My daughter started the lessons at CSAD San Jose location 2 years back when she was about to start…read moreHigh School freshman with the goal to have a portfolio when applying college. Young Lee and Hee Lee are both very experienced teachers, Alex too who is very helpful on coaching, though my daughter hasn't decided what related major for college, she has done many different art pieces combining the creativity and skill set and one of her pieces has won the award from Growing Up Asian In America competition. Going to CSAD for lessons and spending time there for the art piece she works on has been the escape for my daughter from her busy academic schedule. I'm grateful to find CSAD, my daughter is on the right track to build her portfolio, that will also be a nice memory that she can bring with her to college that records her love for art.

If you are looking for a nice decent place to improve your drawing skills, this place should be the…read morebest fit for you. I met great instructors Young Lee, Hee Lee, and Alex there and I really appreciate that they are very dedicated to helping students' art skills. I was, honestly, just a beginner hoping to transfer to great art schools and it was hard to get the right path. However, I was capable of working on my portfolio with diverse and aesthetic ideas with great inspiration thanks to Alex. In addition, their experienced counseling helped me a lot to search for schools to transfer and preparation for the requirements. They are both great teachers and councilors in art education. Plus, their life drawing classes are very helpful to observe the human body and find own styles of drawing with various nude models.

I am so incredibly grateful I found this place! I'd been searching for a ceramics class that I…read morecould take with my mom, who has some cognitive impairment, and this school has been a total blessing. The teachers here are phenomenal. They are kind, incredibly generous with their knowledge, and created such a welcoming environment for both my mom and me. There is a really nice variety of workshops too and I'm hoping they add even more for evenings. I recently took the holiday linocut workshop and had the best time! It wasn't just about learning a new craft; the vibe was so social and upbeat. The teacher was wonderful and the other students were a blast to hang out with while we worked. Their approach to teaching really builds your confidence. For the first time, I actually felt like an artist rather than just a hobbyist. The atmosphere here is creative, supportive, and fun. I'm constantly checking their calendar for new classes and workshops to be added. Check them out if you or your kids (or your mom!) want a community as well as an art school.

We are currently attending this art school, and I want to share our experience, especially…read moreregarding their make-up class policy. They only allow one make-up class--ever. I understand policies exist for a reason, but what happens when a child is sick? Are parents expected to bring their sick kids just so they don't lose a class they already paid for? I tried requesting an earlier time due to a legitimate scheduling issue, but was told no because we had already used our one make-up. So if my child gets sick again, we simply lose the class. As for the teaching, I honestly can't even say if it's great since this is our first time enrolling. But it's sad that because of this strict policy, it just doesn't seem like it will work for us. It's ultimately my fault for not reading the make-up policy closely, but after this experience, we won't be returning. We still have two classes left, which we will attend, but that will be the end for us. My friend's child is actually in the ceramics program at this same art school--she's the one who referred me--and even she thinks the policy is too rigid. If you have a very healthy child and know you'll make every session, then this school might work for you. Otherwise, there are other art programs--like Damoya Art in Danville--that are far more flexible with scheduling. When I spoke with Alex, I was told that other art schools don't even offer any make-up classes at all, as if I should be grateful for the one they allow. But for a kids' program, flexibility matters. Unfortunately, this school has just lost a customer.

I've been a student at Ichen Art Academy for over 4 years now, and needless to say, I've grown a…read morelot within my passion because of the instruction I received at this school. I came in with a love for art, but little knowledge in the technical aspects. Through Ichen's summer programs, I got to explore many different media including charcoal, oil painting, and digital. The academy's instructors are very well educated in the arts and provide a plethora of resources and materials to help me succeed. They provided guidance in composition, technique, color, etc. while motivating me to enter my art into competitions... ultimately which I won a few! Ryan, Ichen Art Academy's Artist in Residence, has provided me with fantastic support over the years. I got a perfect balance of instruction and freedom to allow for the full expression of my artistry. I never felt bored or unmotivated because the instructors constantly provide me with ideas and recommendations when I'm stuck. My AP and college application portfolios both contributed largely to my successful MIT and Harvard application processes, and I am forever indebted to my time at Ichen for this accomplishment.

Really good art school. All teachers are professional, knowledgable and nice. They are…read moreexperienced and tenured in their teaching, and have enough knowledge to know how to work with your child(ren) and help them improve. A nice clean facility also promotes learning. Additionally, I really appreciate how they are willing to work with you on your schedule --- and to accommodate make up classes as necessary. Highly Recommended!

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!

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.

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!!

My kids have been members of Oam Studio in Pleasanton for several years now and still look forward…read moreto their class every week. We found the studio through a friend whose daughter graduated from this place and we feel absolutely happy to be part of this art family. I recommend this place to all my friends with kids and the main reason why I love Oam Studios is because they teach the fundamentals and explain the basics (shading, pencil pressure, anatomy, symmetry, etc) to children instead of making them replicate an art by following step by step instructions. Students get to pick their own project and the teacher works with them individually even though it's a group class. Teacher Omar created a system with gateways (drawing, painting, ceramics, digital art) that makes it fun for children to explore different means and 'advance in levels' as they learn more techniques. Our Teacher Monique is so patient, sweet and friendly. The studio is clean, very artsy and filled with student projects.

Everything about it is beautiful, the space, the energy, and most of all, the people. Omar and…read moreMonique radiate such happy, positive vibes that you feel welcomed and inspired the moment you walk in. It's a truly special place that nurtures both creativity and community. Can't recommend it enough!

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.

My kids have loved their summer and winter camps here! The teachers are highly skilled and I love…read morethe variety of media and techniques taught in the classes. My kids have gotten to do watercolors, chalk pastels, india ink, printmaking, sculpture, and more. They are able to use high-quality supplies and the class sizes are good.

This review is for their summer camp. The kids eat lunch on the curb. No attempt is made to take…read morethem to a playground or a park or even an adjoining grassy area! They can perhaps talk to the church authorities close by for use of their grounds or take them to the end of scenic way (4 minute walk) and use the grassy area there! There was no ice-breaker so the kids shy to talk to each other and there was little or interaction among the kids! Classes start at 9 am. Break is from 10-11 an and lunch is from 12-1 pm and classes end at 3 pm! I will update this review if things change!

My 8 y/o daughter has been taking piano lessons from J. Shelby for about 9 months now. It has been…read morea wonderful experience for her. She has learned so much in a short amount of time. She is playing and writing some of her own songs now. J. Shelby is a wonderful teacher with a fun and gentle approach. He is encouraging but does not push too much-which is just the right balance to keep kids engaged. My daughter looks forward to her lessons and practices on her own at home. Due to J. Shelby's approach, she does not see it as a chore or burden. Instead finds it fun and enjoyable. I am not sure she would have made this much progress or found so much joy if not for her instructor. I highly recommend J. Shelby as a music teacher. Also the space is warm, cozy, and comfortable while waiting during your child's lesson.

My daughter has been taking drum lessons from Jeff Campitelli at 851 Music Studio in Benicia…read moreCalifornia the last 10 months and never played before. Here she is performing for her guests at her own grad party.