The school is a jewel! The class size is small and therefore personal. The instructors are smart,…read moretalented and impart the knowledge needed to improve your art skills. I highly recommend this school

Had a great experience painting and drinking here. The instructor, Kyle, was a fantastic at walking…read morethe class through the steps of painting the northern nights. Took around 90 minutes todo and the results were satisfying. Whole class seemed pleased with their results and enjoyed the lesson. They have a variety of wines and canned beers to choose from. Plenty of extra brushes and paints if needed. Will definitely return!

Very cozy venue. They host many different paint nights so you can definitely find something of…read moreinterest. The instructors are very helpful.

Ohoodles of Doodles is located in Sturbridge on the Brimfield line right on Main Street. It is a…read morefantastic place to go with your child(ren) or have a kid's birthday party. We have been multiple times now (both solo and with friends) and have loved it. A wonderful local small business to support!

I have personally taken classes at Acton Art for several years with several different instructors…read more Each class has been an enjoyable and valuable learning experience that has helped me better understand materials and techniques and build foundational skills. It's always such a joy coming into the building and seeing the walls lined with amazing artwork, mostly created by children. So much excellent work happening in this space.

After my daughter attended this art camp for one day, it became the most disappointing experience…read moreI've ever had with a children's program. After her first day, my 8-year-old told me she felt uncomfortable in class. She was the only girl enrolled and felt the young male instructor was showing favoritism toward the preteen boy who was also in the class. She also came away feeling that the instructor was inexperienced and immature, which surprised me as I had been left with the impression that the director would be teaching the class. My first response was not to withdraw my daughter or ask for a refund out of hand. My goal was to save the experience for my daughter's benefit if possible otherwise a refund would work. I reached out to the director in good faith because I wanted to discuss my daughter's concerns and see whether there was a way to address them so she could continue attending and benefit from the workshop. Instead of a phone call, I initially received an unsigned email focused on the school's no-refund policy. I reached out again because I still wanted to have a conversation about my daughter's experience. When the director finally called on the second day, the conversation was appalling. Rather than discussing my daughter's concerns or exploring possible solutions, she spent the conversation praising the instructor and told me she would "believe him over my 8-year-old daughter". She then told me my daughter did not have to come back and hung up on me and that was the last direct communication we had. I did not decide to withdraw my daughter. The director made the decision unilaterally that my daughter would no longer be allowed to attend because she felt defensive being questioned in terms of the qualifications of the instructor and his mistreatment of my daughter. It was disconcerting how little empathy was expressed or concern for my daughter's well-being and that her entire focus was defensiveness and money. What happened next made the experience even worse. After denying my daughter the opportunity to continue attending the program, the school began sending me invoices demanding payment for the remainder of the week--services my daughter was never permitted to receive. I have been trying to request that they stop sending me these notices and even reached out to Square to see if there's a way to block them without blocking square in general because they were sending multiple notices on the first day and I continue to receive notices every day although the director kicked my daughter out of class rather than repairing the situation for her benefit. A business cannot expect to charge for services. They refused to render. I posted reviews describing what happened so other parents could make informed decisions. Rather than acknowledging my concerns or attempting to resolve the situation at any point, I continued receiving invoices in addition to communications threatening legal action because I had shared my experience publicly. I ultimately contacted Square to determine how to stop receiving invoices that I believe were improper. As I told the director via email, I really don't have time to write reviews. That said if I continue being harassed with emails, it feels important that other parents learn that this is how they do business. I truly hope the emails will stop so we can all move on. I was also disappointed that I was never told beforehand that only two children were enrolled in the class or that it would be taught by a young man rather than the director, as I had expected. My daughter is not comfortable being alone with young men and preteen boys unsupervised. Of course the director had no empathy or compassion for that as well. It's the most disgusting display of inconsideration I've ever experienced from another woman toward a little girl. I truly hope the Director going forward will reconsider her actions stop sending me erroneous invoices and rather apologize appropriately to my daughter if anything. Parents can decide for themselves whether this is the type of environment they want for their child. My concern is not just that my daughter had a negative first day. My concern is that when I reached out in good faith to try to address a situation, the response was to dismiss my daughter's concerns, remove her from the program, demand payment for services she was no longer allowed to receive, and threaten legal action after I shared my family's experience. Based on everything that occurred, I cannot recommend this program.

I held a fundraiser at Brush it Off for a local nonprofit. It was such a fun night! The location…read morehad everything set up for us. Instruction was provided as needed but otherwise it was relaxing and enjoyable. What a great way to spend time with friends and help raise money.

This place was awesome. David was an excellent teacher and after this experience i now want to try…read moremore classes, it was so fun.

Love love love this place! Rona does amazing craftsmanship beautiful designs and Love her ceramic…read moreacorns you can find out on the walking trails of Sturbridge MA!!!

Super high quality, beautiful and unique ceramics. Rona is a lovely human being and a conscientious…read morebusiness owner. So many beautiful pieces to choose from. Support local business. Get a unique gift for yourself, a special friend or family member! Whiskey cups, bowls, soap dispensers, vases, mugs, batter bowls, lamps, hanging lights and so much more.

I decided to take a sewing class this summer because I already had an interest in fashion and had…read morebeen gifted a sewing machine, but I had no idea where to start. Nerissia made sewing accessible and fun. The environment was very friendly, and I felt comfortable asking questions. We had multiple fun projects, including making a sweatshirt and a skirt. All the things we were taught have helped me do my own projects and have given me the confidence to take on my own sewing projects. Since the class, I can now read patterns, easily follow sewing videos on YouTube, and troubleshoot issues I may run into with my personal sewing machine! If you've ever thought that sewing may be something you'd love, give it a try!

From the owner: Life's too short to sew alone in a corner. Welcome to SiaDezigns and Workroom, where you don't…read morehave too! Our design studio is filled with sewing tools, awesome design books, and friendly faces. Whether you're a beginner or a pro, young or old, everyone's welcome. No experience required—join our community and take a class today

Great selection of local art, chocolates, cards & more but the staff is not friendly or welcoming…read moreat all. I wish I could say otherwise because I'd really like to support this place & the local artists represented. While shopping, another guest asked the cashier about if any weaving classes were available in the near future but the only response was a grunted "no." Seems like a friendlier response was warranted so I stopped the shopper on her way out to tell her & her daughter about "A Place to Weave" in Fitchburg, MA. My point is, isn't the Worcester Center for Crafts mission to support the craft community? It isn't hard to do and a friendly word goes a long way.

I discovered this place last year and am so glad I did. This isn't crappity ass crafts. It is a…read moreplace to learn artistic crafts. I took glassblowing and flame work. Glassblowing was very interesting but too hard for me. I'm really glad I took it for the experience and I would probably do it over again just to try it out. It requires a lot of coordination, so if you are as klutzy as me, you might find it too difficult too. As described in their catalog, flamework is: Tthe process of shaping glass rods and tubes into small objects over the flame of a torch. Begin by making beads, pendants and marbles to establish a foundation of technique. As the class progresses, projects will advance to include the creation of solid sculpture and hollow forms such as flowers, holiday ornaments, and perfume bottles. Small class sizes and one-on-one instruction allow students to work at their own pace. I love this class and the instructor, Jake Vincent, is patient and a great teacher. You don't have to be quite as coordinated to do flamework. In addition to glass classes, they have classes in clay, metal, fiber, photography, wood, and design and multimedia. They have a gallery too. I haven't been yet, because the glass studio is in a separate area of Worcester. I've heard its great and intend to go soon. I'll update this post when I get there. Oh, and it isn't as far from Boston as you think. Check out their catalog on their Website.

My 13 year old recently attended a birthday party at Blue Door. Ample parking (in a mini-mall.)…read moreThey were prompt. My daughter left with one canvas she painted with instruction through BDA studio. She also received a goodie bag with a few things from blue door included. Overall a nice place, great alternative bday party option.

Blue Door Studio is a hidden gem located in an out-of-the-way strip plaza in Smithfield, RI. I…read morehighly recommend Claudia Venditto, the owner, who received a masters from RISD (WOW) and is passionate about art and teaching. This makes her an exceptional art instructor and you can see it in the work of her students! My daughter just started taking lessons from Ms. Venditto and I can already see a HUGE improvement in her techniques. There's a showcase at the end of the winter sessions (8 weeks total, 2 hours a week), but was able to take a sneak peak. I got the chance to introduce myself to the teacher today and talk to her a bit. She's warm, welcoming, and very easy to talk to. I also love the high level of professionalism of her business--very important to me. Online registration and payment are available online and confirmation is sent via email, which makes enrollment very convenient. FYI, she's currently a high school teacher in a different town and has to commute. Gotta admire her dedication! Luckily, we live close by. Students who get the chance to study under her are fortunate. Got my info from this article: http://m.valleybreeze.com/2017-05-31/observer-smithfield-west/blue-door-studio-expands-space-smithfield-move#.XD_EkaROmaM

My alma mater is one of the other 4 colleges in the area but I did take a class her as part of the…read more5 college consortium. My oldest followed 2 generations and went to that school as well but my middle son marches to the beat of a different drum. So I was not too surprised when he applied to Hampshire College. My son was very carrot and stick orientated so very focused on grades and he was accepted to 9 of the 10 schools he applied for ... RPI being one of his top two choices with Hampshire being the other. I was intrigued how he would deal with a evaluation based classes. He has adjusted pretty well. So far I am thrilled with his experience and he seems to be fitting right in.

I attended Hampshire from Fall 94-98. Bridging the years where Hampshire went from the grads who…read moretook 10 years to get a diploma (LOTS of "student sabbaticals" which weren't allowed after some school changes) and the "new kids" who fell under stricter guidelines. Pre-2000, a lot of Hampshire students were left with a "sink or swim" style of education. The faculty were amazing (Marion was excellent with Tai Chi and other classes and the outdoor programs were excellent, David Kerr and others were supportive and definitely helped me stay on track. Being one of a small number of financial aid students, the feeling at the beginning of each year was incredibly stressful (if you couldn't prove you had the funds, sometimes making the difference up in cash before matriculation, you couldn't start the school year). Financial stresses aside, it was one of the best times of my life. Hampshire College gave me insights into the way I work and strengthened my belief in self worth and my ability to achieve whatever I set myself up to do. Hampshire is a direct reason why I was able to take more risks after college, pay off a tremendous amount of debt in just a few years (yeah business consulting!) and achieve a lot of the successes I have now. I learned the undergrad education wasn't so much about what I studied, but how I set goals, researched, learned, and achieved whatever I set out to do. Those lessons have given me more than any piece of lambskin was worth. Yes - there were Hipsters at Hamp before Hipsters were a "thing" and there will continue to be the trust-fund babies who opt to float through four years of f-ing around and not really doing anything but spend money and get high. There are more, way more, motivated students who are pushing themselves to be more than what most colleges and universities expect. I'd argue there are more alumni from Hampshire (graduates or drop outs) who've succeeded because they were real examples of what a Hampshire student is - motivated, dedicated, self-assertive, risk-taking, and willing to fail several times to achieve success at whatever they're doing than there are from other more "normal" schools. I loved Hampshire and while it still definitely needs to improve its alumni relations, it's a constant work in progress and it's great to see awesome kids coming and going from there still...