I took the 4-hour stepping stone mosaic class with my 10-year old niece and we both had a lot of…read morefun. First time, taking any class at the Alameda Art Lab but not a newbie to mosaics or the arts. I used to be quite artsy and crafty back in the day and now, it seems like a luxury to find time to do something creative and take a break from adulting! All supplies of cutters, nippers, stepping stone and glass provided with a quick introduction to using the tools with some guidance and instruction to start your art piece. JaYing, the friendly and patient owner/instructor will walk around to assist if needed, check your progress and guide you to ensure you get your item complete. Item is left for grouting and student called when ready. A great class to bond with a friend(s) or family and make a day to get in creative mode and have fun. Personally, it allowed me to take time to enjoy something I really love as I find art very therapeutic along with spending time with my niece. The time flies by... :) The Alameda Art Lab offers a variety of classes from stained glass, mosaics, glass fusing and jewelry making and other fun things. Items are available for purchase for yourself or as a gift. Highly recommend trying out a class!

I absolutely love this place! Both my kids have attended summer camps here and my husband and I are…read moreregulars in her stained glass class on Wednesday eve. JaYing got me my start in stained glass and now I can't get enough! Plus, the community here is wonderful- you can meet some really nice people .

I love Anita! She is an awesome art teacher and has amazing classes for people of all ages. On…read moreThursday evening's is adult art class. My semester was great and accomplished some really nice pieces with her help. Love how she nudges you to try all different types of media. My next piece was doing charcoal, a medium that I never used before. We just had an art show at the end of the semester. The talent from everyone was incredible! I was especially impressed with the kids art. Wow! She also has summer programs for the kids. Wish I had this outlet when I was there age. Highly recommend! Looking forward to developing my skills deeper over time with her. Thank you so much Anita. ;)

In my second semester and no plans to stop. This has become something of a Thursday evening ritual…read morefor me. I took a chance and signed up after admiring a new friend's collection of art in different mediums and styles and she told me all about Anita's class. This has given me a chance to try being creative, to trust myself and break out of trying to be pixel perfect. There's always a choice of assignment. I like to work slowly and deliberately. Others finish a project and move on to the next in a session or two. The perfect thing is that this is at your own pace, with guidance and education from Anita. I'm learning to appreciate the time and intention that goes into a creating a work. And I find the time relaxing and meditative...it's a wonderful change of pace from my day-to-day work. Give this a go - you won't be disappointed!

I've driven by this yellow Victorian at the corner of Lincoln and Paru many times but did not…read morerealize this was an Arts Center that is a non-profit volunteer operated place for meetings, readings, showings and other creative doings. My friend's art exhibit brought me to the Center for the first time. As you enter, the Main Gallery is in front and the Signature Gallery, where my friend's Between Earth and Sky Exhibit was held is in the back. His 27 paintings are of recent landscapes, spanning the vast canyons and rock formations of the Southwest to the rugged cliffs and vibrant waters of the Pacific coast. It was great seeing the Exhibit and happy that there is a community art center for local artists to display their works of art.

Wonderful place to see, do and buy art! The classes are…read morereasonably priced. The instructors are very knowledgeable . And the Center organize a incredible Plein Air Paint Out every summer

We absolutely love visiting this store! The glass selection is incredible (though I've had the same…read moreissue with them not cutting down bigger sheets, making it harder and more dangerous to transport). The staff have been incredibly helpful, always willing to answer my random glass questions. I even had someone share insights on glass fusing, which I'll be trying once my kiln arrives! My best piece of advice, check for sales to save some cash. Twice a year they have sales of 50% off glass, so stock up and save big!

I took my partner here for the glass plate making class and had a wonderful time! Bryce was a…read morewonderful instructor and we were able to create such beautiful pieces! It took us about 3 hours, and we loved the accommodating time slot where we could work at our own pace. Will definitely be coming back :) Thank you Bryce!

Amazing space! Dave is very passionate about clay and that shines through with his teaching. I…read morehadn't ever thrown on a wheel before and after two sessions I was able to make two pieces I am quite proud of :) Check them out, I highly recommend!

From the owner: A pottery school for Alameda - learn to make and decorate ceramic forms!read more

Juliet is AMAZING. She resonates a warm, loving energy the minute you meet her. An accomplished but…read morehumble artist, Juliet has the ability to teach others how to express themselves through painting. Her classes are intimate, cozy and fun! I LOVE taking her classes! She offers many classes that range from basic beginning drawing to more advanced techniques for those who have fiddled with paint for a while. This would make a great family activity. I recently purchased gift certificates for a parent and their kids. I highly recommend Juliet and her classes, you won't be disappointed!

From the owner: Cafe Muse, in Alameda is arts cafe offering organic, lovingly prepared SLOW FOOD. Everything is…read moremade from scratch, with locally sourced produce and the highest grade meat and seafood dishes. There are many vegan, gluten free and raw food choices. The portions are "tapas like", and can be combined for a full healthy and balanced meal. Juliet Lockwood has lived in other parts of the world, bringing an eclectic and familiar culture to West Alameda. The slow food movement has inspired Juliet, an artist, community builder and creative place maker.

I took a Leather Earrings Craft Workshop with May on 12/4/21…read more It. Was. Amazing!!! The other students were fabulous company, and I can't say enough great things about May as an artist, teacher, and facilitator. She is so friendly and warm. She had beautiful materials. She provided excellent guidance and suggestions when needed. And she knew just what we needed to keep the flow of the class. We got to do the fun stuff, selecting, cutting, and arranging materials, while she punched holes, added jump rings, and earring hooks. We all were able to make several beautiful sets of earrings to keep or gift. They looked amazing. It was wonderful to be creative and focused for a few hours. I LOVE to craft, but sometimes you want to experiment without purchasing all the tools and materials necessary to complete a project. This workshop was the perfect example of a class that allowed me to be completely creative without having to worry about purchasing materials and tools, learning about using those materials and tools, and then storing those materials and tools indefinitely in my garage (adding to my husband's great sadness over the state of our garage). This class happened during COVID, and I felt very safe. Everyone was wearing masks.

So great to join in a workshop with lovely people, in the beautiful studio space. May was a…read moregenerous teacher - suggesting ideas when I was stuck and offering encouragement and affirmation along the way. (See the Wonder Woman themed earrings for proof!). She's warm and creates a great environment for creativity and community building. I left with gorgeous jewelry to impress my family and friends and will definitely look forward to learning and creating together again!

Glass Hand Studio has 50 out of 50 five-star reviews for a reason:…read more Prax is the best! He goes above and beyond to make sure everyone feels happy about what they create while letting each person do as much as they can and want to do. He's a clear communicator and a kind and patient teacher. I've blown glass at a few other studios. Nothing comes close to Prax's non-scripted and in-the-moment presence. It takes intuition, logic, and a whole bunch of experience to course-correct liquid glass! Prax's 25+ years of glassblowing holds students safely in the process. Prax empowers each person who enters the studio; I've seen him work with others. He's versatile and a joy to create with. Don't hesitate to book a session! It'll be a memorable experience.

A fun way you experience this 'craft' and leave with a glass. Be aware that you will have to come…read moreback to pick up your object later after its time in the annealing oven. Suggest that it would be best on a really cold day since the area near the glory hole is so hot -even 6-8 ft away is intense. My finished glass was fun but a little thicker than I expected. That will make it difficult to break, I bet. The instructors were helpful and very attentive. Good when there are so many hazards in the studio. Keeps us beginners out of trouble.

When the invite initially arrived I was not thrilled thinking it was an indoor jump house (from the…read morename). I am an elementary school teacher so this is my weekend nightmare. I was SO wrong! This is a rare Bay Area gem for kids and families, every city should have one. All the attendees were impressed with the genius of the space, organization, cleanliness, and huge outdoor area. There are multiple indoor and outdoor "zones." The building is a duplex- home, when you enter there is a craft room with multiple round tables with crafts set up, in the center is a book/play area with tons of toys and cute furniture, a side room with a free personalized photobooth (email not printed) which is where the food was set up, and two bathrooms. Outside there was another bathroom. Down the ramp was a patch of fake grass where the party set up a piñata. Next to that, toddler equipment on wood chips. In the center, a huge table for kiddos to eat. Then the back corner has a large play structure and a fun bike ride where multiple kids could ride at the same time. This said, it's important for folks to consider that the two adults provided from Twirl are not enough to supervise an entire party. So keep this in mind as you are planning your party. This wasn't an issue at all for our group as the parents were all very hands on. The party I attended was from 10:30-12:30. I was so impressed with Duponte and Bella's ability to jump in- give the kiddos tattoos, help with the cake, clean up, and transition to the afternoon party. This is the PERFECT place to host your toddler- 2nd grade birthday party!

We hosted my son's 3rd birthday party at the Whimsy location and it was magical, even the planning…read moreprocess was effortless! The staff were so kind, accommodating and caring. I've been at birthday parties where you have to ask the staff the help but not here. Both Duponte and Emma were looking for opportunities to engage. Emma played with the kids and attempted to keep the group entertained with crafts. They both helped set up; Duponte even lifted heavy coolers filled with drinks out of my car (and then reloaded when the party was over). Both staff hung up banners and helped with random set up tasks that I asked to be completed before guests arrived. The morning of our party it had rained at it looked like the weather was cleaning up so both Emma and Duponte wiped down the outdoor play equipment so the kids could spend some time outside. Everyone here loves kids, and it shows. We also received lots of compliments from friends and family truly impressed with the space and the activities available. It was the best place possible to host a birthday party. Thanks to everyone at Twirl for making my son's day so special and my day so easy. We can't wait to come back!