Great experience taking the adult Watercolor 101 class in San Rafael. I decided to take this class…read moreas it has been decades since I did anything remotely fine art related. I thought watercolor would be an easy place to start, but it's actually probably one of the hardest painting mediums (though the easy clean-up does make up for it!). This class taught me the foundation watercolor painting techniques I was looking for to get me started in art again. Hana Buechel was a skilled and engaging instructor. She is friendly, very approachable and encouraging. She is also an exceptional artist. She really helped re-ignite my interest in painting and going to spend the summer putting what she taught me into practice. Hoping to take another class in the fall. Thanks Hana!

My daughter loves these art classes! Shes been doing sketching with Hana and absolutely loves it…read more Each week they try out a new technique or interesting project. I actually feel like she's learning something and stretching her creativity. It's a very chill environment. They provide great supplies and the space is super cool. Great price. Good schedule options. We'll definitely do more classes.

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.

With the name Fuzed, I literally that it was Millennial Fusion Restaurant. Thank goodness it…read morewasn't. Fuzed is a place where you can craft with glass. I went there with my company to do a group project. We had 3 hours to finish. We were given a 4 x 4 clear glass sheet and our project was to use different types of glass to design a picture of a house utilizing different types of glass. At the end of the design, they fired up our glass pieces so that the glass pieces all melt together or how they like to say," Things get Fuzed." The learning curve is really easy. The only difficult part, as a first timer, was trying to figure out how each glass piece react to the heat. It's more science that I thought there would be in an art project. At first glance, working on a 4 x 4 glass piece may seem small, but once I started working with the glue, cutting glass, resetting, glueing and then repeat, all 3 hours went away in a heart beat. This was a real great place to build my team. It also gave me great insight in their personality. Everyone was so detailed oriented and wanted their art piece to be super perfect. So if you're in San Rafael, and are looking for something to do, check this place out.

This a great place for kids and adults alike. Do you have an inner muse crying for you to explore…read moreyour artistic talents? Or do you just want to try something fun that you take away with you. You can do both here. With the Wonderful help of all the ladies that are there to assist you day after day, it is so easy. My girlfriend (BGE) surprised me with this for fathers day, and I found and made something I actually needed, and now its also beautiful. She made me very happy. So what is the big deal. Well. You can create your own personalized piece of art glass. You assemble the project and they fire it for you. Earrings, special tableware, jewelry, paperweights, all sorts of things. If you can imagine it, you can probably make it. You start with a base of your choosing, then you select from hundreds of types of colored glass pieces and start decorating. When your masterpiece is finished, you give it to them and they melt your glass pieces into your base. BAM ! ! ! Art is returned to you in just a few days. For what you get, it's not just art, but a memory. What great fun I had. Maddy the store manager was a great help, as were ALL the ladies that work there. And they explain the process and make it effortless. I prize my creation. Bravo. We shall return.

We rode the SMART train into town for fun one day. We didn't have a plan other than to walk around…read more We happened upon Art Works after visiting Riley Street. Both my kiddos are very artistic and were absolutely thrilled to tour this studio/gallery space. The front desk attendant was very welcoming, and we all really enjoyed being surrounded with so much creativity. There was something to see at almost every turn, and even a few interactive pieces. It really was a treat to see my kids soak it all in and to be in their element for a change. It will be our go-to destination on all future jaunts to San Rafael.

On my first visit I found a community of artists ready to invite me into their studios and share…read moretheir meaningful works of art. Barbara, one of the artists there, even gave me a tour of the space, galleries and filled me in on the history and mission of the building and community. As a non-profit organization they work to keep the costs low for renting studio space and allow artists to rent gallery space for exhibitions. And I'm very much looking forward to the next art walk which occurs every 2nd Friday of the month. If you're looking to find an artistic community in Marin County, or just enjoy speaking with passionate artists, then you've found the right spot.

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!

Benji is an amazing ceramicist, who is a wonderful teacher. He works great with people of all skill…read morelevels, from beginners to advanced. Classes are small, so there is a lot of individual attention, and the environment is warm and friendly.

Taking the ceramics class with Benji was such a rewarding experience. I learned how to make bowls…read moreand cups on the wheel as well as how to make a small vase by hand. I love Japanese ceramics, and Benji was really supportive of my ideas and color schemes. The class was a perfect balance of instruction and creative freedom, and now I have a bunch of ceramics that I am proud to display in my home. Benji was really great at teaching me all about ceramics. He has a wide breadth of knowledge, and he's also lots of fun!

I began a new college art class and went to Riley's with a list of needed supplies from my teacher…read more Sara, who worked there was extremely helpful. She took my list and helped me pick out several of the things I needed. The paint brushes were quite confusing and she seemed to know what she was talking about so I let her pick for me. My teacher was pleased by her choices. If you're looking for expert and friendly help unlike the big chain stores, go to Riley Street Art Supply. They give student discounts as well as have a lot of good sales. Plus the fact that they're a family owned business and I like supporting small businesses.

Appreciate the wide selection of water color suppliers quality water colour papers and student…read moregrade papers. Folks there are knowledgeable and friendly. Have found it a good place for working and professional artists and creators. Yes they have most all the other supplies and materials needed my artists. When they don't they have been able to order it. At the same location there is a wonderful frame shop I use for finished work. Metta john

My family and I feel totally blessed to have found this local gem. Our son is completely obsessed…read morewith his art classes here and looks forward to coming each week... SO much in fact, that the one time we had to reschedule, he cried. Gaby is sweet, patient, encouraging, and exceptionally warm. She does so much to inspire creativity and exploration. I can't recommend this place enough.

Art Abloom is one of the most fun spaces to nurture my creative spirit. OK, so I'm a grown up! And…read moreArt Abloom has a lot of classes for kids. And yet it was by connecting to my kid part that I felt nurtured by Gabi and her beautiful assistants (often her children). What a treat to paint, throw pots, be inspired. Gabi is multi-talented and has a gift of nurturing the creative geniuses in us all. I highly recommend taking a class or stopping by...maybe even have your 75th birthday party at Art Abloom. Thanks Gabi, I think I'll be coming back soon. xo, Marcia

So amazing and in tune to kid's needs. She has saved so many children's perspectives of life…read more I continue to refer her!

My daughter loves everything Ms. Nikki does! She has been going to her weekly art classes this…read morewhole school year. Then Ms. Nikki did a jewelry making workshop at her birthday party and she couldn't have been happier. I'm so happy we were able to book Ms. Nikki for the party!

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.