It was nice to be able to buy from local artists. The place is clean and comfortable.read more

I have been taking classes here for over 2 years and absolutely love it. The instructor, B, is…read moreamazing. She is very knowledgeable and inspiring. I started in acrylics and have moved to oils. The space is very inviting and the other students are extremely supportive. I love coming to class here, chilling out and focusing on something creative. I high recommend this studio.

I began with GB in the first year as a model when it was still just in someone's living room…read more Although not my first time modeling for figure artists, I was still relatively new to the scene and the group of Grotesque Burlesque artists was extremely professional, respectful, and fun! Most importantly, the group creates a safe space for artists and models alike. They really do welcome all skill levels and you will never be made to feel stupid or untalented. Trust me... one week I went to draw, not to model. I hadn't done figure art since college, so my skills were lacking. Everyone was extremely supportive and even loaned me some supplies to get me back into it. That's just how awesome this group is. So if you want to have a chill, low-key, fun, unpretentious time making some cool art, honing your skills, and having a drink-- this is the best place to do it! (Side note, as a model, they pay very fair and competitive rates for models, which is incredibly welcome. They truly respect models time and talents.)

Fun poses, a wide variety of models, and a welcoming community. Music is played in the background…read moreduring poses, and speaking with fellow artists is normal/ encouraged. Regulars are of various skill levels, from amateur to professional, bring along your own supplies.

I'm so happy to be able to post the first review of 1100 Florence! First and foremost I love that…read morethis former Polish grocery store has taken on a creative and artistic life. The owners--local artists and arts advocates, are giving back to the community by repurposing the front of the building into a gallery space, event space, and pretty much a space for any and all things creative. I recently had the pleasure of attending a photo shoot there. The morning light was absolutely ideal, and the white walls with the wood floors made for a perfect backdrop. The owner, Lisa, also in attendance, mentioned that she rented the space to the photographer on an hourly basis (can't remember, but the rate was very reasonable). Such a great addition to Evanston, and I loved the vibe so much I want to dream up my own exhibit for the future. Note: If you're lucky, you might be able to catch a glimpse of the really cute bunny that takes up residence in the building and roams freely.

The craziest part is that I grew up a block from this gallery and I remember what it was a butcher…read moreshop and for years it was vacant. Along comes a visionary couple who turned it into an art gallery. The first exhibit featuring artist Ben Blount is politically charged in mind opening. Don't miss it!

I attended a friend's baby shower at Indigo & Violet and it was the perfect afternoon. The space is…read morebright and welcoming and bursting with crafty creations. We first gathered in the back where there is a bar and enjoyed some drinks, macaroons, and charcuterie. The space was able to hold about 20 of us comfortably. For our activity, we water color painted an alphabet book for the baby. Each page consisted of a letter and accompanying animal tracing, so our job was just to fill it in. I'm pretty sure the owner did all the outlines for us, which was incredibly impressive! The painting was so relaxing, therapeutic, and fun! I love that my friend will have this book to look back on to remember the fun day. They offer SO many fun and crafty classes here. Wreath building, calligraphy, embroidery, macrame, and that is truly just the tip of the iceberg. If you're interested in picking up a new hobby or exploring a craftier side, I think indigo + violet is the perfect place to look.

I had my bridal shower at Indigo & Violet for ~20 guests and everything exceeded my expectations!…read moreLeigh, the owner of the studio, led us through a floral arrangement workshop and it was a beautiful, fun, and a unique event- everyone had so much fun. We brought our own snacks & bubbly, and saved extra time for presents/games. In total we used the space for 3.5 hours. The total price was very reasonable for a private event in Chicago and the studio set up was perfect! Leigh was very professional, responsive, and listened my vision - she provided the exact type of flowers/color scheme I asked for. It was a lovely event and I cannot recommend Indigo & Violet enough! Perfect for any bridal shower, baby shower, bachelorette party, birthday, or any special celebration!

I attended a Prince inspired paint night here, an early birthday gift from a friend…read more My first time painting - found I really loved it . It was great way to de- stress tap into my creativity . The vibe was super chill , purple lit room , Prince music playing as we painted . Loved it - Groovy night

I attended an event called "Pearls Brunch" this Sunday for my birthday and it was completely…read moreUNORGANIZED and DISAPPOINTING to say the least. The ticket (which we had to pay for in advance) included a brunch buffet, painting station, and bottomless mimosas. The spread of food was disturbing. It was cold grits, cold eggs, sausage, hard waffles, and chicken strips. They had nothing keeping the food hot and clearly didnt have enough food for everyone. The food wasn't edible AT ALL. I was completely embarrassed that I invited ppl and had them pay IN ADVANCE for that! No one in my party was happy and we were forced to leave cuz we were so hungry. What's even WORSE is the way the team handled our dissatisfaction. I reached out after the fact to inquire about a refund and MANNY, the guy behind the event refused and instead tried to offer me discounted tickets to ANOTHER EVENT. My friend also left a comment about the situation on their instagram and they DELETED HER COMMENT. Then said "we reached out to her via dm" BAD BUSINESS. I will NEVER attend an event at Pearl or any other function thrown by premo. TERRIBLE LOOK.

I took the Nuno felting all day class with a friend. It was wonderful. Ausrine is incredibly…read moreknowledgable, patient and encouraging. We came home with our own finished scarves and can't wait to take more classes with Ausrine! Highly recommend!

A few weeks ago I went with my mom for our Groupon felting class. We went there, not knowing what…read moreto expect. Our teacher Ausrine welcomed us in her well organized, beautiful studio. I was impressed with how well she explained the process of wet felting and gave us excellent support as we got to try to do this on our own. My mom and I had a great time and ended up with a lovely memento of our time together. Ausrine's class was also very inspirational. I loved it !!!! I look forward to going back, to learn more!!!

Nina's work is outstanding. Her beautiful and engaging canvases transport you into landscapes…read morerendering the mundane magical. She has a great selection and she is very helpful in working with clients to find the perfect piece for your needs.

After the email exchange I had with Allyson on Wednesday, I feel compelled to write this review…read more First, I will take you back to September of 2010; it was not my finest hour by any means. I had graduated from college that May and had been sitting around the house collecting dust ever since. Once you have been unemployed long enough to see Family Feud go through two hosts, you know that the time had come to once again give your life purpose, so I actively began to tackle items on my bucket list. Through some research on handy-dandy Yelp, I discovered Sweatshop of Love. Last September, I started with Allyson's 'Holiday Present Prep' class (which she is repeating again this year). It is basically the class you make out of it. Everyone in the class contributes to a Google Doc list of homemade gifts that they would like to make for their friends and family. All class participants can access and alter it so everyone can encourage each other and get ideas for their gifts as well. During this 10-session course, I learned not only the knitting basics, but also how to make scarves, socks, mittens, gloves, bags, the ever popular beer cozy, and 80% of a sweater (I ran out of steam on it toward the end; smaller projects provide more instant gratification!). Granted, I was knitting like it was paying the rent and the rent was due tomorrow, but I couldn't believe the quality and amount of instruction I was able to receive for $95. Allyson is so sweet and patient; she will never say anything but encouraging things to you in class. I may not have had a job, but I still had the satisfaction of knowing I could make practical items for myself, which was (and still is) so invaluable. Almost immediately after Holiday Present Prep finished, I landed a job...and started a lunchtime knitting group. The student had become the teacher? Not quite Allyson caliber, but I knew enough to teach a group of ladies at work how to make 'Grandma's Favorite Dishcloth'. I felt like such a proud parent when my coworkers would come up to me on Monday morning and show me the progress they had made over the weekend. Anyway, this Wednesday, Allyson sent out an email regarding her upcoming fall classes, which included another item on my bucket list: learn how to crochet. Nice! If you are not ready to make that 10-week commitment, she also offers a one-night introduction to knitting and individual one or two-night projects you can choose to work on. If you are completely new to this and don't know where to begin, Allyson will also buy your supplies for the first day for an additional fee. So to sum it all up, you can learn some yarn arts at a reasonable price with a friendly group of people in a cozy coffee shop in Logan Square. If you have always wanted to learn how to knit or crochet, this is a great place to start! The only thing you stand to lose is that trip to Target when you need a new pair of socks.

The Sweatshop of Love totally rocks!…read more I had my first class with Allyson last year and she was super patient and understanding with me and my clumsy fingers. After she taught me how to knit, I wanted to take it up a notch and learn how to crochet. I went to her beginner's crochet class with a friend and we had a great time! We all chatted and drank coffee and had so much fun! She always takes the time out to help you and she never makes you feel stupid for not getting something the first (or second, or third) time. BONUS: She always sends detailed notes and instructions following a class so you don't forget what you have learned! I would HIGHLY recommend The Sweatshop of Love for your knitting and crocheting education!