Kids birthdays in November are tricky to plan for. The weather could be spectacular outside, or it…read morecould end up being grey, cold, foggy, or worse, rainy and wet. My beloved firstborn likes to paint, color, draw, do something creative. So I thought, why not have a party where they create something fun indoors? I searched online for art and kids party, and found the Art Maker Studio in San Rafael. And am I glad that I did! There's good info on Yelp and on their website, but what sold me is how responsive Renee was with my millions of questions via email. She answered quickly and was very organized about everything! There were different options for the kids art project for a party, and my daughter decisively opted for the jellybean mosaic art project. I tried to persuade her to choose the ceramic art or painting, but the idea of jelly bean mosaic captured her imagination and she was excited! There were 16 kids between the ages of 3-6 that took part in the art project, a few younger siblings hanging around, parents helping out with the party and art project, and the kids had such a blast! We brought our cake and snacks, some decorations, but Renee was ready with the tables, chairs, music selection, and lots of jelly beans We did the cake first since we brought ice cream cake, snacks, then the gallery and studio tours were fantastic! The older kids could totally envision being artists and putting their art up. It was fascinating and inspiring The art project itself was a lot of fun. A few kids even wanted to complete multiple jelly bean mosaic pieces, and what was so great is that they got to take their masterpieces home So if you're looking for something unique and creative for your kids and their friends to do during a birthday party, I can't recommend this place enough! I might even have my own birthday party for adults here one day.

My kids, ages 12, 9, and 6 all love their classes at Art Monsters. The studio is in an art gallery…read morecentrally located in downtown San Rafael. The kids get to tour the gallery and draw inspiration from local artist. The class were so fun! Lots of different mediums and techniques are used to create everything from puzzles to pots. The instructor, Renee, is an artist and a mother. She is engaging and encouraging and made each class interesting!

Auli's Studio is truly a special space. Both myself and my child have done workshops/classes with…read moreAuli. She is an incredibly talented and creative artist, and a warm, patient and engaging woman. The setting of her studio is very unique as well, being so close to SF but tucked away in the forest. Each session, the children create amazing work, and the pieces they come home with are incredibly unique. She has definitely instilled a love of art within my child. I also did a scarf dying workshop with my husband and parents. It was unlike anything any of us had ever done. We learned so much about the area around us through the local dyes. The process was made to be engaging, hands on, and so fun. Auli can definitely bring out the artist in anyone! I cannot recommend any of her sessions enough.

Yesterday the dental practice I work in attended a scarf dyeing workshop for a team building event…read morewith Auli. Her studio is up on a hill in a peaceful, beautifully wooded area which borders the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. After educating us about the types of natural dyes available (red onion skins, acorns, berries, dried insects, avocado skins & pits, goldenrod flowers, among many other items), the elements that could be added to change or enhance the colors or create a design (alum, iron and others) and the fabrics available (wool or wool/silk blend) we got started creating our individual scarves. Auli had outdoor work stations set up to comply with social distancing and sanitation supplies (wipes & hand sanitizer) readily available. She worked with us to add features such as one teammate who wanted an ombré effect at one end of her scarf and another who wanted a tie-dyed effect on the ends of hers. Every one of our scarves turned out beautiful. If you're looking for a fun activity for a small group, I highly recommend contacting Auli. She has other workshops available including weaving, beeswax cloth making and upcycling plastic. You won't be disappointed! www.aulistudio.com

Elizabeth Flanagan's classes are fun, exciting and chill all at the same time! If you are a…read morebeginner or already know a few things or want to learn more or are already well upon the artists path, Elizabeth classes are for you! Everyone in these classes are welcoming, generous, fun loving people / artists Elizabeth provides an easy-going manner as she teaches she also provides tea for everyone and plays a wide range of fabulous music during class. It's fun! It's chill! Elizabeth and still is a sense of community while we paint and there can be quiet time or conversation, always laughter, learning and a sense of safety and well-being permeates this environment. I am so glad I took the leap and begin classes with Elizabeth. FYI The fall classes begin the week of September 17

Joined Elizabeth's watercolor classes a year ago as a beginner and have been hooked since. Not…read moreonly does she engage the novice student with the basics, but she keeps it interesting for more experienced painters with study of practices from contemporary artists around the world. She makes her classroom environment very comfortable with fun conversation, good music, and good exchange of thoughts about each other's current artwork.

My 8 yo daughter loved Poekie nook camp! The camp was great. She sewed little stuffies, danced,…read more did karate and yoga and math at mathnasium. A well rounded and fun camp.

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!

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 not only an extremely talented artist but she is also a stellar instructor. My daughter…read morehas been taking classes with her for a short time but I have already seen her blossom under Diana's guidance. I would highly recommend Diana to any parent seeking a private teacher for their art focused child. She is patient, easy going and highly knowledgeable of traditional/classic art techniques.

I took Lara's resin charm class on Sunday, July 29th at Book Passage Corte Madera and I LOVED it!…read moreShe is super nice, explains very well and shows you step by step examples. It is easy and fun! I will definitely take more classes with her! I highly recommend her!

I LOVE Charm School with Lara Starr! It's a great way to unleash your creativity and sense of…read morestyle, as you produce personalized, one-of-a-kind, keepsake pendants. Lara's warm personality and quick wit will make anyone feel comfortable very quickly. This is a perfect activity to do as a private party with friends or make new friends attending her open classes. I've done it twice and plan to do it many more times.

I have known Hilary Maslon for many years as an artist and art teacher in NYC with an MFA and she…read moreis very creative. Her class will educate the basic artistic principles of developing skills and confidence when your child tunes in. She will focus on their creative thoughts while being confined at home during these times of stress and their need to express their surrounding environments. She allows a fantasy world to be developed in each child's exploration of his/her artistic skills. This will give a child an activity to express their creative thoughts into a conceptional three dimensional usages by utilizing household items i.e. bottles, soda cans, soda caps, toilet paper rolls, corrugated cardboard, or fabrics. Her instructions will guide children from drawing skills to creation of three-dimensional animals to fantastical buildings as viewed in this MoMA exhibit of 2018. https://youtu.be/qiP83u5Zd9o I'm sure her classes would be inspiring, because she is so inspired.

I took Hilary Maslon's Abstract Class because I wanted to expand my art into a different range. It…read morewas such a fun class and I learned so much about Abstract Art. Hilary is very knowledgeable and happy to share much information and make the class a joyful experience. I have been an artist for many years and have taken art classes all through my school years including collage classes. I highly recommend Hilary as an art teacher of Abstract Art. I would definitely sign up for more of Hilary's classes when available in my area.

Schedule a class! This place is amazing. MakeStudio is such a great place to bring your kids if…read moreyou want to let them explore all different types of art in a fun, peaceful, safe, and clean studio. The owners, Tia & Pete, are awesome, patient instructors & amazing artists themselves. We enrolled for a week of summer camp and have taken a few of the after school classes offered as well. My daughter has always loved art and creativity but MakeStudio had my 8-year-old son mesmerized with designing and creating shrinky dinks. The projects the kids create each day are incredible--all different mediums & each unique. MakeStudio offers adult classes as well! We will definitely continue nurturing our creative senses at MakeStudio. We will be back, for sure!

What an awesome experience!!! Brought my niece to her first art class while I was visiting family…read morein Northern California and she absolutely loved it!! We will definitely be back. Tia and Pete are great instructors. Looking forward to taking more classes here on my next trip to NorCal. Please open a studio in LA soon.:-)