I really love this venue! It's on a sweet hometown, literal main street. There is ample parking all…read morearound, various restaurants to try before an event, and they really do a good job with everything. I've always found it clean and bright and well maintained. When my son was younger we went to a couple of plays here and I remember them fondly. They did a great job. I should probably see what's playing and try to see a show again. The building is setup well with a coat check for the colder months, ample restrooms, and they always have beautiful artwork by different artists on the wall to enjoy while you wait to get your ticket taken. Since it's in the burbs it's a great deal with free parking in the nearby ramp or street parking and really only the cost of your ticket for a fun opportunity. Currently a group of girlfriends and I frequent this venue almost every month for the Hennepin County Library's Pen Pals event where they host different author talks. They do a wonderful job with a different setup for each author. Some give a lecture, some a presentation, others have had an interviewer in a conversation style. I've learned so much! In the last three years I've heard... Colm Toibin Bonnie Garmus Ed Yong Michelle Zauner Maggie O'Farrell Annette Gordon-Reed John Irving Kristin Hannah Anthony Doerr Viet Thanh Nguyen Brit Bennett Richard Powers Emily St. John Mandel A very impressive line up! It's not overwhelming but still a decent size auditorium. Definitely take yourself on an outing to this impressive spot.

Coworker Sal and I attended a Christmas event last night. We are not from the area, but it was…read morepretty easy to find off the TC freeway system. And parking was free in the lot across the street. Upon leaving, I noticed that there is also a parking ramp 1 block over too. The event didn't attract a real big crowd, so it was quieter than expected. So getting our tickets at will-call was fast. Walking into the theater, I was pleased to see the auditorium space. Any seat is going to be a good seat, and we happened to have 2 row tickets. The only downfall was proximity to the speakers. The show happened to be a comedy show, but I had a hard time hearing fast talk because of the microphone reverb. I was missing punchlines and not laughing. It was just too loud for "talking" when the mic was at your mouth. Now, there was a singing quartet in the show, and that was much better since they were standing about 2 feet away from the mics. Next time, I'd pick a middle row. After the show, we hit the restroom. Plenty of stalls for the ladies. It was clean and well stocked.

Curated art for all budges available to purchase in Uptown!…read more Douglas Flanders & Associates is a fabulous addition to the Uptown art scene. I stumbled upon the gallery earlier this week and was blown away by the unique collection of art they are curating from local and national artists. Of course some art was a bit out of my price range, but I was encouraged to see they also carry art that is very affordable and moderately sized for us apartment dwellers in the area. Everyone in the gallery was welcoming and very knowledgeable! I'll for sure be coming back here when I'm ready to make a few investments in great art. It's a must visit if you're in the area and the shop is a quick walk from Calhoun Square.

This was an awesome little art gallery. Just happened to stop in on the way to meet my bro for…read morehappy hour at pajarito. There's lots of shops in the area so was fun to pause and see some unique art!! The place is a little worn but in a way just adds to the character of the place! It was cool to hear that it's one of the oldest art gallery companies in Mpls. If you're in the area or shopping on 50th stop in and see what's on display!

This shop just moved to Hamline and Grand Ave to a more open space which feels more like a gallery…read morethan their last place. Not sure where else you can get a Charles Beck print which is reliably available here. I get a good amount of my gift shopping done here as it's also a gift shop with less pricy items too that are just not found elsewhere. Jewelry, ceramics, paintings, prints, and some glassware. A comfortable place to just browse as staff are helpful but hands-off.

This is the best Art gallery in Minneapolis. Every time we visit we have to go here. It's like a…read moremuseum. They quality of the artwork is amazing.

I have had many things framed at The Frame Works. The last piece, a charcoal by my daughter, turned…read moreout so nice that I was almost embarrassed! It makes her lovely work of art into a museum piece. The prices are comparable with other frame shops, but the attention to artistic detail by the staff there is above the pale. I never go anywhere else.

Positive first experience here. I don't get a lot of things framed, and some places I've gone they…read moresorta treat you poorly for not knowing the insider terminology. Not the case here, felt welcome from the start. Framing stuff is expensive, I know that, and in the realm of what I have paid before, this was in the ballpark. Happy with the result - I would return here for my next framing need!

An Urban Sketchers event was held here and the owners were fabulous hosts. There are lots of open…read moreareas for doing and viewing art. A stage and small kitchen area are located in the main area. Tables, couches, and comfy chairs encourage conversation. I love the high ceilings and open spaces. This place had 8000 sq ft to be used as a creative incubator, community gathering space, performance venue, workshop and art gallery.

This art studio/event space/design and build space is really fantastic--owned business the kindest…read morepeople. They are very generous with the space and allow all kinds of people to use it, from puppy rescues to avant-garde theater and art events, to church! There's a small polished art studio space in the front, a lager meeting room with flexible space and a stage in the center, and a garage like space at the back. From the outside, you'll be surprised by what you find inside.

My friend and I were wandering the Southdale Center Mall when we happened across this little place…read more Considering most of that mall is upscale, hoidy-toidy, way-beyond-our-price range clothing and jewelry shops, we were pretty excited to take a peek. The store feels a little sparse/empty, like there's room for plenty more merchandise to add, which was a bit odd. The front half of the store is admittedly mostly foreign/bootleg blind boxes of plastic toys that no one should be buying like Labubus, but this kind of wasteful crap is trending right now, unfortunately. Amusingly, they also were selling little outfits for your keychain critters, so at least you could dress them up differently if you didn't get the one you wanted. XP The back half of the store is better. It's a crafting area! For parties or just drop-ins. The employee helpfully gave us a small tour and invited us to ask any questions if we had any. They have several tables and chairs set up for you to work at if you choose to do a craft. You can choose from canvas totes, pencil cases, luggage tags, makeup bags, etc. to iron on patches (there are lots of fun designs to choose from, big and small, as well as lettering) at reasonable prices of 1 for $3 or 3 for $5 for small, and 1 for $5 or 3 for $10 for large. Or you can utilize their "cream glue" craft with tons of available colors and piping heads to change the look of the glue (think like decorating icing on a cake) and tons of cute charm designs + "sprinkles" to adhere to a variety of items such as phone case, jewelry box, hair brush or mirror, photo frames, hair clips, or ornaments. They had some sample items out to help give you inspiration if needed. Aprons are provided, and there's a drying area for your creation to sit while it firms up too. My friend and I didn't opt to do a crafting experience this time, but we may come back in the future. It certainly looked like a fun way to spend an afternoon!

Brand new store in Southdale Center (mall). The blind boxes are what first caught my attention. In…read morethe front of the store they have trendy blind boxes, they also sell mini clothes to dress them up, which is cute. In the back of the store they have DIY crafts such as picking out patches to put on tote bags, the viral cake mirrors, frames and boxes. Also a few other options like keychains and such. Looks so fun. I asked the employee about the DIY experience and if you needed reservations and they told me if your group is 4 or more that they do prefer you contact them ahead of time so they can prepare. You can contact them via IG DM. Store is located on the Dave & Busters side of the mall. On the main level near Macys, Niko Niko and AT&T.

A few years ago I joined one of the classes that Clayworks with my friend John. It was such a good…read moreclass and it was wonderful to see what I could create out of clay. Later, I had the opportunity of being at his shop at the Renaissance Festival, there's so many wonderful pieces that he has made that you could just meditate on. I love his spirit as well as his heart, Mr. Caulfield has such a unique flair when it comes to pottery and the business in general. He takes his time with people and he's very easy to talk to, just like his pieces of pottery. ;-)

Loved our wine and clay class at Caufield Clay works! In the 2 hour class, you have time to throw…read moreas many pieces as you can on the wheel and get to keep 2 finished products. The instructor was very friendly and did a great job helping the group with their work (it's definitely not as easy as it looks). At the end, you get to design two pieces by stenciling/drawing patterns in your pieces and they will keep and glaze your pieces to pick up in a few weeks. I loved my experience and definitely would want to plan a time to come back!

This review is for Doug at Grand Hill Gallery. He framed a stunning watercolor my husband picked…read moreout in Italy outside Palazzo Pitti in Firenze. I brought my two-year-old with me to browse (bad idea) and he was patient and sweet. He even entertained my son with a wooden duck and made him laugh. The piece took a couple weeks, as I advised there was no rush. Doug upgraded my glass to museum quality to thank me for waiting. I will attach a picture, although my I phone camera doesn't do it justice. YES I recommend this business!

I go here for getting prints and photographs framed. Great frame selection and good eye for detail…read more The owner is very patient and works extremely well with customers.