I have been taking classes at the art academy for 15 years, on and off. When I look back at my…read moreprogress, I know that what Jim and Sarah offered really made me a better painter. they have a method that works. I would recommend their classes for any and all ages.

I joined the school this summer and returned back to it this fall. It was one of the best decisions…read moreI have made lately. The teachers are very pleasant, accommodating but at the same time try to push to be a better artist. If you are a returning student you get an approx 30 dollars in discount. Its 150 dollars for a whole semester. The art supplies can be expensive but they will last you a life time and you have to buy them only once. Ample parking in the school parking lot. Plus some of the fellow students are really cool people so all in all it makes up for a very positive experience.

A Saint Paul staple! Absolutely magical. My family and I have an annual tradition of seeing the…read moreCircus Juventas show yearly. We love supporting local talent and feel that our money goes to a great cause as every participant in the show is a student (sometimes they do have guests to help fill certain roles or parts). Overall, your money goes to helping students build confidence, community and collaboration at circus. By attending shows or purchasing merchandise, the money gets put back into the circus school. Each year, the theme of the show is different and students weave in and out of the program. Once they are a senior, students move on. My family has been attending for so long that I recognize many of the former talent now being volunteers or riggers on set. I am always amazed at the talent and even more, how it's local and in our own community. Skills range from silks, tumbling, roller skating, trampoline jumps, aerial, acrobatics, juggling and more. Each show typically runs about 3 hours with a 20-minute intermission. There are small vendors onsite that serve the standard hot dogs, chips, sodas, candy bars and even Cold Stone creamery has had a both the past couple years serving up ice cream. It's truly an honor to be under the high top. As they say at the end - may all your days be circus days! Thank you to all the students, coaches and volunteers! Bravo!!

We attended Circus Juventas' Blizzard show this week. I wasn't sure what to expect having only seen…read moreone Cirque du Soleil show. What I didn't expect this to be was a show put on by kids! WOW! Blizzard was a culmination of several Christmas stories using the setting of Santa's Workshop. Christmas play meets Cirque du Soleil. These kids are no joke! The acting, strength, and fearlessness of these kids is amazing! If you weren't sure it's worth going don't, go! Bring your family and support these talented kids. Looking forward to seeing more of these shows in the future.

GREAT TIME to view the immense talented of the students during their exhibits-- left me wishing I…read morehad bottomless pockets!! :)

This school did not adapt to COVID well. Unable to use the facilities, students are still paying up…read moreto 58,000/year. Of course the president was kind enough to give a generous $500 back per semester, as if that's supposed to help over six months of classes. Most of the professors are great, some are only focused on their own tastes when in crit. The classes are long, and there is rarely time to complete any assignments as well as classes. I often found myself dropping classes to offset the workload I was given. Most professors don't care that you have 4 additional 10 hour assignments due as well as writing and research assignments, so it continues to pile on. It feels like a scam. I was so excited to be 19 and applying, but now that I'm older I see the way they take in vulnerable artists for their money promising a distinguished degree. What are they even spending it on? Facilities and amenities (especially housing) are RARELY updated. There are only two buildings, one of which is over 100 years old and has barely been touched. I understand paying faculty, but when you're charging 800+ kids 50,000+ per year... you have to wonder. Printing and parking is not free either, they take every spare penny you have. There is a reason I'm not going back next semester, the stress and pain wasn't worth it, even if I graduated, what could I expect? Assistance getting into the job market after school is non-existent. They kick you in the ass with a good luck out the door. If you're an artist, just begin your own practice. Save yourself some time and money. You don't need a degree to be a real artist. Don't waste your money.

I attended Studio seven from 5th grade up to high school graduation, and it was an incredibly…read moreformative experience. The teachers are engaging, encouraging, and warm - they know how to bring the best out of their students, and they care about each and every one of them. I learned techniques for countless art mediums, and there was always more to learn. I had attended many other art classes, before I finally found "the one" at Studio Seven. I treasure the memories of growing up in this place, and I couldn't recommend it more highly.

From the owner: Studio 7 offers a fine arts program for students aged 7 to 17. The program focuses on the…read moredevelopment of technical skills, as well as the creative expansion of individual ideas, through the ardent study of nature and form. Learning in a studio environment, rather than a classroom, is a very old idea. It is a belief that we at Studio 7 share.

Over the past year, I've taken several graphic design classes at MCAD and would definitely…read morerecommend them. I've taken intro classes in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign as well as an intermediate course in InDesign. While online resources have made these programs somewhat easy to learn, getting a few days of in person instruction has really taken me further. If you've got a weekend to spare, the two-day workshops are really great!

I was able to expand my art experience by using the print shop facilities. Great weekend course!read more

Stellar service and beautifully crafted jewelry...so much to choose from. I even ran into the…read moreartist of the earrings I chose for a gift!

On Sunday, we had to drive several hours (~3) round trip to babysit our son so we could attend the…read moreblacksmithing class. We arrived about 10 minutes early, but there was nobody at the shop. We knocked on the door, tried calling, and walked around the building to see if there was someone there. After 25 minutes, we finally decided to leave. We later received an automated email explaining that their "auto-reminders did not go out to you and to our instructor as they were supposed to." At the bottom of the email, it gave me the option to unsubscribe from their emails. For a class that costs nearly $90 per person, I would expect a higher degree of professionalism. All of the class attendees were responsible enough to show up, without auto-reminders. There is no excuse for the instructor forgetting! The refund they issued did not cover the cost or inconvenience of babysitting services. Their automated email that I could unsubscribe was unprofessional and felt like they were making excuses. The customer service was awful and I would never recommend that anyone goes there.

You too can go to college is their theme! Sure, they'll welcome you with open arms and then work…read moreevery angle possible to get you money to pursue a worthless degree. Beware!!

Whatever that ketchup is that they use on their ice creem is SUPERP! They should just SELL that!read more

Attended The Indigenous Art fair here a few weeks ago. They had a few food trucks setup in the lot,…read morelive music a little further down and vendors inside. There were a lot of vendors selling all types of goods from jewelry, clothing, accessories, trinkets and more. They had some performances going on as well. They also had traditional games and crafts going on in one of the conference rooms. Generally something for everyone! The building itself was nice from the areas we were able to access. They had a gallery of native art which was really cool. Lots of parking and super easy to find.

Ten minutes well spent Might not be great most the time…read moreBut it is great now This review is not so much for the Bloomington Center for the Arts (not Bloomington Art Center as Yelp has it listed), but for the current exhibit that they have going on right now featuring the artwork of Thomas Fluharty. I actually probably spent more than ten minutes there. Call it twenty. If you are older than 30, you have probably seen some of his work at one time or another in your life. It has been featured on numerous magazine covers. Usually, caricatures of political figures seen on the front of Time, U.S. News & World Report, etc. He has also had work published in Mad Magazine and other periodicals. Much of his stuff will definitely give you a chuckle. My only complaint about the exhibit is there was not a ton of stuff in it. Just one smallish room with maybe fifty or so pieces and many of those being sketches and not paintings. In addition to the caricatures, there were many pieces featuring dogs, religious work and a few other odds and ends. If you are interested in drawing yourself, he will be teaching a class at the Center in August. Per his Wikipedia page, he currently resides in Minnesota.

Gorgeous, beautiful store. I adore this place. I will be coming back. Art heaven. I love the staff,…read morethey are so helpful and sweet and patient and willing to work with you for as long as you need. They have an awesome selection of art supplies, they had everything from homemade paper to fountain pens. This is a gem of a store and so welcoming. You can tell that the staff are artists. Prices fit the products well, but they are a bit high. Granted all good art supplies are expensive these days. I would love to work here if it wasn't in St Paul. I love this store and I absolutely recommend.

I stumbled across this craft store and I'm so happy I did! I love planners, pens and everything…read morejournals and this store delivered. It spread to be small but once you go inside it's bigger than I expected and they have packed the store with goodies. Amazing collection of fountain pens and inks, regular pens and markers as well. They had paint, sketchbooks, journals, washi tape...the list goes on! Best part was the prices were good! I will be back!!!