This was my first paint and sip event and it was so much fun! Monica was so friendly and provided…read moredetailed instructions on the painting. It was a night full of laughter and fun. Will definitely go back again with my friends.

Our daughter has been going to the after-school art program at Artist Center for many months now…read moreand she loves it. Monica is a great teacher who really knows her stuff. She has over 25 years of experience and has even worked with studios like Disney and Warner Brothers. Our daughter has picked up so many new drawing techniques and her skills have really improved. It's right on Castro Valley Blvd so it's super easy to get to. Definitely recommend for any kids who want to get better at drawing!

I love Anita! She is an awesome art teacher and has amazing classes for people of all ages. On…read moreThursday evening's is adult art class. My semester was great and accomplished some really nice pieces with her help. Love how she nudges you to try all different types of media. My next piece was doing charcoal, a medium that I never used before. We just had an art show at the end of the semester. The talent from everyone was incredible! I was especially impressed with the kids art. Wow! She also has summer programs for the kids. Wish I had this outlet when I was there age. Highly recommend! Looking forward to developing my skills deeper over time with her. Thank you so much Anita. ;)

In my second semester and no plans to stop. This has become something of a Thursday evening ritual…read morefor me. I took a chance and signed up after admiring a new friend's collection of art in different mediums and styles and she told me all about Anita's class. This has given me a chance to try being creative, to trust myself and break out of trying to be pixel perfect. There's always a choice of assignment. I like to work slowly and deliberately. Others finish a project and move on to the next in a session or two. The perfect thing is that this is at your own pace, with guidance and education from Anita. I'm learning to appreciate the time and intention that goes into a creating a work. And I find the time relaxing and meditative...it's a wonderful change of pace from my day-to-day work. Give this a go - you won't be disappointed!

Kid: I love Miss Patrice and Studio Time so much. I really learn a lot and can't wait to go there…read moreagain! Mom: My daughter just LOVES her Studio Time art class, it is by far the best part of her week. She's so happy and she feels so proud of her work. I'm so touched by it. So much positivity and creativity abound! Miss Patrice is a magical fairy and her magnificent instructors are fabulous with the kids.

Today I took a class with Patrice in her fantastic studio. The classes are very small and…read moreintimate. I worked on a Day of the Dead Teatro for Dia de los Muertos. It was fantastic. I am sad the class is over and more inspired to create than I have been in a L.O.N.G. time. I can't wait for her holiday gift making classes. She also offers classes for kids (morning/afternoon/saturday), call early to register early, because space is very limited and the offering is like nothing else in Alameda.

I Have been taking adult art class with Inna for half year and making a lot of progress. Inna is an…read moreamazing teacher who tailors the teaching based on my level. I'm able to learn a lot from each session. For someone who has been learning painting from YouTube for two years, getting immediate feedback on my work makes a huge difference. Also, watching Inna doing demos are simply rewarding and nothing short of wonder. Furthermore, Inna creates an inspiring environment that makes me want to do better each time and also learn from each other. The class is both serious and fun. Although still new to the field, I now approach painting in a different and more principled way. Would highly recommend the class to anyone who is interested in pursuing art in any capacity.

I have been learning to paint at Art Academia for about 2 years. Inna is a really talented artist,…read moreshe is very knowledgeable, patient, polite and is a great teacher! With every class I learn something new and feel absolutely accomplished! Lessons have been focused on a wide variety of topics like landscape, still life, portraits, different techniques of painting with pallet knife, brush. You're welcome to use any medium as well! During this pandemic, Inna has been able to beautifully adapt to teaching online over zoom and gives personal attention, it's almost like a private class! I consider myself fortunate to have found Inna as my art teacher and I would highly recommend Art Academia to any one who is passionate about art and would want to learn and grow into an artist.

Really great instruction, not only are the teachers experts at what they're teaching, they're also…read moreskilled at teaching. This is different from most maker spaces, where you're lucky if someone teaching a class is either an expert or good at teaching -- most likely, they're a hobbyist who's just put a little more time into it than you and isn't particularly good at teaching. Some instructors who are excellent (non-exhaustive list): Eric Blanpied for Wood and Metal, Mark Metz for Blacksmithing, David Weisbach for TIG Welding, and the Machining instructors (anonymous because they work at companies that don't want them on social media). The Crucible is one of the highlights of the bay area, worth visiting for a weekend day-long class as a tourist or for the weekly classes if you live in the area.

I wish I were writing a review of the facilities, instructors, class quality, or my experience in a…read moreclass, maybe even showing a picture of my cool finished art... but I can't, because of failure after failure on the part of the management. I received a glass flameworking class as a surprise for Christmas, paid for, with the option for me to move it to a number of dates. I chose the March 8th date. It's been THREE MONTHS of multiple calls, voicemails, and emails per week to The Crucible. We have gotten ONE single response the entire time: something to the effect of "so sorry we dropped the ball - we'll get back to you," then.... nothing. None of our calls or emails or voicemails have been returned. The March class date has now passed, and not a single offer of a refund or a reschedule. We're doing a chargeback, which we really hate to do since it's so detrimental to the business, but... if it weren't for all these other reviews I'd wonder if this place even exists? Three full months of effort on our end and not a single useful human answer?Hoping this review plus the chargeback gets us some sort of resolution.

I've driven by this yellow Victorian at the corner of Lincoln and Paru many times but did not…read morerealize this was an Arts Center that is a non-profit volunteer operated place for meetings, readings, showings and other creative doings. My friend's art exhibit brought me to the Center for the first time. As you enter, the Main Gallery is in front and the Signature Gallery, where my friend's Between Earth and Sky Exhibit was held is in the back. His 27 paintings are of recent landscapes, spanning the vast canyons and rock formations of the Southwest to the rugged cliffs and vibrant waters of the Pacific coast. It was great seeing the Exhibit and happy that there is a community art center for local artists to display their works of art.

Wonderful place to see, do and buy art! The classes are…read morereasonably priced. The instructors are very knowledgeable . And the Center organize a incredible Plein Air Paint Out every summer

My sister and I loved coming to Alla's art camp when we were kids (about 15-16 years ago). It was…read moremy absolute favorite summer camp, I'd go every year that I could as a child. I'm so happy to see the art studio is still open and inspiring new kids. Thank you Alla!

We are so lucky to have Alla's Art class online on Zoom during Quarantine! My daughter loves art…read moreand drawing, and having a good teacher, other kids to be in class with, and the structure and schedule of a class, has been such a relief, and she is so happy with the results! Alla lets the kids choose their own subjects, gives ideas and guidance whenever needed, has them use different mediums (charcoal, watercolor, etc.) for variety, and helps them create masterpieces to impress friends and family members :)

I am very pleasantly surprised that my children have improved a lot after a few lessons with the…read moreteacher

From the owner: Art Classes for Kids Small group for better learning…read more Project based approach. Kids learn stuffs according to their skill level.