Lillstreet Art Center

★★★★★Brittany Grant

I had such a great time checking out the studio spaces and seeing all the creative energy in the building. The staff members were incredibly welcoming, and you can really feel that tight-knit community atmosphere as soon as you walk in. I loved browsing the gallery shop, though I wish there was a bit more signage throughout the halls since it’s such a massive building and easy to get turned around in. It’s definitely my new favorite spot in the neighborhood to get inspired, and I’m already looking into which multi-week class to sign up for next.

★★★★★George Starr

I absolutely love Lillstreet. As an art and craft center for adults interested in taking classes with hands-on-instruction, they are unparalleled. As a place for great children's classes and amazing summer camps they are unparalleled. Great instructors, a wide and very diverse range of classes for all levels, all in a huge space (repurposed factory I'm guessing) that has that vintage art school vibe. Watercolor, acrylic, and oil painting; jewelry making and metalsmithing; sculpture; fabric arts; drawing; digital art; printmaking, etc. And summer camps with such creative and varied themes. Basically, Lillstreet is awesome. Highly recommended.

★★★Zalia Explorer James

Great classes with little to no diversity. I’m the only POC in my classes and there are basically no POC teachers. So most of the art is very white, the way the class is taught, down to the examples and figures used in classes. It’s giving bland mayo but I’m sure it’s a reflection of the surrounding neighborhood and leadership. The class itself was fun, it’s just not the best space for diverse art practices or creativity.

★★★★★Marissa Lewellen

I’ve taken multiple classes here (first time sewing, first time oil painting, first time potter) and have had a great experience at all of them. The classes are always very organized and led by kind/helpful instructors and TAs. Would highly recommend classes here.

★★★★Alex Anne Mastroni

The first class I signed up for was First-Time Frame Loom Weaving with Meredith Donnelly for five weeks for $220. Meredith emailed us with links to their favorite local locations to purchase supplies and videos they created to use as tutorials if we needed help outside of class. Meredith was perfect for my learning style by having the class watch a demo of her doing new techniques and then we would practice them on our own. She also started the course with information about the history of weaving and provided you with a packet they curated containing all the techniques we were to learn! Jake Wobig was training as an instructor at the time and they brought their own unique insights to the class as well. The second class I took was Beginning Watercolors with Jen Adams-Wells for 10 weeks for $440. I suggest taking an introduction to drawing class before taking Beginning Watercolors with Jen as there is little demo on drawing techniques unless you ask for assistance. Jen is always happy to help if you ask and walks around the class checking in on each student to see if they have any questions. A typical class setup with Jen is being introduced to a still life at the beginning of class and you using the rest of the time exploring the medium on your own and Jen there if you have questions.