My kids have taken every class they offer-- ceramics, claymation, art camp…read more Amazing teachers, projects and fun. Children and adults alike have the opportunity to experience art in a gallery setting with an encouraging, empowering curriculum.

We had our 8yr old's birthday party at the center today. We had chosen a clay class option and it…read morewas perfect! The instructor, Izzy, had everything well chosen and prepared, and her instructions were exactly right to set the kids on their way. Each child felt successful and happy with their projects. The area was spacious and easy for kids to move about. What an amazing resource in our community!

I rented a pottery wheel and instruction for a few of my friends and I to celebrate my birthday. We…read moreloved it!! Nell spent enough instruction time with us to get the hang of things and then fired our "masterpieces." I would highly recommend Nell Birdhouse Ceramics. We had a blast

From the owner: Birdhouse Ceramics is a backyard art studio where adults and children can encourage tranquility and…read moreimagination by creating and connecting through the medium of clay. We are a small space where art, creativity, and community meet under one roof, valuing the experience of transforming a ball of clay into a vessel, mug, or bowl with our own hands. The studio offers 4 pottery wheels, a variety of hand tools, a number of high fire and low fire glazes, a variety of colored slips, kiln, and four different clay bodies. We strive to create a friendly, creative and supportive environment in which to learn, work and play in clay.

I had such a fantastic time taking my class at Clay Parlor!…read more Other than Play-Doh, I've really never worked with clay. The class I took here was to create a wall vase, and they provided the exact clay slabs you need to build and decorate your vase. I'm not very good at putting things together, but Alli, the instructor, was very positive, encouraging, and upbeat. She helped me when I needed her to go over the instructions again and explained that wet clay is quite forgiving. If I made a mistake, there were simple ways to fix it. I kept all my shapes and design ideas simple, but it was fun to look around the room and see how creative other people got with their vases. Some people didn't need to use rulers or cutouts to trace a design - and drew freehand. Everyone created something different, and it all looked perfect! Bring an apron to make sure your clothes don't get a lot of clay on them. The final projects will take 4 weeks to complete after drying and going through the kiln process. You will need to return to pick up your final product or pay about $15 extra to have it shipped to you.

Had the best time throughing today with my daughter and husband! Chelsea our instructor was so…read moregreat!! Funny, kind and so helpful! We'll definitely do another session!

I had a great experience with Coastal Painting Parties! Trina is talented and patient and the art…read morecame out amazing!!! Really fun evening!!! Highly recommend!!!

From the owner: We are a mobile Paint Party business. You pick a painting from our site and I will bring everything…read moreneeded to guide you and your party though an awesome paint experience. Everyone goes home an artist!

Had a great time making these plaster moons and the end result was so cool :) thanks Jen for…read moreputting together such a fun class!

What a fun afternoon w Phyllis and a lovely small group spent experimenting with watercolors!…read morePhyllis was an engaging instructor of the one day workshop, and I learned a lot. I rented the supplies for $15 and came away with some free samples and inspiration for painting more often.

Bells Art Factory is one of Ventura's true gems. Located in a beautifully repurposed former…read moremattress factory, this nonprofit community arts center is deeply rooted in creativity, accessibility, and community care. The space is home to 30+ local artists working in painting, ceramics, photography, jewelry, and more. In addition to artist studios, Bells offers youth art classes, artist-led workshops, and cultural programming including Ballet Folklórico, Aztec Dance, and yoga (Monday-Friday) with a suggested donation, making wellness and movement accessible to everyone. I've personally attended donation-based sound baths and their Día de Muertos event, and both were thoughtfully organized, welcoming, and grounded in community and cultural respect. The value here is undeniable. You are getting high-quality programming, meaningful cultural experiences, and direct support of local artists and educators, all without high price barriers. Parking is available in a small lot on site, though spaces are limited. Street parking is also available in the surrounding neighborhood. They also host First Fridays, which are always a great way to experience the space, meet artists, and support local creativity. Everything here feels intentional and community-driven. If you're looking for an affordable, enriching space that truly invests back into the community, Bells Art Factory is absolutely worth visiting and donating to.

Checked out a free Zumba class tonight! I had a blast! It was only 45mins but I really got a…read moreworkout!! Lots of smiles and so much fun!!! I think they also offer free art classes. I had never been here before and I'm so happy my friend recommended this place. What an maxing community center. I was told there is a Day of the Dead event November 2,2023. Not sure if I will be able to make it but will try :)

The family and I spent a terrific day exploring and experiencing all the fun, interactive, STEM at…read moreMOXI. We had a 4 year old and a 7 year old in our group, but I think their dad had the most fun of all! The activities were designed to be developmentally appropriate to include all the members of our group in their range of engagement. Parents interacted with their children and staff was on hand to make suggestions, monitor, and prompt us to better delve into the "science" we were playing with. They seemed well-trained on how to lead us to deeper learning without slowing our explorations. Thanks to the staff and designers who allowed us to spend such a beautiful family day!

Fun, hands-on museum in Santa Barbara, but I think it's better suited for school-aged kids than…read moretoddlers and preschoolers. We visited MOXI with our 4-year-old and under-2-year-old. The kids had fun exploring, but I personally found it a little underwhelming for their ages, especially considering the price. There are definitely some great interactive and creative spaces, but I think older kids would get much more out of the experience. One thing that was pretty disappointing was finding out after we arrived that the entire third floor was closed for a private event. We had driven about 70 miles to get there, so it would've been nice to know ahead of time, especially since admission wasn't exactly cheap. Parking was also a little confusing, although there is some street parking and public parking around downtown Santa Barbara and the transit area. There were definitely some highlights. They have a craft/building area where staff were helping kids with projects and doing little workshops. The current theme was marble runs, but kids could also draw, color, build, and make whatever they wanted. Staff were really hands-on and supervised things like glue guns and scissors, which I appreciated. I can see this being a really fun and worthwhile area for older kids who are creative and enjoy building and STEM-type activities. For younger kids, there is a small crawl/play area on the second floor, plus a quiet "cave" or calm room where kids can take a break if they get overstimulated. I thought those were nice additions, especially for families with toddlers or sensory-sensitive kids. We went on a Monday and it wasn't very busy, which made for a pretty relaxed visit. I could see the experience being much better for our family in a few years, so I wouldn't completely rule out coming back when the kids are older. If your kids are school-aged and enjoy interactive, hands-on learning, building, and STEM activities, I'd definitely say it's worth checking out. For younger toddlers/preschoolers, though, I would temper expectations--the admission price felt a little high for what we were able to do. One thing that could make it a much better value is the ASTC Travel Passport Program. MOXI participates in the program, which can provide free general admission at participating science and technology museums around the world if you have a qualifying membership. There is a 90-mile restriction, though--the museum you're visiting generally needs to be more than 90 miles away, measured "as the crow flies," from both your residence and the museum where you have your active membership. Overall, a nice museum with some genuinely fun interactive spaces. I'd recommend it at least once, but for our family, I think we'll wait until the kids are a little older before making the trip again.