What a lovely way to learn how to create art, and to learn something about yourself at the same…read moretime. So much of what Phil teaches spills into other areas of life too--areas where perfectionism and self-criticism reside. He helps us be more gentle with ourselves as we approach creativity. The energy in the room is not competitive, it is supportive and helpful. People return, year after year, to retake the "beginner" classes, in part to stay in touch with the beginner mindset and sense of wonder. The Drawing Studio is wonderful!

If you're looking for an art class where the instructor shows you how to hold your brush to paint…read moreclouds, this is not the class for you. Phil Sylvester does something much more valuable: he helps you to ignore critical thinking when you paint (or draw--he has drawing classes, too). Keeping your left brain from sabotaging your artwork can be a formidable task for some people, myself included. Phil basically helps you become that 5 year old kid with crayons again, where you have no expectations of what your art is supposed to be. His exercises encourage you just to paint, while he cites mantras from himself and other artists amid occasional music. This process leads you down a path where you find yourself and lose yourself at the same time. I can honestly say, in the short time I have been painting, that Phil has made me a better artist. Any class which does that is a good thing. So I suggest taking classes that teach techniques and color theory as well as taking the types of classes offered at the Drawing Studio. Every time you expand your horizons as an artist your soul will benefit.

5 stars! I have taken Ryan Chapman's beginning oil class and this past weekend I took his plein air…read moreclass. Both classes are excellent! I am a beginning oil painter and have learned so much in his classes. No need to be self-conscious about whatever level you may be in your painting. There have been beginners like me and people who have attended art school. His teaching style is relaxed, friendly and very supportive. He gives excellent examples, he demonstrates by painting and explaining clearly why he is applying paint in the way that he does. He really meets each student at whatever level they might be. The plein air class was fantastic. On Saturday we painted in Laurelhurst Park and on Sunday we painted at Mt Tabor. I highly recommend taking classes at High Low Art Space!

I've been taking classes with Chaitanya for several months now and have learned *so* much. The…read moreclasses are fun and illuminating; you get a lot of individualized feedback because the teacher circles the class and checks in at each turn, so it's really tailored to you no matter your level. As a model, I've had the pleasure of seeing how other classes and groups work, and each time I'm floored by the professionalism, respect, and skill. I seriously can't recommend High Low enough, y'all! You'll be so dang glad you signed up.

5 stars for the art facilities and teachers! both are always wonderful. The teachers are helpful,…read moresmart, experienced, welcoming, and patient. The price of the classes are very fair. 2 stars if you're looking for a social environment to connect with likeminded people. Most of the people I've met have been somewhat abrasive, unfriendly, and like to boast about their rich husbands, vacation homes, etc. I've been taking classes here for 2 years and not made one friend so i stopped trying. That has nothing to do with mac directly but the culture could be a lot better. The thing I hate about Mac is their bathrooms. The doors swing in the wrong directions so it is very hard ti get into the stall without pressing up against the toilet, and I only weigh 150lbs. They need to switch the stall doors to swing outwards so it is not so hard to use the bathrooms. I

Awesome community location. Plenty of weekly activities for the family and plenty of community…read moreactivities on special occasions and on the weekend. This has been a go to place for our family and our toddler. Great instructors and friendly vibe. Thank you for contributing to our community!

Karen is such a patient teacher. Her studio is a great place to try out pottery, with a relaxed,…read morepositive atmosphere. As a beginner who can't make it there very often, I still always feel welcomed and she helps me pick up where I left off. So grateful to have found this wonderful studio and teacher!

Great place to try out pottery. Karen is an excellent teacher and has everything you need to get…read morestarted.

This place is very convenient to Gigantic Brewing and Hip Chicks Do Wine it is a great place to…read morewalk your dog around if you are in the area. IF you are interested: Park in the north parking lot on Steele and then cross the pedestrian bridge and you will find an awesome open space to walk your dog. It's pretty low key, you may cross a person with their dog off leash but most dogs keep to themselves and there aren't many people who know about this area. Check it out if you can!

Attended a 5 day conference here. The dorms are a nightmare, they didn't clean the restrooms for 4…read moredays and they weren't cleaned well when they did clean them. There is no ventilation in the dorms and the bathrooms are ancient with small showers. I'm fairly short and the shower heads were too short for me and there was no water pressure. The bathroom lights are on timers so are prone to turning off mid shower but the switch is outside the room so be prepared for a pitch black shower. The Vollum building also has no ventilation and seems to be filled with mold as every time I go into it I end up with bad allergies that clear up as soon as I leave the building. It would be a great setting for an episode of Grimm.

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!

Great place to take classes. Staff and teachers are very professional…read more The environment is welcoming and the gallery is an extra bonus. The teachers have an excess of knowledge and they know how to teach the students. You can be a beginner or an advanced student. All are welcome.

I've read all the reviews here and can't believe we're talking about the same place..I mean, OSA is…read morean excellent place to learn and participate! Sure, there are always a few things to wish were better in any arts organization, but OSA offers tons to the art enthusiast, plenty of shows, many varied and engaging classes and best of all workshops and classes are offered and taught by top-notch instructors. There are plenty of sales at all the exhibits (and best of all, the prices are generally affordable). Don't be put off by some disgruntled yelp naysayer, if you like making and learning about art, you deserve to try OSA for yourself.

I have the honor of being the first to review AWS. My daughter has been to several art classes. She…read morehas a definite eye for creativity and she loves to express in many ways. She has amazing line work and ability to show depth perception. These classes are allowing her to expand her knowledge and improve her skills. Unfortunately I am unable to hang out with her while she learns, but that probably is for the best. She amazes me with every "masterpiece" she creates no matter if it is at AWS, Ceramic Café , or right at home. She will be returning for many more classes to come. Thank you.

We were unsure where to have a party for our son's birthday and were glad that Art World School had…read morethe option of doing so. The art instructors were very patient and friendly with all of the students and made the projects very fun. Aaron was really fun and kept the kids entertained while we waited for the projects to begin. Mimi helped me plan the schedule for the party and checked with my son on the topics he wanted for the art. Both were exceptional instructors. They also decorated the place with balloons and banners and set up goody bags for the kids as well as gave boxes to take the art home. Communication planning was very clear and quick. The kids were very creative! Was a very nice experience overall. I highly recommend having a party there or just coming by for some classes!