What a lovely way to learn how to create art, and to learn something about yourself at the same…read moretime. So much of what Phil teaches spills into other areas of life too--areas where perfectionism and self-criticism reside. He helps us be more gentle with ourselves as we approach creativity. The energy in the room is not competitive, it is supportive and helpful. People return, year after year, to retake the "beginner" classes, in part to stay in touch with the beginner mindset and sense of wonder. The Drawing Studio is wonderful!

If you're looking for an art class where the instructor shows you how to hold your brush to paint…read moreclouds, this is not the class for you. Phil Sylvester does something much more valuable: he helps you to ignore critical thinking when you paint (or draw--he has drawing classes, too). Keeping your left brain from sabotaging your artwork can be a formidable task for some people, myself included. Phil basically helps you become that 5 year old kid with crayons again, where you have no expectations of what your art is supposed to be. His exercises encourage you just to paint, while he cites mantras from himself and other artists amid occasional music. This process leads you down a path where you find yourself and lose yourself at the same time. I can honestly say, in the short time I have been painting, that Phil has made me a better artist. Any class which does that is a good thing. So I suggest taking classes that teach techniques and color theory as well as taking the types of classes offered at the Drawing Studio. Every time you expand your horizons as an artist your soul will benefit.

I use to draw at Hipbone weekly. I moved a couple hours away. I miss it so much. I was telling a…read moreteen about it today. OMGoddess there are EVEN more opportunities now! The everyone can hang a piece of art and the artist gets 100%. I have Never Ever seen that anywhere. Thank you, I might need to drive the two hours.

I really am grateful that this place still operates. I come here for the live drawing sessions…read more They have 2 , 3 hour sessions on the weekends that I attend as much as I can. The nude figure drawing in the mornings and the clothes/costumed figure drawings in the afternoons. They also offer several different, affordable drawing/painting classes depending on their schedule, which is so easy to find online. On the weekends that I've attended, the models are great and professional, they have both male and female models and if you check out their instagram, they usually post who the model is going to be on the clothed/costumed figure drawing, plus they list the name of the models for the nude figure drawings on their website. The place is big, as well as the stage and the lighting is very nice. Lots of seating (old movie seating on one side, a big sharing table, and 2 or 3 smaller tables with folding chairs and "horses") and lots of easels, you can also borrow a drawing board and or clips, if you forget yours. Otherwise, come prepared. It's $15 for the weekend sessions, but don't forget to tip the model. They are so, so good at posing for artists ( foreshortened poses, posing with props, etc) and holding whatever pose they are at. They have a couple minutes of gesture poses in the beginning and then they will hold a pose for 30 minutes at a time. Never the same pose, but very impressive. Especially for someone like me with adhd, who can't even sit still long enough to finish this review in one go. Minus one star for letting people in 30 minutes after the session has started, because of all the easel and supplies of that person setting up can be very disruptive. Also I wish they would put photos (even just a passport photo will do) OR just add make or female, of their models online, so I have an idea of who's going to model that day. There are days that I just do not want to have to even look at a penis, and I'd want to know if that is what I'll be seeing that day, you know? No hate on penises, just, sometimes it can be a bit much. Having the names listed doesn't necessarily help all the time, especially with gender neutral names. Other than that, I highly recommend this place for anyone who wants to do some live drawings. Also check out their other art classes.

I've taken classes at a number of glass studios but nothing compares to Design Lite…read more Cheryl has more knowledge and creativity than most of the people around Portland. My fused material turns out better here than the class I took at Bullseye. I hope she offers more workshops - especially around Christmas.

If you love Stained Glass and glass decor and wondered, 'Hey how they do that?'…read moreThis would be a great place to start. Whether your interested in stained glass or fusion, you can try your creativity here. Owner and teacher, Cheryl is awesome. She will take you under her wing and answer all your questions, helping you along the way. Cheryl's assistant, Angie is also quite a talented artist. Many years of experience and tricks to the trade. You can bring an idea you may have had or go through many catalogs of art projects and begin your 8 week adventure. The atmosphere is relaxing and you are welcomed, treated as instant family. I just wanted to make one project, but now going on 5 years. Love it.

Ninety Twenty Studios is a wonderful gem! This is my first time ever working with metal, and I love…read moreit. The faculty I am working with, Tayja Danger, and owner Christine Clark are awesome, and I hear great things about the rest of this vibrant art community. The MOST important thing to me is communication and accessibility, and Christina was wonderful in responding to emails and she ANSWERED the phone when I called. Twice! ;-) If you're interested in MAKING, check this place out!

A real estate investor moved into North Portland at exactly the right time. In one of their…read morebuildings, they curate the entire basement of a more than quarter block building as artist studios, to give back. Once a year they have an open house to wander the studios and meet the artists. So it is not the Yelp conventional business: they are open to the public once a year for a few hours. But if you have an interest in buying work from an artist, contact them for access. The most unusual concentration of art styles here are large scale oil paint portraits and landscapes. But there are music studios, theatrical studios, sculptors and the studios of XRay.fm. Many of the apartments above and in their Mississippi properties happen to be occupied by artists too. And the landlord, in their commercial buildings, hosted art school studios. Modern Medicis, yes. For you, an opportunity to see artists at work, once a year. Curious? Check their website.

This studio and its teachers are wonderful. I took three series of classes here and am delighted to…read morerecommend it. It's a great place to practice mindfulness and improve your pottery skills, both during class and on your own time at the studio. I felt welcomed and received excellent guidance to work on my projects, and the community is amazing

I can't speak more highly of Casey and his business ethics. I scheduled a clay date, but my…read moregirlfriend was feeling dizzy so we stayed home. She didn't think a spinning clay wheel would help. I reached out to Casey and explained the situation. He graciously offered to reschedule at no cost. I was very much so surprised at the lack of frustration. He was understanding, compassionate, and happy to reschedule us. I can't speak higher of his business operations and of his personable approach to customer service. 5 stars! We will be rescheduling and coming in soon. Thank you again Casey! I will be sharing your business with my business networking group

It's nearly a given here in Portland that if you are not an artist yourself, you know a handful…read more And while we all support our "starving artist" friends (or careers) in any and all ways that we can, (mostly with "supplies" such as food and booze,) Working Artists Gallery takes it a giant leap further by providing an actual support network of strategic partners, a creative workspace, and a beautiful gallery to grow and showcase the artists in the community. It is a learning, working, living gallery and completely alive with art of every kind. After about an hour inside this working gallery, I begin to feel a little creative myself (ok...it could have been the fumes...) and I drew at least 4 or 5 smileys on my hand. (It was when they started singing Beatles songs that I knew we needed to open a door). While I'm joking about my psychedelic flashback, I did truly enjoy the fact that while I was there, art was being created all around me. A belly dancing studio was tucked away in a corner, artists were coming in and out with "new junkyard finds," and the artists' spaces were left in various states of the creative process....it wasn't polished and tidy, it was real and organic. What I loved most about this working gallery was that it was completely designed to support artists by an artist who is simply passionate about how vital the art community is to any city, especially here in Portland. Way to go Adrienne - thank you for helping our artist-friends make a successful living!

As a parent, I became concerned about my daughter's friend group at school. It seemed like many of…read morethe kids around her were starting to get involved with drugs and focusing heavily on things like boyfriends, and I really wanted her to be surrounded by positive, sober teens her age who were working toward something meaningful. I literally hopped on google and did a search. Acting for Kids & Teens popped up. Enrolling her was one of the best decisions I've made. She absolutely loves the class and looks forward to going every single Saturday. It has given her a creative outlet, a supportive community, and something exciting to focus on. Her teacher, Steph, is fantastic and truly connects with the students in a positive and encouraging way. Hallie was also absolutely wonderful during the enrollment process--kind, helpful, and very responsive. I'm so grateful to have found a place where my daughter can build confidence, express herself, and spend time with other teens who are passionate about acting and creativity. I highly recommend Acting for Kids & Teens to any parent looking for a positive and inspiring environment for their child.

We absolutely love going to class at AFKT. We have a drive coming in from Washington, but the…read moretraffic is all going the opposite way so we cruise right in. The children's program is a wonderful way for kids to express themselves in a transformative atmosphere allowing creative growth. Super fun. I would highly recommend attending a class regardless of age. They have adult classes that looks so fun, one day I to will take a class, but first the kids.