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I can't say enough good things about Donna Downey and Bill Downey. I was nervous to attend an art retreat away from home, all by myself. They made me feel at home, fed me well, had a refrigerator full of drinks, a wall of snacks and a wonderful, beautiful place to create art. I learned a lot and relaxed a lot and can't wait to go back! They also have a wonderful art supply store and a coffee shop. I don't drink coffee, but people who do said it was wonderful.…
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Date of experience: February 2017
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The latest addition to the creative experience of Donna Downey Studios is Studio Coffee, an independent coffee shop under the management and creative flair of Barista Bill Downey. They offer a full range of coffee favorites -- house brew drip coffee, pour-overs, espressos, lattes, and cappuccinos -- as well as a delicious selection of pastries and baked goods (try the raspberry scones -- so flavorful and moist compared to the dry product called a scone served by a certain ubiquitous national chain to remain nameless). We had the daily special iced latte with coconut, almond, and chocolate flavors -- on a hot day it was like cooling down with a liquid almond joy -- just right on the sweetness scale for our tastes. The coffee itself is their private roast, which is rich and robust without being bitter. We were very impressed with the atmosphere, the friendly service, and -- of course -- the coffee! …
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Date of experience: July 2016
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My wife has travelled here now 6 times - over 500 miles one-way and has been thrilled each time. She loves Bill and Donna who treat everyone like family. This was my first time to visit - just played chauffeur really. Still, I was warmly greeted and it was great to see how happy my wife was after each day.…
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Date of experience: June 2016
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I follow Donna Downey on YouTube and was so excited to find we were going past her studio on our way south. She and Bill are as friendly and willing to help. The store is packed with fantastic stencils, stamps, paints and works of her art. Hope to stop again on my way back.
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Date of experience: January 2016
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Donna Downey, world-class artist and instructor, and her husband, Bill, have created an artistic oasis in the quaint outskirts of Charlotte, NC. The studio, an up-cycled car dealership from the 40's, features a spacious area for classroom instruction, a mini gallery of artwork by Donna and her collaborators, and a well-curated shop of high-quality art and crafting supplies. The multi-day workshops that Donna teaches are not to be missed. But she also brings in some of the top talent personalities in mixed media art that appeal to a wide range of students. The multi-day workshops are amazing deals -- Donna & crew provide all the art supplies (and the good stuff, too -- Golden brand paints and high-quality brushes and substrates). But that's not all! Grandma Cookie (Donna's mom) caters breakfast, lunch & dinner. And the beverage fairies keep the pitchers of iced tea full during the day and offer some amazing rum punch concoctions as happy hour approaches. You will be treated like royalty (without the annoying paparazzi). Donna Downey also offers shorter classes, summer camp activities, wine & art events, and a range of other activities designed to help you explore your own artistic style. Treat yourself! You won't regret it! And let me tell you, Donna Downey is one funny woman, so your laugh muscles are guaranteed to get a good workout, too!…
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Date of experience: June 2015
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