Just finished Metalsmithing II and love this school. This is the most professionally run business…read morein the world of art classes I have ever experienced. Everything about the school is organized, ordered and first-class, especially the instruction. (Re: the negative review: It's not called attitude when it's true accomplishment. This is so rare that amateurs can't recognize it.) For the investment in the class fee + tools/supplies, I appreciated having such a structured environment in which to learn. Darlene Armstrong, owner/artist/teacher emeritus, has a definite point of view about craftsmanship. And, yes, it is her way or the highway. But who wants to take a class from a teacher who always says, "Sure,you can do it that way if you want; it's your art," when you don't know what the hell you're doing?? So if you are not a serious student of metal work or are just looking for something fun to waste a few hours, don't waste your time/$$ or the school's. But if you want to get better with your art (and learn how to make pieces that are commercially viable), this is the place to learn it the way all apprentices used to--doing it over and over till you get it right. I have been on an ongoing quest for good metalsmithing instruction for the past 10 years and use my vacation time to travel around the country taking classes. On a scale of 1 - 10, I've taken classes that were advertised as 10s that were barely 3s (one last year by a "name" artist who hated to, thus couldn't, teach.). I've also taken classes that I'd rate as 7-8 because they were super fun, but not all that special in my goal to "further my art." DSMA is an 11 because it hit the mark on excellent instruction, excellent venue, excellent design selection (ie., we worked on pieces you'd actually want to wear in real life). This is the only course I have taken in 10 years that had a teaching assistant because there were 11 of us in class (a large number for learning anything with a torch.) That told me that Darlene really cared that every student maximized her knowledge. In fact, Mary Ann was a great bonus to have, because besides the teacher, you always learn from other students who are better than you. Frankly, I over-estimated my own ability, based on my past experience with mediocre teachers. If it hadn't been for Mary Ann, I would have been left behind (something that Darlene did try to emphasize to me before I registered). Part of how I judge the success of my class experience is whether I am inspired to continue to the next level. With Metalsmithing II I was inspired to lower my self-assessment and go back to Metalsmithing I...with DSMA. Sort of a "not knowing what I didn't know." I love that. The only reason I didn't give 5 stars is because I felt I was not well enough prepared for the teacher's expectations ahead of time. It was a big personal value of Darlene's that everyone show up on time and come prepared. I suppose it was up to me to ask more questions about what to expect (and Jennifer who handles all the admin did a super job of sending me tool lists and answering the questions I did have). But when you are from out of town with no prior experience with the teacher or school policies that are so specific, I would have benefited from more of a walk-thru in advance. A simple page on the website of "What To Expect if This Is Your First Class" would have helped. Or a checklist for out of towners, too, like where to stay, how to order lunches, starting/ending studio times, etc. For ex., at other multi-day workshops, lunch is usually provided or easy to procure. Because the school is in a business park in an industrial area, there are no good options for lunch to be ordered over the weekend, and everyone is on their own. I had to spend a lot of time figuring out how to find my own food for lunch (without a car), until Darlene recommended Whole Foods. The lovely people at the Hilton/Doubletree Westminster happily accommodated a quick stop for me with their free shuttle service. But had I known that ahead of time, I could have made those arrangements at the same time I set up the shuttle service, and had one less thing to worry about in an unfamiliar city. Not sure if DSMA wants more out of town students, but, if so, more hospitality would mean a lot. I know I'm not the only traveling class taker. That's an easy fix, tho, and so I highly recommend this school.

Took one class and I will NEVER go back. Attitude galore and they seem to think you are a Pain and…read morethat they are doing you a favor by being in your presence. The lady teaching my class said she was not going to share any of her secrets with us. What???!!! So much for teaching. Don't go here unless you are a tortured artist type and you already know what you are doing. The skills they teach are no better than you can find on YouTube videos.

I loved my experience having my portrait taken at an art festival with Fruits of Our Labor. They…read morehad gorgeous, creative custom backgrounds and made the experience so fun!

I am a current student, 4 classes in, and I can't believe how much I've learned. I'm learning more…read moreabout my own health as well as how to help my family and friends in a clear and in-depth way. I can't wait to continue learning.

I had an incredible experience at NTI! The faculty and staff are passionate about holistic health…read moreand nutrition, and their expertise truly shines through in their teachings. The curriculum is comprehensive and well-structured, covering everything from nutritional science to practical applications in holistic wellness. What I loved most about this school is the supportive and nurturing environment. The instructors are dedicated to helping students succeed and thrive in their studies. They provide personalized attention and guidance, ensuring that each student feels valued and empowered on their journey. I also appreciated the hands-on approach to learning. We had the opportunity to apply our knowledge through case studies which gave me a one on one understanding of personalized approach to holistic nutrition.

I took the level 1 Metalsmithing for jewelry class and it was wonderful. Made an amazing ring and…read moreLeslie was an amazing teacher!

This is the community oriented place you've been searching for. It is so friendly and the…read moreinstructors are amazing. ALL are welcomed and treated with respect and kindness. I took a level 1 workshop with Leslie and couldn't imagine a better instructor. I learned so much and left the class with 3 beautiful stacked rings. I've already signed up for more workshops.. Highly, highly recommended.

If, like me, you spend an embarrassing amount of time surfing the "on trend" articles that pop up…read morein your social media feeds, you're probably already aware that Adult Coloring Books are the hot new thing. You probably already know that several recent studies have shown that creating and or/coloring art is a form of meditation that can be as beneficial as many forms of "traditional" therapy. But did you know that there's a place RIGHT HERE in Denver that offers all this and more? Violet Hive is tucked into a cozy, comforting space behind a Colfax gem shop (signage on the window), and offers Art Therapy to children, teens, adults and families. What is Art Therapy, you ask? Do you have to be an accomplished artist to benefit? NO-- Art Therapy is for EVERYONE (especially young children who may have trouble expressing their feelings in words, and anyone who may have built communication barriers because of past traumas or events). But wait, you say! I don't have any issues... I'm as well-adjusted as they come! Violet Hive is for YOU TOO... because alongside the Art Therapy, they offer group art classes, workshops, and events. Whether it's a De-Stress workshop for adults (and we can all use a little de-stressing, amirite?) that focuses on learning to create mandalas, or a "Parents' Night Out" (drop off those kids and go have an evening for yourself while they create art in a safe, welcoming space), or a beginning pottery class (spread over several weeks, so you can create, fire, and glaze a finished gift), Violet Hive has what you need. I can't recommend this place enough. Art can, and should be for EVERYONE. However, not all of us have the resources, the space, or the materials at home to create everything we wish we could. Art is good for your mind, body, and soul... so go heal yourself at Violet Hive! You can thank me later.

We had Amy and Bridget for our team retreat and they were awesome! We engaged in making our own…read moremandalas and the team really enjoyed this experience. Would recommend them for group projects and retreats!

Feel the Beat is an incredible non-profit with a mission of making music and dance accessible to…read moreeveryone. As a former music industry executive, I heard about their work when I moved to Denver and as I learned more I fell in love with the entire concept and inclusivity that they pursue, and knew that I had to get involved through volunteering. I am continuously impressed with the passion that Jari and Julia bring to the business daily. These women are true leaders in every sense of the word, and they lead with equal parts strength and compassion. I am honored to be a small part of their journey, and cannot wait to see what the future holds for Feel the Beat.

Feel the Beat is an awesome place for yoga in ASL. Comfortable environment, great instructor,…read morereasonable prices.

Wednesday, March 22nd, 2023 We wanted to take advantage of…read moreany and all things cannabis in Denver and Puff, Pass & Paint was at the top of our list. We confirmed and paid for our class online, arrived for our 6:30pm class, we were gifted with pre-roles and gathered in the smoke room and met 12+ cool people, we painted, smoked more, were gifted more pre-roles & edibles while paintings dried, those who did not smoke sat with the others or remained at their work station. This entire experience was exactly what we wanted and they delivered. The music was perfection, Foster the People channel, one banger after the other after the other, after the other. We highly recommend this experience and we will be back when we return to Denver. The instructor was friendly, knowledgeable, engaging, multitalented and they offer an array of services in and aside from the venue/experience.

False advertisement. For the price I payed for this I could not believe that I had to smoke…read moreoutside. The email confirmation was deceiving and made it seem like we were going to smoke and paint at the same time. But that wasnt the experience. then not to mention, the instructors attitude was so rude. She spoke to us like toddlers because we were high. It was difficult to enjoy, it was so bad I didnt even take my painting nor am I interested in a refund. just want to make sure others dont fall for this crap.

My boyfriend and I got a Groupon for a wine-making class at Wine & Whey and didn't really know what…read moreto expect. When we got there Friday night, we met the down-to-earth owners + their tiny, sweet dog & the rest of our group! Then, we got a ton of wine samples while chatting with the owners + our fun group! After sipping on some great wine made in-house for an hour or so - seriously, so much wine - we decided, as a group, what type of white wine & red wine we would make together. And then, we got started with pouring & stirring the ingredients - most everyone got a chance to do something! & when we were done, we sipped on some more wine and chatted some more. Now, we get to create our own label to put on our bottles and in a month or so, we'll be back at Wine & Whey to share a potluck with our group while bottling the wine! This is such a fun, social experience. I'm definitely interested in coming back for a cheese class! Everyone who likes wine, cheese & meeting people who have that same common interest should definitely check this spot out!

Came to Wine & Whey last night for a wine-making class. My sister-in-law gave me a Groupon for…read moreChristmas as a way to make new friends in Denver having recently moved here. I was a bit nervous because I was alone, but I ended up having a blast! First, you are greeted by THE CUTEST little dog, Zara. She was seriously so sweet and adorable. Every time the door chimed she'd jump up and excitedly run to say hello to the newest person. Everyone in the group was nice and we all had fun getting to try many different wines, and learning about the post-crushed-grape wine making process. I cannot say enough great things about the owners; a down to Earth, married couple who have a clear joy for teaching people new things. I was so impressed by the class (and surprised at how much I liked some of the wines), that I'm discussing with my fiancé to make our own wine for our November 2019 wedding! Even though the Groupon was an awesome gift to get, I would pay full price for these classes, and I definitely intend on checking out the cheese class. Do yourself a huge favor and buy yourself this class!