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'...!

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!!

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 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.

A 5 star experience with Zinaida! My husband and I booked a private leather wallet and tray making…read moreclass, and had such a fun time. Booking online was incredibly easy, and Zinaida, quickly responded. The only hiccup we had was we had to get our class rescheduled for a different weekend because of a crazy heat wave (no A/C in her studio), but she was super flexible with us! We loved the goods we created- the quality is truly beautiful- and also the process along the way! Would love to come back again! Perfect date night for a couple, or a good fun family friendly weekend activity!

I can't say enough about how much I enjoyed my classes at LAC! This was such a wonderful birthday…read moregift! We did two classes over a weekend: Intro class (key chain, valet/bowl and card wallet) on Saturday - about 2-3 hours and Notebook cover (hand stitched) on Sunday about 3-4+ hours (the length of both classes really depends on skill, speed and how many mess ups you/Z have to spend time correcting, oops!, ha!) Started to get tired by the end of day two on Sunday but it was so much fun and to leave with something that I created with my own hands was the cherry on top! Z (Zinaida) was AMAZING! Patient, knowledgeable, creative, sweet, encouraging, just an overall delight and made the time fly by! Her stories of creating, taking classes, sourcing materials, anecdotes and her display items (things she's created, leather samples, etc) added so much to the process and made me excited about starting a journey in leather-making (will I do it, is another question but I was definitely inspired) and also made me excited to take another class with her. The workshop is stocked with so many wonderful tools that you never knew existed that serve functions you didn't know needed a tool and make the details big and small that you may not realize go into leather making--soo fun! Oh and I can't forget! THE VIEW!! The most soothing, gorgeous view in the workshop makes it feel like a dream! I was there on a rainy weekend, with the fog rolling through the trees, sunset peeking over the hillside, beautiful rain clouds, I couldn't have asked for a better setting to create, especially while hand stitching, it was hypnotic in all the best ways! The view is to die for! I have already recommended this class to friends, and now I highly recommend the class to you!

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.

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!

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!