I visit museums without pre-conceived notions, reading reviews generally after the fact. PAFA --…read moreas it's known -- is a good one. Founded in 1805 the academy is the first school and museum of fine arts in the United States. The historic landmark building is closed for renovations with three stories of exhibits now housed in their Hamilton Building (which is NOT named for Alexander!) Several things impacted me: the galleries are wide open, light and airy. A pleasure to walk through. A number of items from the Atwater Kent collection -- formerly the Philadelphia History Museum -- are on display. The diverse collection ranges from baseball, department stores (Wanamakers, anyone?), civil rights ... the list goes on. There is student and alumni art for sale and casts of Greek and Roman antiquity located in an active student workspace. As with most museums, exhibits change. The gift store with its friendly proprietor, is as good as any I've been to. A beautifully curated collection, and after Thanksgiving, I believe everything is discounted 30% for the holidays.

Great local arts (and oldest fine art)…read more Enjoy their occasional events. V inclusive and alternative. Friendly and clean

Tyler School of Art is a building that is apart of Temple University. It's also a building that…read morehost many public programs throughout the year. Creativity is my middle name therefore I was excited about attended their Crafting Community African Pottery workshop with Yinka. Yinka was very friendly and passionate about pottery. I loved the goal of the workshop which was to participate in building "community pots" which different women over the course of 12 weeks contributed to crafting. After the pots are done. Yinka will donate them to the African American Muesem as an exhibit which promotes Sisterhood and bonding. The display will have the names of each women who contributed their unique energy to a pot. After the workshop was over I felt very humble and knowledgeable about the strength of my ancestors. In Africa the pots are the women's livelihood and they use them to fetch water due to the lack of resources. Some women even carry their baby on their back while building the pot. Overall I'm glad to have learned a new skill of pottery and to also be apart of a good cause.

This review is for their weekend programs for high school students and adult learners. The NMT has…read moredeveloped an interest in metal work, and was SO excited to find out about this program. They offer a variety of classes including glassblowing, printmaking, etc. The NMT and Panda enrolled together. They are enjoying their class - run like a workshop - very much. Both have learned the basics of wax casting, which they loved. The studio is well equipped, with good lighting and ample work space. As for me, I walk around enjoying all the beautiful art and relax on the mezzanine. The building is always clean and well lit. Great program in a beautiful space.

This place is magical! I am on my second Mosaics class series with Carol, and she could not be more…read moredelightful! I love classes where we get the proper tools and then can create as we please, and her class is perfect for this. I also just took a one-time soft pastel class and love this as well - I've always been intimidated by drawing and this class made me much more confident after just one day. The other students are very fun to chat with as well - everyone is very kind and supportive of each others' creations. I am super impressed with the variety of classes offered here - there are mediums offered that I haven't even heard of. I also want to shoutout the staff for being so responsive and accommodating. I started a class that didn't turn out to be the right fit, and the staff quickly processed a course transfer. I really couldn't be happier here, and the classes have been therapeutic and so much fun. Highly encourage students of all levels to try a class!

We went to a holiday art market here and it was so great. Incredible selection of art and other…read moregifts. My friends and I didn't ration our funds enough because by the time we got to the back of the sanctuary we couldn't spend anymore even though we wanted to. Amazing space inside and there is a really nice outdoor garden with beautiful sycamores.

I took pattern drafting classes and Cat is a flipping genius. Cat creates a relaxed and comfortable…read moreenvironment for learning and was able to answer any of the random questions I threw out. I felt like I walked away with the knowledge to figure out how create anything I would want to make. If you're on the fence, just go for it. It's a worthwhile investment in yourself!

I had a great experience working on alterations with Kat, and I left the studio feeling a lot more…read moreknowledgeable about how to get a pattern to fit me correctly.

This is my favorite place to model. The artwork inspires me, and the people are wonderful to be…read morearound. Every day these students and instructors produce realist art that makes me -as a model- feel privileged to be a part of the process in any capacity. And on breaks I love walking around and watching blank canvases turn into stunning works with intricate detail and grace of form. When ever their art is on display in a local gallery, be sure to treat yourself to this amazing realist tradition.

good place to study basics-just don't expect Nelson Shanks to be there-he's rarely there!read more

Great art center for Adults and Kids. Offers in-person and virtual classes. I like the variety of…read moreclasses offered especially for adults. My kids loved their classes

Our evening with Veronica was not only fun, filled with laughter, and a fantastic way to enjoy the…read morecompany of good friends but it was the perfect environment for anyone to feel like an artist! You can truly let your inner kid come out to play and you probably will even walk away with something you're willing to show off proudly! And with the wide variety of leeway Veronica provides you will all have very different paintings!! Veronica makes each person feel confident and encourages him or her to delve deeper into their artistic side--we all have one but some of us need a little more encouragement to show it off! Veronica is the best and we loved her! We will surely be visiting again in the future!!

Small shop selling student work, but off putting experience. Walked around the shop and then into a…read moregallery that was adjacent to the store. A clerk came into the gallery space and told us we needed to sign in because "this is a college." We left immediately after the exchange. If you don't want the general public in your space do not allow access to it. There was no sign from one space to the next.

Alumna review: Moore, the only all women's art college in…read moreAmerica will forever hold a special place in my heart, and it certainly helped shape me into the woman I am today. By no means was it easy, quite the opposite in fact, and it's certainly not for everyone, but it's an incredible place! You really get from it what you give into it....and it requires A LOT!! The staff is wonderful. In fact, a text sent to me the other day by my former teacher 14 years after I graduated prompted me to write this review. Michael Olszewski was my textile minor with an emphasis on print design teacher and was one of my favorite people on earth! He went above and beyond and would come in on his day off just to teach me a method of dying we hadn't learned yet, but one I wanted to try for my childrens' wear collection. He was also there to listen to me talk about life in general when I needed him to. A true gem. Janice Lewis, Linda Wisner and Lori in the fashion department are top notch. At times they became a second mother to me when I needed, but make no mistake, they take no crap. 2 absences, you fail. Done. These ladies will get you where you need to go. Their talent, knowledge of the industry and connections are unreal. They helped me score an internship with Betsey Johnson in New York City. I won awards form Tyvek, Ralph Lauren Accessories, Frank Agostino and Urban Outfitters. They are just a few of the guest designers who judge our collections! While at MCAD I met fellow alum Adrienne Vitadinni and Mark Badgley and James Mischka, Todd Oldham, and Betsey Johnson! Each year I attend their annual fashion show at The Barnes and you would be astonished by the talent! It's open to anyone so, go ahead! I was also given the sweetest intern from MCAD a few years back for my small business. The relationships are everlasting, both personal and professional. I secured a job in my field (besides my internships with Betsey, Chloe' and Motherwork Maternity here in Philly) within a month of graduating. I was a merchandiser for H&M for 6 years before opening my own business while staying at home to raise my daughters. Everyone I graduated with works in their field. Here, in LA or in New York. Have no fear about job placement. If you make it through your first basic year where all students are required take the same classes including 8 hour basic drawing and design classes etc, you're golden and can move on to focus on your major, and even take a minor which I highly recommend especially if they can go hand in hand such as fashion and textile which is what I did, and worked out beautifully. Unfortunately the textile department is no longer there, but you get my point. At MCAD you not only focus on your major and your art based classes, but are required to take general studies with exams and papers too. These classes however are unique such as women in religion, film studies, history of fashion and art history etc. My art history classes with the incomparable Kevin Richards gave me knowledge for life!! It gave me the background to truly appreciate visiting Firenze and the Ufizzi gallery, de Medici family grounds, the duomo in Milano, and The Pieta at the Vatican etc. I don't think I would be able to fully take it all in without the knowledge I had gained in my classes. I even use my design techniques everyday for something as simple as decorating my own home. The buildings are immaculate and kept very safe with security guards and badges for all visitors. Their galleries often host not only student work, but visiting artists as well. You can't get a better, safer, location than Logan Circle. The Barnes, The PMA, even The Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul (where we often took a trips to draw perspective) for inspiration right there. You're right in the middle of it all. Excellent section of the city. I lived in Sartain for my first two year on a picturesque tree lined street across the way and I think that's the way to go. It gave me a taste responsibility without extreme freedom and set me up for living on my own my last two years. It was nice to have access to the studios and have work space on each floor also. I knew Moore was where I belonged. It's the only school I applied to and I personally think it's the best art school in the entire city. My best advice to any potential students would be to take a summer class with Young Artist Workshop and definitely take the business classes. Don't give it being all female a second thought. It was so nice not having a distraction and coming to school in pjs if we wanted. :) The boys at Penn & Drexel weren't that far away and it was really like one big sorority here. I made great girlfriends for life and having graduated from MCAD makes me so proud, and makes us all bonded for life. We all knew what went into that final day. No one else will ever understand. It's like no other.

What a cool arts space down the road from Media! I came here to check out some of the offering for…read morethe Philadelphia Tea Bowl Exhibition. The Community Arts Center is tucked away down a local street, and I was concerned that I was lost--thankfully not the case. I had a great visit. The building feels like a living, breathing tribute to art. There are multiple floors for hosting classes and events. There is a kiln for firing pottery on site. Even the grounds are beautiful, with lots of art and sculptures resting around the walkways outside. The Tea Bowl Exhibition was very well done. I bought a ticket for a Japanese tea demonstration, which was really interesting and enjoyable. I thought I'd be at the Arts Center for an hour, but I stayed much longer to check everything out. If I lived closer, I'd definitely look into taking classes here. For now, I look forward to my next visit for an event or exhibition.

Absolutely beautiful art center, each wall and room is eye-candy, this building and its grounds…read morehave so much character. I wanted to try something new out of the ordinary and found the right class in this place, ZENTANGLE. Marie (instructor) guides each student into different levels of awareness, meditating thru lines, figures and shades becoming a complete drawing. She begins with breathing exercises and leads you as soothing music is played in the background. The class is a couple of hours and trust you'll leave there relaxed and proud of yourself. You don't need to know how to draw or have any particular talent to getaway in your own piece of art. I give it 5stars because of Marie's unique techniques, close parking, picturesque campus, clean bathrooms, and ZENTANGLE's ballroom classroom in the 2nd floor is quite elegant, each corner says a story. Must experience.

Mullica hill art center is a pretty neat little place. You walk in the main door, and there is…read morelocal art hanging for purchase. We had a party scheduled a few months back and the teachers were phenomenal. It's great knowing they're all licensed and background checked. I know this place has undergone new ownership recently and I've been back a few times since; it's really just getting better and better. Last time k was there, they've even said they're opening new rooms, which I'm excited to see and have my kiddo experience!

If I could give them no stars I would. I just had my daughters birthday party at the art center…read more Although the kids had fun, the service we received was terrible. They told us they would be there at 1030 and were an hour late. Then nothing was prepare for the party. It was dirty and the garbage cans were full of trash. And if I didn't have activities planned, the kids would have been done the craft in 10 minutes. Do not have your party here unless you want to do everything. Save your money and have it at home!!!

Have been attending the ceramics night class and it's been such a delight! Signed up for a second…read moresession and will check out more art classes in the future :)

I'm surprised this place doesn't have a review yet! I've been taking pottery classes here for about…read more2 years now and I highly recommend the arts league. It is on the cheaper side for pottery (unless you sign up early for classes at the Fleisher) and they have 3 days of open studio time. I have taken classes with three different teachers and I have enjoyed all of them, though I usually work pretty independently when I am there. Unfortunately I can't speak to the other classes that are offered here because I have never taken any classes other than pottery. However, they offer a wide variety of courses from dance to language to jewelry making (see their website for a full list of courses they offer). They also have some interesting shows in their gallery.