I purchased a "date night" package here for my daughter's birthday a few months ago. Because it's…read morelimited to 2 people, it's a few months ahead before you can book a date. I prepaid and booked our session. The facilities are located in the Wychwood art building on the second floor. We arrived early, and the studio was clear, so we were able to begin early. It was a little smaller than I expected, but certainly has everything required. Our staff was super friendly, and reassured us we'd be able to complete our projects. She went through the various pieces we could choose from to make. Both of us went for a solid bird, and blown lamp. We started with the bird. For the bird, we could choose up to 3 colours. She explained what each would look like once applied. She demonstrated what we would be doing, and had us try some practice with the rod. She pulled the molten glass from the furnace, and handed it over to us to roll into the frit colours we selected. She watched as we put the glass in to make sure we applied the right amount of pressure and rolled it before it cooled too much. The pieces then go into the hottest of the 3 furnaces. She stood behind a protective screen while the 2 of us watched with our protective eyewear. We then moved to another bench where we shaped the beaks and tails ourselves with metalworking tongs. She guided us verbally and advised a very strong pinch and pull to shape. Our little creatures then went into the last of the 3 furnaces, at the lowest temp, where they would cool overnight. For our second piece, we would be shaping by blowing rather than tongs. A rubber tube and disposable mouth bit are used, which she demonstrated. She advised that we need to blow pretty forcefully, and watched us practice before saying "when." Again, she drew the molten glass from the first furnace, and handed the rod over for me to apply the frit colours I had chosen. She then manipulated it a bit before I came in with tube in mouth to blow and shape it. Also mind blowing to anticipate that I'd be using my creation at home! For the lamps, they provide a perpetual wick with the finished piecec, and you can get the paraffin oil at a local hardware store. Once again, our second pieces joined our first to cool in the third furnace before we could collect them. It's an expensive experience, but totally worth it. The expertise and special equipment involved are beyond. Our staff was super nice and answered a lot of questions by the time we were done. We were done early, but then we had started early. It was naturally warm in the studio, but the fans made it bearable. You need to return on another day to collect your finished items. They are packed and stored in an outdoor bench box at a house near the studio. Luckily there's some street parking nearby. I didn't have any trouble parking on a close by street and quickly picking up the bagged items in the box. You have 30 days to collect them, or they'll be disposed of. It was a great experience and memory. It was unique, and having the items afterwards is an awesome way to have your own art as a souvenir. I would come back as a gift to other loved ones again.

We came here for our anniversary celebration. Minna the artist coached us through the process. We…read morecan pick two pieces, an oil lamp, bubble bowl, blown egg and glass ball. The solid piece, you can get a glass bird, bubble bowl, blown egg and glass heart. If two people you will have to select the same piece but can choose different colours. It was lots of fun in a sense you dip your glass in the colour beads. But when we bring it to the machine, Minna will help us. For the blowing piece, we have to blow into the glass on our own. It was a fun experience. Good for date nights and celebrations. Check it out!

I booked a class for my mom and I (November, 2024) for January 30, 2025. My mom drove up to do the…read moreclass from Port Dover (90 minutes away). "Tim" called 2 hours before the class to tell me it was cancelled. There was no apology for the short notice. Just an, "I'll get back to you" about rebooking. Katherine emailed me February 25, asking if we could come to a class 2 days later. I explained, that 2 days notice wasn't really sufficient and that my mom was coming from 90 minutes away. I asked for other dates that they could accommodate us. With no response by April 12, 2025, I kindly asked for a refund. There was no reply. I sent a second email, stating I wasn't really happy with the lack of communication and wanted to look for another studio, again asking that they refund my payment. No reply. I sent a third email yesterday, stating that I expected a reply within a week. Asked them to do the right thing here. I stated that if I didn't hear from them within a week, I would take that as meaning they had no intention of giving me a refund and would seek other means to collect my money. Tim called me this morning - it would seem - just to have an argument with me. He told me that I was rude in my email. I corrected him, that actually, I thought I'd asked quite politely. I told him that communication with the studio was horrendous. At that point, he swore ("yeah...f*ck, whatever man...) a couple of times and then sarcastically said, "yeah, good luck finding another studio!" I could not imagine poorer communication or more unprofessional service. I suspect they are good at the actual glass-blowing, but customer service was absolutely terrible. I ultimately did get a refund. Cannot say I would recommend.

Great free little art gallery, a lovely stop when the sun is beating down outside as well This room…read morewas by far my favorite, very calm and full of beautiful pieces. There is a small area upstairs to do some art work in your own or read further on the topics shown.

The Power Plant is a great space for art. It's also superbly situated at the heart of Harbourfront…read moreCentre - just by the lakeshore. The best thing about the Power Plant is that it's absolutely free (donations are welcome). It's well-ran and nicely curated. There's also a section for kids, with a scavenger hunt. My only complaint is that the art is rather sparse. I wish they could pack more art into the small space. I'm sure that there are lots of talented local artists who would love to be able to exhibit their art in this space. So, I think it behooves on the Power Plant to make it happen.

Fired Up Glass Arts is not just a store, it is an experience!…read more Warning: there is so much to look at that you need a good amount of time to take it all in so do not go when you are in a hurry. There is half a wall of frit, (so many colours, so many sizes!) and a whole wall of Bullseye glass in full or half sheets, rods, stringers and billets. One thing I find really useful is that they also stock everything in 10x10 inch pieces so you can try out new colours or combinations before you commit to the expense of a big sheet. There is a big window with lots of natural light and lots of room so you can take sheets out and hold them up to the light or lay them out next to different colours to plan your project. There are great sales at least a couple times a year, which have been great to expand my frit stash or try out colours or products I normally would not use. The owner, Jayne, is very friendly and helpful. She is always ready to answer any questions, give advice and assistance, but doesn't hover over your shoulder, and lets you take the time you need to browse. She also seems to know what every colour fires like and how they look when combined with other colours. Any time I have asked about what something looks like when fired, she has been able to show it to me in a test tile or sample piece. That has saved me a lot of time and money instead of having to find out by trial and error. I also find it inspiring whenever I go into the shop because Jayne is also an artist and runs classes, and workshops so there are always pieces in various states of completion to look at either from her own work or that of the students. I always come away with a new idea or a solution to a problem. The other big benefit of Fired Up Glass Arts for me is the drop-in studio times. In addition to formal courses and workshops, Jayne offers regular, weekly, drop-in, studio times where you can pay a fee to use the space, specialized equipment, slumping molds and get help or instruction if needed. I do a lot or my work at home but there is a lot of equipment that I cannot afford to purchase or do not have room for at home that I get to use during the studio times. It makes it feasible to do a lot of different fused articles without having to buy and store equipment that is seldom used but great to be able to access when you want to. This has been especially useful when I needed to do a large project that won't fit into my own small kiln at home. It is also a nice change to work with other people who share the same passion for glass that I do. I highly recommend Fired Up Glass Arts, but be warned, Bullseye glass can be addicting! Side effects include happiness and seeing rainbows.

A new art studio that offers art classes for both adults & kids, workshops, and events. It is owned…read moreby Rae Wright (also a children's author) and not only is she present, but she is very caring and attentive to the participants. We came here for the drop in open studio with my 1 1/2 yo & 3 1/2 yo. They both had lots of fun exploring, and were adequately entertained. The space is large and well equipped, and we look froward to coming back again!