Walked into Mystic because it was across from where I was picking up lunch. The woman inside was…read morevery kind and helpful. She showed me how the store was broken up; paints, books, journals, yarn and etc. We even had a nice conversation about pens and journaling. They have a great selection of art supplies. I'd love to take my niece and nephew here. Great shop and everything seemed reasonably priced.

Mystic is a colorful, welcoming shop. It offers a good selection of art supplies--watercolors,…read moreoils, gouache, clay--and caters to both adults and kids. The store is clean, well-organized, and prices are a bit more than you'd pay at a large big box art store in the city, but here you are supporting a local business. They also offer art classes for adults and youth that are listed outside the store, and on their website. They have fun extras like games, craft and embroidery kits, and cute character items like Pusheen and Miffy. A fun visit for creative locals.

My daughter and her friend had a joint birthday party with their preschool class at Art Barn. We…read moreleft so happy with how the event turned out. The team catered the event around our desired team and were so helpful insetting up, supporting the children, keeping to time, and pivoting quickly when needed. The multifaceted space caters to artists, climbers, pretend and role play and the staff were wonderful in getting the group ready for the main art project. We highly recommend Art Barn for an upcoming birthday, event, etc.

We had our four-year-old's birthday party at Art Barn last month, and it was awesome! I initially…read morehesitated at the cost, but it ended up being totally worth it--it was by far the most relaxing and stress-free birthday party I've thrown since becoming a mom. The kids had a blast making an art project to take home, and they loved running around the amazing outdoor play space, which has a climbing wall, a house to paint, a mud kitchen, and even a fairy garden. The best part? I didn't have to plan anything except the invitations. The Art Barn staff handled all the activities and kept the kids entertained, which meant the parents actually got to relax and enjoy themselves, too. Highly recommend Art Barn! My daughter also loves their art classes, so if you're looking for a fun, easy, and creative experience for your kiddos, this is the spot.

Poekie Nook is the most magical place that our daughter has ever found. It's her retreat and…read moresanctuary; there is no place else she would rather be! My daughter, now nearly 8, found Poekie Nook 2 years ago and since then she has sewn about 40 poekies, made 4 houses, and a couple different habitats. She has gone to summer camps, holiday camps, after school hours, spent most Saturdays, and had her birthday party at her beloved Poekie Nook. It's a place where she can go, be herself, and visit with kind friends and teachers while keeping her imagination and hands busy sewing the softest, cutest animals ever. Sophia, Christine, Jay, Abby, and all the amazing teachers that work with the kids each provide guidance and allow for independence and imagination to flourish. The other children there range in ages so the younger ones get to listen in on conversations about middle and high school life, while they all develop skills of conversation and socialization, as well as dexterity and the craft of sewing. Honestly, it's the best thing that could have happened early in her life to have found such a wholesome place and be a part of such a lovely community. I can't say enough good things about Poekie Nook and the people who work there!

One of the most adorable spots in Southern Marin. Poekies are original stuffed animals & characters…read morethat kids, age 6 and up, can learn to sew themselves. I've been bringing my 7 year old boy & 6 year old girl here for more than a year. As much as it's a pleasure to drop them off for a couple hours on their own, it's hard for me to leave without wanting to pick up a project of my own. Beading and hand sewing with owner Sophia, and her sweet staff is a delight. I was not surprised to learn Sophia is a trained Waldorf teacher - it's evident in the focus of the shop - good clean fun!! And creativity of course :) My youngest loves making stuffed hearts and animal characters while my older kid is into beading. Both are good options for making gifts for friends, or creating friends to play with! Last time I was in, I made a little stuffed snowman for my daughter, with glass bead eyes and buttons. So cute! This place is so charming and the "work" is so rewarding, a perfect way to counterbalance the instant gratification our kids get so used to in this modern age. PLUS, it's a last-minute guilt-free option if you need a spot for your kids for a few hours while you run errands, finish up some work, or .... meditate? Two thumbs up!!

Second location of a great little art studio for children's art classes. Located right downtown in…read moreCorte Madera (corner of Corte Madera Ave and Tamalpias). Lessons run weekdays usually and they have summer camps.

From the owner: ARTifact Studio provides art classes for kids age 2.5-12 years old (Toddler, Preschool,…read moreKindergarten, Grade School) in San Francisco and Marin County. ARTifact also teaches summer camps, creative workshops, and special events for children. A typical ARTifact class includes a lesson in art history, an exploration of mixed materials (painting, drawing, crafts, etc), time for creative expression, and an investigation of an idea the kids themselves have wanted to try, but don't dare do at home. Sign-up directly on the website or contact us for more information.

A 5 star experience with Zinaida! My husband and I booked a private leather wallet and tray making…read moreclass, and had such a fun time. Booking online was incredibly easy, and Zinaida, quickly responded. The only hiccup we had was we had to get our class rescheduled for a different weekend because of a crazy heat wave (no A/C in her studio), but she was super flexible with us! We loved the goods we created- the quality is truly beautiful- and also the process along the way! Would love to come back again! Perfect date night for a couple, or a good fun family friendly weekend activity!

I can't say enough about how much I enjoyed my classes at LAC! This was such a wonderful birthday…read moregift! We did two classes over a weekend: Intro class (key chain, valet/bowl and card wallet) on Saturday - about 2-3 hours and Notebook cover (hand stitched) on Sunday about 3-4+ hours (the length of both classes really depends on skill, speed and how many mess ups you/Z have to spend time correcting, oops!, ha!) Started to get tired by the end of day two on Sunday but it was so much fun and to leave with something that I created with my own hands was the cherry on top! Z (Zinaida) was AMAZING! Patient, knowledgeable, creative, sweet, encouraging, just an overall delight and made the time fly by! Her stories of creating, taking classes, sourcing materials, anecdotes and her display items (things she's created, leather samples, etc) added so much to the process and made me excited about starting a journey in leather-making (will I do it, is another question but I was definitely inspired) and also made me excited to take another class with her. The workshop is stocked with so many wonderful tools that you never knew existed that serve functions you didn't know needed a tool and make the details big and small that you may not realize go into leather making--soo fun! Oh and I can't forget! THE VIEW!! The most soothing, gorgeous view in the workshop makes it feel like a dream! I was there on a rainy weekend, with the fog rolling through the trees, sunset peeking over the hillside, beautiful rain clouds, I couldn't have asked for a better setting to create, especially while hand stitching, it was hypnotic in all the best ways! The view is to die for! I have already recommended this class to friends, and now I highly recommend the class to you!

Diana Belenky is the Bee's Knees. There, I said it…read more If there's one thing Diana knows how to do, it's to teach. I have had a great many teachers who know how to draw and paint--even the legendary Henry Yan--but very few who know how to teach it. With a great sense of humor, a veritable wealth of information, and a heaping dose of patience, Diana excels at sharing her knowledge and demonstrating its application effectively. If ever you were uncertain of how to, say, capture a specific kind of fold in your gesture drawing, then you need not look further than Diana for just how to do it.

Diana is a DREAM of a teacher. I am an adult beginner and new to drawing and painting, and wanted…read moreto get the foundations down. Diana is SO knowledgeable and organized. She took me from drawing in flat, 2-D to a beautiful 3-D drawing in pencil, in only 3-4 lessons. She is so thoughtful, organized and flexible - she sequenced and adjusted her curriculum to my needs and adjusted to my style of learning seamlessly. In addition, she interweaves art history into her lessons so you understand what she is teaching in context. And she is so nurturing and encouraging! I've gone through a few teachers and she is one of the very best. I recommend Diana for anyone looking to improve their skills.

What a super fun and cool experience! Been here twice with…read moremy toddler. Yes I highly recommend this to any one who loves SLIME! The whole experience experiences is about 25 to 30 minutes. Kids put on aprons, choose the texture of the type of slime they want. They have about five different options. Then you picked the color. (Lots of cool options) then you pick the scent, and you get to watch the slime master get your slime mixed all together.. you then head to a table to play with the slime, once you're ready for the mix ins you can pick between glitter, kinetic sand, and a few other options, and then a bottle up your slime. You're welcome to sit and play longer than the 25 to 30 minutes.... Each visit we stayed about a total of 40 minutes, which seemed to be enough for my three year-old. You are welcome to stand and watch you do not have to participate, but it's always nice to take part in creating precious moments and memories with kids. Starting price is about $25... they also have premade slime and some fun seasonal character slime which is a little more expensive. They even have slime kits. You can have a birthday party if you reserve the date in advance.. if I didn't live so far, I would definitely do this with my child and a few other kids. I highly recommend this experience for any age person just as long as you love slime! Me and my toddler will definitely be back in the future.

This is an awesome place for kids. They do birthday parties and it's a quick easy activity for the…read morekids. They pick their texture, mix ins and cute toppers!