The Flower City Arts Center is an amazing community space offering art opportunities for ALL…read morepeople: with classes for youth (pottery classes for ages 3 and up, teen classes, workshops and summer camps) and adults, for every level (beginner, intermediate and advanced), in several disciplines (photography, book arts and ceramics, plus offerings in drawing and painting) there is something for everyone! In the years since covid, the FCAC has not only survived, but they have thrived! Thanks in large part to a generous and supportive community of members and students, luck with grants, and a dedicated staff, they have weathered two leadership changes, have innovated with online course offerings and collaborations, and have upgraded the facility's security and air exchange systems to ensure a safe and healthy environment for all students, teachers, members, staff and community attendees. If you haven't visited in a while there are lots of things going on: -- check out exciting new class listings each quarter - weekend workshops, multi-day/week classes, artist talks -- join us on a First Friday when the galleries are open (and free!), highlighting local talent -- take part in our upcoming Flower City Pottery invitational (this year, Oct 13-15, 2023) - a 3-day ceramics event featuring artist talks, demos and a large and eclectic variety of items for sale -- Watch for community collaborations like the Clarissa Uprooted - Pythodd Tribute Mural Unveiling & Celebration on Main Street, in conjunction with Teen Empowerment The FCAC is a place I not only love and support (in case you can't tell from this review and my two others...), but as a 24/7 renter, I actively use the space too. I'd love to see more of your faces there - next time you are around ask for me and tell them I sent you!

I have only taken one class at Flower City Arts Center, but can't wait to get back and flex my…read morevisual art "skills." I was sent to Intro to Adobe Illustrator by my work, and had the best experience. There was a ton of content crammed into our semester, and I now confidently create advertisements, eblasts, and social media content for my organization in Illustrator exclusively. Working in Illustrator can often be frustrating, but Jeremy (the instructor) answered my questions with grace, patience, and a sense of humor. A gift certificate to this center makes for a great gift! There is a wide variety of class offerings, and many opportunities to push yourself or someone you love out of their comfort zone. Nonprofit art centers like Flower City are the backbone of ROC, and make it the cultural beacon that it is. I hope to someday become a member and make use of this facility on a more regular basis.

What should I visit first ???? Atlas-Eats or Bentley ?????…read moreIts up to you !!! But if you need a wonderful hand crafted gift Bentley's Studio first !

Just came from a fantastic first pottery lesson with Christin. My wife and father and I LOVED it…read more Christin is a great teacher and a wonderful person. The prices are very reasonable, and we learned a ton! We ended up with an average of 3 finished pieces of pottery to take home. We highly recommend this for both classes and the pottery in general. What a wonderful experience! Definitely going back.

I have been a customer of The Great Frame Up in Rochester for many years (and always been pleased)…read more Just recently they framed two large pictures for my living room and two smaller pictures for my home office and they are just beautiful!! The space is inviting, the workers who help you have wonderful expertise and the work is always done efficiently and professionally. Highly recommend!!

I had a great experience with Great Frame Up. After my brother gifted me a vintage Rochester map, I…read morewanted to frame it to hang in my living room. Since it was a weird size, I couldn't find something from a standard store and knew I would have to custom frame this. I heard recommendations for this place, so I decided to give it a try. I went in on a weekend day and there were two ladies working, Lauren helped me. We talked through framing styles and what would look best with the other woods in my living room (I took pictures so we could match colors). We went with a deep brown - very simple, no embellishments. They have different levels of glass that go with each - regular clear glass, anti-glare, and museum grade. I went with regular glass and no matte. The more intricate things you add on or fancier styles of frame all cost more so consider that as you're planning your purchase and they'll give you quotes on the differences in pricing to find out what fits your budget and what you want the end result to be. I paid in advance in full, but there was an option to do just a deposit if that's up your alley. I came back a week later to pick up the finished print and was so happy with the end result. If you're planning to get something framed for a gift (especially during the holidays), plan ahead as it takes a few days up to a week to do the framing.

Potential students beware. It seems to be all about the money!…read more I registered and paid for a stained-glass class at Studio 34 through the Rochester Brainery for $295. The class was supposed to have been taught by a world-renowned glass artist, and the class description read that it included all the glass and all materials except for protective eyewear. On the first day of class, the instructor, who was not the professional glass artist listed in the course description, had us look through bins of glass scraps after we'd decided on a pre-approved design. While I found some pieces I could use, I could not find green or blue glass that matched and/or were large enough for the design. The instructor looked too, couldn't find any, then brought out some sheets of glass for me to choose from. At no point was there a mention of having to pay more for the glass. When I showed up the following week, I was told that I had to pay for the green and blue glass I'd picked out the week before. I objected, and the instructor said I had to call the owner, who said that the bins had copious amounts of glass for the projects. They did not. They were inadequately stocked. I was not the only one having difficulty finding glass. Every student had trouble. The owner said that my options were to pay for the glass or take a refund for the class. I will not be forced into paying for glass that was supposed to be included in the class cost so I took the refund. If there was an additional cost to the glass, that should have been said upfront when the sheets were brought out by the instructor. And it turns out that this class does not even provide the finishing piece so we couldn't actually hang our stained-glass projects. We could only leanthem against a window. The finishing piece is part of another class and this was not mentioned in the course description. Another class and more money to finish one piece. When a course description says we're going to be instructed by a glass master, I expect that it will be unless I'm notified in advance that it's not the case and offered a chance to opt-out at that time. When a course description says the class includes the materials, I expect to be able to find glass that I can use to create an integrated piece, rather than random scraps that result in a mismatched mess. The only other option offered was to open my wallet and pay more.

I have not taken any of the classes but I have worked with the owner and met a handful of the…read moreinstructors. I have also sat in on a class to see how it works. The studio is located on the second floor of a multifunctional historical building in the Neighborhood of the Arts. When you come to the studio don't be afraid to knock on the door... just walk in. They keep the door closed because of the a breeze that can sometimes effect the art work going on inside. All of the staff members I met were super friendly and professional. I came to the studio with no experience in any of the art they offered and absolute no knowledge. Marilynne and her instructors are excellent teachers and truly care to make your experience special. The class size I sat in on was a glass fusion class. If you don't know what that is(which I didn't before I stopped in) it's where you cut colored pieces of class and place them on a big piece of glass. Once you get your desired arrangement it then gets put in a furnace and melts into an awesome piece of art, just the way you arranged it. The class was a small class size, 4 people total. The instructor gave the students great instruction, then let them get creative. She offered pointers and answered questions along the way. I look forward to signing up for some of the hot glass classes. Also, it's important to note that Studio 34 repairs jewelry. So if you have a favorite piece that needs mending whether its glass, beads, or metal...stop in here!

Where they filmed The Hungerford Games starring Jennifer "Rock" Hudson as the best Catnip Everseen…read more Pretty amazing little collection of boutiques which all offer something to Rochester's wonderful culture, especially hipster culture. I can see why people love this place so much and even though it's not really cheap there's a lot of different and unexpected things to find in here.

The Hungerford building t hard to review because it's a collection of older industrial building…read morethat house: A collection of artists on the 4th & 2nd floors of building 1, Some food and drink - Seed and Stone Cidery, Happy Gut Sanctuary, Eat Me Up Ice Cream (non-dairy) in walk in from the parking lot or first floor access, Plus Community Design Center of Rochester and Reconnect Rochester/Rochester Cycling Alliance. They also have some apartments and a few other shops and stores I'm not as familiar with. Eclectic. East Main Clay has a nice assortment of ceramic items, including garden gnomes (& other items) that you can build a pole of. Funky tea pots, mugs, plates, and more. Hodaka Pottery on the 4th floor has lovely Japanese themed ceramics. The Hungerford Bldg had First Friday (of the month after 5) and Second Saturday days events where most of the studios and ships are open for business. Chime check them out, particularly as the holiday gift giving season iof here. Support local in the best sense of the word. The Community Design Center and Reconnect Rochester/Rochester Cycling Alliance address both noon profits dedicated to making Rochester and it's infrastructure better for ALL of her residents, regardless of their income. Check out their websites. Get involved. Donate.

It's one of the best if it's kind on the planet . and trust me I've been to more than anybody…read morereading this. The staff are very friendly, warm, and are very knowledgeable of the product. Definitely worth checking out.

This is a fun new place to take the family- highlights renewable energy sources and local arts as…read morewell. Good for a family or curious folks who like to see renewable energy in action. The rooftop has solar panels- there will be food and drink up there once the weather warms up. 2nd floor has a cycling/spin room that has bikes that generate electricity and show how much you are generating. There are 2 wind turbines right behind the building. The plan is to have the entire building operate on alternative / renewable energy sources. There is an atrium and skylight in the center of the building with a grow wall with plants. Local artists' work adorns the walls. Plenty more to say and see here- come check it out!

I had no idea this space existed until a couple weeks ago. It's an art gallery off Goodman near…read moreVillage Gate that features work from RIT art students. It's amazing what hidden gems are tucked away in Rochester. I would have never known about this side street gallery had it not been for the invite I received to an event there. It's a great venue for a cocktail party - there are two rooms and could comfortably fit at least 50 people. There's a projection screen too if need be. If not for a party, you're welcome to visit the gallery during open hours. There was some impressive work displayed when I visited. What a great opportunity for the RIT students to be able to feature their hard work to the local community in the Neighborhood of the Arts. Parking can be a challenge if you don't land a spot on the College Ave. Village Gate parking lot is the next best spot, but you'll have to walk a bit to get there.

I'm not sure what their regular offerings are but this place is located across the street from the…read moreMemorial Art Gallery and down the block from Village Gate. The next time I'm in the neighborhood it would be worth the short walk to see what they are showing. I attended a Rochester Print Club annual event, the space was spacious enough, two rooms, they welcomed our byo-aps and seating set up for guest presentation.