This place is neat and it's a nice place to discover local designers. The original works here are…read moredecently priced --pretty reasonable actually. You can find a lot of modern artwork here as well as smaller works such as jewelry, cards, magnets and whatnot. The walls are covered from wall to wall with work. I didn't buy anything myself but it was nice to browse around. It'd be a nice place to find a gift for the art lover that you know.

A friend of mine paints there, and I have met other artists there who are very talented and…read moreconsider friends, although they're really more of acquaintances because I only see them at the gallery. You know what I mean.... A very large space, much larger than most galleries, and it's a working gallery, with artists painting amid the displayed works. Gera, the owner, is really cool and friendly. A great place to see a lot of very creative art and talk to artists as they create. They have a lot of events, usually on Saturday nights, which are always really fun, with music and good food and wine/beer/sodas/water. Plus, there's a huge free parking lot adjacent to the gallery, so parking is usually no problem. It's well worth checking out. I'm there often, and it's a great place to kind of just hang out. Buy some stuff and support the artists! It'll brighten up your home and help the arts.

Piedmont Center for the Arts is an extraordinary asset to the community of Piedmont. The diversity…read moreand quality of the arts offered to the public is astounding. I encourage everyone to come and enjoy the beauty and power of art, right here, in Piedmont!

I have visited Piedmont Center for the Arts since 2007 when I attended San Francisco Art Institute…read more Great art events here. Tonight, I'm glad the Piedmont Center for the Arts invited Ms. Junko Kasahara, a world class artist whose fantastic music reminds me why I chose arts as the core of my life.

Loved my acrylic painting class with Mokhtar Paki! Highly recommend. It helped me develop my style…read moreand understand the medium.

It's hard to write a negative review of an art center because I really value any place that helps…read morepeople access their creativity. But I have had such a comically bad experience with this place that I feel I should warn others. In January I found a Spring Session class I wanted to register for that was set to begin 3/15. It was in their catalog as a "New Class". However, when I went to their registration portal the class was not listed. The first time I called them, the receptionist said he didn't have access to the registration system and to call back later. The second time I called, they told me that they had added the class and I could register online--but I soon discovered it still wasn't listed. The third time I called they said they added the class but that I wouldn't be able to register until March 10th (which is when registration opens for LATE spring session, whereas this class was set to begin on March 15th, the early spring session). Huh? Registration is open for only five days before the class begins? I asked them to check again, and they called be back later that day and said the early spring session had been added. ...Nope, it definitely was still not in the system. Exasperated by their incompetence, I finally tracked down an email address for the instructor and emailed her directly. I didn't hear back, but soon after that the class showed up and I could finally register. So I did, and made an online payment. Two weeks later, I received an email with a receipt for a refund, with no explanation I assumed this meant the class had been cancelled, but no one called or emailed me to tell me that, and the refund never posted to my bank account. I had also never received any information about the class (materials list, curriculum, etc.) so I still currently have no idea what's happening. When I try to call them, their extension is "unavailable", as is the "operator" AND the "backup operator" that the system auto-routed me to. I really want this place to improve because they're one of the few organizations offering adult art classes in Oakland. But as is, it seems to be a bit of a mess.

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'...!

Stopped by during First Friday's and this was our favorite gallery to visit! Modern artwork and a…read morebeautiful space. An IG-able spot for sure. It's got clean white walls, artwork that'll inspire you, and multiple rooms to explore.

The most consistently spellbinding gallery within Oakland Murmur…read more Johansson can be spotted on the corner by its text covered spotlight. Inside you'll find a classy gallery that has a faux grass ceiling. When I visited the artwork presented were oil paintings on aluminum and paint on transparency. These unusual mediums really played to their strengths. I didn't see anything else in Oakland this contemporary or experimental. Unfortunately I hear that they're moving to New York. I can totally see them thriving in a bigger city yet I cannot feel a tad betrayed. Nevertheless, I hope they strike it big.

Great gallery, all about bringing art to the community. They give a higher return back to their…read moreartists than most other galleries in the Bay area. They also hold art and craft classes for adults and children, and poetry readings on most Friday nights, too. Paintings, ceramics, photography... there's a small sculpture garden in the back, too. Go check it out, if you're in the area! They're like a block from the Ashby BART station.

This is a wonderful place with a wonderful owner. I first came here to support one of my dog…read morewalkers who is a painter when she's not walking dogs. Amy Jo does pet portraits and some of her pieces are being shown at the gallery for their "Animals & Sea Creatures" show which is going on right now. It's a great array of styles and mediums, and the energy of the place is so relaxed. There's a charming garden area in the back for sculptures and a seating area. The owner, Rinna, has coupled with Hopalong Animal Rescue to have a couple of benefits, which is such a great idea - the next one is on 7/25, so check it out!

Gina and all the teachers have created a welcoming, supportive space where members and students…read morefeel valued and connected. One thing I really appreciate is how much Gina listens to member feedback and actively looks for ways to make the studio even better, whether that's bringing in guest artists for workshops, hosting movie nights, organizing sales and letting members participate (for free!), or planning fun workshops like the gold luster, cute critters, or nerikomi workshop. There are always thoughtful touches that make Kollektiv feel special, from celebrating birthdays and milestones to creating opportunities for members to learn, share ideas, and get inspired. It's a beautiful studio filled with kind people, creativity, and a genuine sense of community. I'm so grateful to be a member.

Classes: Kind and supportive teachers! This is where I first learned throwing and, yes there were…read moremany struggles learning a new skill, but Gina helped me feel at home and comfortable to ask questions and make mistakes. Highly recommend taking a class here! Membership: As a member, I enjoy accessing the studio during more hours and access to a wide range of beautiful clay bodies and member only workshops. It's also one of my favorite third spaces! Here I've found new friendships and a space to grow creatively. Members here love to share tips, tricks, glaze combos, tools, glazes and more making for a collaborative space focused on relationships. Highly recommend this studio whether it's a class or membership!

My love affair with her beautiful work began in 2008 when I received one of her cake stands as a…read moregift. Since then my collection has grown as I follow her Etsy website (http://www.etsy.com/shop/whitneysmith), her blog, met her in person at her various shows around the Bay Area. She will also host an open studio event one or twice a year where you get the opportunity to see where all the magic happens. She's wonderful to talk to and work with. If you are a lover of the arts, then you owe it to yourself to own a Whitney Smith piece. What I love about her work: * How she incorporate nature (birds, leaves, butterflies, flowers) * The clean lines * The gorgeous glazing (my favorite is her signature green glaze) * The pieces are beautiful for home decor AND practical for every day use!! * You can tell each piece was a labor of love * There is nothing else like her work on the market I have 15 pieces and I can't wait to get another!!

We love Whitney's work. We first saw her work at the Palo Alto Clay and Glass festival and have…read moremade a point of going to find her every year since. We also had the opportunity to visit her open studio in Oakland a few years ago. Her work is beautiful and she's a joy to talk to and work with. This year she worked with us to create a piece of a particular size we needed. We'll definitely continue to look for her in coming years and figure out a way to fit another piece into our home.