When exhibitions are happening, this is basically a free museum open until 9 PM Monday through Thursday (or until 5 PM Friday-Saturday). As a museum lover with a 9-5 job, it has become a favorite place to visit at night. read more

Irvine Fine Arts Center - Burger King of Everything by Kaili Godfrey - Art Galleries Near Me - Irvine, California

Don't sign up for there absurd classes the supplies are expensive and dumb you don't put watercolor on a canvas board absolutely absurd. read more

I just finished my first semester of Creative Jewelry Fabrication classes at the Irvine Fine Arts School with Sheri and I'm already enrolled for the next semester and plan to keep enrolling. Everyone I have encountered at the school who works there has been very friendly and helpful. Sheri is also very knowledgeable and encourages her students to keep practicing until they can master a technique. It's also great to know why we are doing certain things when fabricating instead of just doing them without any thought. I read a recent review from someone else who had a different experience, and while I can't speak for her or the staff, I do know that the rules about the shoes are for your protection and this seems to be standard protocol when working with certain materials in most labs, etc. It's unfortunate that she was unable to have a better experience, but I love the classes and the staff and would recommend taking classes there if you can. Just make sure to follow the rules. They're for your own safety. read more

I love this place. They have so many different classes to choose from. No kids. . .That's o.k with me . Sometimes Mommies and Daddies need time for fun with out the kids. This place has a wonderful atmosphere and the teachers and volunteers are great! read more

Irvine Fine Arts Center - A wonderful place to express your inner creative side! - Art Galleries Near Me - Irvine, California

Is there a trick to get in to these ceramics classes here cuz I've been trying to get in for the past 6mos and I can't. I've heard that all the professionals get in there and use the faculty all the time especially in the ceramics classes. Probably why regular people can't get in. read more

They have a VERY reasonably priced rental darkroom (black and white) that is set up for 35mm to 4x5. Good people running the darkroom and they supply the chemistry. Just bring your film and photo paper. Not bad for $15 a day. I've never seen it really crowded there. They are equipped with developing tanks and enlargers. You could make prints up to 16x20 if you wanted. We need to use and support this wonderful place. read more

Oh what a luxury to take a Ceramics class here. Everyone is so friendly and helpful and encouraging. They feel like a family! Getting into class can be a bit tricky but once you're in.. It's amazing. There are open studios available for people that can't make the class times. There are volunteers to help during the open sessions. read more

The helpful people who run the front of the center are to be commended for their kindness and patience. Having been in ceramics studio on and off for twenty years, always coming back when I am in the area, I have found it a good source for equipment, glazes, tables etc. but a less than human experience with most of the admin and techs. There have been one or maybe two techs in these 20 years who made the place sing - very rare indeed. Beware of techs but otherwise a good place.They need to brush up on their policies. Some quiet wonderful throwers who are passed over for the big time sellers who use the studio. I see a review on 10/1/20 that also speaks of the rude attitude. read more

I took Experimentation in Letterpress with Madeline and it was a great experience. I wanted to take the intro class but it didn't fit with my schedule. I was hesitant about enrolling in the experimentation class due to my inexperience, but after a quick intro during the first class, I learned that everyone was a beginner, save this lady who majored in book arts (!!). Madeline was an excellent teacher and very patient. She has extensive experience in the industry and her passion really shows through her work. We covered a lot of material during the four classes and learned about different elements of letterpress printing. There were only two presses in the studio but we all had separate tasks to keep us busy while the presses were occupied. You also get 4 hours of free studio time for enrolling in the class ($149 + $35 material fee), and after completing the series, I'm confident in my abilities of cranking out my own stationery. I docked it a star because the scheduling was a little rough. They had some construction done on the floor and so our classes were pushed back two weeks and we had longer classes in a shorter amount of weeks. Stomach was so hungry :( read more

This is one of my very favorite places to be in Irvine. It is quiet, peaceful, serene and a great place to bring a blanket and journal, have a picnic, read or just sit and relax. There are always art classes being taught or new items being sold in the front lobby. In fact, this is where I discovered one of my favorite soy candle brands "Makana Candles". There is a lake and lots of open grass area along with a playground to just relax. It's next to one of the branches of the Irvine Libraries. There are also often sports games going on. Parking can be a bit of a pain, but it's typically pretty open and available. There are also plenty of spaces in the shade. I highly recommend this place, for art classes. If you're an Irvine Resident, you can become a member of the IFAC and you'll receive a discount off their classes, which is about $10 off. I've taken a couple of classes here and I found the instructors to be informed and helpful. Additionally, the Irvine Fine Arts Center holds 2 Studio Arts Festivals one at the beginning of Summer and the other during the Holiday Season. I also highly recommend the back grassy area with the lake, since it's so peaceful and open. read more

Great city arts center with tons of hands-on classes (e.g. drawing and painting, jewelry, beading, photography). The exhibition space is fairly large, and the center consistently does a good job curating shows that are both interesting and filled with pieces by people who live in the area. (Not an easy feat!) The art receptions are generally very well attended, and they feel very convivial. In the day, I love watching the kids and teens run around talking excitedly about their arts and crafts. read more

I love the fine arts center and think that it is a great place to go to be creative. However, ceramics open studio class is $13 to get into the class. It is not mentioned that in order to use clay it costs another $10.80. I was uninformed of this when I stepped into the studio and did not get to use clay since I was unable to purchase any. It is common sense that in order to be active in a ceramics class one must have clay, I think that this information should be shared up front so that people know what exactly they are in for. read more

This review is specifically for the ceramics class at the Irvine Fine Arts Center. It is GREAT! They have first-class facilities, very knowledgeable teachers and staff, and a great overall vibe. read more

I've enjoyed the painting classes offered here, particularly the oil painting classes taught by Tom Brown. He somehow manages to encourage and to help beginners while still challenging advanced painters. Tom does a lot of extra preparation prior to class & sends out emails after class summarizing the lesson. He goes above and beyond what I have experienced in other art classes. read more

I took a painting class here a while back for fun/to fill up my empty summer, and it was actually pretty great! My teacher (whose name shall go undisclosed, for privacy reasons) was super help in bringing out my "inner artist" so to speak, and I feel like I definitely got better, while I was there. I'm painting all the time now with the techniques I learned there! I even got good enough to actually feel like framing one of my pieces (I got it done at the Great Frame Up, a PRETTY good frame store, and I lit it up with this light, because it's siiiiiiiiiick http://www.cocoweb.com/oil-rubbed-bronze-led-picture-light-21-tru-slim/), and I'm not even embarrassed to say that. So thanks, guys, for giving me some self-confidence. read more

Poor administration!! While the classes are great, the admin/staff who work here are extremely rude, power tripping egomanics and unprofessional! Don't expect one iota of flexibility from these witches. Wear closed-toe shoes they deem to be unacceptable "sandals"? Get told to "go home or buy shoes at Target"! Get told to try back a day later to cancel a class - "sorry you are now within 3 days of when the 2nd class will start so we can't cancel the class." Are you kidding me?! I'm not making this stuff up people, I can go on and on about their abuses. These admins are the worst kind of bureaucrats who just love to say NO at any opportunity and generally make a hard time for residents. HELLO PEOPLE, your job is to SERVE residents, not make life HELL for everyone who has the misfortune of interacting with you!! read more

You gotta love this place. I have been taking classes here off and one for about 6 years, ranging from jewelry making, drawing, cooking, photography etc. I always enjoy them. With limited exceptions, the instructors are really good and the prices are fantastic. They have really nice art facilities you can use outside of class. They host exhibits with opening receptions. I think the same gentleman has been at the front desk since I started and he is always helpful and looking for input on how to make the place better, how the instructors are doing and what not. When I am looking to learn something new, this is pretty much where I start to look. read more

This is a pretty sweet little city art center down the street from my house. I use the photo lab and ceramics studio here. Very affordable. Either $12 a day or you can purchase in bulk so it's about $8 a day to use the facilities. The staff is very educated and willing to help with any questions or concerns you may have. I've noticed they have tons of kids classes too. Toddler's to teens can be heard laughing and gossiping at all hours. It really adds to the charm of the facility. My only qualm with the art center is its pretty run down. The facility looks like it was built in the 70's. It could really afford to pull some city tax payer money together and put in some renovations. read more