A friend of mine having done classes here recommended we do an iPhone photography class together. As a first timer I found it great! I had no clue what majority of the settings on my phone were and having been walked through how to change the settings and what they do I so far have been able to take better quality photos from my phone. If more classes come up related to iPhone photography definitely recommend. read more

Do not consider the courses unless you know the hidden costs of materials before hand, as well as their extremely rigid cancellation policy. They are not transparent in the total estimated cost of each course, i.e., the cost of materials. Or even a range of costs. And, if you do not cancel on or before an exact date, before the classes even start, and before you even know the material costs, no refund; They simply credit your account for future courses, less a $20 admin fee. Unfortunately, I was 2 days past this arbitrary cancellation date,5 days before my course start date when I went to their store to purchase materials. I was aghast at the price-nearly the cost of the course. When I called and the wrote to the head of the school, she showed no interest in my side of the story, my financial concerns. In fact, she was rude and unprofessional. There is so much room for improvement in the way the business is managed and run. They do not appear to care about their customers' feedback. And, I haven't even mentioned to store itself... Can't vouch for the teachers, as I didn't even get that far. And I won't . I will try to sell or gift my credit. There seems to be many other venues for art classes that are far less expensive. And more transparent in their costs. read more

The Art League is a mostly great! I especially like the painting and drawing classes. It's too bad the Art League is being forced to move from the Montgomery Center because the landlord is tearing down the building to redevelop the property. The Art League is moving to an abandoned print shop on Slaters Lane. I hope the parking situation at the Slaters Lane is not as dire as it appears. Summer '24 classes will be held at the Montgomery Center and then it is on to Slater. Ed for drawing and printmaking and Milena for painting and drawing are two instructors I highly recommend. A note of caution: the description for a class in the course catalog may not accurately represent the actual class. I signed up what ostensibly was going to be an oil painting class only to come the first day to find out that the course consisted of cutting pictures out of magazines and making collages on a canvas and utilizing acrylic paint. Also the instructor had the students working at tables instead of easels (huh?!). The icing on the cake was that there was so many tables in the room you couldn't move around. Heaven forbid what would happen if there was a fire and quick escape was necessary. You can be sure I did not stay in this class. And no, this was not one of Ed or Milena's classes. read more

I come here for both painting classes and as an artist hoping to see and support local artists in their studio. This is a wonderful, family-friendly, dog-friendly spot filled with many kind and sociable people. The artists are enthusiastic to meet everyone who comes through their door and answer questions. The building is also in a wonderful location along the water and next to a bunch of great shops and restaurants. Definitely recommend for anyone wanting to explore the arts or in need of an afternoon activity for groups of all ages. Love spending my Saturdays here! read more

Art League School - Inside - Art Schools Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

Very hit or miss instruction. I was super excited to take a painting class here but the instructor was horribly dull and the communication was terrible. There were tons of things we needed that were not part of our supplies list, like objects for our paintings (which wouldn't normally be a problem but they had to be a triangle, circle and a square and all needed to be a specific size. I ended up using other materials from the school and my teacher sounded surprised when all I could find was a a seemingly "advanced" object. Instruction was kind of boring too, our instructor drawled on for almost an hour and a half instead of actually letting us paint and hardly ever scanned the room. She seemed more interested in her own painting than teaching. read more

Signed up for the Portraiture class that began today at Slater Lane location, and must agree with a prior negative review from March (which I unfortunately did not see until now). I arrived before the scheduled starting time to find a crowd already taking up all the space around both models, with more coming in. The instructor made no formal announcements, although this was the first class of a new series; but began doing an introductory demo that I could not see or hear in the chaos. I did not stay. This is sad, because I took many classes at the Art League in prior decades, which were very professional. The current motive appears to be collecting money, not providing a service worthy of a non-profit. read more

I have enjoyed watercolor classes with the Art League in the past, so I enrolled in a Portrait Drawing class. The class was very crowded. There was a model at the front of the class and the 20+ students set up around the model. It was hard for everyone to have an unobstructed view, and students in the back were very far away. The instructor gave demonstrations with his back to the audience and it was hard to see and hear, especially at the Slater's Lane location where the HVAC system is very loud. It would have been nice if the instructor had adjusted his demonstrations and helped students arrange their easels to make sure everyone could see and hear. It also would have been nice if he had reviewed the materials we needed for class because I know at least one student did not get the materials list from the Art League Store (I showed it to her at our third class). I tried to get something out of the class but I didn't return after the fourth class because it was just too frustrating. I'm giving two stars because the instructor is a talented artist and I can take some of what he taught and practice on my own. read more

Somebody really needs to hold the leadership of this nonprofit accountable. It is so poorly managed. There are nonprofit art organizations with a fraction of this place's budget that are 10 times better. I signed up for a class - the email/web description listed a time that was off by an hour, a supply list that was outdated and incorrect, had no address (the org has two buildings, so an address is necessary), and when I called, I reached a recording. There is no option to leave voicemail or reach a person. This place sends me fundrasing emails asking for millions of dollars for new real estate. I bet the behind-the-scenes management of that kind of money would be hilarious to behold. I appreciate nonprofits in general, but I do despise fundraising for the sake of fundraising. The teachers have been very good. read more

The teachers have been great, the torpedo factory is very cool, but I can't recommend it because it's so horribly run. The woman in charge (Lizzy) is awful and really rude. They changed the class start date a bunch of times and wouldn't refund my money; you can't use your credit to purchase supplies; they won't tell you what supplies are needed for the class you're taking (you have to physically go to their store to get the list); and lastly, just signing up for a class doesn't guarantee you're in the class. I signed up for several and then got emails that the classes were full. It's incredibly frustrating and honestly seems intentionally designed to take advantage of people - which sucks because the classes and teachers are awesome! read more

this school is an old town, Alexandria, Virginia, not in Bellevue. But it's a great place! Excellent faculty, networking and very diverse students. read more

I took a year's worth of ceramics classes here the first year I lived in DC... not only was it super fun, but I met some great people and it was a good way to make DC feel more like home when I didn't have much going here yet. I always sucked at ceramics in high school, but after a couple classes here even I was successfully throwing bowls and having a great time doing it - and here I thought I was a hopeless case! The instruction was very good (obviously) as was the quality of materials and services. Kiln firings were frequent, so I rarely had to wait more than one class between firing and glazing, and in all the pieces that I made, I only had one casualty - a vase with a very narrow neck that chipped during the unloading of the kiln. That's pretty reasonable considering I probably fired 40 pieces over the course of a year. After a year of classes, I got tired of making the trip down here every week - I wish it was a little closer to the city! (It's about a 20 minute drive from DC or 15 minute walk from metro, but the walk isn't through the best parts of Alexandria so I don't recommend doing it alone after dark.) The Art League offers a number of other classes, including photography, jewelry-making, metal sculpture and a bunch more that sound like fun. If the instruction and equipment are on par with their ceramics program, I'm sure they are all well worth the reasonable class fees! read more

Art League School - Student art show - Art Schools Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

Took Photography for Beginners with Stephen Gosling. Class set up with him begins with a (very) gentle critique of everyone's homework assignments, which were basically 1-3 photos taken in a certain way (e.g.: "this week's homework is to take a photo that freezes motion"). After the critique session, the class had a lecture about the topic of the day (e.g.: metering for exposure). The class will teach you all of the basic functions of a DSLR or mirrorless camera. Essentially, you will learn about the technical aspects of using a camera. By the end of the class you should understand what each button on your camera does and the various functions within your camera. Personally, the class fell short of my expectations. To others, this may not be the case. I came into this class expecting to learn more about lighting and composition, which apparently is part of the intermediate photography class rather than beginner. So really the fault was mine and not the class itself. I am deducting one star because of how little content there was per class. In a class of about 13-15 people, we usually spend about an hour or an hour and a half listening to critiques from the instructor. These critiques in my opinion were way too sugar-coated and redundant, as different people often made the same mistakes and you still had to listen to them all. The second half of the class usually didn't last the other hour; it often finished within 30 minutes. For me, the beginners class was way too simple for me. To others in my class, I noticed some were genuinely learning new things. If you are absolutely new to photography, this is the class for you. If you have some understanding with photography and hope to refine your skills, I would go to a more advanced level (something I should have done). My experience aside, I think this class is appropriate for its target audience and will give it a 4/5. read more

I was thinking about registering for a summer camp but called and learned that I would not be able to observe my 5 year old in class or sit in the building to wait for them. I am not comfortable dropping my 5 y.o. with random strangers for hours. I thanked the receptionist for answering these questions and she hung up without saying anything. Yea, it just went from probably not to definitely not. Customer service anyone? read more

My daughter and I took several mosaic classes with Anita. She's a great instructor, always goes the extra mile to make sure your projects turn out looking professional and safety is her top concern. I've taken classes before at other places and it was always rushed and cheap materials were used. I highly recommend these classes, especially the Stepping Stone class if offered again. I hope they open the classes back up soon. read more

The classes here are truly amazing. The instructors have formal art schooling, and it sounds like each class (I've only taken 2 here) have to go through a board for vetting or something. Each class is totally structured, each week there are different topics and goals. Jewelry - Lost Wax Method: I thought this class was awesome, it started with fundamentals and then got harder and harder, yet allowed anyone to find their level of comfort and stay there. Some people made some incredible pieces. Graphic Design - I'm only on the first week but I can already tell it's going to be an amazing class. I mean, there are no computers! This means it's not going to be another Photoshop class, it's going to talk about real fundamentals and philosophy of design and typography, layout, logos, exactly exactly exactly what I needed. A couple hundred bucks per class, split over 9 weeks, 2 1/2 hours each week is peanuts I think, given what you will get out of these classes. I would expect the same high quality out of any class I took there. They teach to all levels in every class, so an art background is not needed, and I promise you will survive. Use the Art League to find out if you have hidden talent or new interests! read more

The art league is great! They have so many classes and varying times! All the teachers are super nice. Although, if you are a beginner in ceramics I would not suggest taking Blair. Hes awesome for people who know what they are doing but not for beginners. However, if you are a beginner I suGgest Ryan. read more

I took a class here awhile back and unfortunately it was not a great experience for me. I decided to try a pottery class and the one thing I think they should tell you up front when you register is how hard it is. We had nine classes and I didn't make anything besides a lump of clay because its takes a lot more practice than what is provided in class. The teacher was very nice. He told us a lot of stories and seemed to be enjoying his job, but I didn't think he taught that much. He seemed to be a lot more interested in the female students and making his own pots so I didn't feel like I had enough instruction. That and his personal hygiene was not the greatest. He introduced himself as a hippie though so I guess that's just par for the course. The studio was what you would expect with working with clay. Dirty and a little disorganized. I think the price was good for what you get from this school, but if I were to take another class here I think I will try something simple like drawing. read more

I am taking the Intro Drawing course and it's wonderful. This is my first art class of any type, and it is not intimidating or over my head. Pretty inexpensive considering other options in the area, and one of the few places I found with a lot of evening classes. read more

I have taken many classes here and I have loved every moment! The classes and the instructors are first-classes. This is a great place to take classes if you are a beginner because the classes are set up in a very approachable way. It is also a great way of meeting new people who love art. read more

Took a Beginners Painting class with Scott Hutchinson. He was calm, patient, funny, and the ideal art teacher for us non-skilled persons. If you have any previous painting experience (I took all through high-school and some classes in college), you might want to go onto the intermediate level. I found some of the basic painting classes a little boring but that was my fault. Supplies: Buy them all before class starts (don't skimp on anything that seems random because then you'll pay for it with annoyance and time), but try to see if you can find cheaper online. They sell at the store but materials can get pricey. Also make sure they give you everything you need - don't just expect them to check off the list you hand them. I had them forget a couple of "small" things that became big deals. Parking was stressful to find around class time -7pm (I took the class in the middle of our icy snowy winter so it was too cold to walk from a few blocks away). Overall a very worthwhile experience and worth the money! read more

The Art League is a great organization that makes the arts accessible to people of any skill level. I was a ceramics student for about a year and found it to be very rewarding. The instructors are all very talented and gave me as much or as little guidance as I wanted at any time. The studio is well-kept and has a very supportive environment that encourages students tap their creativity. It really feels like everyone there is your friend! The fees are reasonable relative to other places offering similar services - for ceramics, $230 gets you 9 weeks of 2.5 hours of studio time per week, as well as 25 lbs of clay, as much glaze as you need, as many firings as you like and a little storage space. My only complaint about the school is that it is far from DC, but that gave me a great excuse to get some exercise biking down to Old Town after work. =) The school offers a lot more classes than just ceramics - there is sculpture, screen printing, metal working, stained glass, textiles, etc. Classes are held 7 days a week, during the day and into the evening. Check it out - you can get back into something familiar or try something new! read more

I took a Sunday pottery class here this past summer and thought it was excellent. I studied ceramics as an undergraduate (which was several years ago now...) and found that there was plenty of help when I needed it - but I was also free to go at my own pace ahead of the others. I interacted with two instructors, plus a number of class assistants, over the summer and always found them to be knowledgeable, helpful, friendly, and genuinely interested in helping me to make the work I was imagining (and offering a lot of great input and help in making it even better!). I thought the studio space was clean and well organized - and was on par with other studios I've worked in. (Keeping in mind that a pottery studio is full of people working with wet mud all day long...) It's a bit of a hike from where I live in DC - but I think it's worth it. I hope to enroll in a class here again soon. As another reviewer pointed out, pottery really is a lot of work and it's not always easy. I would recommend that if you enroll, you have the time to fully take advantage of attending all the classes and using the open studio access for extra time or for make-up classes. I wish I had had more time too! read more

The Art League provides exceptional service to the arts education community in the Washington Metro area -- gifted, dedicated teachers who are professional artists, a curriculum that offers classes in all fine arts media, and the cheapest tuition anywhere. Classes are for beginners to advanced. Starting out as a beginner, I got great encouragement and feedback from teachers! Remarkably, students come from all over the country to attend Art League workshops -- because the artist/instructors are extraordinary! and nationally known artists come to the Art League to teach! The Art League is dedicated to providing high quality arts education at an affordable price and provides an atmosphere of acceptance, fun and creativity for all who want to participate. We are very lucky to have the Art League in Alexandria, VA! read more

So this review comes from someone who has taken classes at the Art League for over a decade and sent several thousands of dollars their way over the years. I live in Alexandria and love being in an artsy community and supporting the arts and taking art classes. But beware of the Art League! Firstly, as someone who has taken classes and workshops across MANY different media, the instructors are hit or miss. I've had 2 or 3 in my extensive class-taking experience who have been truly amazing and outstanding - they made the classes interesting and engaging, motivated students no matter their talent, and offered individual attention. The rest of the instructors were subpar at best. Also a word of caution, if you take the mosaics class, the instructor charges exorbitant materials fees for the average student. Since mosaicing is a super tedious art form that takes a very long time to complete, most students really only use a very small proportion of glass in one session and complete at most one or two pieces. I started doing mosaics on my own at home and purchasing mosaic glass from the glass store in the Madison Annex - their rates are super affordable! You can buy a boatload of mosaic glass from the Art League glass store for a fraction of what the instructor charges her students in materials fees! It's totally ridiculous- plus the mosaics instructor never actually teaches anything about mosaics as an art form. She just teaches you how to hold the wheeled nippers and glass scorer and yells at you if you move her stuff or don't wear goggles. I did much better AND cheaper mosaic art on my own at home without wearing goggles and without having an instructor with temper tantrums. I also need to warn everyone of a very BAD experience at the Art League I had last year that has kept me away ever since and has meant I may never return as a student again. I paid for a class that was cancelled - no problem, this happens, and the Art League informed me that they had refunded my money. Ok, I forgot all about it. But maybe 5 or 6 months later I got an email and a phone call from the Art League telling me that I now owed them for this cancelled course. I didn't get it, so I called the office. They informed me that there had been a computer glitch at their bank and that while my refund went through the initial payment had not. This was super confusing and also if there was an error on their end, it is their responsibility to catch it right away and inform the customer, NOT 5 or 6 months later! I was really quite upset about this, but still I was willing to go along with it because I understand that computer glitches do happen. But what happened next made it near impossible for me to ever support or recommend the Art League again. They went ahead and automatically charged my bank account 5 or 6 months after the fact for the course that was cancelled not once but TWICE!!! So now they have basically stolen $170 from my bank account without my permission or prior approval. I called the office furious and the person in the business office was one of the rudest most unhelpful people I have ever spoken to. After the multiple thousands of dollars I have paid to the Art League over the years for classes, she had the nerve to insinuate that I was the dishonest one. I hung up and refused to deal with her. She also passed my contact info (without my permission!) onto a third party contractor who left me voice messages telling me to contact him with my bank account information so that he could log into my bank account to see if I was telling the truth about the erroneous double charge. I am clearly not that stupid! I immediately contacted my bank and filed a fraud claim against the Art League. My bank told me I did the right thing and that I should never share my bank account information with anyone. My bank did a thorough investigation of my fraud claim and found in my favor and refunded the money that the Art League erroneously/fraudulently stole from me. So beware when you sign up for classes - they keep your bank account info on file and will automatically charge you for things without your permission or prior approval. If you value your financial privacy and security, stay away from the Art League!!! read more

I've taken a few classes here. Not all that impressed. They are expensive to start and that does not include the cost of materials you will have to buy. I had one watercolor instructor who charged us per sheet of watercolor paper and I know that she was making a profit on it. On top of that if you were using a photocopy she printed to work on she'd charge you money for it until you returned it. Give me a break. How cheap. She was also kind of full of herself and kept forgetting everyone's name. The work areas were too cramped and lighting was bad. I also saw a lot of on-going students or friends of the instructor taking up valuable space for the students. No idea what they paid for their class, but something makes me suspect that it was not what I paid for my class. Another instructor did the same thing. He had students who were more advanced hanging out in a beginner class and then spent half his time critiquing their work instead of helping the newer people actually work. Eventually, I decided to quit that class and just learn on my own. I'm sure there are some very good instructors there, but I unfortunately, did not have the chance to take any of their classes. read more

Hand building ceramics class with Kathryn is amazing. She is super creative, inspiring, and motivates you to try things outside of your comfort zone. I had a really good time in her class and definitely recommend to anyone at ALL levels of ceramics! read more

I've taken three different classes here already, and I'm taking two of them again! I enjoy coming here, the teachers are nice and willing to help, and the people in the classes tend to be friendly as well! I've don't manga, comic, and figure drawing classes. I draw digitally even, so I bring in a tablet instead of buying all the utensils at the store in the torpedo factory. The last three teachers that I have had, didn't mind me drawing digitally at all, but if you're a digital artist, maybe for the first day go in with the tablet saying you would rather draw digitally if it's ok, but if not, just buy the utensils before the next class at that point. It'll save you money that way if they're ok with the digital. I had called the school and asked if I could draw digitally for the figure drawing class, and she told me no. So I had to go buy this stuff that was a bummer to carry on the bus, and then I asked the teacher if it was ok if I could draw digitally next time and she said yes. So don't always listen to the person behind the phone if it's not the teacher, cause they're going off of the paper of what the class is asking for, not the teachers words per say. BUT AGAIN, LOVE IT! read more

Sages have uniformly proclaimed the arts as being the thing that most singularly defines us as human. It is clear to me that every person actually needs to have art in their routine for a fully balanced life experience, particularly in our current times of unprecedented sensorial pounding & socially isolating electronic gadgetry. I encourage you to unplug, seek, & find your ideal art thing among the Art League's full spectrum of creative arts courses. My art thing is Steel Sculpture. I have taken Steel Sculpture at the Art League with Donna Reinsel for several nine week sessions over the last several years. Referencing a long lifetime of having done a lot of fun things all over the world, welding with Donna ranks right up there among the top most enjoyable things I've done. After carefully laying down a solid foundation for safety and skills, Donna sets you free to explore anything that you desire under her continuing guidance across welding's limitless span of possibilities. Abstract work, precision work, kinetic pieces, whimsical, one day small projects, large multiple week pieces, replicas, & works that the world has never before seen will emerge from your welding torch. My constant take aways in every session are bettered technical skills, left brain satisfying problem solving, & right brain new creative heights. For me, most importantly, the flow, connection, & peace I get from my sessions in her studio, all carry over into my work & personal life, improving the technical & social pieces of the world that I share with others. I've already won an award in a juried competition from one of my first pieces produced under Donna's teaching technique. If one of the creative arts areas you're curious about is Steel Sculpture, you will not find a better teacher anywhere than the Art League's Donna Reinsel. I've heard personal testimony from fellow steel sculpture students who have taken other Art League courses that there are many excellent teachers in all media at the Art League. I believe that every large human population center everywhere should have an Art League, and hope some day they all will, but currently, they don't. If you live in NOVA, take advantage of this unique gem. read more

Great school with talented artists. The only downside is the parking as its near impossible to find parking. Battling traffic after work is always a down side too. One of my favorite artists is Richard Weaver, he doesnt get enough cred. But he is one of the best artists in that area. read more

I've taken several classes over the years here and most of them have been really awful. The weaving and fiber studios are great, with supportive instructors, and they will give you a great class experience for the money. They're the only department at the Art League that seems to have a positive atmosphere. One of the stars is here because of the fiber arts department, otherwise this would be a one-star review. Note that I can't speak to the pottery studio atmosphere as I haven't taken classes there. First off, it's worth a note that classes are generally not paced for students who put in a lot of time outside class hours or students who catch on quickly. If you generally find you're a dedicated student or you're a quick study you may be extremely frustrated by the extended Q&A sessions many classes seem to include. Next important note: the Art League asks you to get your supply list from them in person because they want you to buy your supplies from them while you're there picking up your list. This is a BAD IDEA for you as a student. For several of my classes, the teachers padded the supply list with items we didn't use, and the store would not let me return them (the store generally does not return items for money back). Best bet is to get in touch with the instructor and ask what you need to bring for the very first class, and buy more supplies as needed. Don't buy everything up front, and definitely don't buy them from the Art League's store. I've taken several classes here, but by far the biggest stinkers were book arts (warning, these are really "art" books, not books you write in or read text from - the course descriptions for the book arts classes are criminally inaccurate) and basic drawing. The book arts teacher criticized me because I prefer more serious bookbinding to books made with origami paper; I didn't say anything to her about it, but I guess she picked up on my surprise and lack of enthusiasm for our projects and got defensive. One instructor vented endlessly about a series of depressing personal issues, and both instructors were extremely critical. In my drawing class, we spent more time talking than drawing (about 1 hour drawing and 2 hours talking per class), and again, the instructor was quite negative, even going so far as to announce to all the students that without native skill, they would never become gifted artists no matter how hard they practiced (WHAAAT, this is total BS and possibly one of the most damaging things I've ever heard an art teacher of any stripe say). The classes here are quite affordable compared to the average price for an art class, but also mediocre verging on downright terrible in experience compared to the average art class experience. After my latest bad experience here, I'm resolved to save up my money for higher-caliber studios. read more

I enrolled my child in two full day summer camps (cartooning and art camp) at the Art League. This was our first time enrolling him in a summer camp where he didn't know anyone. He loves art and was excited about starting the new camp though. I dropped him off on his first day for cartooning camp (with Mr. Prince in the morning session) and he went to the classroom to begin his day. When I picked him up, he was so excited to show me what he had done during the day. He said he loved cartooning and couldn't wait to go back the next day. By the end of the week, he had so many completed cartooning projects and I could see the growth in his work from the beginning of the week to the end of the week. He said Mr. Prince was a great art teacher and that he learned so much from him. The next week, he had art camp (with Patrick) where he did painting, ceramics, drawing, and mixed media. The second week was equally exciting for him. My son said Patrick was an equally amazing teacher and that he really learned a lot from him and that he was very nice too. He's already asking me if he can return to the Art League next summer for summer camp or if they offer classes during the school year. This was an amazing experience for him. He had an awesome time. We'll definitely return again. Thank you. read more

Art League School - This is one of my son's sketches from cartooning camp at the Art League. - Art Schools Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

I agree w/ Justin W.'s review below. I took one pottery class with the Art League. While I found the overall atmosphere to be positive and cozy, I was very surprised that there really wasn't any formal instruction, despite a professional potter being present. In fact, I got the sense that he preferred not to teach and focus on his own pottery, though he would answer some students' questions. There was one TA who could help, but other than that, you have to rely on other students. Had I known that this wouldn't be a "class" but more like an open studio space, I might not have enrolled. The cost of the class should be a lot cheaper if you're not getting the benefit of a professional potter teaching you. The school should set the proper expectations. If you're a beginner, they should have a true beginner's course where maybe half the sessions include formal instruction. For students who have taken the course before, they should mark the course as being open studio space so you can do your own work. read more

I'm currently taking a nine week Metal Sculpting class, and definitely recommend the school it if you're looking to take some classes. Before registering, I emailed the instructor asking about some of the "other" costs for materials, supplies, and other costs that may pop up, and Brian was very attentive, responding within a day or so explaining how it usually has worked. The price for the class comes out to about $10/hr...not bad for learning a new skill and getting creative too. Class size is limited to 12 ppl and sometimes he has an assistant so you've got plenty of opportunity to bounce ideas around and get some one on one attention. Monday evening classes have pretty easy (and free) parking too. While I can't comment on the other classes, I am now considering some of them based on my positive experience so far. read more

I'm only a few classes into my intermediate painting course, but thought I'd share a bit of useful info for newcomers. Yes, this is a "class", but really it's more like a workshop. The format isn't where we all sit down and paint the same subject, or the instructor has a pre-planned lesson for the day. My class is essentially studio hours with a roving instructor to help you trouble shoot any issues you may have. This is great on one hand because you get expert assistance on your own work. This may be different with beginners classes (or with other instructors), I'm not sure. I'd recommend asking to speak with the instructor beforehand to get a real sense of what the class is like because there's not a lot of information given to new students when they pay for the class (hence only 4/5 stars). When I signed up for my class, I was asked to come down to the Art League Store to pick up the materials list for the class. I'm not sure why they don't just email the supply list to each student as they pay for the class. They do email a map of the area with parking and other information, so it just seems logical to include the supplies list for each class. Anyway, they make you walk in to pick up this materials list. My second recommendation would be to not buy any supplies off of the materials list you're given. I didn't know what to expect, so I spent about $200 in supplies needlessly. As it turned out, nobody except for the newbies actually purchased items off of the materials list. Everyone in my class just brought in their own materials. Rookie mistake on my part. Overall, it's been a tremendous experience so far. I hope the rest of the time proves as valuable. read more

I am a professional portrait painter who regularly takes workshops and classes to help refine my technique. The ones I have taken at the Art League have always been above par--and that is saying a lot as I hold a BFA from a very well known local art school. I can honestly say I have learned more from some of the instructors at the Art League then I did while I was in school. This school attracts some of the top instructors in the representational painting field. It is very much worth the 1.5 drive (each way) I take every Friday to attend my classes. I highly recommend the Art League to everyone--my only regret is that I did not start taking classes here sooner. read more

I've been extremely disappointed with this school's policy. My friends bought a metal clay class for my birthday and unfortunately the night before the class starts I had a bike accident. I've been on crutches for 3 months so it wasn't possible for me to attempt the class any longer. Even with a not from the hospital the school didn't want to give the money back (because apparently the money already went to the teacher) and didn't try to find any arrangement for me. I don't know the school or the teachers but I think this is shameful to treat the customers like that! read more

I have taken quite a few classes at the art league mainly the cartooning one with David Carter and Malone Samuels who has since moved to Texas. I can tell you the classes are great and I can't wait to take more classes there as I have not been there in about ten years sadly. The learning atmosphere is great and Malone helped me a lot as he would even stay after class and show me somethings I got stuck on in his anatomy class. The prices are also great and are some of the cheapest in the area. read more

I'm a long time student of the Art League School - more than 15 years. My favorite classes have been with Priscilla Treacy, Jin Chung, Jackie Saunders and Lorraine Oerth. Highly recommend the framing workshop offered four times a year. This school is an Alexandria gem. Just wish they would offer some new class options on weekends. The weekend schedule is stale and hasn't seen any freshing up in years. read more

I'm a long-time student at the Art League School (14 years, I think!) and have loved every minute. I've studied jewelry making and metalsmithing with 4 different teachers over the years. Each of them has a slightly different approach and style, but all have been patient, creative, knowledgeable, and fun. Most classes I'm in seem to have a mix of beginners and advanced students. Beginners are assigned specific projects designed to teach basic skills while allowing each student to bring his/her own aesthetic into the project. More advanced students work more independently on their own ongoing projects, with help and advice readily available from the teacher when challenges/problems occur. Thanks to the Art League School, making jewelry has become my passion. I began it as a hobby after giving up my career as a lawyer, and though I'd still call it at least partly a hobby, I have found several opportunities to sell my work and there is nothing more gratifying! I still take two 5 hour classes a week, with two different teachers and keep learning and growing as I do. Although I have set up a studio in my home, and could probably work there exclusively, I find that I am more inspired and productive in the creative and collaborative atmosphere of the Art League School classes. My teachers and co-students have become good friends over the years and I don't ever want to quit! read more

I have been taking the same class at the art league for almost four years now, and I love it. It's a ceramics class, and I have received wonderful instruction. The instructor and TA are very helpful, and even the students will help you out. It's a great atmosphere; it's equivalent to meditation for me. Highly recommended. read more