Jennifer is warm, welcoming, smart, sophisticated, approachable--the list could go on and on…read more Taking classes with her has been one of the most rewarding things I've done. I feel braver, more willing to take risks with my creativity. For me, this isn't just a "night out," this is a chance to grow--to dig in and explore parts of myself I hadn't seen before. #LifeLongLearning.

I signed up for an Acrylic Pour class and I was terrified. After attending a few art shows at…read moreJennifer's gallery, I was inspired and took the plunge. However, the last art class I took was an obligatory high school graduation requirement in 1995. So why was I doing this? Why did I dive in for an acrylic pour class that deals with resin and pouring paints? I can't even dye Easter eggs properly. I arrived and Jennifer was there to welcome me. She was warm and friendly. I met the instructor, Jim Bradley (whom I purchased art from previously). It was a two part series class; two Saturdays from 12-2 pm. All materials were provided, even aprons if we needed them. Between Jennifer's and Jim's encouragement, I created pieces of art that I was proud to show others. Through their energy and love for art, they led me to a place that helped me transform my art intimidation into creativity. There were nine others in the class (it sold out very quickly). We all had so much fun. I have since signed up for a Gong Bath, a Paint Nite with Angel Card Reading and my 6 year old attending a Paint with Paper class. Jennifer's background of art and teaching is a gift and it shows through her ownership at HeARTspot. Her class prices are very reasonable and as you can see...they keep you coming back for more. A true advocate in supporting the arts for all!

I have been going to Clayart Studio of RI for few years now. I really enjoy my time there. Small…read moreclass setting which gives more of a one on one experience. Rena is a wonderful, talented and knowledgeable instructor. If you want to learn good techniques, it's the place to go!

Started with Rena about one year ago and her pottery classes have been incredibly relaxing and…read moreenjoyable. Her knowledge of clay is immense and I have made some beautiful pieces with her guidance. I would definitely recommend this clay class to everyone.

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.

Nothing wrong with it at all I just thought it would be like a craft market but it's studiosread more

This place is amazing I never even new this place existed until I started working for gateways to…read morechange and took a few of my clients there for Day programming. Wow staff is amazing so friendly and helpful. Clients and myself really enjoyed our time there from making artwork to signing and practicing for plays. This place is a true hidden gem to the community. The little cafe they have is great and love how honest and helpful they are

A family friend brought my two daughters there last week…read more The experience was fine for them, however, this place does not advertise that the owner is extremely religious, plays Christian worship music, and writes scripture on the bags when the items are picked up. If that aspect of the business isn't specifically advertised, it can be a bit off putting for someone who doesn't know what they're walking into. Our biggest issue stems from that fact that this place took pictures of my children and put them on their social media. My wife reached out via chat on Instagram and was ignored. My wife called the business and talked directly to the owner and was met with indifference. She said that the Instagram account was ran.by someone else and she would reach out before pushing my wife off the phone. It was eventually removed and replaced, sarcastically, with a picture of my children with yellow smiley faces blocking them. The Instagram account also blocked my wife who only asked for the pictures to be removed. It wasn't until after this that we saw that she also posted pictures of our children to FACEBOOK and those weren't removed. We tried calling again, during business hours, and the phone was off. So I went there and spoke to her myself. I explained to her that putting images of children is against Rhode Island law. After making me wait, she got on her own phone and all of a sudden had access. She deleted the pictures and I went on my way. I don't recommend this place unless you're a religious zealot looking to spend the afternoon with an insufferable Karen who thinks breaking the law is ok because she's "always done it."

The owner was extremely rude! Her energy…read more was negative; she was cold and off putting. I asked her a question and she raised her voice like she was speaking to a child. Very disrespectful. The atmosphere was not relaxing at all. She needs to learn to treat people with professionalism and respect. We ended up walking out. We will never go back to "WEIRD GIRL"

I had such a great experience at Visual Shift Art Studio! I was greeted with incomparable…read moreenthusiasm by both Alyssa and her partner, Manny (Designer 151). Their space is so well put-together and I felt extremely welcome upon entering. After looking around at all the outstanding artwork and items on display for sale and chatting about what we could do, Alyssa and I began our art project. She has so many different options to choose from, I took advantage of the hypertufa pot project. She did a great job explaining the process to me and showing me how to properly make the pots by making one alongside me. This was no ordinary class, I was delving into a new form of art that I had never tried before and it all seemed so easy with Alyssa's help and willingness to teach. I can't wait to go back to Visual Shift with my friends and see what other projects are in store for us. Alyssa told me about paint nights that she would be teaching in the upcoming future and that is definitely something I would try out and encourage others to attend. I look forward to seeing this business flourish and would definitely recommend to any person who is interested in an exciting art experience! Truly a hidden gem in RI.

From the owner: Estate Garden Services & Custom Planters & Decor…read more Gardening services include design, plant purchasing, planting, pruning, plant care, weeding & seasonal container design.

These people love children and it definitely shows! We attended a Girl Scout event here and my…read moredaughter loved it! I hope they do more events next year.

The empowerment factory is a wonderful place to learn about health and wellness. The teachers and…read morepresenters are top notch and the environment is delightful. Check out the health and wellness monthly talks coming this winter

Best place ever!! I remember when they first started many years ago!! I used to actually volunteer…read morethere for quite some time and had a lot of fun!! And went to there free art classes on Saturdays so much fun!!

PeaceLOve Studios is a wonderful non-profit in our community that helps people create peace of mind…read morewith expressive arts programs. Wonderful People.

This place is great! My husband brought a pair of his great aunt's ruby earring here in 2012 to…read moremake into an engagement ring. They did a great job helping him select a diamond and to design the ring. I also got my wedding band at MRT's. It's a great local shop! My mother-in-law's wedding and engagement rings are actually also from here. What has impressed me most about MRT's is their customer service. When one of the tiny rubies fell out of my wedding band early on, they fixed it for free. More recently, I decided to get the wedding band and engagement ring fused together, so that they wouldn't rub together (the side wall of the wedding band was thinning from rubbing). I currently live in California and the price quote I got here for thickening the side walls and fusing the two rings together was $200 more expensive than the quote MRT's gave me. When I took the ring to MRT's, they gave me a price quote based on the time and materials to fix the ring. When they realized later it would take more time to fix the ring than expected, they kept the original price quote, rather than raising it, despite it taking more labor. I just received my rings in the mail from them and am thrilled with the result!

Great and accommodating staff in a shop where beautiful, well-made, and classic as well as…read morenewer-style jewelry pieces are for sale and where they can also be professionally adjusted for size and repairs when necessary. I have been a client for decades and wouldn't trust any other shop with my most precious jewelry pieces-- and, BTW, I come from one of Rhode Island's oldest and respected costume jewelry families. M.A.Sorrentino