North Hills Art Center

I don't even think they deserve one star


My daughter and I had been going to "open pottery" night for 3 weeks. I was told I could not throw clay since I had not taken a class which was understandable, however enjoyed sitting with my daughter, talking and watching her work. On week 4 I was very rudely told by the Director I could not observe unless I also paid a fee. I was upset by the way she spoke to me and left. I purchased my own membership and two weeks later my dtr and I returned and I paid the same fee as any other member would, knowing I still would not be able to work with the clay, but enjoyed spending the time with my child. Anne, one of the teachers immediately ran upstairs and the director , Diane, came down and asked to speak with me privately. She began by stating "I'd like to know what you're doing here?" I was taken aback, but calmly informed her I had become a member and paid my fee and intended to sit with my daughter. She stated I had not taken a class and was not allowed to even sit next to my daughter. I let her know that had never been clarified and she went on a tangent about someone at sometime bringing a boyfriend and 9 out of town relatives and how it's a small studio etc etc and a bunch of total irrelevant nonsense to defend her asinine reasoning. Keep in mind, on no occasion we went were there ever more than 5 other people in the studio. I live a 10 min walk from what is advertised as a local arts center for the community. I am appalled and embarrassed by and for Diane and her poor representation of what should be a place that promotes inclusion and artistry. The North Hills Art Center has beautiful work, but is directed by an extremely ugly individual.

We attended a kids birthday party here and were very impressed. Very organized with great crafts for children. Our kids came away with two very fridge worthy masterpieces. Recommended!

Really nice assortments at their Shows. I felt like prices were reasonable for nice quality handmade work. Great place to find unique gifts!

My 7 y.o. daughter participated in a Summer Sampler Art Camp this summer ($95) for 2 hours per day for one week. I am extremely disappointed with the art work she brought home. They used colored pencils to draw an ice cream cone, used sidewalk chalk, completed a clay sculpture, used watercolors, painted a bag and traced leaves. With exception of the clay, I have done all of that with my daughter at home. I feel the projects assigned are at preschool level, not elementary. I was expecting much more for the money. Examples I would have liked to see would have been: a sewing project, friendship bracelets, scrapbook, mosaic, beading, etc. Clearly the focus is on profit. The only saving grace is that my daughter did enjoy herself and the teacher was very nice. However, I know she could have been exposed to much more had the art center been willing to invest more effort into their camp. Will not return.