GoggleWorks

This is a cool place. Went to see Birdman with my girlfriend, which is cool because a lot of theaters weren’t playing it at the time. Afterwards we walked around and checked out some of the art. I can’t really speak about any of the classes or workshops held there, but I’d like to check them out someday.

We were fortunate enough to be invited to a wedding here this past weekend and we were stunned at how beautiful this space is! It’s so cool! They have a museum, dance hall, pottery and glass studio, woodworking shop, theater… it honestly seemed like every other room was something fun and different. There were quirky murals and such all over the place and they made for some great wedding photos. The bride and groom were free to decorate the space however they wanted and the team at Goggleworks helped them put together a really good set-​up. The 4^th floor area worked for the ceremony and the 2^nd floor was the perfect spot for their reception, since this is where their caterer used the kitchen. Plus it was relatively cheap for the couple and it had free parking for the guests. If you’re in need a wedding venue in the Reading area, Goggleworks should be a serious contender! If you’re just looking to soak in some culture for an afternoon, Goggleworks is an amazing place to visit.

The Goggleworks is free to explore. Open workshops to explore, and artists openly showing their work. It is a great time to work around the floors to explore the art and media that covers the walls. You would be surprised. The best part is that is self-​curated. You get to take place in the active function of creation.
There are lots of opportunities to learn different functions and skills of art. From glass-​blowing to watercolor painting, the place offers several classes to grow yourself as an artist. It is a hub for growthm
The Googleworks offers a room that gives a history of the company and what it has been creating over the years. It shows what other types of products.
From all the rooms to the theatre, Goggleworks provides you the choices to build yourself into rhe individual you want to be from teachers and volunteers.
There is a parking in the back and parking in the front as Boscov’s plaza off of Washington.

‘Art is a wound turned into light.’ ~Georges Braque
When I received an email notifying me that Unilocal had determined that my previous review ‘…lacked firsthand experience,’ I chuckled, but it made me realize that GoggleWorks deserves more love here.
If you’re not from the area, here’s a little history on Reading, PA that will hopefully make you appreciate this art center even more. Despite once being a prosperous and well-​kept town, in 1997 — there were more murders here, per capita, than any other city across the nation. In 2012, it was labeled the poorest town in the country. Currently, over 30% of the city residents live in poverty. The community desperately needed this place when it opened in 2005, and although the people here haven’t fully embraced it yet, as hoped, there are many who can’t imagine life without GoggleWorks now.
I am mostly familiar with the ceramics studio. For a small fee, you get to use all of the tools, glaze, potters’ wheels and kiln in an open space that flows with positive energy. I’ve taken art classes here too, and each time the instructors have been masters in their craft, and clearly devoted to GoggleWorks’ mission.
There is also a small shop on the first floor which is a great place to purchase locally made gifts. The movie theater here presents independent films with meaningful discussion afterward.
You can learn more about the history of GoggleWorks by going to this link:

I didn’t have a chance to take an art class, see an exhibit, watch artists in action, or watch a film, but the GoggleWorks was still well worth visiting! The store has a great deal of inexpensive and cool art and other gifts.
Definitely worth a visit if you happen to be in downtown Reading; if I lived in the area I’d visit a lot!

Great concept, very poorly run. This is what desperate clueless politicians create when they don’t have a clue but do have federal grants and vacant real estate. The arts live in Berks county but this place fails. If your interested in taking classes here, note that many of the instructors are experts in the fields and some don’t have a clue. The cost of most classes is on the high side.:One day when the morons that run Reading realize that they are standing in the way of true progress we may see this place shine. Artist should know that hanging your works here may stroke your ego but that’s as much as you should expect. In a nut shell you won’t sell your works here. Great potential but a massive failure.

GoggleWorks Center for the Arts is located at 2^nd & Washington streets, in downtown Reading, Pa. Originally a 5 story building that manufactured optical wear (hence the name Goggle Works) it was abandoned in 2002. Re-​converted into studio space for artists, it currently has several galleries on display, and also has an on-​site café & gift shop. All artwork is available through the gift shop. Free to visit, with a self-​guided tour. Theres ample free parking in the back of the building, also. Worth a stop if you’re in the area. Has summer camps, workshops & classes availble to he public.