Lillstreet Art Center — Attraction in Lake View Township

I have taken a couple classes at Lillstreet, and both times the process was the same; I signed up for a class, I was given an invoice with no specified payment due date, and the initial email gave no indication when the payment is due. Both times I assumed I could pay the day of the class start date, and both times I did so, and the person in the front didn’t tell me this was not their preferred method. I was still able to maintain enrollment in the class both times

Last month, I received a scholarship for a painting class. The initial email gave no specific due date, and given my previous experiences, I assumed I could pay the day of the class because I was confirmed to be enrolled and was never told otherwise. I struggle financially (hence why I received the scholarship) and need the extra time to get money to pay the remaining balance. A couple days before the class, I went in my email and realized I had missed one email asking for payment, and this email was sent just one day before the date they never specified before. This was the one and only payment notification before they silently dropped me from the class. I admit I didn’t see this email initially, but I think it is a common and courteous practice to 1) explicitly give a due date in the FIRST email, 2) give more than one courtesy email about payment (and send it more than just one day before payment is due) and 3) give a written confirmation stating that you have been in fact dropped from the class. Because I didn’t see the one email, I had already bought my supplies for the class, and when I called today (the DAY before the class) I was told I was dropped from the class without my knowing. This is a confusing process, and I felt condescended to, like I should have known better. I sent a few emails to the scholarship coordinator, but I have been ignored for a few days now.

It’s also slightly ironic that because I missed an email, I’m swiftly dropped from a class I was awarded a scholarship for, but the same people who dropped me from the class haven’t responded to my emails…

I don’t like to leave reviews like this for a place I enjoy, but I really just don’t think this was a courteous or diligent process. I would appreciate if they were up front about their payment policies. It’s really disappointing and unforgiving, and now I’ve spent a lot of money on...

SUMMARY: After my husband and my experience, I would never go back. The classes might be interesting and good, but if you have any major issues like we did, they will not address them.

My husband and I took First Time Potter with Kyle in August 2017. Kyle was good and the class itself was fine. We bought extra clay because we wanted to make a lot of bowls and tea cups we could use at home. This class isn't cheap. With tuition, tools, clay, and extra clay, we spent just shy of $500.

The problem we're STILL having is that they lost ALL of my pottery and 80% of my husbands. The session was only 5 weeks long and I couldn't participate in the last class (glazing) as I didn't have anything to glaze!

All our artwork was clearly marked with our initials. And least you think (like they told us) that it was just misplaced, over the next 3 weeks I took the time to go back 3 times, my husband an additional 3, to look through EVERY piece of artwork on the shelves. Nothing.

9/24/17 we emailed Dave, head of the ceramics department, and explained everything. 10/1/17 he replied saying they would give us a complimentary clay ticket if we took another ceramics class. (Clay is $20. Tuition is $175ish). 10/9/17 We said no. The classes are 3 hours long & the next sessions were TEN weeks long. We didn't have time or desire to make that kind of commitment again.

11/6/17 I followed up with Dave after not hearing back. 11/7/17 he said they would give us a 50% tuition discount to take the class again. 11/28/17 I replied that us spending more time and money to rectify their original wrong-doing didn't seem reasonable to me and I wanted another solution. I NEVER heard anything back from him.

1/14/18 We emailed the ceo (email found on website) and have not heard anything back from him either.

We are so disappointed because we live close and wanted to be able to support a local business and use Lillstreet to do other fun art projects together. I would never go back after this situation. And while the classes might be good, if you every have any issue like we did, they will...

I’m not someone who typically writes Google reviews, but my experience at Lillstreet Art Center was so disappointing that I feel compelled to share it.

I recently enrolled in Screen Printing on Fabric with Dye with Allison Smith, hoping to build on what I learned in Screen Printing 1 last year (which I had a great experience with teacher Matthew Ginsberg). Unfortunately, the class environment felt unwelcoming from the start. Allison Smith seemed to expect all students to operate independently, and when I asked questions to refresh my memory or seek help, I was met with visible frustration and impatience.

After missing one class (which I had communicated in advance), I returned and asked where to find the materials for printing. Rather than receiving a helpful response, I was made to feel ignorant and shamed in front of the class for not knowing something I had missed. The interaction was so uncomfortable and upsetting that I left class early in tears. I later explained the situation at the front desk and followed up via email.

While the staff was courteous, they only offered partial credit, which I can’t use due to an upcoming move. A full refund, which I feel was reasonable given how unsupported and humiliated I felt, was not granted.

This class was meant to be a final creative experience before relocating, but instead, it left me feeling discouraged and small. I hope Lillstreet takes this feedback seriously and reconsiders how instructors like Allison Smith are trained to support students. Art classes should be inclusive, respectful spaces, not places where asking for help...