We've been part of the Rebel Art School family for about six years now, and I truly couldn't be…read morehappier to support Alex and the entire Rebel team. They just celebrated their 10-year anniversary, and I can honestly say they've created something really special. I always joke that I'm terrified of losing our spot at Rebel. The anxiety is REAL when that registration email comes through! Rebel Art School will truly make an artist out of you. When my daughter first started, she spoke mostly Spanish, so I wondered if that would be a challenge for her. I quickly learned that art doesn't require a specific language. It's its own language. My daughter is also naturally shy and tends to keep to herself. She's not usually the kid who will walk into a room and immediately try to make new friends. But Rebel gives her the freedom to be in her own space, focused on what she's creating, without ever making her feel like she needs to be an extrovert. And when she does connect with people, it happens naturally. It has been such a wonderful experience for our whole family. Now, at nine years old, my daughter has created her own little business. She makes watercolor greeting cards, sells them at different pop-ups, and even has her own sweet little corner in Rebel's retail area. Watching her creativity grow into something she's proud enough to share with the world has been one of the coolest things to witness as her mama. And honestly, one of the best parts for me is getting to fill our home with all the art and color she has created over the years. Every piece has a little memory attached to it. So if you have a little one who you think would thrive in this kind of environment, don't hesitate. This is a REAL art school, and it's such a special one. Now we just need to convince Alex to bring Rebel to Oakland someday. Wink wink. We love you all! Claudia + Colette

Rebel Art School is one of those places that I wish every family could find for their kids…read more Our oldest has been homeschooled his entire life because he received a liver and kidney transplant when he was very young and remains immunocompromised. His education has consequently involved a lot of computers and technology. He also has developmental delays and clinically diagnosed difficulties with dexterity, so when we first found Rebel, we were excited about simply giving him a chance to unplug, use his hands, and experience a completely different kind of learning. What we didn't anticipate was just how important Rebel would become to him. Art has challenged his fine motor skills in ways that are productive and enjoyable. He is painting, drawing, sculpting, building, and working with different tools and materials, all while strengthening skills that are genuinely difficult for him. Instead of feeling like he's working on something he struggles with, he's proud of what he's making. But what Rebel has given him socially may be even more valuable. When you homeschool a child, finding meaningful opportunities to build relationships and feel like part of a group can take some extra effort. At Rebel, that happened naturally. He has formed relationships with his instructors and classmates, he gets excited about going, and he has a community that belongs to him independently of us. Watching that develop has meant more to me as his mom than I can really put into a review. Our experience was so positive that we eventually signed up his younger brother too. He's now almost through his first semester, and we've watched him find his own place there in an entirely different way. Both boys have participated in Rebel's summer camps as well, and those have become something our family looks forward to every year. Something else I really appreciate is that Rebel doesn't confuse teaching technique with teaching conformity. The kids are absolutely learning how to use materials, develop skills, and understand artistic concepts, but they aren't being taught that everyone's finished product should look identical. Their individual perspective is treated as part of the art. Their ideas aren't corrected out of them. They're encouraged to take what they're learning and make something that actually feels like theirs. I think kids desperately need more of that. They need places where imagination is taken seriously. Where making something unusual isn't automatically making it wrong. Where they can try something, discover it doesn't work, change direction, and keep going. Art gives children a language for things they may not always know how to put into words, and Rebel understands that beautifully. As a parent, I'm also incredibly particular about the environments I trust with my children. Rebel is somewhere I can send them knowing they are cared for, respected, encouraged, and surrounded by adults who genuinely seem to enjoy helping kids discover what they're capable of. I thought I was signing my son up to learn art. Instead, we found something that has supported him physically, socially, creatively, and emotionally, and eventually became something his brother could call his own too. So if you're asking me if I would recommend Rebel Art School? 10,000 times over, we recommend them!

Lafayette Studio is wonderful! Classes are small and allow lots of opportunities to ask individual…read morequestions. The space is lovely and air conditioned in the Summer. There is a great variety of classes and teachers to choose from. Parking is easy. Great company of fellow local artists. Doug and Jody are very responsive to any questions you might have and run the Studio efficiently. You can also pay a monthly fee to come and go and use the studio as you like. Great for beginners and experienced artists alike.

Great location, studio space, instructors & fun group of artists! There is also monthly studio…read moretime for rent. Check it out!!

I have been attending classes at Marcy's art studio for over three years. Marcy is a gifted and…read moreexperienced painter and a wonderful teacher. She provides the right amount of guidance on the use of color and techniques based on individual needs and it is a delight to hear her insightful perspectives on art and painting. Her classes are open to advanced, as well as, beginning painters. Marcy has created a positive atmosphere in her studio with extremely talented, creative painters ranging in experience and age who are generous in sharing information, are encouraging, and provide supportive and useful critique.

Painter and painting teacher Marcy Wheeler has set up shop in a new studio in Walnut Creek. She…read morecontinues to mentor art students at all levels, providing each of us with just the help we need to reach the next level. She is an amazing teacher. Most of her students paint in acrylics, but a few use oils.

I don't consider myself a natural artist, but after taking Introduction to Silkscreen with Emily…read morehere I feel like a spark of potential was finally lit. I thoroughly enjoyed the flexible after-work hours where I could relax and concentrate on just a few set tasks that go into making a screen and prints. The small class size felt both intimate and collaborative. I also loved how the teacher provided great materials to experiment with and Kala had all the necessary equipment. I'd love to come back and take more silkscreen later in the year!

Kala has some great art programs. One of them is Drink and Draw, a post-work evening activity that…read moreinvolves drinkin' an' drawin'. It's a rare opportunity for working folks who love art (but never get to do it) to be artistic and creative. We also hoped it would be an opportunity to meet people, relax, unwind, drink some wine, and hang out... but we discovered one fine weekday eve that it was lots of Draw but very little Drink. There are some serious art students in Berkeley! The art instructor was knowledgeable, talented and inspiring, and brought some great materials for us to use - handmade paper, high-quality ink, brushes. We did have to supply some of our own stuff, like scratch paper, pencils, erasers. She taught us new techniques and was very hands-on. A few completed projects even looked frame-worthy. Kala offers great programs if you want to do art in the evening. However, if you actually want to hang out with friends, catch up, and Drink with your Draw, you may want to go to a bar. Just sayin'...!

I am really annoyed that yelp removed my original review because this is a legitimate review. I…read moretook classes with joy and so did my daughter and she deserves the review I gave. I am active on yelp and have reviewed multiple businesses so it's crazy yelp would move my review just to charge a buck. Do the right thing yelp and give customers a voice. Sign your kids up with her cause she's really patient ang a great teacher.

From the owner: Learning to sew gives children the opportunity to be creative and produce colorful, attractive and…read moreuseful items. The items are made by hand or machine and can be kept or given as gifts. Progressive projects in crafts clothing and quilting will be offered along with clothing repair and alterations. Projects initiated by the teacher will be billed to you. Some projects like clothing need to be selected and paid for by child and parent. Small Group 1hr class 4 children 7-teens $19.00 For more information enrollment please call Joy Parsons at (925) 300-6494.

I signed up my 5 YO for a winter break week-long half-day art camp. This was our first time trying…read morea holiday camp, or any type of camp for that matter. What enticed me was the options: full day all week (minus Christmas Day), half day all week (minus Christmas Day), full day singles days, and half day single days. I also really appreciated the diverse artists that they were studying about, and the mostly, new (to me) art projects that they were doing. Most of the projects seem to have general guidelines but each person's art was unique to them (i.e. not cookie cutter, I do-You do, etc.) While my son originally didn't want to attend and was content going to his regular afterschool care, at pick up after his first day, he said, "I had a GREAT time at art today!" On day 2, on the way to art camp for drop-off said, "I LOVE art camp!" He has been excited to go to camp everyday so far so I am excited to check out future offerings!

My 6-yr-old has been taking art classes here for a few months and absolutely loves it! Courtney is…read morea wonderful teacher with a strong background in art and design in tech. She keeps the kids engaged, thinking, and having fun. We plan on taking the Junior Picassos next, which has more of a STEM focus on design thinking. The location is spacious, inviting, and convenient (above Rooted Coffee in Pleasant Hill). My son asks me to go there all the time for their drop-ins too. Couldn't recommend it enough!

After moving up here from the South Bay, I looked to enroll our daughter into an art class and…read morethere were absolutely no regrets with Ms. Neda for so many reasons. 1. She is so talented in art and in the way she teaches art. Very detailed and easy to understand. 2. She's very encouraging in the way she uplifts her students and she engages them well. 3. The program is very flexible. If you have to miss a class, it can rollover. She's very understanding of personal agendas. I was very skeptical of how the zoom art lesson would be but Ms. Neda has two screens on at the same time. One for her drawing and one on her, which makes it very helpful for young kids to follow along. My daughter absolutely loved attending class and she had so much fun! Thank you, Ms. Neda for making art so fun and enjoyable!

I have a son that loves his virtual online ABC Art class . He enjoys learning and is always…read moreencouraged to create from his own ideas and not just copy the instructor. He also loves the instructor because she dresses up as different characters and surprises children at each class. It is lots of fun specially if your children are between ages 5-12. I am planning on taking her class myself for oil painting . I hope this helps you all.

Three years later and both my boys go here. Saturdays she has classes now until 9:30 to three,…read moreSundays 9:30 to noon and other days by appointment. My kids tell me she is good because she is critical when she needs to be to help them with their work.

Gosh, I really hate to only give 3 stars but I really want to be honest about what you get when…read moreconsidering Hawaii Fluid Art for your child's birthday party. 1. $350 for 10 kids. $30 for each additional child - I was totally ok with this price but after booking, I found out that's for 1 hour. Who throws a birthday party for only one hour? If you want an additional hour it's an extra $150. Felt like a bait and switch -- I went back on the website to see if there was a disclaimer about parties being only 1 hour -- there is, but it's very discreet. It should definitely be more clear so there aren't any surprises. 2. The art project takes quite literally 5 minutes (no wonder only one hour is included...). While I'm sure the art is going to be beautiful, I would go as far as saying this was boring for a crew of 7 year old girls. After all of the instructions were given it was truly.. 5 minutes of fun... I quote the birthday girl.., "mom, we poured paint in a cup and then poured it in paper. That's it." I really wish there was something else to make the party a bit more fun and engaging. Play a game? Sing? Literally anything to extend the fun. The art itself is simply not enough to justify having a party there.

The young lady at check in was very friendly and knowledgeable. She was so patient explaining…read moreeverything to our daughter. Our daughter had a great time creating beautiful art. We will definitely be returning.

My daughter absolutely loves Jackie! Jackie is absolutely amazing with all her students, you can…read morereally see she takes the time for each one! Hip hop class is remarkable my daughter can't stop won't stop dancing and practicing all her new and old moves! This is the first time my daughter has ever been super excited to go to dance and super pumped after she leaves wanted more! Highly recommended this studio! Thank you Jackie!

The older dancers lead by bad example, not respectful.read more