As we drove by the Goggleworks building on a visit to see my son, he mentioned that it was known for its arts programs and we should check it out. I visited the Goggleworks website (www.goggleworks.org) and was impressed with the options available. Via email, I inquired with my questions and was answered immediately. We ultimately chose a private glassblowing session. Remember when you are choosing to partake in these artisanal sessions, you are paying for the artisan's expertise and sharing of knowledge . So at first glance, it may seem pricey. However, given the experience as a whole, it does NOT disappoint! Our instructor Andrew was awesome! His energy and passion matched our excitement. He made our experience so much more fun with his anecdotes about the glassblowing. He explained everything in detail; we never felt rushed or uncomfortable about our skill level. There were four of us in our glassblowing session. He expertly guided us in the best artisan experience I have ever had. For our glassblowing class, we all chose to make drinking glasses. Each of us chose different color palettes to match our varying personalities. Of course, due to the nature of glassblowing, it was a very HOT experience but we were dressed accordingly and hydrated throughout. After we each had our turn, our glasses were immediately placed in a temperature-controlled device (I can't remember its name) to slowly cool the glass down and prevent cracking. We were not permitted to take the glasses home but rather had to come back another day to pick them up. After our session, we headed back to the main Goggleworks building to check out the art exhibits, gift store, and (what I'll call) the artist alley of artisans' work spaces and offices. We spent lots of time enjoying the space and speaking with varying artists. Turns out that the space is a former goggles factory that was used back in the 1800s and the space takes great care in preserving its history. It's soooo cool. It was truly enjoyable!! I highly recommend Goggleworks! This is one of my most memorable experiences!! I can't wait to see our glasses. Note: We arrived early to have breakfast at the onsite cafe, Thorn Alley Kitchen (see separate Yelp review for more details). read more

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I love art! I have never heard of this place until looking up free things to do in the reading area. We walked in and the lady behind the retail/customer service desk told us about the building and where to walk since it was our first time visiting, she was very lovely! The first floor had their showing for their art show and the rest of the floors is their classrooms and displayed all their students art pieces. It is an absolutely beautiful building and all of the art is amazing. Some pieces you are able to buy which I find very cool! read more

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Combination artist studio, gallery and gift shop in a former manufacturing site of Willson goggles and other work protection equipment. Parking is available via Stone Alley just past Washington on 3rd. Entrance has a steep slope that someone in a wheelchair might need help to negotiate. read more

GoggleWorks Center for the Arts - Glass art for sale - Art Galleries Near Me - Reading, Pennsylvania

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Cool place. Friendly people. The artist studios are so unique. It's a treasure to have so many studios in one building. There is a movie theater too! read more

We attend the GoogleWorks for the first time on 8/7/20 to view my daughter's sculpture on display in the Abilities in Motion's exhibit. It was such a wonderful family experience on a rainy afternoon, free of charge. Upon arrival we had our temperatures taken by a polite gentleman at the door, who wore a mask and gloves. Masks were worn by all in the building, and social distancing is enforced. The only reason I did not give the full 5stars is because we didn't have the opportunity to experience everything the GoogleWorks has to offer. Due to Covid, many of the exhibits and experiences were not available. Our guide, Alex, was polite, professional and knowledgeable. He provided us with not only a tour of the artwork but also insights and facts about the history of the building itself. The conversation never felt forced or awkward. Our tour ended with an insightful experience to witness a beautiful bowl being crafted through woodworking. I feel awful not remembering the gentleman's name who provided the demonstration, but again he was polite, knowledgeable and professional. My youngest daughter was quite interested in the experience as she has an interest in carpentry so to be able to witness how the machinery works provided an educational experience. Both he and our tour guide happily and thoroughly answered all of our questions. We do look forward to returning to the GoggleWorks in the future, perhaps to experience more exhibits and demonstrations or even to attend classes. We would like to have the opportunity to experience GoogleWorks at its utmost capacity. Thank you to all who were involved in providing us with a delightful, inspiring and educational experience. Blessings! read more

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One of my "Must See" spots when I am visiting friends in the area. I have come here a number of times and have always enjoyed the shows they have in the gallery. This last time we were here was the Philadelphia TriState Artists Equity 70th Anniversary Juried Members Exhibition. A very nice show with a wide variety of work. It really showcased the high level of talent in the area. I have also been to the movie theater. It is a comfortable theater - much more intimate than a huge movieplex. It is still high quality projection and sound. We had a chance to stop in the Pottery Studio and talk with the artists there. They offer classes which may be a fun activity on a future visit. I have never been above the first floor and see from the comments in other reviews that this is an option. I will definitely plan to to that next time I am in Reading. Highly recommended as a great example of re-purposing a lovely old factory. read more

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We looked at many places before we stumbled upon Goggleworks for our wedding venue. From the moment we saw the photos we fell in love with the space and knew right away that this was the perfect place for both our wedding ceremony and reception. Not only is Goggleworks such a unique venue it has an INCREDIBLE team! Margaret was absolutely perfect from when we first booked the place up until the day of our wedding. The level of attention and hard work during the wedding and through the entire process beforehand was exceptional. There is not one single thing I would've changed about my wedding day and the Goggleworks team played a huge role in that. When my husband and I came back in from taking photos around the building, I had unfortunately collected a bunch of twigs around my dress. Fiona, the young woman working reception (who had no obligation to help us in any way), quickly rushed over to help remove the twigs in a way that would not rip my dress. It's little moments like that throughout the rehearsal and day-of that left us feeling that having had our wedding at Goggleworks was the first best decision we made. A huge thank you to Margaret, Fiona and the entire Goggleworks team! read more

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Great venue for films, art shows, craft classes and creative spaces for writers, artists, etc. Nice shop, cafe and atmosphere. Good source for local information. read more

A great experience, especially if you sign up for an art class or attend one of the many free, high quality events- receptions, festivals, conferences. It gets its name from being an old goggle factory, but now it boasts 10+ workshop studios, a store, independent movie theatre, restaurant, and more. Hot glass demos are a real treat for first time general visitors. Book a free tour with the staff to maximize the happenings by the many on site artists. read more

GoggleWorks Center for the Arts is located at 2nd & Washington streets, in downtown Reading, Pa. Originally a 5 story building that manufactured optical wear (hence the name Goggle Works) it was abandoned in 2002. Re-converted into studio space for artists, it currently has several galleries on display, and also has an on-site cafe & gift shop. All artwork is available through the gift shop. Free to visit, with a self-guided tour. Theres ample free parking in the back of the building, also. Worth a stop if you're in the area. Has summer camps, workshops & classes availble to he public. read more

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Great concept , very poorly run . This is what desperate clueless politicians create when they don't have a clue but do have federal grants and vacant real estate. The arts live in Berks county but this place fails. If your interested in taking classes here , note that many of the instructors are experts in the fields and some don't have a clue. The cost of most classes is on the high side.:One day when the morons that run Reading realize that they are standing in the way of true progress we may see this place shine. Artist should know that hanging your works here may stroke your ego but that's as much as you should expect. In a nut shell you won't sell your works here. Great potential but a massive failure. read more

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The Goggleworks is free to explore. Open workshops to explore, and artists openly showing their work. It is a great time to work around the floors to explore the art and media that covers the walls. You would be surprised. The best part is that is self-curated. You get to take place in the active function of creation. There are lots of opportunities to learn different functions and skills of art. From glass-blowing to watercolor painting, the place offers several classes to grow yourself as an artist. It is a hub for growthm The Googleworks offers a room that gives a history of the company and what it has been creating over the years. It shows what other types of products. From all the rooms to the theatre, Goggleworks provides you the choices to build yourself into rhe individual you want to be from teachers and volunteers. There is a parking in the back and parking in the front as Boscov's plaza off of Washington. read more

I didn't have a chance to take an art class, see an exhibit, watch artists in action, or watch a film, but the GoggleWorks was still well worth visiting! The store has a great deal of inexpensive and cool art and other gifts. Definitely worth a visit if you happen to be in downtown Reading; if I lived in the area I'd visit a lot! read more

A great place to browse beautiful artwork produced by local artists. I recently purchased a work by artist Sybil Roe Thompson and I cannot wait to bring it home. Visit the artists studios on the upper floors and get an interesting glimpse into their creative worlds. On occasion, I have also enjoyed movies at the gogglework theater that are not showing in the other local theater houses. It makes for a nice afternoon outing. read more

There are pros and cons to this place. Pros are they have built many classrooms and educational studios. One can learn glassblowing, pottery, woodworking, and many more. Moderate to expensive short term classes. Show tend to be well organized and displayed in a very professional style. They have a theater that show trendy, Independent, artistic, informative, and, educational movies. Cons . The business seems agenda driven to make profits and promote itself. Goggle Works has taken so much from the local small art galleries in reading area. They consolidated the arts and organizations taking away from the grassroots style that has been the arts scene in Reading, prior. It seems like you must go to Goggle Works to experience what they deem as art (in the Reading area). It seems more like visiting a zoo of artists. The artists seem to be expendable and the focus is far from the local artists and artisans. If you have money to support a artist you can buy them a studio and have your name displayed to show you spent that money you will write off. There seems to be a dangerous element in the surrounding blocks. Is seems like one could get mugged in the parking lot or the off location parking on your way to the place. The surrounding area is seedy and has a bad history of crimes and some have spilled onto the property. Security tends to hide out inside the main building. I go just to see what they consider art. read more

There's always something going on. Classes for the youngest to the oldest. Has a movie theater. Nice small. I have a studio on the 5rh floor. Quite.. I heard the real action good spot for on the rise Hipster Artist is the 3rd floor. Lots a stuff to do. Rent cheap. read more

My family had a surprise 50th birthday party for me in one of the party rooms in the beginning of July. We made several complaints to staff that the room was too hot and very uncomfortable. The staff kept telling us that the air was already on. It was so ungodly hot, that my guest started to leave. After the event and more complaints , I learned that a security guard turned the air off in that room. We didn't get an apology or anything afterwards. read more

This is a cool place. Went to see Birdman with my girlfriend, which is cool because a lot of theaters weren't playing it at the time. Afterwards we walked around and checked out some of the art. I can't really speak about any of the classes or workshops held there, but I'd like to check them out someday. read more

I held a memorial for my grandmother there a few weeks ago and the team at GoggleWorks was amazing. They were super helpful and the space was beautiful. I couldn't have asked for a better team of folks helping me put together such a special event. read more

I really enjoy coming to the Goggleworks. I have been there to see their downstairs exhibits but I've also attended a wedding in their upstairs. It's cool to see a space like transformed for a more formal occasion! read more

The Goggleworls is something of the epicenter of independent arts in the Reading area. The upstairs has individual artists studios that you can wander around (if the artist is there). Downstairs has a gallery among other things. The theatre is always a good place to check out independent and foreign films. It offers classes on all things artsy, from photography to glass blowing. The coolest place to check out art in the reading area, by far. read more

We were fortunate enough to be invited to a wedding here this past weekend and we were stunned at how beautiful this space is! It's so cool! They have a museum, dance hall, pottery and glass studio, woodworking shop, theater...it honestly seemed like every other room was something fun and different. There were quirky murals and such all over the place and they made for some great wedding photos. The bride and groom were free to decorate the space however they wanted and the team at Goggleworks helped them put together a really good set-up. The 4th floor area worked for the ceremony and the 2nd floor was the perfect spot for their reception, since this is where their caterer used the kitchen. Plus it was relatively cheap for the couple and it had free parking for the guests. If you're in need a wedding venue in the Reading area, Goggleworks should be a serious contender! If you're just looking to soak in some culture for an afternoon, Goggleworks is an amazing place to visit. read more

Great arts facility converted from an old safety goggles factory. And it's free!! Similar to the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria or the Banana Factory in Bethlehem only bigger and better. Come on a second Sunday when everything is open and there are demos in the woodshop and hot glass area. Five floors of the arts! Don't miss it! read more