goggleworks center for the arts

The Googleworks is an amazing place to fulfill an artistic desire. Pottery, jewelry making, cooking, water color painting, oil painting, ceramics, drawing... Oh, and woodworking... If you can imagine it, the Googleworks probably has a local artisan who teaches it. So, expand your horizons!

Been here fro many field trips and even just to hang out with friends! There are always new exhibits, from high school art, to artists who only use sharpie, to hands-on exhibits! A very fun place to relax!

inside is very nice..now some may say getting there is a little ify...but I am from the area and it doesn't bother me...nice big parking lot

This is the best place to see a movie in Reading PA The art can be perused while waiting for your movie to start. The seating is comfortable, and if you plan it you can stop in the goggle works store. Oh, and the snacks are reasonably priced.

Goggleworks is an interesting place to visit. It has many wonderful artist in residence there whose work is very interesting. The historical aspect of the place explained was very interesting as well. My favorite was the glass blowing area. It was fun to learn how that process happens. Worth a visit.

GoggleWorks has brought so much culture to the Reading community. They have a greatest gift shop, many local artists are based here, they run classes for the community. Their events are always outstanding!

What a great center for the arts. Free admission, free parking, 11-7 daily, very helpful staff of volunteers. Occupies square block which was formerly the Willson Products factory ("first factory in the world to manufacture optical glass for lenses and reading glasses", best known for safety glasses - check out the fascinating Willson/GoggleWorks history exhibit inside). Award-winning restoration; the original infrastructure is preserved and visible in quite a few places. Great place to just amble; 34 artists' studios starting on the 2nd floor; walk in, watch them work, chat with them - most are more then happy to talk about their work, and only once did we experience a sales pitch. (Hit-and-miss as to how many will be there at a given time.) Don't miss the out buildings: jewelrymaking, ceramics, wood, glassblowing, etc. GoggleWorks is on the itinerary every time I revisit my home town. It has been a big factor in helping to revitalize a distressed city and neighborhood in particular.

So many classes are offered here that you can sign up for (I've always done in advance, not sure if they allow walk ins) and they have all been great. They are a tad pricey, but there is something for everyone, from glass blowing to jewelry making. The teachers have all been nice and easy going. They call you to come back and pick up your stuff and the staff have always been welcoming. Looking forward to continuing to take classes throught Goggleworks.

My cousin-in-law got married here at the end of December and it was a beautiful place! We loved the rustic, raw, exposed look of the brick and beams, but they dressed it up with lights and decorations. We were confused about parking at first, but were helped by GoggleWorks staff.

We thought this was a hands on place but it turned out to be be more of a requires reservation place. Disappointed as a tourist.

If you enjoy the arts this place is a gem. We visit several times a year to browse the artist galleries and workshops. Never attend a movie hear but have heard they have some cool films and the venue is nice.

Goggleworks is a huge former factory building that now is home to many fine art and craft studios. Lots to see and also purchase. Don't miss the timeline display showing how Goggleworks was founded, and how it evolved along with the United States. Plan to spend at least 2 hours browsing.

Goggleworks is a very large building that was once a goggles making factory. It has been turned into a first rate art center with in house art studios. There is an indie movie theater on the first floor that is open everyday. Across the street is a new IMAX theater and the Miller Center for the performing arts.

Watch the creationof all types of art, speak to the artists, engage with performers - a truly unexpected find in Berks Cty! We go oftern to see the rotating displays and take advantage of the off the multiplex movie entertainment. My favorite is the glass house and carvers rooms. Free and beautiful.

What an interesting treat this place is. First of all, this is part of Reading's rejuvenation plans...it's an entire city block of 145,000 sq ft of artists studios, art classes, dance and lots more. The interior of the building itself is worth seeing, a restored old warehouse. It is incredible just to walk thru and see the magnificent restoration! This place also houses a small, comfortable movie theatre showing all the latest art films. If you go there on a "second Sunday" you will find most of the artists in their studios working on their trade. You can talk with them, ask questions, buy art. It's a great way to spend a few hours just admiring the many creative media. They also have classes for ceramics, glassblowing, jewelry, fused glass and much more. AND....for that totally "impossible to buy for" person in your life, they have a terrific gift shop where the artists put their creations up for sale. Prices go from very reasonable and up. I always stop in here for when I'm looking for that difficult to buy for person! This would be a great "2nd Sunday" for a family because children would be in awe of all the different types of art. It is a great experience I think you'd enjoy. And, at special events such as 2nd Sundays, they have a manned guard booth and a big protected parking lot so you can feel safe being in the city.