It was my first time to join the open drawing studio last Sunday. Since moving to this area, I had…read morebeen searching for a venue like this. So happy to have found this wonderful place. The model is wonderful (she even brought coffee and a cake she made). So is the space. Thoroughly enjoyed going back to life drawing again among friendly like-minded people.

A wonderful place to paint and draw. Always great models and Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays are a…read moregreat opportunity to tackle a three hour portrait painting or figure pose. Excellent workshops are offered sometimes, and a recent added ongoing Wednesday night class with Felicia Forte.

I can't say enough about Deborah Harris! I took an oil painting class from her last fall after…read morefinding her through Yelp--and, wow is all I can say! What a great experience. Deborah doesn't just teach her students technique (which is highly useful in itself), she teaches them how to draw and paint what they see. She also provides background, focus and direction for each classroom assignment. It's like night and day from any other instructor I've had in the past! Whether you are a new or seasoned artist, you will enjoy a class with Deborah, whatever your medium. And don't be intimidated by her success as an artist and teacher! She is one of the nicest, most nonjudgmental people I've ever met :). Thanks Deborah!

I loved the painting class I took last semester. There was a small group of women of all ages in my…read moreclass (just happened to be all women) that grew close over the 10 weeks of painting. I really enjoyed hearing the stories of the other women and listening to music while painting, it was a truly unique experience. Deborah is a top-notch artist who really knows her stuff. My painting has improved dramatically because of her.

My 8 years old has been taking Saturday morning classes with Mr Doug. She really enjoys every class…read moreand always brings back masterpieces! Mr Doug is a truly amazing with children. He is passionate about teaching young artists. Mr Doug is also a nice person to chat with, always patient with everyone.

My 12-year-old has been taking art classes with Doug for several years now. There was the lost…read moreCOVID stretch, of course. To give you a sense of how much my kid loves this art class, I'll say this: There were precisely two things she missed the most during COVID, and that was going to Disneyland and Doug's Sunday morning art classes. Doug is really knowledgeable--I did art reviews at the Rhode Island School of Design for a while, so I have a sense of elements that make up art. Doug knows this really well, and this allows him to help people develop their art. Because he can break down what makes art, he can demystify the process for his students. Doug's intelligence really shines through when he helps his students focus on technique. Doug is also incredibly terrific with kids. He's not some dictator or sergeant. He gives gentle advice (again, advice that is *really* smart), and he knows how to push, how to inspire, and how to let a kid's imagination run. He's patient and calm, and he smiles and laughs. This is a person who really does love art, and he wants to share that love with others. Dropping my kid off at Doug's place, I see kids who are younger, teens, and adults. He has a capacity to speak to each of these age groups. It's impressive, and we're really appreciative that our kid gets to attend his classes.

BEST art class in the Bay Area! If you're serious about improving your technical skills in drawing…read moreand painting, and want to create works that resemble the old masters', this is the place for you! I came here last summer (I haven't been back since due to school, unfortunately), but this place is amazing! You get one-on-one personal instruction with the wonderful grandfatherly instructor, David Hardy, who you can always strike up interesting conversations with! He was reading us a book on Southern Belle manners in a mock-Southern accent while we were drawing at one point, which was so funny! It's a serious class, but not stuffy, and it's a great experience! I hope to be able to come back in the future and improve some more!

The Atelier is an incredible school, one unlike any other in the Bay Area. Between the owner David…read moreHardy, instructor Rob Anderson, and the students, there is so much raw -ability- compressed into that small studio! And it rubs off on you! I have been a student here for six months, and in that time I have seen my work reach new heights of depth and realism. I've learned a new way of -seeing-, of using my materials, that I can hardly recognize my work from last year as belonging to me. When you enroll at this school, rather than simply throw you in 'art 101', what happens is that the instructors will sit down with you, talk with you, and spend a good while getting to know you personally and figuring out where you're at, developmentally speaking, in your artwork. Then when they're pretty sure of where you need to be, you're set up with a station all of your own, and you can begin working. And not in grim silence, either - while it's still quiet enough to work, there's usually conversation, and music. It puts you at ease. And that's possibly my favorite thing about this school - the atmosphere at the Atelier is very friendly, with every student an ally and friend who can help you figure out any difficulties you might be having and provide another point of view. You don't have to feel isolated. There are two separate, slightly different courses taught. The students in the daytime hours study under Rob Anderson, who I have not yet had a chance to learn from. My experience comes from the evening classes, the Old Master program. Which is, as it happens, taught by the old master himself, David Hardy. This program is designed to transition you smoothly from drawing, to monochromatic oil stains, to limited color painting, to full color painting, over the course of about two or three years. You'll be working from still life arrangements and plaster casts of sculptures, under lamps which replicate the spectrum of sunlight, but you have the option of coming on certain other days of the week and working from live models. The student sets his or her own pace - when you seem to be ready to move to the next phase of the program, you do so. there's no waiting for the following semester. There's so much I could go on about regarding this school. Since I've enrolled, I've made more friends than I ever did when I took classes at Laney, or Berkeley City College, or even the Academy of Art. I've never, not once, felt like I was going it alone. And that's such a rare and valuable thing. This school is really special.

Wonderful experience! Sheri is so experienced both as a woodcarver and as a teacher! Tread more

I started taking the introductory class a few weeks ago at Sheri's woodcarving studio, and I…read morecouldn't be happier. Sheri has created an enchanting space to learn about woodcarving and to feel part of a mini community. The drop-in structure of the courses is fantastic. The times I have been there, there have been about 3-5 other students of all ages and abilities working on their various projects. Sheri is great about walking around to provide individualized instruction and guidance, and it is also so fun to see what everyone else is working on. The shop is very well organized. Each student gets assigned a work area and a bag with their own set of high-quality tools to use in the shop. I am really enjoying working on the introductory project because you get to practice all sorts of techniques. I will definitely be continuing after I finish the first course!

What a fun evening. They provide the instruction, music, apron, paintbrushes, paint, easel & a…read moreblank canvas. You can stay with the instructor or venture off and make it your own. I recommend getting there early enough to get a prime spot. Especially if you have a larger group and want to sit together. The instructor goes around and helps people when needed. We had an assistant floating around refilling peoples paints & paper towels. I took a painting course in college and I have a few of my own paintings in my home. I attended this event with someone that had not painted since elementary school. The events are able to please and entertain a broad range of abilities. Everyone was having fun. In-between instruction/demonstration, they kick up the music. Our instructor chose a great playlist. It really put me into a creative groove and had me singing along. You are free to order drinks wherever the event is being held at, just drink responsibly. It was so fun to walk around at the end of the evening and see everyone's execution and interpretation of the piece. Most of the events sell out way in advance, so keep your eyes open!

We had a painting session at Chevy's in Emeryville with instructor Rachel Gold…read more We went to the bar, got our drinks and chose a spot. They provide everything you need to paint. Rachel was patient and friendly, I really liked her teaching style. She'll show you the steps to paint and then will walk around to assist if needed, and she has cool music too. I had so much fun, and it's a great idea for a date-night!

My child learned new techniques and mediums at this establishment. When the owner was still the…read moreinstructor it was a better environment. My child came home with some nice pieces when the owner was the instructor. The owner has since retired. Assistant Kathryn took over all instruction. Kathryn clearly has some personal issues that needs to be taken care of privately, not taken out on children and parents. EVERYONE has problems. No one needs to hear about how you taking over this business is stressful and that your husband is sick and that you have to take care of them. I take care of my father in last stages of Parkinson's but Im not screaming that at every Tom, Dick and Harry. If you want your child( (12 years old) to be told to their face in front of you, that your child does't take art seriously and that they will be a failed artist, then go throw away your money here. Why kill a child's spirit, confidence and ambitions? My child had no idea what she had done wrong. If you do not enjoy helping/working with children then you should not do this category of work!! My child has found great success at Kala Art Institute, Kids "n" Clay, Liv & Chiu and the Richmond Art Center and Academy of Art College SF programs. I told several families looking for drawing education to go to Monart in which this provided new revenue for them. I have no idea if the business owner has knowledge of this behavior. I have never reviewed anything before, but felt this needed to be.

I love Monart! Ms. Mona the owner is extremely talented and has a great method for teaching any and…read moreall ages and skill levels how to draw. I took some of her classes (someone who takes pride in the fact that I can't even draw stick figures) and I was able to easily follow Ms. Mona's instructions while enjoying myself. Previous comments mention Katherine, an assistant for Monart who is NO LONGER with the program. I have been involved with Monart for years and they have a zero tolerance policy for behaviors such as what Katherine had been demonstrating. While the owner does currently live in an assisted living situation (also previously mentioned in other comments), she has recently expanded her Monart crew with some AMAZING individuals. I highly suggest if you are considering signing up yourself or your kiddos for art classes to go with Monart and her methodology.

My 6-years-old son likes the drawing classes at Art Corner Academy. I took him there in late April…read morethis year when I saw him not knowing what to do with his drawing project at school. The instructor Susan is excellent. She is well-knowledged and talented in illustrations, picture books, and wall paintings. She is very patient and knows how to teach. As a beginner, Susan asks my son to do one drawing project including coloring in each class which lasts about one hour. He likes the achievement when he finishes. He has gained great confidence in drawing after several classes. He now loves drawing!