What a wonderful way to spend a cloudy or rainy afternoon in Providence, Rhode Island. Yes, it's a…read morevery warm way to spend the afternoon but you get over the heat very quickly when you see what you can create. Everything is explained fully and carefully and you are guided along a wonderful journey.

Terrific experience and really interesting and FUN! We were greeted very nicely by Vinnie but Ian…read morewas the star. He instructed and helped us each with what to do with patience and a great sense of humor. My friend and I each selected a beautiful ornament in the colors of our choice-who knew we had such talent. Well worth the price for a fascinating experience and can't wait to get my piece home to display it.

Dew Claw Studios is truly a Rhode Island gem! John and Kris are such kind, welcoming people that…read moremake ceramics accessible to all skill levels! The classes are relatively affordable and generally filled with diverse groups of people. Whether you're looking to hand build or throw pots on a wheel, Dew Claw Studios is a great pottery studio!

A bad place for beginners. The owner is extremely nice and affable, but his inability to actually…read moreinstruct (particularly for the price of these classes!) is absurd. I initially signed up for a hand-building class and noted that the instructor seemed to enjoy socializing with studio "regulars" more than spending a lot of time truly instructing. Indeed, one day the entire class (instructor included) spent the ENTIRE class talking and no lesson was provided at all. This was of course bothersome, but something that I could work through since hand-building can be fairly intuitive/self-taught. Also, I was motivated to learn and this is practically the only studio in the area that offers these courses. However, I then signed up for a pottery wheel course, at which point the cracks began to truly show in terms of the instructor's limitations in the teaching arena. Certainly, the pottery wheel definitely requires a LOT of practice in order to become proficient. But if the majority of your class can't even CENTER a pot--the foundation of pottery wheel work-- by the 4th or 5th lesson (and are being taught by a few of the other class members who have somehow caught on), that truly indicates there's a problem. I attended several open studio sessions in an attempt to hone my skills prior to additional lessons, but again, the instructor would spend the entire time socializing with others working in the studio. You felt as though you were dragging him away from his chit-chat with studio regulars in order to get instruction that you were paying him for. Two studio regulars sitting beside me at my first open studio session finally took pity on me and taught me how to center, which is certainly not their job. But there you are. I stuck out the wheel course for perhaps 5 sessions, in the meanwhile the majority of other students in my section stopped attending. I finally joined them, as I could certainly think of better things to do on my day off than try to wrangle a pottery wheel with little-to-no instruction. I imagine Dew Claw is a fantastic place for those with a background in pottery who are looking to build on their skill-set. But whether they realize it or not, this studio is truly taking advantage of new students who pay a reasonable amount of money and spend a large amount of their time for little return.

Artful Expression is a small art studio in Warwick. Jessica, the owner, is amazing! She teaches…read more art lessons for all-from young children to adult classes. She hosts art camps, art nights, birthday parties and everything in between. She sells art and will also do commissions. Ive purchased several pieces of the years and have never been disappointed. Check out her on facebook and instagram!!

Looking for something different to do, this is it! What an amazing experience! I got my niece a…read moregift certificate for Christmas and we finally got around to making an appointment and it did not disappoint. I had never tuft before so this was something new and exciting to try out! Every step of the way, Sav (the owner) was absolutely wonderful, so extremely helpful and accommodating. From the detailed emails regarding the correct location of the building (inside Hope Artiste Village) to recommendations of the best images to tuft to helping you sharpen your tufting lines, we couldn't have asked for a better instructor. She gave great instructions and came around to help out where she knew we were struggling a bit but always encouraged and made us feel like we were all rockstars. I can't say enough about how great of a class we had. She had her niece Leah (sp?) help out as well and she was such a sweet kid. The space is large, airy and welcoming. Feel free to bring something to eat/drink but light snacks and water are provided. We left with the cutest rugs that we made ourselves. Great to walk away with a masterpiece we personally put our hearts into. I'd love to come back in the future.

The service requested here was great a Cultural Placemaking bringing all different cultures…read moretogether. It was free of value for all different cultures to all enjoy festivities together in a peaceful atmosphere.

Variety of learning and cultural options A positive…read morecommunity influence Carries the torch for its crafts I take an extra measure of pride in Providence because the city is able to boast a feature as culturally relevant, vibrant, inclusive, educational, past-respecting yet forward-thinking, and contributory as The Steel Yard. Imagine, if you will, a light saber. Now shrink it, focus it, and make it a precision handheld device. Congratulations - in your mind's eye, you're now wielding a plasma cutter, which is a real tool you can learn to use and put to effective metal-working use after a workshop here - I did just that during a Weekend Welding Workshop and it was tough to wipe the grin off my face for quite a long time. While that might make for some of the coolest visual imagery to describe, the fact that metal grinders, MiG welders, age-old anvils, fine-gauge jewelry-making tools, ceramic works, and myriad other tools of the trade are waiting to be discovered and shared here is a great impetus to get people excited about the art and science of metal-working. The Yard recognized that and has worked hard over the years to forge the foundation, expand the awareness base, and reach out to the community - all experience levels, age ranges, and walks of life. The events here are a super draw for my family and me. The Halloween Iron Pour. The Ultimate Chef competition. The Steel Yard Cruise Night Car Show. I hear there have also been weddings here...which goes to show you don't need to be actively working metal to enjoy the Yard. That said, seeing some of the custom-chopped and augmented vehicles done on-site doesn't hurt one's appetite to grab some leathers and a visor, and get working. I received a request for donation to the Yard's efforts at the end of 2012 that moved to me action in a way that words hadn't called me to in some time. That was refreshing and invigorating; it was merely (at its essence) a request for support. And support we should. The Steel Yard is an anchor helping to revitalize an area of the city that needs it with its facility location; revitalizing a city that can use those services with its good public works, as with its creation of beautiful and utilitarian benches, garbage cans, and bike racks seen around town; revitalizing people's skill sets by providing constructive classes in a variety of disciplines at fair tuition costs, for multiple age groups; and mostly, revitalizing metal-working as a discipline that is useful, positive, artistic, and tending away from defunct and back toward common. For all of that, The Steel Yard deserves our support in keeping alive The Spark. Get involved and be about it - highest recommendation.

I took an offsite class offered by Vindauga Glass, so can't really comment on the studio itself. I…read morecan however review the quality of the instruction Deenie offered, and the preparation she put into ensuring that we had everything needed for both a fun experience, and unique glass piece I made by myself. Deenie came to the session shaped with a three page information sheet (including reminders about how sharp cut glass is!), pre-cut and beautifully shaped options in several colors that we could select from for the top and bottom layers of our pieces, about 12 colors of paint, glass "chips" to sprinkle on our pieces and larger shaped bars and bits of glass to use for more explicit forms on our pieces, glue and other needed items. I was most impressed by the care Deenie took to demonstrate a number of steps we could take and styles/materials we could select from to make a piece tht was truly "ours", and by her offer of gloves to protect our hands. She provided us each our own "work stations" and a shared marked space for used spoons, toothpicks, etc to ensure that the fresh and altered glass supply wasn't going to get mixed. Deenie clearly communicated the steps we'd need to finish our pieces at home after she fired them for us, and also how long that process would take and where she'd deliver the finished work. She made sure we all labeled our pieces and stored them safely for transport to her kiln for firing. Class ran about two hours, and at the end all of the 15 or so the participants swarmed the tables to see what each of us had created. This class was so much fun! Deenie is a talented artist - and a talented teacher.

I've hired Deenie to teach art classes for kids and teens in the library, and I recommend her, and…read moreVindauga Glass, without reservation. She expertly provides class instruction while also checking in with each student to encourage their individual creativity. Whether you're considering taking a class or commissioning a piece of artwork, know that Deenie is a professional master artist who takes great care to tailor her classes to the needs of each group, and great care in planning the creation of unique and beautiful works of art - making your design ideas come to life. Attached are photos of several pieces of Deenie's art. Check some out for yourself through a class or sale. You'll be delighted!

so very helpful, knowledgeable and friendly! thankful for a good deal on a great new chair. there's…read moreso many different things in there! might be a new stop in regularly place for sure!

It's open! Interesting shop, good for contemporary and some coastal art and unique decor items and…read moreclothing. Vintage and casual women's clothing and pop-up Anthropology and Free People lines. Owner also teaches art and does custom decorated clothes.

Great staff and well run studio. I especially enjoy that Ms. Chryssa. She is fabulous. She is so…read moregood with kids. All the staff are wonderful.

Best dance studio in Rhode Island!! Dancers are taught with…read moreprofessionalism, discipline and state of the art technique.