The best part about the Forge is the community of member artists who ply their crafts in this…read morespace. Virtually everyone I met during the 2+ years I was a member was encouraging and supportive of creative work and process. The Forge also has basic equipment for a very wide range of creative expression. The equipment capacities are designed for entry-level folks. If you want to learn welding, or glass blowing or industrial sewing, this is a great place. Sadly, if you want to grow your skills, this may not be the right place. One of the owners manages what you can and cannot do in the making space. He treats this as his private home with cool toys to which you as a member have been granted admission by your monthly payment. If he doesn't like or want you to play with his toys, you are SOL. Longtime "studio guides" implement the owner's wishes, regardless of what is in the best interest of members. That owner refused to give me access to a fairly simple piece of equipment for over a year. The rationale provided over the course of a year and more never held water. During that time I paid over $1000 in membership fees without ever being granted approval to use the specific equipment, despite the fact that other people had regular access to it. I was not treated as a client, I was treated as a supplicant..and I found that untenable. This is not a "professionally managed space" and you would be happier elsewhere as the owner described it to me in an email when I was "invited to leave." You will be happy if the current provisions meet your needs. If you need any upgrades, fixes, adaptations...forget it. This place is managed on such a tiny margin that there is zero room for improvement.

I'm delighted to say The Curious Forge has become a significant part of my life where I love to go…read moreto make stuff while enjoying the company of bright, thoughtful, creative people. There are endless opportunities to learn the particulars of how to make absolutely anything! Area guides have world-class skills they enthusiastically share. Members seem to be of the same helpful mindset. The two founders are 100% present for brainstorming, feedback as well as being able to accept kudos and hugs. Every time I'm there it's a different experience. Sometimes I'm the only one sawing metal for a piece of jewelry I've dreamed up. Other times I'm in a class with several others who might be honing a skill or learning something entirely new. A weekly text lists what is happening each day that week and a newsletter comes out with exciting upcoming events to attend, volunteer with, or help create. This is a community like none other! Someone can be on their way to the metal fabrication area and stop to see what another person is making in the clay, fiber arts, or any of the 15 other studios. It is fertile ground for cross-pollination of ideas, creativity, support and friendship. We are so lucky to have this resource close to home! I hope you come check it out.

After having an iced tea and pastry from a coffee shop down the street, I wanted to see what else…read morewas in Downtown Oroville. This cute art studio sparkled one block away. Lots of art for sale, ranging from drawings, acrylic, watercolor, and photography. Towards the back, there is a space where they hold art classes (drawing, painting, watercolor, photography). They offer private and group classes. You can pay a small fee to use their studio to work on your own projects. You can also host your next party there. What a lovely community space! There is 2-hour parking lot across the street and a few shops within that block. Perhaps you are curious about what, if anything, I purchased. I went for a card with a cartoonish animal in watercolor. It's a portrait of a hipster rooster. I love it!

I've been enjoying the adult art classes I'm taking here. Environment is very good, teacher (Cheri)…read moreis great.

Ask an artist, an art teacher. I was very excited to jury and the accepted into the holiday art…read moreshow. At the end of 2022. I submitted 10 paintings, but I was never told that only half of them would be hung, and they were hung in a classroom rather than in the main viewing area for the art show. Several of my friends went by the studio to try to buy my paintings, but we're disappointed to see that the hours were so limited to only weekends. When I went to pick up my paintings today I was told that none of them sold, and I was told for the first time that only half of them were hung. I did not feel this was fair, am I asked for my entry fee back but was not given. It. Is very evident to me but they are only concerned about collecting as much money from artists as possible.

Buyer beware! I can't actually review the $40 class that the artist cancelled on myself and my two…read morefriends. But I can attest that she will not issue you the refund you have in writing that was agreed to unless you repeatedly message her. The class was cancelled on 2/22/25, here we are on 3/18/25 and I'm messaging again to get a refund. The art classes may be wonderful. I will never go there however since it took this long to get a refund. I had to message rather aggressively to get my money back. This is absolutely appalling business practices!

This summer my little boy and I attended a Fairy House class at The Artist Workshop. We paid $50…read moreand my son spent 2 hours building a clay fairy house he was very proud of. We were told we would be notified when our houses were done, it was estimated it would be about 2 weeks. Weeks passed and then months. I contacted my friend who also attended with her daughter- they also had not received any word about the finished houses. My friend called and was told by the owner a bunch of excuses about the kiln being broken and various unforeseen circumstances but was assured the fairy houses would be available soon. Fast forward to a few weeks later and the shop is closed down and empty. No contact from anyone from this business. Where is my childs fairy house that he worked so hard making? If there is no finished house, where is my refund? This place was quick to take my $50 payment for the class and never made any attempt to reach out and explain anything that may have happened. There were many many kids at this class and I can only imagine they made a lot of money that day. So upsetting to see a business scam children.

This place is so amazing! The owner is fabulous, she's willing to help you with your own craft idea…read more, offers amazing classes for any age , is so talented and sweet ! You will definitely find all your crafting needs or if she doesn't have it she'll get it .. Such a caring , open and friendly place

From the owner: We are a local small retail store that offers new & used art & craft supplies, show casing a large…read morevariety of products not commonly found in larger retail stores. We offer daily classes in many different types of art & crafts for the community. Come explore your creative side with us!

The Neighborhood Center of the Arts is housed in what I'm guessing is an old hospital. Or a…read moresanitarium. It looks old and crazy, stale and, to use the parlance of fast food, melty. If it had teeth then they'd be about to drop off onto your head. The center has a wing on the far end (I don't know what other parts of the building are used for, but I've heard there's a glass studio). It's upstairs, and you can either take the stairs or the elevator. At the base of the stairs you'll see a series of totemic ceramics. Art lies ahead. The center is an expansive working art studio, as well as an open art gallery. The aim is to provide resources and art classes for adults with developmental disabilities. They work in many different mediums, including paint, photography, ceramics, weaving, computers, and pen and ink. Further information can be found on their website. They have a new exhibit every few months. Hours are 10am to 4pm. Until about 2pm the studio is active, with artists working, milling about, and attending classes. But visitors are free to step in and check out what's going on. Basically, this is my favorite gallery in the world. It's such a positive place, free of pretentions, and the work is great and presented well. The staff is very friendly, and the artists are nice and available to speak about their work. I (and my family) have a whole collection of art from here. Some of my favorite pieces that I own are from here. Once you walk inside, there are a few rooms walling the latest exhibition. Past that you get into the studio areas, where there is also more art to look at. Basically, every room has art on the walls. One time I was browsing some abstract religious icon paintings, and one of the artists came up to me and asked, "Hey, do you want to know what happened yesterday?" I said, "Yes." And he handed me the newspaper. Then walked off. Then I bought a piece of art -- a woodblock with an all-text Volvo advertisement printed on it, and sprawling on top of the text, in various mediums, are words and nonsense. My family and I recently invested in a huge painting, a collaborate effort by a few of the artists. It looks somewhat like a Basquiat. I highly recommend visiting the Neighborhood Center of the Arts. The artists produce amazing work, and it's very accessible, engaging, and enjoyable. The center does a wonderful job at cultivating their talents. A lot of care and hard work goes into the place, and their efforts are rightfully deserving of praise.

I love all the art that the artist makes and that is for sale. They are all very special people and…read morethey are all talented people too.

None of my talent would be complete without the guideance of the great Jim Lee. And to think, all I…read morehad to do was show up with an open mind. Most say; I can't even draw a stick figure...then you are the perfect blank canvas for this class. It's a community of like minded stick figures.

Amazing class and instructor. I am a high school ceramics teacher and returning for another class…read morenext month!! Highly recommend :)

Always love stopping to here to see what the artists are up to. Perfect place for inspiration, if…read moreyou are an aspiring creative, or shopping for a gift. Also, they are often open during 'closed hours'.

This is a wonderful place to learn! I have been taking pastel classes from Jan for more than a…read moreyear now. Pat is also an amazing artist that teaches classes in oil and pastel. Debra is a great mixed media artist who offers super fun classes too. The classes and gallery are in a beautiful old packing shed building that is fun to check out.