The Studio Fairfield — Attraction in Fairfield

I signed up for a class and I was so excited about it because I love pottery and this place had such great reviews and it’s such a cute space. When I called to sign up, I said that my schedule was very flexible since I don’t work and I was placed in the Mon night class with Anne-Marie. When I went to the first class, it wasn’t really like a class with instruction. It seemed like it was not the first class for anyone else there. The teacher spent some time with me showing me how to use the wheel and that was one on one. I guess I had assumed that there would be more structure to it. After that, when I went to subsequent classes, it felt like I was left on my own to do my own thing but I could ask questions. The “teacher” was too busy to spend much time and I felt like I wasn’t really learning anything and when I asked questions, they were answered quickly and I felt like an annoyance. Basic materials were scarce I felt like or preference was given to members. I couldn’t find a simple flat board to put my tray on and a lot of the glazes were unavailable or empty. I ended up choosing colors I didn’t like just because those were the ones available. At the last class on March 31, I still had not finished painting a couple of my pieces. I was told that I could buy another class in order to finish. Unfortunately, April 3 I had to get surgery on my right hand. I called to let them know about the surgery (I think it was Kate) and asked if I could leave my pieces there or if I should pick them up. She sounded so understanding and kind and assured me they’d be there when I got back and “they don’t throw anything away.” I went back today and only found one piece :(. I guess the other one had been thrown away. They did not seem to want to let me search for my pieces (that I’d paid for) in case it got moved to another shelf. Christine told me that she is not a storage facility and they are not going to keep some thing after four months (it’s been less than 3). When I told her that I’d been reassured that it would be there when I recovered from the surgery she told me no one would’ve said that to me. I don’t think she believed me (more suspicion). So of course, I wanted to take the remaining piece with me until I bought an extra class and could return to finish it (lest it get thrown away). Then she became suspicious of me having it glazed elsewhere, and I offered for her to take a picture of it so she could be sure I didn’t use any outside paint. Anyway, I did not find this place to be very friendly or welcoming or even instructional. When I mentioned how the class wasn’t really a class with any instruction, the reply was a sarcastic “thanks for your feedback.” People obviously love this place but I do feel like it’s very clicky. I felt like I was treated as an annoyance in wanting to get some instruction and unfortunately, I’m not very assertive. I felt like I was treated with a lot of unwarranted suspicion, and not even humanely. I think that in the course of almost 3 months it’s reasonable that a piece of pottery can go missing, but the attitude they gave me was very defensive and blaming of me.

** UPDATE: This business has written a reply to my review, using my entire full name. I am sure this is a way to intimidate me and bully me into removing my negative review, which I absolutely will not. This just confirms to me what terrible people they are. Furthermore, their reply is meaningless. To publicly post this is for the public to think that they care about my review and about talking to me. They know exactly who I am, obviously, they have my phone number, they have my email, they even may still have my pottery, and yet they have not reached out to me privately. Only publicly, here on Google for everyone to see. It is a meaningless reply with the intention only to compromise my privacy and to intimidate me. The atmosphere there, evidently, is toxic and hateful, and I would advise trying a...

The Studio in Fairfield is where I have found my creativity and my community in the several years since I retired. I first took a couple of classes because it had been years since I had been on a wheel. My instructor was kind, supportive, and hands-on. I gained confidence quickly and have now been a member for several years, creating beautiful pieces I’m proud to use or give away. I can come on my own schedule, and always find other members with whom I can trade tips and techniques. Whether it’s throwing on the wheel, hand building, or sculpture, whatever I create I’m doing it in a warm, judgment free zone. The Studio is definitely my...

The Studio is very down-to-earth and a fabulous place to learn art. The wonderful people here are very friendly and provide exceptional guidance and advice for all mediums of art. Students also have their pen degree of independence to explore different mediums and develop their own unique style. Also, the people teaching at the studio will sometimes bring their dogs, which makes the whole space feel a lot more fun. The dogs are very well behaved, however if you have an allergy tk dogs I would suggest contacting Christine or Percilla. Overall a humble and professional place to better your artistic skills and...