I took a class here as a teenager and it was top notch! I have talked to many students who have…read moretalked classes here recently, and you know what, they can't speak highly enough about it! Yes, the rumors are true! It's just as good now as it was 45 years ago! Hats off to all the great teachers for encouraging all the students from around the world (yes, I knew a young woman from Italy who attended classes back in 2005!). A big standing ovation to all the teachers keeping this great institution world class all these decades later! You are the greatest!

Continuing Ed "intro" courses are not worth it. Don't bother unless you've already mastered the…read morebasics elsewhere because you will not be taught any techniques here.

Such a fun experience!! First time doing pottery since high school and Essy made the environment…read morenot intimating and welcoming! She was super hands on and helped with recommendations throughout the pottery class. I am so excited to pick up my mug and would recommend this for a fun girls night or date night!

I had the best time doing my 2 hour workshop. My instructors Marc and Isa were so kind and patient…read more They walked me through everything and it was such a great way to spend some quality time w a loved one. 100% recommend for date nights or just for a friends activity!!

This is a nice cozy (read: tiny) space just off Michigan Avenue. It is women-owned and operated (is…read morethat a rarity in the art world?) and we went to see the artwork one of our favorite local artists, Jennifer Cronin (www.jennifercronin.com). They were able to arrange a show for her last year at the Blackstone, a bigger and prestigious place. We appreciated the complementary local beverages while browsing the art work. Good to know they support locals all the way! I awarded 5 (five) stars because of the Yelp COUPON in the app! I checked in on Yelp, and a 20% coupon came up! My other party saw a piece to buy (in a bin, not on the wall, from Jennifer Cronin, who was not present at the opening), and they were SO COOL about accepting the coupon! It had been posted a long time ago, but they were happy to accept. The art is unusual, quirky, but not too over the top. Check it out when you get a chance.

Chicago's art scene starts here!! This small and unassuming gallery has helped kickstart the…read morecareers of some of Chicago's most well-known artists like Hebru Brantley, Sentrock, Max Sansing, and Kayla Mahaffey. The shows here are vibrant, exciting, and pure fun! The gallery is extremely inclusive with the art it shows. Focusing on a lot of street art, they work with a lot of BIPOC, women, and LGBTQ artists. The owner Kim is super sweet and often uses the space for philanthropic purposes such as donating gallery sales to local organizations or supporting the community through charity art auctions. Although they do showcase big name artists, the gallery also has emerging artists with very affordable pieces, as well as frequent print releases. Last year, there was a Sentrock show where all pieces were under $200 and I was able to snag a cool handprinted zine for $20. They also do a yearly holiday show where there are often a good amount of pieces for $200-300. Pro tip: Get on the collector's preview list, because some of the shows sell out in just minutes! The gallery does openings every month or so on Fridays, or you can schedule a private showing (which was really nice during the pandemic.) Recently, I've seen shows from a slew of amazing local artists like Dovie Golden, Junar, Myron Laban, Delisha McKinney, and most recently TotesFerosh. Love this gallery! Would definitely check it out if you are downtown.

I take classes here and love it. Love the environment and the teachers are Great. Would recommend…read moreto anyone

Such a cool place and such a cool concept! I've gone to events a few times and the staff has been…read morenothing but sweet and accommodating. We need more places like this in Chicago! The atmosphere and art on the walls is also gorgeous.

Such a fun and unique experience in Chinatown! Chicago Color Lab is in the cutest little outdoor…read moremall, surrounded by great shops and restaurants. We did the small bear paint pour class and loved it--there were so many fun figure options and colors to choose from. The process is super creative, and the instructors were helpful every step of the way. Can't wait to pick up the final result. Highly recommend!

I don't think we have anything else like this nearby but it was a fun date night activity…read more Angela is really sweet and helpful. Super patient too bc I was making a mess and probably overthinking what colors to use that work together lol. They offer various sizes so there's a little something for everyone's budgets for a day / night out.

After 5:00 summer series Wednesday wine down:I recently visited this Little Black Pearl, and I have…read moreto say the energy when I walked in was great. I was surrounded by such positive, welcoming people of all ages. Throughout the night, we sang karaoke, played cards, shot pool and listened to good music. What really stood out to me was how safe, inclusive, and comfortable the environment felt. Everyone was so kind and genuine. But what truly touched my heart was how the community embraced my brother, who is special needs. There was no judgment only acceptance, laughter, and open arms. For the first time in a long time, I didn't feel like I had to be on guard, watching to make sure he was being treated with respect because everyone just welcomed. It was a relaxing night filled with connection and joy. I would absolutely come back and recommend it to anyone looking for a fun, warm, and safe space. Thank you for such an unforgettable expeience.

The organization for which I work recently held an event at Little Black Pearl (LBP). The support…read moreand service we received was beyond stellar! LBP provided the space, catered the food (via their onsite cafe, Carver 47), connected us to amazing balloon and floral vendors, and provided other accoutrements (e.g., tables and chairs, table coverings, a stage, sound and tech support, package management). LBP's one-stop shop especially helpful given that our planning team resided outside of Chicago. There is so much to applaud from the experience: the warm and inviting space exuded elegance; the feast was as beautiful as it was delicious; and the LBP team's interactions with us (from planning to completion) was the epitome of grace and hospitality. They accommodated every request and did so with an exceptional level of excellence. When we asked that the menu include a vegetarian and Halal dish, they ensured guests had multiple options. When we requested assistance erecting our banner, they took on the task of assembling the entire structure, even machine washing and drying it when they noticed a stain. Compared to other spaces we considered (and have used in the past) across the city, LBP's offerings and support stood head and shoulders above and their love was palpable in their attention to details.That they have a heart-centered mission and work in support of youth and community was tasty icing on an already amazing cake. Thank you, Little Black Pearl team, for making our event a world-class experience!

Oh yarn, looks like this store is one of the best places to buy yarn in Chicago!…read more This shop is right next to Jones College Prep. The entrance is a bit confusing, just use the directory and they will buzz you in! The selection was great- everything from larger brands like Rowan and Cascade, to local hand dyers like Leading Men! I also thought their prices were pretty fair for a local yarn shop (e.g. skein of Rowan Made Alpaca Haze was $10 vs online is ~$8.80). The staff is super friendly and very knowledgeable. They will point you in the right direction but also let you browse alone (when choosing colors I need full concentration). They also offer a range of classes too! Overall, would definitely recommend this yarn shop!

This is such a cute store, tucked away in downtown Chicago. It was a little confusing at first…read moretrying to find the store entrance, since you have to be buzzed in. I was visiting and was looking for a yard that would match my current project, and they were so helpful! I was able to find what I needed and found some additional yarn for a future project. They had a large variety of options, and the prices were reasonable. I look forward to visiting it the next time I am in the area.

I would like to start with, JAMIE! She is Ah-mazhing!!!! The most patient person you will ever…read moremeet! I was late... (im so sorry) but! She showed me the way! You get to choose from coasters to pots to trays to vases! I chose the coasters,maybe ill use them this time this activity is an absolute must! My friends and i enjoyed breaking tiles and mirrors, if its not perfectly cut, its "organic" i love it! Jamie will show you how to cut and nip the tiles and mirrors into shapes or she can do them for you as well. Tip: time flies when you are having fun!

A really enjoyable evening hanging out and creating with my sister and a friend, and about seven…read moreother nice people. The teacher, Humberto, was excellent, patient and full of good cheer. He explained and demonstrated very clearly everything from breaking the tiles to grouting. We took advantage of the Spring 50% sale for the class. I highly recommend it and would take the class again.

A wonderful non-profit that serves youth in the Chicagoland area!read more

From the owner: Changing Worlds' mission is to foster inclusive communities through oral history, writing and art…read moreprograms that improve student learning, affirm identity and enhance cross-cultural understanding. We provide in-school, after-school and community outreach programs in Chicago and beyond. Our educational, art and cultural awareness programs reach more than 10,000 students, teachers and families each year. Learn more about our programs.

Had an awesome time at Fox in a Box Chicago playing The Bank Job! The theme was super immersive,…read moreand using aliases made it even more fun. Our game master Alex kept everything running smoothly and she added to the experience. We managed to escape successfully, which made it even better. Definitely recommend for a fun and challenging group activity!

Did two rooms here in December 2024…read more The best thing about this place is that the rooms are private. Our first group had three people, our second group had four people. While I can enjoy any escape room, it was great to be with people that we all knew. On the downside, these rooms are not really well maintained. Some of the puzzles were broken, we were told about that ahead of time, so the communication was good. Something broke, while we were accomplishing our mission. And our guide stepped right in so that that wasn't an issue. Would I go here again? Sure. At the end of the day, it's an escape room, and they are still a lot of fun when you go with fun people and don't get stuck with strangers who are not fun.