Ever wanted to be an audience member at SNL live in NYC ?…read moreForget about that if you are within 40 minutes of Rolfe Square in Cranston RI. For a number of years now, The Artists' Exchange has been putting on a One Act Play Festival in Rolfe Square during the summer, 50 Rolfe Square to be exact. This is a gem of a venue for some of the best comedy and fun theater anywhere. We have done lots of theater on Broadway in NYC and seen lots of big time comics, Stephen Wright, Nick Di Paolo, Emo Philips .... but at One Act it is all family friendly. The Artists' Exchange One Festival is up to the entertainment rivals cited. In the past three years we have gone, we have seen some great comedy and heart felt plays. Lauren Annicelli, Jessica Chace, Tom Chace, & David Kane who direct and act in the One Act Play Festival plays are top notch. Go and see them before they go to NYC or Hollywood. They are that talented. The same troupe put on a modern version of "A Christmas Carol" last Christmas season that was one of the best modern interpretations I ever saw. I have no affiliation , we were just lucky enough to have found this gem of a venue 3 years ago in a local newspaper and have been hooked since. Check it out, chances are it'll be a hoot.

Nothing wrong with it at all I just thought it would be like a craft market but it's studiosread more

What a cool space! I loved watching everything while I had ice cream next door. I'd love to come…read moreback and take a class at some point!

Had a great experience at Gather! The class was four people and we each made out pieces with the…read moreinstructors help. It was cool to see other make pieces that were different to what we were making and the process behind that. You do have to wait a day to pick up your pieces, but they do also ship and hold pieces for around 30-40 days. The drinking glasses my partner and I made turned out great! Definitely a great value and would recommend!

I took my mother here for her birthday. We did the girls night out class. We had Jesse and Sam…read more Bother were FANTASTIC & very knowledgeable about this art medium. We also had the pleasure of meeting the owner, who was so nice as well! They had refreshments out, and also a beautiful view of the river! In addition, this is a size inclusive activity, but it is hands on, so do be ready to sit and stand and hold/grasp, during the process. We will definitely be back!

Taken a few people for some classes here. My mom and few friends. Like this glass center more than…read moreothers around town. Super friendly staff also. The space is big

Brought my 5 year old after a horrible visit to a clay studio closer to home…read more Owner was pleasant and helpful. Great selections for both kids and adults, prices comparable to other places I've been....One big plus is how quick we can pick up, other places have made us wait a week, and have in consistant hours. Only negative is its not closer to home, but definitely worth the 30 minute drive

A family friend brought my two daughters there last week…read more The experience was fine for them, however, this place does not advertise that the owner is extremely religious, plays Christian worship music, and writes scripture on the bags when the items are picked up. If that aspect of the business isn't specifically advertised, it can be a bit off putting for someone who doesn't know what they're walking into. Our biggest issue stems from that fact that this place took pictures of my children and put them on their social media. My wife reached out via chat on Instagram and was ignored. My wife called the business and talked directly to the owner and was met with indifference. She said that the Instagram account was ran.by someone else and she would reach out before pushing my wife off the phone. It was eventually removed and replaced, sarcastically, with a picture of my children with yellow smiley faces blocking them. The Instagram account also blocked my wife who only asked for the pictures to be removed. It wasn't until after this that we saw that she also posted pictures of our children to FACEBOOK and those weren't removed. We tried calling again, during business hours, and the phone was off. So I went there and spoke to her myself. I explained to her that putting images of children is against Rhode Island law. After making me wait, she got on her own phone and all of a sudden had access. She deleted the pictures and I went on my way. I don't recommend this place unless you're a religious zealot looking to spend the afternoon with an insufferable Karen who thinks breaking the law is ok because she's "always done it."

Had a great experience painting and drinking here. The instructor, Kyle, was a fantastic at walking…read morethe class through the steps of painting the northern nights. Took around 90 minutes todo and the results were satisfying. Whole class seemed pleased with their results and enjoyed the lesson. They have a variety of wines and canned beers to choose from. Plenty of extra brushes and paints if needed. Will definitely return!

Very cozy venue. They host many different paint nights so you can definitely find something of…read moreinterest. The instructors are very helpful.

Best place ever!! I remember when they first started many years ago!! I used to actually volunteer…read morethere for quite some time and had a lot of fun!! And went to there free art classes on Saturdays so much fun!!

PeaceLOve Studios is a wonderful non-profit in our community that helps people create peace of mind…read morewith expressive arts programs. Wonderful People.

The service requested here was great a Cultural Placemaking bringing all different cultures…read moretogether. It was free of value for all different cultures to all enjoy festivities together in a peaceful atmosphere.

Variety of learning and cultural options A positive…read morecommunity influence Carries the torch for its crafts I take an extra measure of pride in Providence because the city is able to boast a feature as culturally relevant, vibrant, inclusive, educational, past-respecting yet forward-thinking, and contributory as The Steel Yard. Imagine, if you will, a light saber. Now shrink it, focus it, and make it a precision handheld device. Congratulations - in your mind's eye, you're now wielding a plasma cutter, which is a real tool you can learn to use and put to effective metal-working use after a workshop here - I did just that during a Weekend Welding Workshop and it was tough to wipe the grin off my face for quite a long time. While that might make for some of the coolest visual imagery to describe, the fact that metal grinders, MiG welders, age-old anvils, fine-gauge jewelry-making tools, ceramic works, and myriad other tools of the trade are waiting to be discovered and shared here is a great impetus to get people excited about the art and science of metal-working. The Yard recognized that and has worked hard over the years to forge the foundation, expand the awareness base, and reach out to the community - all experience levels, age ranges, and walks of life. The events here are a super draw for my family and me. The Halloween Iron Pour. The Ultimate Chef competition. The Steel Yard Cruise Night Car Show. I hear there have also been weddings here...which goes to show you don't need to be actively working metal to enjoy the Yard. That said, seeing some of the custom-chopped and augmented vehicles done on-site doesn't hurt one's appetite to grab some leathers and a visor, and get working. I received a request for donation to the Yard's efforts at the end of 2012 that moved to me action in a way that words hadn't called me to in some time. That was refreshing and invigorating; it was merely (at its essence) a request for support. And support we should. The Steel Yard is an anchor helping to revitalize an area of the city that needs it with its facility location; revitalizing a city that can use those services with its good public works, as with its creation of beautiful and utilitarian benches, garbage cans, and bike racks seen around town; revitalizing people's skill sets by providing constructive classes in a variety of disciplines at fair tuition costs, for multiple age groups; and mostly, revitalizing metal-working as a discipline that is useful, positive, artistic, and tending away from defunct and back toward common. For all of that, The Steel Yard deserves our support in keeping alive The Spark. Get involved and be about it - highest recommendation.

Blue Door Studio is a hidden gem located in an out-of-the-way strip plaza in Smithfield, RI. I…read morehighly recommend Claudia Venditto, the owner, who received a masters from RISD (WOW) and is passionate about art and teaching. This makes her an exceptional art instructor and you can see it in the work of her students! My daughter just started taking lessons from Ms. Venditto and I can already see a HUGE improvement in her techniques. There's a showcase at the end of the winter sessions (8 weeks total, 2 hours a week), but was able to take a sneak peak. I got the chance to introduce myself to the teacher today and talk to her a bit. She's warm, welcoming, and very easy to talk to. I also love the high level of professionalism of her business--very important to me. Online registration and payment are available online and confirmation is sent via email, which makes enrollment very convenient. FYI, she's currently a high school teacher in a different town and has to commute. Gotta admire her dedication! Luckily, we live close by. Students who get the chance to study under her are fortunate. Got my info from this article: http://m.valleybreeze.com/2017-05-31/observer-smithfield-west/blue-door-studio-expands-space-smithfield-move#.XD_EkaROmaM

My 13 year old recently attended a birthday party at Blue Door. Ample parking (in a mini-mall.)…read moreThey were prompt. My daughter left with one canvas she painted with instruction through BDA studio. She also received a goodie bag with a few things from blue door included. Overall a nice place, great alternative bday party option.