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March 2019 by Dona Pagano Denny
This is my favorite bead shop. I have been a customer for 14 years, since the shop opened.Liz has great jewelry; she also does custom orders and repairs.Her Industrial line of newly is fantastic.I highly recommend this shop.
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October 2018 by Donna Pagano Denny
This is my favorite bead shop. I have been a customer for 14 years, since the shop opened.
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March 2017 by Derek McGearty
Liz is awesome, her industrial line of jewelry is very cool.
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March 2017 by Derek “Scrapsapien” McGearty
Liz is awesome, her industrial line of jewelry is very cool.
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December 2016 by Cassie V.
Beautiful place for a walk around in the winter when you want to avoid the mall. Lovely art on display in the halls and each studio has their bit of hallway decorated so there's lots to see even when many of the studios are closed. Their frequent weekend and evening Open Studios days are amazing for getting the chance to talk to local artisans. Difficult to leave without picking up *something* as a gift or for yourself. Plenty of parking both in the lot and along the street. Definitely a hidden gem in the city, considering where it's located.
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June 2015 by Kara S.
Western Ave Studios is a hidden gem in Lowell. The renovated mill is filled all kinds of artist studios from Woodworkers & Painters to Jewelry Makers & Glass Blowers! Open Studios on the 1st Saturday of the month is the perfect time to stop in. Artists open their studios to the public so you can peruse their work or make a purchase. It makes for a great day of wandering the halls and finding new favorites. Also lots of the studios sell items that make great unique gifts!
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June 2015 by Johnny W.
Western Ave Studios has an overwhelming display of art for viewing (and for sale). During the week there are some studios open to the public as well as a gallery showing a collection of work. However, First Saturday Open Studios is where the action is. The building is bustling with artists who are often demonstrating their craft for the many art enthusiasts and buyers walking the numerous hallways. You never know what you'll find at Western Ave, a new scarf, painting, blown glass vase, a cutting board, or a metal sculpture... at the very least you'll walk away with some inspiration!
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January 2015 by Anne R.
This is the largest hidden art Mecca in Merrimack Valley. That's not an exaggeration with about 200 working artist studios in the maze of halls. The Loading Dock Gallery is Western Ave's retail space for people dropping in during regular gallery hours, but the most amazing days are the open studio days that happen on the first Saturday of each month from 12-5pm, when you get to meet working artists in person and see what they create behind closed doors. Schedule a first Saturday visit in your calendar now so you don't forget! Bring kids or friends because it will be an adventure unlike any other you've had. :)
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January 2013 by Ana R.
I'm biased because there used to be a yarn store in this building and it's gone now, but I recently walked through to give it another chance and it's like backstage at your high school end of year recital, after hours. There are little shops attended by probably the loneliest museum curators in a 100 mile radius. Strange topography, difficult to find your way around, and you have no idea sometimes if you're actually trespassing or not. Maybe this should be used solely for artist work space, and not as businesses?
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October 2012 by Jean B.
One of the best places to visit Open Art Studios in the area. Easy to get to. Easy free parking. Free entry. An awesome building with inside walls and halls covered in art. I always feel like Alice in Wonderland wandering the hallways because you never know what you will find as you turn the corner. The quality of art is high. The prices are low (versus buying art in a gallery/retail store) and it's great to meet and chat with the artists. There's a fully stocked glass store for glass artists (TMS Studios) and a great beading supply shop also. Many of the artists give classes there also. It's a magical place and the open studios on the first Saturday of every month is a favorite place for me to visit.
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December 2009 by Emily K.
Western Avenue Studios are overwhelming when you first visit because there are over 100 amazing artists that create anything from fine art to jewelry to glass figurines. I love just wandering through the halls because all the artists display their art in the hallways and many constantly change their displays, so every time you visit, you'll see something new. It is almost like attending a museum for free! There is also a store on the 2nd floor that is like a one stop shop for many of the artists' works. This place is truly a hidden gem that needs to be publicized more. You should definitely make it out to their open studios on the first Saturdays of the month!
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March 2009 by Marcy K.
Trying to keep the creative juices flowing (I recently lost my job as a writer/copyeditor/managing editor...so if any of you have stuff for me to do, let me know), I have begun jewelry-making, as many of you know. What's lacking in some of the bead stores I've visited has been large beads, which would provide the foundation for any serious bead project. I finally found what I was looking for at Lush Beads, which has a great selection of beautiful beads in all shapes and colors. The finished products on display are magnificent, as well. Lush Beads is part of Western Avenue Studios, which features four floors of artists working in all disciplines, media, and styles. According to the Website, the studios opened in 2005 and now house more than 160 working artists in two buildings. Most of the "stores" are closed to the public during the week, but I did discover that there's an open studios event held the first Saturday of every month. Will definitely go sometime soon. Sounds interesting. I deducted one star because I had a hard time finding a space, even though it wasn't busy.
