the culture, talking to artists, and watching how it’s evolved can completely change how you see it.

About fifteen years ago, when I started Mukti’s Kitchen from my run-down kitchen in Brooklyn, I never realized this Indian cooking class would turn out to be one of the most popular cooking classes in New York. While I was originally unsure of how I could please these students who come with high expectations and energy to my house, over the years I have learned how to use Brooklyn as my playground, and teach others the wonderful flavors of India.