I recently graduated from the Motion Picture Production Program and I can easily say it was some of…read morethe best times I've ever had! The teachers were extremely knowledgeable and well connected in the film industry; most importantly though is that they were friendly! While at PDA, I filmed two short documentaries, two short films, and multiple short art peices, participated in every part of production (Cinematographer, Sound, Director, etc.), and seriously had fun all the while. Now I work in Vancouver and I'm having the time of my life! Highly recommend to anyone interested! Cheers!

We came from California to send our son to this school, and WOW are we glad we did…read more The Motion Picture Production program is world-class. The teachers are highly-skilled and extremely knowledgeable, the director great, and the staff always friendly and helpful. The small classes provided quality personal attention to every student, and the pleasant atmosphere and historic building made it a pleasure to come in every day. (Our son always wanted to show up a half-hour or even an hour early.) He studied hands-on with working professionals in the film industry, learned the full spectrum of skills in all areas of filmmaking, was taught the business of filmmaking and professional attitude, and was introduced to networking in the Vancouver and Victoria film industry. Through it all, he had a rollicking good time! When he graduated with his certificate at the end of the year, it was hard to say good-bye. We can't recommend this school highly enough. Everyone serious about the arts should have the good luck to take courses here.

The paintbox is an awesome fernwood small business! I really enjoyed the evening drawing and…read moremoccasin workshops that I took. They accept a smaller number of students in their classes so you get more one on one attention from the teacher. I have a strong art background and I still learned a lot! Emily the owner is also very active in the community - doing things like beautifying the neighborhood by painting telephone poles! I would highly recommend taking a class there yourself or signing up your child for an art summer camp or having their birthday party there:)

This place is absolutely perfect. It has cozy and inviting atmosphere and the small class sizes…read moreresults in lots of personal attention. My son has been going here for almost a year for weekly art classes and he did the summer camp. He loves it. Emily is fantastic and he is super excited to go each week. A side benefit is that the art he comes up with is really cool. Some of this stuff is too good for the fridge and we framed it.

I loved these classes so much. Joe is AMAZING! Highly recommend, even just for something new to…read morehave fun! I've never laughed so much in my life as I have in the intro to acting classes, they are just SO much fun and you get to know people so quickly, like you've known them forever, and SO quickly! Joe is a genius.

Wonderful place to explore your creativity and make beautiful art. The quality of instruction is…read moresuper, The classes are fun and welcoming to everyone.

I am new to sewing and have been into the Makehouse twice to browse, purchase, ask questions, and…read morebe enthusiastic about my new hobby. The staff are just terrific. Very knowledgeable, encouraging, and excited to share their craft. It's a joy to shop there. Oh, and they let well behaved dogs in! It's a really welcoming place to be and shop. Lessons next!

If you venture a little bit beyond the tourist core along Fort Street, you will come across The…read moreMakehouse....if you're a crafter, especially if you're into sewing - or want to be - you will find a delightful playground. This is an adorable, somewhat small shop-classroom-studio. There are lots of indy label sewing patterns (like Christine Hayes, Colette, etc), sewing notions, a smattering of scrapbooking items and some lovely locally-handmade pieces. The Makehouse offers fun classes. They offer basic sewing, pattern making, upholstering and specific piece workshops. There's a Kids Club a couple nights a week. They also have drop in sewing times and "sewcials". It seems local fiber artists use the space as a studio...it's an inspiring environment. They were featuring some unique hand embroidered portraits of women by an artist named Annie Nazarian when I stopped by. Unique, interesting. There's a definite Somerset Studio, slightly vintage vibe coursing through The Makehouse that is charming...if staying downtown, it's worth the extra block's jaunt to visit or if local, a few hours to stop for a class. I try to spend a couple weeks at a time every few years in Victoria - and on my next extended stay I intend to take some classes...I can't wait for my next visit!

Queenswood offered Reiki Level I taught by Sister Eileen in October. The two day event was one of…read morethe most memorable workshops I have ever taken. Sister Eileen, the other members in attendance, and the outstanding space, with sun beaming in, taught me so much about not only Reiki, but the acceptance of living a full life as well. The session was laid out in a wonderful way; discussion, exploration and hands-on healing. A large amount of material was slowly covered during the session which left me thinking about Reiki over the following days and week. There is no doubt that In the Spring, I will enroll in Reiki II. Highly recommended!

I recently took my Reiki Level II with Sister Eileen, a beautiful soul with a big heart and great…read moresense of humour. It's a very powerful experience to receive the attunements and work with the symbols with a group of powerful spiritually charged women! Jyoti's beautiful sanctuary is an ideal place to meet and to do this work. I feel blessed to be able to learn from both Sister Eileen and Jyoti through their openness of their own personal experiences with human dilemmas we all face. The love, commitment and support received in a room full of compassionate, caring, empowered women is enlightening! As I'm sure the gifts bestowed and practiced will be life changing. Blessings and thank you to everyone.

DriveWise has been awesome! I signed up for the 4 lesson package, and was able to pass my test the…read morefirst time

How could they close such a center... There are plenty of…read moregyms all over downtown--you can just walk into any hotel and work out. But there was only one place where kids could come play basketball every day. There's not a single decent gym in the entire area where you can work out year-round, in any weather, for $30 a month. So what now?.. Long live the home and the computer

I recently visited Victoria on vacation and it turned out the YMCA/YWCA two blocks from my hotel…read moreoffers day passes to its gym. This facility is a great option for anyone visiting Victoria who needs to work on their strength training while on vacation. They have several Life Fitness machines, including pectoral fly/rear deltoid. They also have some older machines from a brand I have never heard of before called Keiser, which turned out to be an American brand based in Fresno, California. The Keiser machines are strange because they have thumb controls to manipulate a pneumatic system which controls resistance, rather than the traditional system of sticking a pin into a weight stack. But once you figure out how to use them, they're okay.