Creative Arts Workshop — Local services in New Haven

I went here this evening for the first time with a friend to check out their art gallery. Before going into the gallery I stopped and asked the woman at the front desk about a painting class that is only held thursday thru sundays. I read about it briefly online but was seeking more information and thought I'd ask someone directly about it to obtain more information. The woman at the front desk was incredibly and unnecessarily rude for reasons beyond me. She was easily aggravated and annoyed and talked to me as if I were incompetent and getting on her nerves. I couldnt believe we kept going back and forth. She kept saying she needs more information but I only could give her the small bit of info I read online. I guess it never occurred to her mean ass that was the whole reason I was asking her the question in the first place. She made it very obvious that she was getting fed up and the whole interaction was beginning to escalate. I dont know if she was having a bad night or maybe my appearance or presence bothered her. It probably did but thats her nasty problem NOT MINE! I did absolutely nothing to her but ask a damn question. I was unaware they held several different painting and art classes. Ive never been to this place before and sometimes websites dont always have up to date information. After going back and forth for a few minutes she finally picked up a pamphlet and briefly mentioned they have a number of different classes. That is all she had to say and do in the first place. She made it complicated. She did not have to be a nasty person and act in the messy way she did. I was interested in signing up for a paint night for a friend and myself but forget it now. What the hell is wrong...

Posting this for the benefit of any BIPOC artists that might be looking for a welcoming space- this isn't it. If I went into detailing all the microaggressions and ways I was made to feel unwanted and unwelcome in this space, and repeatedly interrogated as to why I was even there, not only would be it soul crushing and draining but it would be incredibly boring too because it happened every single time I was in that space and it was always...

Creative Arts Workshop has helped my daughter level up both her technique and her confidence. The instructors are skilled, kind, and intentional—they teach real fundamentals (color theory, brushwork, composition) while keeping the creative spark alive. The studio is welcoming and well organized, which helped her feel brave enough to move from acrylics into oil painting. We’ve seen her grow as an artist and as a person....