With many years of experience, skillful technique, and an eye for color, Janet's teaching abilities…read morecompare to none other. As one of her former grade school students, I've had the privilege of experiencing art with her in both childhood, and as a young adult. One of her many strengths as a teacher is to instruct technique without doing any of the work. Her patient guidance allows her students to explore their own creativity and expression through their projects. Whether you're looking for help with a special piece, or for an outlet for creative exploration, Janet will help your vision come to life. You can join her for lessons in person, or work from the comfort of your own home with one of her online classes. AWE truly is for anyone and everyone.​

My lessons are my favorite part of my week! I started…read moretaking lessons a year and half ago as a beginner. I thought I had no talent or ability. I've found that I do have a lot of talent and ability. Janet has worked with me to help pull it out. She knows how to work with me to expand my ability and grow my confidence. She's always encouraging. I've learned so much about my creative abilities and I have so much fun in my lessons with her. We try something new all the time and it keeps me engaged and always learning and having fun. She's able to see when I need a challenging project and when I need something easier to just warm me up. I go every week and don't see myself stopping anytime soon. It truly is my favorite part of my week!

Great community, really solid group of instructors, and a nice range of programming. There's a lot…read moregoing on and something for all kinds of interests and experience levels.

I've taken a number of classes at Gage and am so impressed by the caliber of the instruction. The…read moreinstructors seem genuinely interested in assisting students to improve their art, whatever their past art experience may have been, if any. I studied art at the university level and have found Gage classes to be far superior. And the new building is wonderful! Gage is not just an academy, but a community. Kudos to Director Kathleen Allen for her efforts in establishing Gage in its new location in the Westlake area, the heart of Seattle.

This place is AMAZING. I've always wanted to paint and Dabble made it so easy to get started. I…read morebrought my own gessobords, but other than that, I didn't need to buy any other tools or supplies. I'm now obsessed and have painted every day since I joined, with three finished paintings that I'm really happy with. Dave, the owner, is so warm, welcoming, knowledgable, and supportive--he'll leave you alone if you want to just do your own thing, or he'll chat with you about your art if you want feedback. The space is set up incredibly well, ready for any kind of visual art you might want to do. The classes are fantastic too. I'm so happy that Dabble exists!

This is a super well laid out, super well lit super cool art studio available to the public!!…read more I was shipping art prints at the renowned Greenwood post office and happened upon this on my way back - the owner was available and was gracious enough to give me a tour of the space! They have TONS of professional tools!! Including silk press, vinyl cut, a station to assemble prints/zines etc, a station with a hood to do spray paints!! Looked like they had all kinds of paint brushes one might try, LOTs of professional sinks in their clean up area, even a fridge, small lockers, cubbies and a microwave if you need to put in an extra long session. All set up in the most organized and functional fashion, it's SO COOL!! They also offer classes to learn new techniques! The studio rate looks to be $10 an hour for individuals and $20 for a family unit, ( it's gotta be Guardians and kids who live under the same roof, it's not necessarily a group rate) I was shocked to see so much cool stuff at once so this list isn't complete and I've yet to get everyone together for a visit, but upon first glance this looks like an incredible community asset!!

Whether you have always wondered about trying ceramics or have been doing it for many years, sign…read moreup for a class (or two, or three) here. I've been glazing ceramics and doing some handbuilding since I was a kid, but always wanted to learn the wheel. I took one wheel class, had a blast and decided to sign up for an 8-week class- and then another. Dirk is an outstanding, patient teacher and a fun, upbeat guy. I learned so many new things from him and the other students, who had different skill sets at all levels. The studio is such a welcoming environment, I really looked forward to class as my outlet each week. If it were possible I would still be taking these classes, but I moved to Pittsburgh. With Dirk's teaching and advice I was able to set up a mini studio at home where I'm still handbuilding, throwing and glazing. But I still miss the great teaching and company at Dahl Arts. Take a class here- you won't regret it!

I have only taken one class with Dirk while visiting Seattle. I really loved everything about the…read moreclass!!! His studio is so cool; its filled with his original sculptures which are absolutely mind blowing!! They are beautiful and creative which made me wish I could take classes there on a routine basis. I took a wheel throwing class with him and absolutely loved it!! I was having problems centering and with a few tweaks he totally changed how I approached the clay. His methodology is easier for me to grasp and retain. I think he would be an awesome instructor for any type of hand building, sculpture or wheel throwing! The studio had a creative and welcoming vibe which made me want to return!

My 6 years old daughter loves this studio. She tried Gage, Pratt, Neo and others but this is her…read morefavorite art studio. Color wheel does a lots of paint, that is why my daughter LOVEs to be here. The instructor is great, she has been teaching for children probably two decades in Queen Anne.

Don't waste your money here!! This is not an organization or school that cares about their…read morestudents; only the bottom line. Response to Lily from PCNW: Response to owner: As mentioned in my Google Review, if you are going to respond to a review, be truthful. I never asked for a refund as indicated in our written correspondence. Secondly, any non-profit that claims to support the community, yet treats its benefactors/students unfairly and without empathy should re-evaluate their values.

I would like to share my AWFUL experience with The Photographic Center Northwest. At the beginning…read moreof this quarter, I paid full tuition (Photography black and white: 700 $ ) I took my first class, and everything seemed to be ok before the teacher gave us the "BIG SURPRISE". Every student has to pay extra money for the lab; around 200 $. Even you've already paid 700$, BE READY TO PAY 200 DOLLARS MORE! The day after, I received more bad news when someone from SCCC sent me a email telling me that one of my classes was overlapping with this class. I went back to the Photography Center Northwest trying to speak with someone and figure out how to solve my problem. Because I really needed to take my other class for my degree. When I arrived there, the secretary told me that she couldn't do anything for me. She gave me the email of the coordinator and suggested me to email her to find a solution. (This happened the next day of the first day of class) I was sending her emails every day, but she only answered me at the end of the week. My nightmare with this school started at this point. I emailed asking her if I could change my class on Tuesdays to Mondays; I saw on the website that this class wasn't full on Mondays; but how lucky I was when suddenly she replied back to me saying the class was full. However, they couldn't transfer me, even if I already paid the full course. I asked her if I could go to Monday class, and asked if someone wanted to change their class with me, but she said it wasn't a good idea. I was very stupid because I didn't go there, and what I found later was that the class had a waiting list. (So people who didn't even pay was before me) Guess why? Because they keep the 50% of your tuition even if you cancel the next day. I can not understand this because by law students have the right to cancel within 30 days (at least ,that was what I read in Washington website) In addition, the darkroom has more than 15 enlargers, but the maximum of students is 10. I can not understand why they have so much enlargers, if the maximum number of students is 10. I went there the next week, trying to cancel my class; there wasn't anything I could do, but the girl behind the desk told me that maybe there was a solution: transfering my money to the next quarter, so I wont loose 350 dollars and I ll be able to go to class. This day was the last day to refund my money, if not, they would keep the full tuition,700 dollars for just one class! unbelievable! I asked her to speak with the coordinator and let me know if they could do it. I though it was a very good solution. I received the last answer for this school telling me how sorry they are, even though I have been waiting almost 1 month trying to solve the situation. But they didnt do anything for me. It seems the dont care about their students, the only care about your money! I won't recommend this school ever! They charged my 350 dollar for just one class! Watch your backs with them!

My son started classes with Shelley in the summer of 2024 when he was 11. He has learned SO much,…read moreand made some paintings that I have been absolutely gobsmacked by. It has been amazing seeing his skills and confidence grow, and his talent so thoughtfully nurtured. My son really looks forward to class every week during the school year, and is so psyched about the summer camps. Shelley really knows how to bring out the artist in every child. I am so grateful we found Early Masters!

There are those moments that your kids do something that is 'just like you' and it's really…read moreendearing. Then there are those moments that your kids do stuff that is nothing like you could have ever created. It is wholly themselves. And exhilirating. That's our experience of our son in these classes. It's like we are meeting a whole new person. The way that these kiddos are taught with a blend of history, story, technique, and flavor is amazing. Our whole extended family is in love with this newer artistic endeavor, and it has so much to do with how Shelley brings it all to life for them. Thank you!

When you stop learning you essentially stop living. I have been attending classes at LLC for the…read morelast 8 years at their last two locations in Northern Seattle. It has been a life-changing experience for me as well as many others who attend regularly. The teachers are an outstanding group of people who are committed to learning by participating. There are no lectures; there are group discussions on a wide variety of topics from current events to literature, to exercise for health, to the arts in many forms. Every class presents an opportunity to expand your mind and/or body that creates a vibrancy in later life that stimulates learning that may not be otherwise possible due to physical constraints that is a normal part of the aging process. If you are a senior, it is worth your time to come to LLC and leave you ailments and apathy behind and permit your mind to return to the joy of learning.

I've been a student at Lifetime Learning Center for about ten years and can't say enough good…read morethings about it. It's a 38 year old non-profit educational institution that offers reasonably priced college level classes for adults of all ages. Over 25 of these non-credit classes are offered per quarter and include such subjects as literature, opera appreciation, history, watercolor, cinema, movement, writing, poetry, bridge and much more. New and different classes are offered every quarter and they're taught by a great faculty who all volunteer their time. There are often nearly 300 students enrolled per quarter. And the cost? It's amazingly inexpensive--the tuition for an 8 week course is typically just $30. This place is unique and is often referred to as one of Seattle's best kept secrets. I can see why. It's a very friendly place too. They hold Open Houses at the beginning of every quarter so that people can meet the instructors and hear brief summaries about upcoming classes. In March 2013 Lifetime Learning is moving to new facilities at 3841 NE 123rd St. in Lake City. (It was formerly located in a school near Green Lake for several years and before that in a Sand Point area school for many years.)