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!

This is a very warm and inviting neighborhood school for kids - and adults - to attend art classes…read more It's particularly beautiful in fall. The welcoming staff and teachers appear to be caring and competent. It is well organized and the enrollment / registration staff are responsive and attentive. For children's classes, all materials and supplies are included. My child really seems to enjoy the class and the teachers! For adults, materials lists are provided. There are classes in photography, painting, drawing, watercolor, etc for both beginners and more advanced students. So far a very positive experience. Highly recommended!

Typical liberal excuse to demand funding, masquerading as legit. A hobby at best. Arts and Crafts…read morefrom summer camp, pretty much.

I've been the the Barns a few times over the years for different events. A few times when they…read morehave held their Vintage Fair here (amazing vintage items, clothing, jewellry); once for a play and most recently for the Tabasco Hawkers Market. This is a great place to hold an event, party or wedding. This is a former hub for streetcars back in the day but has now been turned into an event space. Interior brick walls, high ceilings and open floor plan allows the venue to become accommodating to almost any kind of event. It has that vintage but industrial kind of ceiling. There are a lot of great photo ops in here. There are also photos/info on the walls that tells the history of this place.

This is probably one of the best things to happen to the neighbourhood in recent history. Grand…read moreopening was November 2008 and it hasn't looked back since. The space is a reclaimed TTC barn and has five 'barns' each labeled with giant steel numbers. First is the artist live-work space, 2 is the event space where you will find the market on Saturdays in the winter and various other community events, 3 is the community theatre, 4 is The Stop greenhouse and kitchen, and 5 is the open air barn. There is also a children's playground on the east side of the building, an open field that becomes an ice rink in the winter on the south end, an off-leash dog park at the south-west corner, beach volleyball court on the west side, and plenty of benches and picnic tables scattered throughout. I find that their website is not as informative as it could be, perhaps because it is administered by the umbrella Artscape organization: http://www.torontoartscape.on.ca/places-spaces/artscape-wychwood-barns So it's better to go directly to the Stop's website to find out about the market and the many very interesting fund- and awareness-raising events they have: http://www.thestop.org/green-barn-market I find that being on the mailing lists for The Stop and our local city councillor Joe Mihevc (http://www.joemihevc.com) keeps me informed of upcoming events like the solar energy info session this Sunday. Some additional notes: ** The Market ** During the cold months it is indoors and runs 8 a.m. - noon. It gets crowded by 11 and goodies like cinnamon buns don't last until then. Bring cash, your own bags and if you're really good, your own travel-mug for the wonderful Kurtis coffee. Interesting vendors include the venison guy, sweet potato man, Mennonite meat lady, knife sharpening guy, tofu dude, the fungi, and the freshwater fish people. In the warmer months it is outdoors and runs a bit later until 1 I think (it is still indoors as I write this so I'm not sure). The vendors are spread out over the walkways under their tents. Half the fun is stopping to chat with neighbours so check your usual Toronto sidewalk pace as you might get stuck behind a stroller and wagon jam. There are several vegetable vendors that also sell organic and heirloom variety seeds and seedlings in the spring. Too bad last summer was so cold and rainy - even so the purple tomatoes I planted were wonderful! ** The Dogpark ** It has weird hours and no commercial dog walkers are allowed. It is closed everyday between noon-3 p.m. and opens later in the morning on Sunday. I'll take a picture of the sign next time I'm there because it's confusing. There is a human + dog drinking fountain but the city doesn't turn on the water until mid-May so bring water for your pooches. Best doggy party times (as with most parks I'm sure) are from 5 - 7 p.m. There might be a morning party but I'm never up early enough to find out.

Great learning space to start your pottery journey. It's not the prettiest of studios but there's a…read moregreat collective sensibility. Lots of talk and jokes among students. Every class starts with a lesson, then students work at their own wheel while the instructor answers individual questions and gives special tips. As much instruction as you want. Chika is an awesome instructor! It's also great to watch some advanced potters working in the corner at the same time as the class. You can see them putting into action what you are still trying to master.

Took my first class here and was really impressed, the set up is great, the teaching was…read moreinformative and all of it was reasonably priced.

Andrew Bockner (of Andrew Richard Designs) moved this place from it's old King Street location to…read morethis wonderful new space, isolated from furniture, to feature just pop art. It's an amazing space featuring Andrew's own collection, along with a local feature. The space is great, the manager Faye is wonderful, and the artwork is just phenomenal if you're a fan of pop art.

I wish I had read these reviews before I left a painting behind after a 3rd-party event at Struck…read moreCuntemporary. The owner, Andrew Bockner, proceeded to sell my $6000 painting and didn't tell me. I am still trying to get the guy on the phone 4 months later. Won't pick up his calls, won't call, won't return emails. He's basically stolen my art and my money. AVOID THIS SHITHOLE AT ALL COSTS.