Créatif Art Studio Fort Mill — Attraction in Tega Cay

Our experience at Creatif was not great. This might be a good place for older kids, but I do not believe they’re equipped and/or know how to handle younger kids, especially in a full-day summer camp environment.

• Monday o It was not even noon, and TJ (owner) has sent an email to all parents, letting them know that “the children were notably out of control, with excessive shouting, a lack of attentiveness, and engaging in roughhousing with one another”… I understand that there are rules, and by no means I condone bad behavior, but we also need to keep in mind that these are very young children (mine is 5 y/o) and some of this behavior is “normal” and I agree it needs to be addressed, but in a manner that is age appropriate. o During pickup, I asked him what happened, and for specific details so that I can have a productive conversation with my child and address any behavioral issues. He told me that they were playing rough, and being disruptive, and pointed at my son and said “being disruptive like what he is doing now”, my son was not talking, he was not interrupting, he was simply standing in front of me, handing me his art work, again, HE IS 5!!!!! • Tuesday o I’ve had a chat with my son the night before, and he was ready to go back and to use his listening ears and to have some fun. As we walked in, TJ tells him in a very stern and condescending tone, “you need to keep hands to yourself today, and you need to listen!”. I asked about the “hands to yourself” part since TJ did not mention that when I asked the day before. He said that my son hit the teacher, I was surprised since my son has been in preschool since he was an infant and we’ve never had issues with him hitting his teachers. o My son goes into a full meltdown, inconsolably crying, you could tell that he felt embarrassed, TJ just sat there like a statue, he did not even try to make things better, telling him “buddy, it is OK, we just need to keep hands to ourselves and listen, but today is another day, let’s go and have a great day” could’ve gone a long way, but he did NOTHING, just watched him cry as I tried to console him. o When my son finally goes to the classroom, I talked to TJ and asked and he said that my son also threatened to cut the teacher’s hair, again, this has never happened before, I asked about details of that and the hitting so that I could have some context, did my son start things? Was he just playing along and following the lead of other kids? TJ could not provide any details/context. • Thursday o My friend arrives for pickup and TJ walks to her and tells her, in front of them, “this one can come back tomorrow” referring to her son, and “this one can’t come back”. Referring to my son as “this one”, instead of his name, struck me as very condescending and demeaning. o He then called me, he said that he was having trouble following instructions, that he was playing rough, pushing, etc., and about name calling. ONCE AGAIN I asked about details to understand and to better address, was he pushing as if they were playing or trying to be mean to each other? He could not give me any details… What about the name calling? Any examples? To which he said “let’s say potty words”, I told him that “potty words is a big range, so can you please tell me a couple of examples” to which he said he “did not remember any examples”, REALLY??!? Can you not remember a word or two? • OTHER RED FLAGS o NEGATIVE REINFORCEMENT - TJ had all the kids’ names on the wall with their names and Xs next to them, all the kids could see who had “strikes”. Their shortcomings were being displayed instead of praised for any achievements. o SHAMING – he told my son that he was not coming back in front of classmates. His dismissal should not have been discussed with him, he is a 5y/o, it should have been discussed with his parents first and then we can communicate it to our son as we think is appropriate, but to make things worse, he did all of this in front of his...

Since I could not reply to the comment you left, and asked for me to "share more about what I thought was missing", I will.

With you saying it is more than a place to paint, that it's a spot for creativity as well as a supportive environment, I would like to circle back to when my 10 year old asked for a different color green. Once you told him just to "mix the one he had with white" and he picked up a brush, neither my child or I missed your eyes going huge and rolling, when telling him to use a smaller brush. He was trying to explore with colors and you made him feel embarrassed. So yes he mixed the colors because it was clear to a child that it was the best he was going to get. He used the color and finished. I'm sure you also recall telling him his option were "water or fire theme." He wanted to do lightning to which you just stared at him. So he chose fire, because you, as an artist who inspires creativity, made him self conscious. Once we got in the car told me he didn't do the lightning because it wasn't water or fire- like you said AND that he didn't want to ask for more colors.

I read the review from a mother who left her 5 year old child In your hands who you ridiculed and punished, then read the lame response you gave her. AS WELL as the one where you made a child stand outside, at night, alone to wait her ride, because the party she attended was over? ( which once again I encourage any one sending a child they love to classes or camp here to read the reviews as well as the owners responses ) -- I am thankful got to witness first hand how you "inspire creativity" before sending my child.

That being said, I do not need to you reply. The insincere response you will give holds no meaning, I've already experienced first hand how you speak and act. From the second I walked in asking about camps and classes, you did bare minimum to tell me about them other than show me the price on the computer. You were in a rush to get your child to camp, ironically.

Once again,...

NO and here's why: ( ALSO READ HOW THE OWNER RESPONDED TO ANYONE WHO HAD ANY ISSUE WITH HIS SHOP; HE TAKES NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR ABSOLUTELY ANYTHING/ IS SO RUDE. DONT TAKE MY WORD FOR IT, READ THE RESPONSES HE LEAVES. YUCK. I WILL DEFINITELY SPREAD THE WORD)

They have wooden/ceramic items from the dollar store starting at $15. (my child has a wooden snake and little train, we got across the street at dollartree Litteral back yard rocks (smaller than the center of your palm) starting at $20. Obviously the larger rocks go up to $35. They don't glaze. The worker put a few acrylic colors on a large paper plate with three brushes and one small paper plate to mix. ( when I asked for more to mix on he oh so graciously gave one more plate.) When my son asked for a different color green the gentleman told him "you can just mix the green you have with white" The gentleman (I'm assuming the owner, he was on his was leaving to take his kid to camp.. ) told us we could have as many squirts of paint we wanted, then when he felt we had enough pushed away the Cart with colors.

It was $72 dollars for 2 figurines. A small dragon and fairy. My son and I were the only people in shop and I now see why. !!They offer the whole canvas and paint- where they would give you a stencil and / or a app on their tablet to teach you how to paint.

Go across the street to the dollar store, get your ceramic figurines and 10 bottles of acrylic paint and save $60. A canvas and free app and it would be even...