Feet of Clay is a cooperative pottery studio in Brookline, MA. The studio offers various levels of…read moreclasses and membership. Anyone interested in learning wheel-throwing, hand-building or pottery in Japanese should check this place out. If you're a clay artist, you can also join the studio as a general member with access to all of the public space, equipment, glazes and tools. With various levels of membership, you join as a semi-private member where you receive your own storage shelves or a private member where you receive your own space. The studio has tons of wheels, multiple work tables, electric kilns and slab roller. All members and students are required to buy their own clay. Members get 24 hour access allowing for full flexibility especially for artists with jobs. I highly recommend visiting this studio for anyone interested in working with clay-- from beginners taking their first class to serious artists looking for working spaces.

This is a really snotty studio. One illustration, I called to ask about the studio and about their…read moreclasses and one of the "managers" answered. He dismissed my questions putting me off in a truly condescending tone. He said no one there would have the time to show me around the studio and that he himself had classes to teach. Then he informed me that there was a waiting list of 50 or 60 people to get into the studio and in other words, just bug off. He clearly wasn"t going to give me the time of day. Happily, I did bug off. And I was grateful to know what kind of people I would have been dealing with had I not had the heads up he gave me.

Eli Portman is a terrific teacher! And both the Eliot street and amory street locations are very…read morecomfortable, with easy parking.,,

It makes me sad to write this review, especially since I felt the possibilities of a community…read moreatmosphere at the Eliot school, but I was really disturbed by the use of the words, to me in the last email by the Assistant Director, Jean - "At this point, I think we just need to part ways." (when someone who's providing a service to you says that - HUGE RED FLAG!) So, I signed up for private lessons with Joe for $65/hour. This was expensive for me, but I really needed to get a project done for a deadline. I was clear about what I wanted a small model of a house, with all mitered joints, because I was going to use it to cast a model. I even brought paper patterns. Joe met with me and said it was do-able. We did the first session of three hours, one of which he gave me an hour free, it seemed to go well. (I got the hour free - because the the machines here aren't so good - so its not your fault, his words) We didn't finish so I suggest we meet again. An hour into the next session, Joe proclaimed that the project was not do-able and too complicated, because there isn't a left-handed table saw. He even took my piece and attempting to go forward, took it the sander and wanted to sand it down to 45 degrees (yikes). Anyhow, so I decided to cut my losses and say, okay let's stop. He decided not to charge me for this hour. So I left with a pile of wood, and also broken-hearted, because I had really wanted to complete this piece. So, I wrote Jean, asking if I could get my money back, because I was clear about what I wanted in my project and felt like I should have been told that my project was not do-able from the beginning or at minimum, warned. Not have my project unfinished, after I had spent $130, 4 hours of time, and $30 on materials. And on top of it, I now need to find and pay someone to build this model. It wasn't anything personal against Joe, he was a nice guy, but more about professionalism. For example, if you had a contractor who said they could do something, they wouldn't walk away midway through the project and say it was too hard, leaving you hanging. Same concept. But instead, I got an email that from Jean that said, we are NOT refunding you, but (as if I had won a prize) we aren't charging you for the extra two hours Joe gave you, and "at this point, I think we just need to part ways."

My daughter took a full day class here and she had a great time. I was worried it would be a long…read moreday but it sounds like it was broken up with art and park time which worked great. She was very proud of her work and is looking forward to coming back!

My family is so lucky that the Blue Mouse Gallery exists. Eva, the owner, knows how to let children…read moreexpress themselves through their own inner artist. She understands that creativity fosters calmness and has a positive impact on children. Far from having a top-down approach, she collaborates with her students. She is also a fantastic German teacher for kids and adults alike. Whatever your age, you can find your art at Blue Mouse Gallery.

Hidden gem in Brighton. If you like arts and crafts this is the place for you. The owners are…read morecommunity driven and bend over backwards for creating a space for kids and adults to explore art and creativity. Thank you for being a wonderful space for families to gather and friends to share.

The Corner Art Room is the best thing to happen to Brighton! I love coming here every week for the…read more(free!) stitch lounge. I've taken a few classes as well and they were all very affordable and and taught by experienced teachers from the community. Bobbie and Silvia, the owners, are super friendly and welcoming. One or both of them is always around and it's so nice to sit and craft and chat. As an avid crafter, I'm a huge fan of this kind of space and hope the Corner Art Room stays in Brighton for as long as possible!

The various art shows are wonderful and the classes are great. There's even a Gallery Gift shop…read morethat's open during the shows with handmade items like stained glass, ceramics, jewelry, wood and more. Plus there's free parking!

Right now, you can go to the Arts & Crafts Society to get your fix of handmade woodwork, pottery,…read morescarves, shirts, table runners, bottle stoppers, purses, jewelry boxes, vases, decorative plates, spoon rests, earrings, necklaces, watercolor paintings, and... I think that's about it. This month, the members have exhibited their wares - and everything's available for a very fair price. Perfect for getting that little "New England gift" for a family member. The staff is really friendly and talkative, asking lots of questions and giving you advice on how to make your own homemade things. Also, classes are available in everything from jewelry making to ceramics (hand building AND wheel throwing!), woodworking to knitting. Very nice, and perfect for those with too much energy.

Great spot to learn new techniques Get inspired to break out…read moreof the box! Cozy environment allows easy creativity no restraints!

Lucia has an incredible eye for art! I'm a beginner at painting and she is extremely talented,…read moreskilled and creative! I just met her at the Winchester farmers market and her paintings drew me in! I hope to continue painting with her! She is amazing!

Are you ever on a random journey in a new town and open to new ideas and experiences???? That was…read moreus on this very cold but sunny day in Boston. We were walking from the north end after getting fresh pastries from an amazing shop ( See my other Boston reviews) when we saw a small historical sign explaining the history of North Bennet Street School. It was bustling as we curiously peered in. As we continue to walk up to the corner where we spot a sign for an open house at the school. We immediately turned around and went back. The lobby and staff were so welcoming! They got us checked in and answered a few of my questions. They gave us a low down and a map. Each area had us exploring and listening to the enthusiasm spilling from the students. It was really interesting and inspiring. Each presentation was so specialized and well organized. We spent a good chunk of time learning about the complexity of pianos, paper making, hand bound books, architecture and more! Another highlight was talking to an older gentleman who was a first year silver smith ( yes it was super cool) who was putting the finishing touches on a ring just as we walked by. He took the time to show us all of the steps from a rod of silver to the dazzling finished ring!!!! My feedback is that they should a season or two of web series showing their talents to the world. It would also be a great STEM connection for education. So many talents and interesting people in the area. Highly recommended. I'd love to attend a class or two here!

Unprofessional is an understatement to describe how the North Bennet Street School handled my kid's…read moreapplication. The admissions committee ghosted my student after they completed all the admissions requirements in time for the priority deadline. My student received an email confirming their materials were submitted in time for the priority deadline. Following an interview, there was no notification of acceptance, rejection or placement on a wait list. Zero. Weeks went by, and then months. My student sent emails to follow up, including to the admissions director. Crickets. We parents also contacted the admissions office and director to ask about our student's application. No response to very polite emails and calls. At one point, we got a human on the phone at the admissions office who seemed to be reading from a script, saying they were reviewing applications and would reach out if they needed more info. Six months have passed since the priority application deadline. Still no word -- except that they have the nerve to keep contacting my student with marketing materials. So, clearly they have accurate contact info. Even highly selective Harvard communicates with all applicants to let them know if they're in or out. Yet, NBSS can't get its act together to offer applicants the courtesy of sending a timely rejection email. There is something seriously wrong, in my opinion, with an artisan and trade school that charges $30K a year but treats prospective applicants and families in this manner. In my view, it's a big red flag, and I'd be curious to know if others have had similar experiences.

I have taken two classes and one pottery series at FYA. I love that they make art accessible, I…read morehave been able to use their scholarship program for financial assistance. I enjoyed the two classes but the pottery class has been an amazing experience- I've seen myself improve during the short time I've been a pottery student (I made my first not crooked bowls last night!) and I think I could improve even more with more practice. I like how the pottery class allows for open studio time on top of the class time too, it makes it a better value for me.