We just finished our first needle felted class here. What a wonderful space and a prime location off Dimond. The owner and the primary instructor is a great teacher and I am already excited to figure out which class I am going to take next! We learned that there are going to be guest teachers at this space as well. They offer needle felting, welt felting, crochet, knitting, macrame... Basically the sky's the limit! There is an open studio on Friday to come and learn from other artists. This is truly a gem for Anchorage. read more

The Art Lounge AK - My felted fox with some mushrooms - Art Classes Near Me - Anchorage, Alaska

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I have taken 3 classes here and each one has been so fun! You don't have to be super-crafty or creative either. Perfect for beginners and skilled people alike. Darcel walks through every step of the process and makes sure you leave with a creation you can be proud of. Also, she GENEROUSLY opens her facility to the public for craft nights on Friday evenings. I cannot recommend this place enough. read more

The Art Lounge AK - Felted mouse - Art Classes Near Me - Anchorage, Alaska

I've taken two classes so far at The Art Lounge. The space is welcoming, warm, boho vibes and I'm here for it. I love the decor and everything has been thought out and well executed. The space has many seating options - swinging chairs, big meeting tables, couches...whatever you're comfortable in Classes are chill and she definitely spends one on one time with you as needed. That being said she always asks permission before touching your art or helping, which I appreciate a lot. Felted wool, wet felting, knitting, crotchet, and other fiber arts can all be found here. She has guest teachers and classes constantly. Fridays are a stitch and bitch - bring your own project or your eagerness to learn a new craft. You can purchase take home kits too for $40 and they include everything you need to make a small friend. Definitely recommend. read more

The Art Lounge AK - My first time doing felting - dog class - Art Classes Near Me - Anchorage, Alaska

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While the aesthetic of this establishment is undeniably beautiful and intentionally crafted, my recent interaction has led to profound disappointment. I invested $60 in a henna application for my birthday, which, unfortunately, resulted in a barely discernible design on my medium-deep complexion due to the use of brown henna. My initial attempt to convey this issue to the owner was met with a strikingly unhelpful and dismissive response: "I think the jagua would be a good choice next time, sorry it's not showing up darker for you." This level of disregard for a paying customer's dissatisfaction, especially considering the cost, was deeply upsetting. Subsequently, when I sought to book another appointment for a jagua application--a type of henna I've consistently had success with in the past--I encountered evasive scheduling tactics. The ultimate response, "I'm worried the henna won't show up strong enough to show well for you," was not only baffling but frankly insulting as a person with a darker skin tone. This statement carries the implication that my skin tone is inherently problematic for the service, which is simply untrue given my prior experiences with jagua. It is critical to note that henna, and specifically jagua, has been used to adorn and enhance darker skin tones for centuries across various cultures around the world. The effectiveness of jagua on melanated skin is not a new discovery; it is a well-established fact rooted in historical practice. Moreover, coming from a non-dark-skinned individual (West African with strong ties to henna), this response is particularly problematic. It demonstrates a profound lack of understanding and empathy regarding the nuances of darker skin tones and the services that can be effectively applied to them. Such assumptions perpetuate a harmful narrative within the beauty industry that often marginalizes and misunderstands the needs of clients with melanated skin. It leads to a feeling of being unseen and underserved, and the implication that my skin is somehow "difficult" or "unsuitable" for a common beauty service is both demeaning and contributes to broader issues of colorism and exclusion. A business unwilling to accommodate or reassure customers with darker skin tones should clearly state that limitation rather than offering disingenuous excuses that reinforce harmful stereotypes and disregard centuries of cultural practice. I cannot in good faith recommend this business or it's services to anyone I know- white, black, or anything in between. Do better and seek to truly decolonize your space and your services. I have photos of prior work with jagua, our text exchange and you can see the original work she did for me using the brown henna, which shows a suitable skintone for black henna (jagua). UPDATE: The business owner has since refused to issue a refund unless I, and now other members of the community, remove our honest reviews. This demand to suppress legitimate consumer feedback, including that of supporting community members, is highly unethical and demonstrates a profound lack of accountability. This experience, from the service itself to the owner's attempts to silence criticism, has been deeply disappointing and manipulative. read more

The Art Lounge AK - Art Classes Near Me - Anchorage, Alaska

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The Art Lounge AK is hands-down one of the most welcoming and safe spaces I've ever stepped into. From the moment you walk in, you're wrapped in a warm, cozy atmosphere that feels more like a creative extension of someone's living room than a typical business. It's inviting, peaceful, and full of good energy. The owner is truly one of the kindest, most genuine people I've had the pleasure of meeting. They go above and beyond to create an inclusive environment where people of all backgrounds feel seen, supported, and celebrated. You can feel how much love and intention goes into every detail of this space. Whether you're coming to create, connect, or just relax, you'll be met with positive vibes and a community of uplifting people. The Art Lounge AK isn't just a place--it's a feeling. A beautiful gem in our community that deserves all the support and love it puts out into the world. read more

Beautiful place to sit and comfortable to design art and complete projects in the Art lounge Alaska

Wow!!! I can't say enough positive things about this space and business. Darcel (the owner and creator) is an actual unicorn. She embodies warmth, light, and peace and she has procured a space that truly exudes her spirit. This is the perfect place to tuck into when needing an escape from cold dark days during the winter months in Alaska as well as any other time of year!! It feels like you are in a fantastical forest with actual magic floating around you. I went to a "stitch and bitch" night and had a blast meeting new people, creating art, and sipping on colorful custom tea blends. The music playing in the background was even on point. Every detail was so thoughtfully appointed!! I can't wait to go back and finish my needle felting project!!! read more

The Art Lounge AK - Hanalei Bay sunset needle felt painting - Art Classes Near Me - Anchorage, Alaska

Beautiful space to go and make art! I'm not very artistic but the classes taught here are so fun and the instructors are amazing. I'm so excited to check out more classes this winter. read more

A lovely space for being creative and meeting other creative folks. With all the live plants it is truly a living green space in the cold dark winter. Stitch and bitch on Fridays is a blast. Lots of amazing classes even for beginners. If you have not taken a class I more than highly suggest you give one a try. You will be hooked. read more

I highly recommend the Art Lounge AK for anyone looking for a creative and serene environment to explore their artistic side. It's a wonderful place to unwind and tap into your creativity, thanks to its inviting decor and the expertise of their instructors. With so many wonderful classes to chose from the Art Lounge is definitely a place I will frequent! read more