One of the best Christmas presents I've ever received was an 8 week package of pottery lessons at…read moreSmokestack Pottery! Each week we get a short lesson focused on one piece, then we are let loose to create, throw, trim, and glaze. During the days between lessons you can come in to practice. Sue has the best teaching style and is positive and encouraging. The atmosphere is amazing with lots of great people and music and you are allowed to bring drinks and food, if you wish. I love the therapy of clay and when a piece turns out, I'm grateful and surprised. Chewy is the studio dog and greets everyone with love and good will before he goes to nap. It's a place you want to be.

A group of 10 of us went to Smokestack Pottery for a fun pottery night out and it was great! Sue…read moreand Joey were there to help us, and after a short demonstration, we were freed to make our pieces. I took a semester of ceramics in high school and while I was never good, the muscle memory was apparently still there because I picked it up again relatively quickly. And they turned out way better than the things I ever made! Must be the good teaching and the smaller lumps of clay :) Sue and Joey were very patient and helpful when it came to centering, providing instruction, and helping us fix our pieces. We were allowed to make 4 pieces of pottery within an approximately 2 hour period, after which we cleaned up and picked our glazes. Music played throughout the session and some cheese and crackers were provided for snacks - it really was wonderful and relaxing. The pieces should be available for pickup in about 4 weeks I think - hopefully they turn out well! I've already talked to some of my other friends and hope to go back again. It's normally $35 for a session where you can make 4 pieces, and $5 per piece after. They also have 7 week classes for $200. I definitely recommend stopping by, it was tons of fun!

A great place to learn the art of pottery! Its a wonderful building and you don't have to be…read moreexperienced to have a great "experience"

Tim is a city treasure. If you're looking to do get involved with Clay this is the place to go. Tim…read moreis always ready to help students and is generous with his time and talents

This little gallery was recently voted Loveland's Favorite Gallery by the Loveland Reporter-Herald!…read moreI think it's deserved. The owner is a very lovely and intelligent lady by the name of Susan Richards. Her MO is to make art affordable to the masses as well as high quality, of course! She does this all as a single mom, too. There is a selection of art--all by local artists that ranges from watercolor to prints to glass, greeting cards, jewelry or pottery. There is something for anyone's price range. The most expensive piece isn't even that expensive by most gallery's standards. The atmosphere is pleasing and not intimidating. Another fun bonus is that Susan holds events such as 'Howling at the Moon' every month or so where folks can get together for a little gnosh and an art project and enjoy themselves. There are other events that you can get on a mailing list to see. No more snotty galleries with exorbitant prices and unfriendly staff!

I had a pile of fun building a tropical beach scene. Fionas has everything I needed and they were…read moreso friendly. I laughed at the idea of making a little fairy garden, but it was so much fun! They have lots of plants to choose from, and the African violets I bought even sprouted flowers after a month or so.

I bought a Groupon to take a beginner's fairy garden making class. You're supposed to book online,…read moreand it will not accept my Groupon voucher code and the website will not let you book an appointment without paying up front. Obviously, I'm not going to pay for the class twice and ask to be reimbursed later. I called FFG and left 3 messages. No return call. So finally I sent an email. Turns out their phones weren't working (no one had gotten my messages) in addition to their website not accepting the Groupon voucher. I finally got my class booked and made my fairy garden- success! The class was great and the woman who helped me (one of the owners) was super kind. If you are looking for a unique addition to a home or garden decor collection, this is a great place to go. Just be careful with communication! (communication and organization does not seem to be this business' strong suit) . Anyone

Fantastic sampling of local art! Friendly staff. I enjoyed…read morechatting with Artist Rae Ann for a while. She was very helpful. Loveland's best gallery, by far.

Love this store and auctions. The people are amazing there. Love love, love them! Cannot wait for…read morethe next auction!

i was in on a Friday mid-day. Three staff members talking to one another. Nit ine if them,…read moreapparently, could be bothered with greeting me, asking me how I was or was I looking for anything in particular, or thanking me for coming in when I left. 15 minutes and not one of them said a word. i won't be going back. Because, besides that? The merchandise just isn't as great as it used to be. Limited gift type choices. I will drive down to Sense of Place and Perennial Gardener. Nicer selection and nicer staff. and still local ...but I tried with Magpies!

This is such a fun activity, centrally located near downtown Longmont, is easy to find and has…read moreoff-street parking. The staff are so knowledgeable and friendly, it makes a new activity more accessible! And reasonably priced! Check out the options, I bet you can find an option that you like!

The Loveland Museum is small, but mighty, with a surprising number of functions packed into a…read morelimited space. The museum was founded in 1937 by local author and mountain guide, Harold Dunning, who had begun to collect historical memorabilia around 1919. Today it is an accredited art and history museum with a vibrant schedule of events and classes. Half of the museum covers the history of the area, highlighting Great Western Sugar (sugar beets), which was the major local employer in the first half of the 20th century. There is a small, but interesting gift shop and a basement auditorium, but the other key function of the museum is art exhibits of local, regional, and national interest. The north wing of the museum is a large gallery space. The auditorium and mezzanine are also used for art display. The museum has presented very well-curated exhibits over the years and I often enjoy making the long drive from Denver to get my art fix.

Fantastic small museums. Been there about 6 times. Always enjoyable experience. I will go back…read moreagain when a new show happens.