I am a little crazy when it comes to Halloween. It takes a week to decorate the house and we have a…read morehalloween buffet every year. So, when my husband, told me the West Coast Haunters were having a convention at the Double Tree Hilton in Portland, I was amped to put it mildly. The convention included a friday night bus tour of Scream haunted house. Which had sold out by the time I got to the website, but I emailed them, and they could not have been nicer about helping me secure tickets for the friday night tour, which included 3 full size tour buses. The tour was supposed to be lights off haunted tour and then lights on. The Scream tour was really the warehouse, due to the change of location. It was a learning experience, so I was okay with it, but there were other haunters not impressed with the fact that it was just looking at their storage facility when the description was two full haunted house tours. We went to Vancouver, Washington for the next haunted house and they put on a dinner catered by Q'doba. Then they let us go through the haunted house lights off and then lights on. This was a really good haunted house, it took awhile to get through it. Since these conventions are usually focused on professional haunted house owners, serious home haunters and FX makeup people, it is really informative. It is hard to be afraid going through the houses anymore, since I am now a halloween junkie looking for the next best scare but I can appreciate when it is done well. We are looking to open a haunted house in the next couple of years and made some great connections with owners willing to share tips and have us come and check their stuff out. So the networking aspect of this convention is priceless. This convention is still coming together, so looking past the growing pains, as they put it to us at the ticket booth, I think they have done a great job. The school for the Deaf, has done a great job, as well, with the entire thing. If you go to the website you can read the history of haunt and the School for the Deaf, it is a really cool. We did win $100 raffle draw for a year of the Haunt Cast, so that was a great way to end the weekend. The vendors there were all pretty nice for the most part. They told us they are going to try to be in the same spot next year, so if you have any interest in haunting, then mark the calendar for 2013. Check out the website for more details. www.westcoasthauntersconvention.com/

Just finished their slabtown backpack online workshop. It was a great experience and we were…read moresuccessful in completing our backpack. Ellie was there all along the way supporting us and guiding us. Her kits are amazing, everything is precut, all the hardware and tools are there. That allows us to focus on the fun of being creative sewers/bag makers. Ellie is a great teacher, she gives all the tools and resources to be successful. I would highly recommend this experience for anybody.

I connected with Klum House through Design Week Portland. I've never used a sewing machine, so "no…read moreexperience required" appealed to me. I made the dopp kit over about 2 hours. For that class, the machine is set up and no troubleshooting is required. The fabric is already cut to the pattern. This project is ideal for beginners; all my substandard seams were hidden! The owner-instructor has whole series of short project classes to make useful everyday things - bags and backpacks. You don't have to go deep into patterns or fabric, zippers, snaps, rivets, leather and other hardware, all that is included, in a range of a few colors you select. The projects include some specialty fabrics, like sustainable waxed canvas that are hard to source. Some of their other classes cover more challenging material to sew, like leather, and even a Pendleton panel. The most important part of my experience and this review is that the owner-instructor is patient and a great teacher. The owner-instructor perceives individual learning styles and adapts to each student. Her business model is brilliant. The classes are on the boss Singer 4423, which is an affordable machine to set up at home, continuing your adventures. For your own sewing adventure, Klum House has supply kits of useful sewing gadgets you used in class to purchase and take home. Best of all, after a Klum House project, "I made that" is a beautiful thing to say to individuals asking questions about your project, close around you, friends, and admirers on the street!

It is a fun interactive painting adventure. Instructor is patient and willing to help you achieve…read moreyour painting. She encourages you to slightly tweak it to make it your own style.

Did a paint and wine event with 2 girlfriends and we had such a great time! Our teacher/bartender,…read moreLove, was absolutely fantastic at both! Definitely recommend for girl groups, couples, and singles! Thank you Love for the fun experience (and compliments!)

I was not prepared for the amazing space that the Center for Native Arts and Culture has. Me and a…read morefriend met to see the premiere of 'The Raven', a modern opera based on the Edgar Allen Poe play from local group - Renegade Opera. The space is amazing, and the opera... it was incredible. While waiting for seating, we engaged so many incredible people, making me appreciate being in these spaces and growing up with the arts community here. The acoustics were incredible. The performance was in their second floor space which is essentially a blank very large space ideal for events. There is space off to the side for vendor or food tables.

I had the most amazing experience recently at this studio. Beth Ann is a wonderful art therapist,…read moreshe is very relaxed and carries with her an air of calm and creativity. I was very impressed the class started with meditation and breathing exercises, then a brief tour of the studio and short explanation of how to begin our own personal process. I love the piece I made: it is nothing like what I usually do, but through talking a bit during class about personal situations, I was able to let some things go and it really shows in my work. I will definitely be returning. Just being in that environment is calming and very welcoming. even if you're not an artist, I would highly recommend giving one of these classes a try.

A fantastic place to get creative that overflows with fresh new art from local artists every first…read moreFriday. They have classes for both adults and children, they also have a cute shop to buy local art and art supplies. With a website that is updated frequently so you'll never miss a happening at the 100th Monkey Studio.

ILY2, I love You Too, is a many-year project. Now it is Portland art gallery, a residency in Lloyd…read moreCenter, and children's art classes in Lloyd Center. ILY2 is a top Portland art gallery. If someone was visiting Portland for art, it is recommended. Visiting is free. It is contemporary art which means the story is part of the art. Ask the gallery about the story. The gallery director is very smart on art buying and appreciation, with a history of director at top Portland art galleries and her own gallery. Their opening events are a great opportunity to meet artists and engage in art talk. They have an art residency under the name ILY2 Too in the Lloyd Mall with shows and events. That changes about monthly. The gallery has children. They have children's art classes in the Lloyd Mall. So if you have a child interested in art, it is a good community to look into. The gallery has connections in LA and a branch in New York City, which only one Portland art gallery before, the Jameson Thomas Gallery of the 1990s, had. They participate in major US art fairs. ILY2 is one of a handful of top Portland art galleries, and they would love you to visit too.

I use to draw at Hipbone weekly. I moved a couple hours away. I miss it so much. I was telling a…read moreteen about it today. OMGoddess there are EVEN more opportunities now! The everyone can hang a piece of art and the artist gets 100%. I have Never Ever seen that anywhere. Thank you, I might need to drive the two hours.

I really am grateful that this place still operates. I come here for the live drawing sessions…read more They have 2 , 3 hour sessions on the weekends that I attend as much as I can. The nude figure drawing in the mornings and the clothes/costumed figure drawings in the afternoons. They also offer several different, affordable drawing/painting classes depending on their schedule, which is so easy to find online. On the weekends that I've attended, the models are great and professional, they have both male and female models and if you check out their instagram, they usually post who the model is going to be on the clothed/costumed figure drawing, plus they list the name of the models for the nude figure drawings on their website. The place is big, as well as the stage and the lighting is very nice. Lots of seating (old movie seating on one side, a big sharing table, and 2 or 3 smaller tables with folding chairs and "horses") and lots of easels, you can also borrow a drawing board and or clips, if you forget yours. Otherwise, come prepared. It's $15 for the weekend sessions, but don't forget to tip the model. They are so, so good at posing for artists ( foreshortened poses, posing with props, etc) and holding whatever pose they are at. They have a couple minutes of gesture poses in the beginning and then they will hold a pose for 30 minutes at a time. Never the same pose, but very impressive. Especially for someone like me with adhd, who can't even sit still long enough to finish this review in one go. Minus one star for letting people in 30 minutes after the session has started, because of all the easel and supplies of that person setting up can be very disruptive. Also I wish they would put photos (even just a passport photo will do) OR just add make or female, of their models online, so I have an idea of who's going to model that day. There are days that I just do not want to have to even look at a penis, and I'd want to know if that is what I'll be seeing that day, you know? No hate on penises, just, sometimes it can be a bit much. Having the names listed doesn't necessarily help all the time, especially with gender neutral names. Other than that, I highly recommend this place for anyone who wants to do some live drawings. Also check out their other art classes.

Right from the start my experience with this camp was poor. I am new to Portland and was very…read moresketched out dropping my child in Kelley Point Park/ bum camp/ meth den. I had driven all the way and decided I would be leaving him with staff who would care for him. I take note of the Do Not Swim in Water signs. We arrived early as there was no traffic on the Monday before the 4th. I chatted briefly with the girl with a clipboard. Then I stood there while she checked in a returning camper. I had to inquire if I could check in my son. Her response " well we don't start till 9am". Yes, I realize Im early but do I stand here, while you stand here till then. Sigh. When my wife picks up my boy she is informed that my son lagged behind the group with a friend, the group turned and they went straight. So, they lost him! In this park I was already none too keen on. The wife also is informed he spent the day in the water and being buried in the sand. She immediately came home and googled the reason why there is no swimming. Luckily it was not a Hep A outbreak just that 2 people drowned! My son hops in the shower and when he gets out we are able to see his face is scorched. My wife was told they tried to shade him with sticks as he was buried in the sand. Hmmm couldn't borrow sunscreen or have the camp stock it? We expect a lot of responsibility from my son and work hard on independence. We discussed his role in getting lost but at best it is only half his fault, he is 8years old. Final complaint, my son did not even complete the bone activity because he said "you don't even have to do the activities". If you want your child to participate in this type of invaluable education chose Trackers PDX. My son went and gained confidence and knowledge. I was very pleased with their program. I was so disappointed with Rewild my son did not return. My wife couldn't sleep due to her concerns of what could go wrong the rest of the week. Next summer, only Trackers.

The Ivy Basket Class was absolutely superb! I would recommend this to anyone who is interested in…read morebasket weaving, wild-crafting, or just wanting to learn a new skill. Peter is an excellent instructor and a wealth of knowledge on all things ecology. The best part of the class was all of the other wonderful people that it attracted. I can't think of a better way to spend a day. Be careful though... after doing one of these classes, you're going to want to do more! The class was just yesterday (3/9/13) and I've already signed up for another by Rewild on Animal Tracking.