Really not a great environment, I wouldn’t recommend. There’s a very certain type of sheltered, uppity “crowd” that’s encouraged there. The painting/drawing instruction is decent for beginners, but lots of important things are left out. For example, the owner doesn’t let the students learn about brushes and instead pushes very cheap, tiny watercolor brushes on oil painting students, so that they’ll buy from them. These brushes pretty much hinder most painters because they are so small and aren’t designed to hold oil paint.Students also are forced to use one brand of medium, when there are plenty of others out there for different uses. Just a very close-minded environment. Especially don’t go if you want to do anything other than paint some flowers and tacky meadows. While the instructor says they can teach anything, they can’t teach portraits well and they can’t teach abstract well. Any instruction besides simple realism is going to be very sub-par.Also drawing instruction is VERY sub-par. Lots of techniques are left out, and the instructor is a painter, not a drawer. I have no idea about the pottery classes, but the pottery instructor is a bit too hot tempered for my taste.

I have been taking art classes with Dori for several years and could not be more pleased with the experience. She is a caring, thoughtful, extremely knowledgeable teacher. Her paintings are so inspiring!! Taking lessons from Dori is the best step Ive taken to improve my art.

A wonderful place to enjoy art and learn. Classes are available for all skill levels. Whether it is drawing, painting or pottery you will not be disappointed with your experience. I have been a student at Red Dot for 6 years and started out in watercolor and graduated to oil painting. It had been a delightful journey that intend to continue.

Ive been taking painting classes from Dori at Red Dot for the past few years now, and I cant believe how much my skills have improved with her help! Ive tried other classes from other teachers over the years but never found a teacher I clicked with before. Red Dot keeps the class size more manageable so each student gets plenty of personalized attention. I highly recommend this gallery and their classes!

I take art classes from Dori. My art ability has definitely improved but better yet I get great instruction mixed with humor and patience! I look forward each week to spending time on my art and my soul. Great place to be and learn how to find my creative self

Red Dot Gallery has been around for years and is still a great place to learn how to paint! It’s a friendly environment that allows you to make friends with your classmates. Dori is an excellent teacher as well, very experienced and informative! And if painting is not your thing, then they also offer pottery classes. And Scott is just as great from what I hear! You also are able to display and sell your work if you develop a solid body of work, which is great if you want to get your work noticed. If you’re looking for a place to learn a new craft and to get further acquainted with your fellow classmates in the process, then Red Dot is definitely for you!

My tuesday night painting class is what I most look forward to during the week. Dori has the formula down to a tee and can teach anyone (even a left-brained engineer like myself) to paint. She has created a fun and collaborative environment, and the class sizes are small enough for personalized feedback. After 6 months of painting at Red Dot, I have the skills and confidence to paint almost anything, and be proud of it. Highly recommended!

I’ve been taking art classes at Red Dot for over two year, and I’ve enjoyed every minute. I was looking for a new creative outlet outside of my every day business setting, and Red Dot is the respite. The classes at small and personal. Weather picking up a new skill or restarting an old hobby, Red Dot is a great space to learn and make some new friends. Two thumbs up.

Ive been taking classes at Red Dot for over a year. Dori is a fantastic teacher that knows when to push you to figure out what to do by yourself and when to step in and show you. I didnt think I would be able to paint well when I started, but now I have friends asking me to paint things for them! It has been a wonderful experience, you wont regret signing up.

Great place to take art classes! I started out knowing absolutely nothing- complete beginner- and I have learned so much. Love this place!️ Dori is so easy to learn from and the classes are fun and relaxing.

If you are looking for an excellent art class, youll find it at Red Dot. Dori teaches you with a one on one approach while also instructing a class of 8-12 painting and drawing students. I have taken her drawing class. She was very attentive and developed, in me, a much stronger skill set. I worked on a new skill each week. She had me practice new things I have never known before. I never knew I could be so good at drawing!

I started with Dori as a true beginner. I have improved so much, and had a great time along the way. Classes are fun, informativeand lively and the 2 hours fly by. It is my favorite activity each week.

I signed up for oil painting classes in 2010 as a beginner, never having touched oils. Interested in challenging myself with a creative outlet, I joined a class with students of all levels and to this day, continue to attend weekly. Doris classes are welcoming, encouraging and fun! She is hands off but if you are a visual learner like me, she will jump in and guide you along the way. With a collection of pieces created over the past five years, I was honored to display my work in an eight week solo show at Red Dot Gallery! Jump in and join a class- you never know, you might have your own gallery show some day!

I took drawing classes with Dori and I improved so much in the first six weeks! I didn’t think j had it in me until Dori taught and encouraged me! I feel like I have learned so much !

I have had the best experience at Red Dot Gallery. Dori is amazing, and I have surprised myself with what I have been able to paint in the short time I have been taking classes with her. My art classes on Tuesday nights are now the highlight of my week!

I have been going here 4+ years. Dori is an incredibly smart, competent, encouraging instructor. It is a great place with a warm, welcoming, creative environment and creative, charming, and usually hilarious conversation.

I am a 14 year veteran student at Red Dot Gallery. Dori DeCamillis can teach anyone to paint, even those students whose painting style is different from hers. I thoroughly enjoy learning from her and recommend the reasonably priced classes.

I cannot recommend this studio highly enough. Dori is so talented, patient, funny, helpful, and knowledgable. I minored in art in undergrad, but I learned exponentially more from Dori in just one year compared to my three years in undergrad. I always tell people that they might not think they can paint or draw, but Dori will teach you and help you make it happen. Class is such a fun environment, and it is an incredible stress reliever during the week. Dori knows her stuff extremely well, and its an honor to learn from her.

I have learned so, so much as a student at Red Dot Gallery. We have a blast every single week! Ive made great friends, and the art show opening receptions are fun, too. Ive bought some fabulous art over the years, and Im amazed at Doris talent as both an artist and as a teacher. Peace, Love, and Art!

Dori is an amazing artist and art teacher - a welcome combination! Her style is exactly what I needed as someone who is new to art. She points out what Im doing well and makes low-key suggestions for places I can make the drawing even better. She will demonstrate if I need to see an example.Dori offers a college-level drawing class in 6 sessions and then allows me to ask for instruction on whatever Im interested in, such as figure drawing, using pastels and other media.The setting is fun - plenty of room plus great music and its inspiring to learn from the other students in the same space who are painting and drawing. Dori takes opportunities to spontaneously teach the whole class.I look forward to Wednesdays from 10-12 every week and I always leave her class feeling happy and creative. Dori should advertise her classes as Better than Prozac!

Signing up for oil paintings classes at Red Dot over 5 years ago was the BEST thing Ive ever done for myself. I look forward to going to Red Dot every Tuesday night. AWESOME people!!

Red Dot changed my life! The instructors are extremely experienced and great at helping students develop their talents and discover their own style while increasing their knowledge. I wish their were more stars to give Red Dot Gallery!

I was looking for a new hobby to do after work and found oil painting classes offered during the day and at night. I signed up for the 6 week set of classes, along with the starter paint kit. I have taken the 6 classes with Dori and have enjoyed every time. I look forward to class and I even plan to continue. I highly recommend if you are looking to learn or expand your oil painting, drawing, or pottery skills. The mix of one-to-one and group teaching method is pleasant. The knowledge and guidance to learn, along with the independence to flourish your own style. A small and unique nitch which enhances Homewood.

An amazing place to learn about art even for a beginner. Doris artwork amazes me, and I also appreciate her patience while teaching people for whom art is reletively new.

Red Dot! What a cool, fun, creative, happy place!!! Ive been fortunate to have drifted into the doors of Red Dot Gallery and meet Dori DeCamillis and her daughter AnnaBelle and Scott Bennett about two years ago. These people run a delightful gallery and offer classes in painting, drawing, clay and pottery. I have to thank Jenny Dixon for affirming my long search for such a place by saying, Oh youll love Dori!!. I called and signed up for drawing classes that afternoon! Jenny was right!! Id wanted to find some kind of place to rekindle the habit of drawing! Found it and then some!Classes are just as the others have described, college level art and spot-on with kind, knowledgeable instruction and just enough challenge to keep students aiming high! We have very cool music and take to singing-a-longs at times! Great fun! It reminds me of studio classes at Auburn, long ago!There is a wonderful mix of people, ages and artwork being done by all. Its creative and therapeutic! For all that have been around a while, the weekly trek to Red Dot is a refreshing bright spot in the week.I highly recommend this to any and all, no matter the age or the skill level you think you have. You will thrive here! Dori is an excellent instructor and knows her stuff. Plus, shes got brilliant wit! Humor and art are a grand combination--no stiff, fussy stuff here, and yet some very serious work is being produced by all. It just doesnt feel serious and stuffy and she fosters that beautifully! Dori also has the ability to meet-a-student-where-they-are and then grow natural ability into more and more over time. I remain amazed at the oil painting ability of Dori and many of the students.So, come one, come all to draw, to paint, to create pottery, to laugh, to sing and to enjoy being creative and alive! Its a wonderful place!

Dori DeCamillis is an exceptional artist, author and teacher. In the open classroom setting each students work is a teaching opportunity for Dori and a learning one for me. Sessions are sprinkled with stories about master artists along with demonstrations of different painting/drawing styles and techniques. Doris one on one time is supportive and encouraging, taking you beyond whatever you thought or hoped you could do. My short time at Red Dot with Dori and my fellow supportive class members is filled with learning, laughter, art and personal growth. How lucky we are that Red Dot Gallery and Dori DeCamillis are right here in Birmingham.

Ive been taking classes here for about six months and have learned so much from Dori. It is NOT intimidating, with students of all sorts of abilities and skill levels. I look forward to it every week.

Great instruction in a fun environment!