4Cats Arts Studio (St. Albert) - St. Albert, Alberta

Sara C.

My kids and I love 4 cats! I’ve had my kids participate in a day camp which was so convenient and well priced and they couldn’t wait to return. They are so proud of the things they made and really enjoyed the day. We returned all together a second time for a clay mug making workshop and enjoyed the instructors and the class. We were able to take all the time we needed and the instructors were always wonderful. The firing process takes a little while but understandable because of the volume and we got an email as soon as our creations were ready. We will be back!

Orinta L.

I’m really disappointed with my overall experience. I purchased memberships for both myself and my husband, but the booking process was a nightmare. It was incredibly difficult to get any assistance, and the online booking system had a major glitch that made it nearly impossible to secure a spot. After multiple emails and phone calls to the store, we finally managed to book our classes.

The lessons themselves were enjoyable, and we had a great time learning on the clay wheel. However, the problems didn't stop there. Now that we've finished our lessons and booked additional time to paint our clay creations, getting them back has been nearly impossible. I’ve shown up to the store several times, and called repeatedly, but I’ve received no response. It’s been over two months since our lessons, and we still haven’t received our clay work. I’ve been completely ignored, and no one has called me back.

This lack of communication and follow-through is incredibly frustrating. I’m leaving this review in the hope that someone will finally reach out to resolve the issue.

Shelley

Went here for a work/team function and although the workers were nice, they were not prepared. We went to make xmas Ditto Clay ornaments. They were still making the templates and didn't have the supplies ready for our group when we arrived. We arrived shortly after they opened so its not like they had another group before us that they had to clean and turnover the space for. We were not notified when anything was ready and finally just showed up to pick them up 4 weeks later, since they wouldn't return calls either, only to receive our Ditto Clay figures were unbaked. Not sure why they kept them when we made them if they weren't going to assure they were ready for us. Horrible waste of time and money. Could have had a better experience going to a craft store and getting the suppliers to do it ourselves.

Edit: Response to businesses response- I think the fact that we arrived 15 minutes prior is a reasonable amount of time to arrive so we can be settled for the scheduled session time so that should not have been an issue for preparedness as everything should have been ready and laid out for us (we waited an additional half hour after our session start time). We paid for 18 individuals well in advance (5 weeks prior to booking date) and had that many show up, so that should not have caused any preparedness issues neither. The final product was sent to us in a company labelled paper bag, with no hole for us to make it into an ornament and we were not instructed to add one ourselves. The artwork final product was also brittle and almost all of the attendees artworks have broke. They were not hard at all so I assumed they weren't cooked or finished; perhaps there is an issue with the product you provided us to use. I did say prior that the 2 staff members that provided the service at that were very nice and maybe they were unprepared due to mismanagement. Did we have fun, yes! Because we were with friends and colleagues. Were we impressed with the waiting and issues I outlined about the product, no! These comment should be used to hopefully make improvements so that you can have happy customers.

Foufou F.

I had the worst communication experience with this business! Based on the reviews, I thought it would be perfect for booking a birthday party for my daughter, but it turned out to be a nightmare.

First, I called the office and left a voicemail — no one bothered to call back. Then, I tried using their chat feature, and after a full day of waiting, they finally replied, only to tell me to email the office instead of helping me directly. Despite clearly stating that I wanted to book a birthday party, they made no effort to assist.

I went ahead and emailed them, but it’s now been almost a week, and still no response. Is this what they call customer service? Ignoring people completely?

Save yourself the frustration — I wouldn’t recommend this place to anyone! What a waste of time!

Ummmira

Having attended a few clay hand-building classes at 4Cats with my girls that we enjoyed, I signed up with my daughter for a 5-week beginner clay wheel classes, only to discover after 2 classes, during which we had two different instructors, that our instructors were also beginners. Although very nice people, they were in no way experienced enough to teach a skill that takes years to learn. Both my daughter and I had done some pottery before & although we were still quite the beginners, we could tell there was nothing they could teach us. To make things worse, they only had one seated wheal, which was also occupied, & the rest of us had to work standing up, which is not ideal if not an impossible position from which to anchor yourself to control the clay for throwing, centring, etc. After deciding there was no point in continuing with the course, I explained this in an email to 4Cats requesting a refund, at least for the remaining 3 days, I was told it was against “corporate policy” & offered other classes instead. Since that course’s particular time was the only one we can attend, I had to decline but we were still refused reimbursement. It was my understanding that this was a family business and was expecting to be treated differently when unhappy. It defied the purpose, really, to have to drag my daughter to a class that was supposed to be something fun for us to do. Now, we can’t even sign up for something else we might like because this course ate up our budget. Hence, one star. Very disappointed.

Bond A.

I’ve been to 4Cats twice for self paced workshops. The overall experience of creating and glazing the pieces has been great. However, the time it takes for the pieces to fire and be picked up has been more than frustrating. Both times I’ve been there, it has been over 4 weeks since I glazed the pieces to when I could pick them up. This is extremely frustrating as I was told it will only take 2 weeks and I have never been notified via email or phone that I need to pickup my pieces at a later date. Both times I had driven to the location after the 2.5 week mark and then had been told that the pieces hadn’t been fired yet.

Jacqueline M.

Business says they can accommodate people with special needs, they do not. Perhaps they need some education on how to offer art for people with ASD. Had a very bad experience here. Will not go back.

denise

Amazing and friendly staff. Fun place to go for clay creations.
The self paced workshops are a great night out with friends.