I took this class Dec/Jan It was such a disappointment…read more Instructor Eli was all over the place and could not task manage. Not one single person in our class was able to complete their cabinet. I let with a pile of subpar wood. He talked up a good game and made me feel like I was really going to learn something. I was looking forward to learning everything he mentioned I was going to do for my cabinet. We did nothing of what he said and like I mentioned I left last day of class with a pile of wood I had to try to assemble at home on my own. He did offer a "day pass for a fee" to return and finish our project. He was not helpful at all. I arrived 15 min early to class and asked him a very simple question. And his answer to me was "my time is valuable and your class doesn't start till 6pm. I'll be available to answer your question at that time". Then he proceeds to ask me to walk all the way to the entry door which is a lost 1/2 block away to slide a door stopper to keep the door open for the rest of the students. I didn't do it as my time is just as valuable and I don't work here. I needed to cut my door pieces but he asked me to help another student build his cabinet which was fine. Then I asked him if he can cut my wood since I'm spending my time helping the other student (something he should be dung not me) and he said "no! then you aren't learning how to do it yourself". Then why am I wasting my time helping your students! He made us start cleaning at 815p on our last day of class - cleaning his workshop. None of our pieces are done at this point. He doesn't ask nicely - he says again that his time is valuable and must leave at 9pm. Well it's 859p and he starts on a "please rate my space rant" "I will send you a link to review" and how "this is my money maker" I get up mid talk and leave as it's now 9pm and he stops and says "are you really walking on mid sentence?" Yup it's 9pm class is over. Needless to say I'm sure he knew I was upset leaving without a cabinet made. He failed to send me the link to review his space. The students in class were great from all ages. I first chalked it up to the bad class being stressful for him due to it being the holiday season and he shared with us about how tense it is between his divorced parents and sharing the holidays with each house. I'd suggest maybe not holding a class over the holidays if your personal kid impacts your professional life. During our class time instead of helping us - all new to carpentry and keeping us on track and time management - he'd sneak off to his work area and finish his own projects that he works on to sell. I was very disappointed in this class and feel like I didn't learn much of anything and still have a pile of subpar warped and cracked wood pieces on my porch floor. I consider reaching out to my classmates and suggesting a bon fire to get rid of the horrible wood. I'm still looking for a cabinet making class because I really want to learn how to make something and actually finish it.

I took an Intro to Woodworking class with Eli and got over my fear of power saws! I also made…read moresomething that I can use and look at and reminds me of the experience. Eli is fun, patient, kind, and skilled. There were different skill levels present and all sorts of project goals in the room, which Eli was more than happy to explore. It was a super fun and enjoyable class!

What a great soft opening! I was lucky enough to be chosen to volunteer and help host the opening…read moreof this new spot in logan square. If you are looking for a space to create art, build something interesting, or just have fun with no pressure, but all the BYOB filled relaxing fun and music with your friends look no further. Space itself is intimate, relaxed lighting, great music not too loud, and the owner who has been a high school art teacher for years, and creating art for longer, and her sons are kind and compassionate. I can see, how when the classes will offer children's coloring, woodcraft, and art therapy, that the owners will create a great experience for everyone. Can't wait to see what Artspace does next!

What an amazing place!! Art classes of all kinds! Took my daughter to the Saturday morning kids art…read moreclass and we had a BLAST!! Audrey, Hailey and Elizabeth were super nice and helped us out and had many different suggestions! They had snack time for the kids with story time! such an incredible find literally right down the street from us!! We'll definitely be back!

Lillstreet Art Center is a magical place, it has a little bit of everything!…read more I've taken everything from pottery classes to jewelry workshops to textile classes here. They really have a wide selection and great time options in the evenings for those who work 9-5. 12 years later I still use the garlic grater I made in a sculpting class. Prices are expected, but reasonable for what you get. Teachers are awesome and work with you to help you learn, even if working with clay isn't your thing (I learned quickly it wasn't my thing). But it's still fun to try something new! In the heart of Ravenswood easily accessible by the el, and they do have parking if you drive. Definitely check out this gem if you haven't yet.

As described in the Lillstreet Art Center website, it was "founded in 1975, Lillstreet is a…read morecreative workspace for artists of all levels, from first-timers, to professionals. No matter how you define yourself, you belong here!" When Daughter told me that she had just registered for a "Beginning Wheelthrowing" class at Lillstreet, I did not know the art center. However, I had always been curious about wheelthrowing and wanted to finally learn about it, so I registered too! We both registered for a 10-week class that met once a week in the weekend. It had been a fun 10 weeks! Well, we had missed 2 classes for our unexpected trip to Europe, but we were fortunate that we could make up work by going to "open studios" that are available only to current students. Our teacher Jen FitzGerald has 25 years of experience in ceramics. Both Jen and the class assistant, Kim, are very kind, welcoming, and encouraging. Jen always has solutions to whatever problems that we might have. After she made a demonstration throwing on the wheel, she would go around the classroom to see how everybody was doing with her own work. It was especially helpful during the first couple of classes that Jen came by me and helped me one-on-one to overcome the hurdles that I had. After I "mastered" the techniques, wheelthrowing is relaxing and fun. Glazing pottery has been a lot of fun too! Looking for our fired glazed work on the common shelves is like Christmas! There have been nice surprises of how the glazed work turned out! Now both Daughter and I have made a bunch of cups, mugs, and bowls that we are proud of. Like a lot of the students at Lillstreet, our passion for ceramics have been ignited, this class won't be the last! Lillstreet Art Center not only offers a lot of different art classes for all levels, it also hosts private events like birthday parties, and one-time workshops that you can test the water and have some fun. There is a gallery/gift shop that features a lot of one-of-a-kind creations from teachers and students, most are really sophisticated and professional, and inspirational too! There is a small café that you can enjoy local baked goods. We had tried the almond croissants which were very good. Our teacher Jen is having a Lounge Show "Mudweaver Ceramics" in the cafe, from November 1 to 30, 2024. The show showcases some very amazing ceramic art that looks like woven baskets! Come see the show if you can! Closing reception is on Friday, November 29 at 6:00 PM.

I recently went to Logan Square Photo to get updated professional headshots for LinkedIn and my…read morewebsite. Jenn made this process easy and painless! After a quick shoot in her studio I got copies of several dozen high quality photos emailed to me within a few days. Jenn did a bit of airbrushing on my favorite photo, and I was able to download that photo and the full set of unedited photos without any extra charge. I highly recommend Jenn for anyone who needs a good professional photo.

I can't speak highly enough about Jenn and our family portrait session! She was incredibly…read morepersonable and her enthusiasm helped us get great shots of our infant, dog, as well as the adults. We had a great session and PLENTY of awesome shots to cherish. We'll definitely come back in the future!

Well I've only been the one time. It was to see a comedian. It was a nice space for a small venue…read more It had a bar. And bathrooms. I liked it.

We saw two shows at the Den Theater in Chicago over the weekend. It is a small venue, but very…read morestylish. The bathrooms are pretty clean (even at a late show). The seats are comfortable. It is an intimate venue. The drink service is great. The drinks are good. I had a "Dirty Shirley" which is a Shirley Temple made with vodka. The standout is the service though. The box office staff is amazing. I am not going to share how they saved my bacon one evening, but it totally blew me away. The security folks are nice and helpful and the servers are wonderful. If there is a show you are interested in, go see it if it is at the Den!

I was at The Den Theatre for the first time for the #ChicagoTheatreWeek kick off party where I got…read moreto sample new to me food and cookies, sip on a complementary Shirley Temple, take a commemorative photo, and see a sneak preview of 4 shows and hear about the impact of the theater. The venue was nice, although parking at 5:30p even on a Tuesday was hard to find. I did a SpotHero spot a good 7-8 minute walk away. I felt safe walking, for there were a lot of people walking to the variety of businesses in the area. The eclectic mix of chairs in the mainstage area were comfortable and my party of 2 shared a table with another party of 2 without feeling overcrowded. The acoustics were good and I suspect no matter where I was sitting, I would be able to enjoy the show. I did not use the restroom. The bartenders were nice when making my Shirley Temple. They didn't just have plain cherry grenadine, they had pomegranate cherry! (...I didn't taste the difference, though). It looks like a lot of famous comedians and entertainer come through the Den based on their walls and it looks like I just missed America's Got Talent favorite Darci Lynne by a day. I would definitely consider seeing another show at this venue!

After searching for a unique, affordable place to have my Dad's 50th birthday party, I came across…read morethis gem in Pilsen. This 1500 square foot space functions as an art gallery, so beautiful art adorns the walls. The interior has a raw, minimalist vibe to it, which is refreshing. In the center of the gallery, there's a bar with about 6 or 7 stools. Also, there are a couple flat screen tv's and stereo system with a microphone that we used for karaoke at the end of the night. In short - we had a blast! This space is very affordable, plenty of parking, beautiful vintage space and the staff (who actually live in the building) were really nice/ helpful. Oh, and it's also run completely by wind power too!

I read reviews that this place was great to rent out space for small parties. I called twice and…read moreleft voicemails and nobody responded. And then i called today, a woman with a groggy voice answered, and just said "we don't rent out the space anymore" after I asked if i was calling the right space. And that was it. I respect people/businesses who respond to give me an update to avoid wasting my time. It's not like I don't live in Pilsen.

Nothing fancy, but quiet and cheap. Good for headshots, rehearals, music rehearsals. Tough to do…read moreauditions because there is only the one room. Close to Walgreens, liquor, Staples - everything you need!