Can't say enough positive things about the Visual Arts Center (VAC) of Richmond!…read more One, they have free parking in the back for patrons! I could end the review there but I will continue. My partner and I checked out the VAC for one of their Second Friday Art Classes. They offer $15 dollar art classes on the second friday of each month making strides in making art accessible. We ended up doing an air dry clay workshop which was extremely fun (you can see our amazing creations in the photos). Our instructor was kind and taught us some really amazing tips. While we waited for our class to start we roamed around and checked out their exhibits. This is a stunning place to view some art work, so many talented artists pieces are on display, you won't get bored here. We even got to learn about our next date night by examining the community board. The VAC of Richmond is an amazing example of community, learning and wonder. Can't wait to return for my next art class adventure!

Lauri Jenkins teaches sewing and I cannot recommend her enough. She has taken something…read moreintimidating and made it fun. The lessons are scaffolded so you build on your skills with each project, adding a new skill while incorporating what you have learned so far. She is encouraging and will tell you "nice job!" making you feel like a pro when you're not....but you'll be a whole lot closer under her tutelage. She is awesome. Everyone I talked to at the center is super nice and they offer a wealth of classes, many with various levels so you can build on your skills or just a one day class to do something fun and bring a project home. I like to learn and I like to meet new people and I so much enjoy being here. I just hate the parking since I am not a city dweller (lol!) and there is always someone waiting to lay in on their horn if you don't move fast enough. Oh well. There is some parking available in a lot if you get there early enough. I am sooooo wanting to take every class here!! You should too.

I love going here. Came for the couches, stayed for the vibes. My friend who has two little kids…read morefeels so comfortable, and we even checked out the playroom which was fun for both us adults and the little one. The mochas are good and the service is literally the best. It's nice to go somewhere they remember you! As long as they're here, this is my local spot.

What a delightful place! I'm sad I didn't know about it before, but glad to know about it now in…read morethe peak of summer heat. A cute cafe / art workshop / indoor playground mash-up which is perfect for getting the kids out the door but still getting to have a cup of coffee and a bite to eat. The boys had so much fun in the little play space. My son is also now begging me to do an art workshop. The honey cake I ate was delicious and not to be missed! Everything in their pastry case looked incredible. Can't wait to come back and try more. Such a hidden gem.

This is an interesting concept and a great franchise...and lots of fun!…read more We visited AR Workshop for a team fun event. Basically you select a project, pay for it and then you stain, paint, etc. the project, which takes 2-3 hours depending on how complicated it is. They also offer classes that you can sign up for. For my project, I chose to make a wooden tray. I had to assemble the tray, stain it and then add the stencil to complete it. The final step is attaching handles. You end up with a custom shabby chic or whatever style you prefer, so it's really customizable. The cost of the tray is $85. I will definitely be back and I want to bring my daughter. Unlike painting pottery, you leave with your project and the satisfaction of having created something beautiful and unique to you.

This is a fun place for an afternoon of creativity. The sign up process is easy, the instructor was…read morehelpful and friendly, and the finished product is nice & functional. It's a tad bit pricey but when you consider the cost of materials and the time you're spending there it works out. We made chunky knit blankets and were all in love with them at the end. It's fun to learn a new skill and hang out with friends while doing it. They serve drinks and you're allowed to bring food. We plan to host a private party here in the future. Kids (tweens/teens) would really enjoy this, too.

We had the most AMAZING experience at Hawaiian Fluid Art celebrating my wife's birthday, and I…read morecannot say enough good things about it! From the moment we walked in, Cathy and Nikea welcomed us with such kindness and genuine warmth that we immediately felt at home. They went above and beyond to make the day special. They patiently walked us through everything step by step, gave us great tips, making sure every member of our family felt comfortable and confident. Their enthusiasm was contagious, and their encouragement turned what could have been a simple art session into a truly unforgettable memory. The finished pieces turned out beautiful, but what really stood out was the laughter and connection we experienced thanks to Cathy and Nikea's awesome energy. Highly recommend if you're looking for a unique, fun and family-friendly activity in Richmond!! This is a MUST DO!!

We had a wonderful time. Great location. Plenty of options to create and a wonderful staff to…read moreassist you through it all. We had a blast!

The VMFA Studio School offers a variety of great art classes. Members of the VMFA get priority on…read moreclass sign-up. ***LOCATION*** Right across from the VMFA on Grove Ave, not too far from the sculpture garden. It's located in an old Victorian building which can be a little cold during winter months. It took me a second to find, but they have a sign for the studio school. Follow that for the parking lot right in front of the school. ***EXPERIENCE*** I took a stained glass class here and adored it. It was a sold out class that had a very long waiting list. I was grateful to be a member and to be able to sign up early. It was a two day class that lasted from 10am-4:30pm. The only reason this spot loses a star for me is because the class was advertised for one weekend and they changed it without notifying me until the last second. Had my friend taking the class with me not notified me of the email she got (which I didn't), I would've missed this. I had purchased this class about three months in advance and made plans for the weekend they rescheduled it for and had to do a lot of scrambling/canceling to change my weekend plans I had also made months in advance. Our class was led by Jude Schlotzhauer who was very knowledgeable about stained glass and the techniques of making it. I love the way she taught the class. She explained everything to us, had us test out glass cutting techniques, pick out an outline we liked, cut out glass for that, wrap the edges in foil, and flux and solder the pieces together. It was so much fun. She even gave us a sheet with places to get the supplies if we wanted to continue making stained glass. ***PRICE*** As a member, this class was $160. ***BATHROOM*** There are single all gender bathrooms scattered around the building. ***CONCLUSION*** After this class, I want to make stained glass pieces all the time. I had an absolute blast. My friend and I can't stop daydreaming about making more together.

Bought lessons for my nieces and nephews and they really enjoyed the classes. I might try some…read moremyself.

My family had so much fun this past weekend in the Intro to Glass Blowing class! The experience far…read moreexceeded our expectations as Erin expertly, (with a good dose of humor!) guided us through the process of making our own colorful drinking glasses! I appreciate their dedication to inclusion and accommodations as well. Definitely recommend!

My mom and I came here to try glass blowing for the first time, and it was a fun experience. The…read moreworker was kind and explained everything clearly. We were able to help create our own pieces and choose the colors we wanted. I made a cup and my mom made an oil bottle. Overall, it was a great experience, but it's also easy to make mistakes, so it's important not to rush. The imperfections are small, but there are air bubbles in both of our pieces. While we were making the oil bottle, the instructor accidentally tapped it against the door of the furnace area, which left small white marks on the bottle. It's not a huge issue, but it could have been avoided.

Great place for a quick run around area for kids but just could've been more clean just as in…read moredusting the bouncy and just maybe more snacks but for a quick run around spot it's not bad at all and the price you can't beat it

Very clean & staff was friendly & provided great service. Highly recommended. My toddler birthday…read moreparty turned out great. Staff went above and beyond! She dressed up as mini mouse and the kids loved it. What a great experience. Thank you!

My husband and I came to do the "Bowl in One" class. We were celebrating our 8th wedding…read moreanniversary and the "traditional" gift is pottery. This was our first time working on a wheel and we had a ball. Our instructor, Nila, was super helpful and provided clear instructions throughout the hour. The class has a max of 12 people and the space is well setup to allow for a personalized experience. You get to choose what color glaze gets applied. They fire your piece for you and you can pick it up in three weeks. There's a small parking lot, but I'd leave some extra time in the event you need to find street parking. We came on a Sunday and didn't have any issues finding street parking a few doors down. We'll definitely be back!

Still Life Studios has become one of my favorite places in the city to take ceramic classes. I have…read morebeen going there for two months straight, and I have officially found my new hobby of choice. I like how the classes are organized because clay, glaze, tools, and kiln firings are all included in the cost of the class. The space is huge and has multiple tables and rooms to practice your ceramic skills. They even have a semi-outdoor garage area for potters to set up in. In addition to the great space, the staff are all super helpful. The owner, Jess, and teacher, Brooklin, make the space very inviting and informative. It's a great environment to ask questions and be inquisitive about the process. Also, all the other potters who go there, whether members or students, are happy to share their knowledge with newcomers. I would recommend taking the "Bowl in One" class first for just $60 before committing to a whole month of classes. But I promise, once you start at Still Life, you won't ever want to stop.