Benji is an amazing ceramicist, who is a wonderful teacher. He works great with people of all skill…read morelevels, from beginners to advanced. Classes are small, so there is a lot of individual attention, and the environment is warm and friendly.

Taking the ceramics class with Benji was such a rewarding experience. I learned how to make bowls…read moreand cups on the wheel as well as how to make a small vase by hand. I love Japanese ceramics, and Benji was really supportive of my ideas and color schemes. The class was a perfect balance of instruction and creative freedom, and now I have a bunch of ceramics that I am proud to display in my home. Benji was really great at teaching me all about ceramics. He has a wide breadth of knowledge, and he's also lots of fun!

We have had the best experience with Do Art! Studio. This is the sister studio to Studio 4 Art in…read moreNovato. My daughter took a week of ceramics classes at the Novato site this summer and loved it so much that we decided to try out the school year semester classes at the San Rafael studio (much closer to us!). She loves it so much, she's signed up for another semester. Isabelle, her San Rafael teacher, is a great teacher and is very good with kids. After summer ceramics, I had checked out the Terra Linda Ceramics classes offered through the town. They're slightly cheaper, but do not look to be near as good as Do Art!/ Studio 4 Art courses. First, at Terra Linda, wheel-time seems limited. At Do Art!, students are able to use the wheel (I think there are 8!) any time and for as long as they want. I've also been told children's classes at Terra Linda are fairly regimented, whereas Do Art! really lets kids stretch their creativity and choose their own artistic direction. An additional advantage of taking art courses at Do Art! and Studio 4 Art is that they offer make-up classes. This is really important and makes these courses as economical as courses offered through the town. My daughter took the monthly make-up class this week and was the only student! She loved having the studio to herself and having Isabelle as an one-on-one teacher.

Best pottery studio in Marin. Perfect for kids or adults. Barbara is a joy to work with and an…read moreincredible teacher.

Barbara is a fantastic teacher She lets you make whatever…read moreyou want, and will help you make things you didn't even know you wanted She's way experienced teaching kids AND adults. See for yourself.

Elizabeth Flanagan's classes are fun, exciting and chill all at the same time! If you are a…read morebeginner or already know a few things or want to learn more or are already well upon the artists path, Elizabeth classes are for you! Everyone in these classes are welcoming, generous, fun loving people / artists Elizabeth provides an easy-going manner as she teaches she also provides tea for everyone and plays a wide range of fabulous music during class. It's fun! It's chill! Elizabeth and still is a sense of community while we paint and there can be quiet time or conversation, always laughter, learning and a sense of safety and well-being permeates this environment. I am so glad I took the leap and begin classes with Elizabeth. FYI The fall classes begin the week of September 17

Joined Elizabeth's watercolor classes a year ago as a beginner and have been hooked since. Not…read moreonly does she engage the novice student with the basics, but she keeps it interesting for more experienced painters with study of practices from contemporary artists around the world. She makes her classroom environment very comfortable with fun conversation, good music, and good exchange of thoughts about each other's current artwork.

Obsessed with Amphora. From the studio to the community. My gateway to Amphora was a Friday night…read moreclass, I've been signing up for sessions since. Highly recommend to the beginner and the expert.

Disclaimer: I have a professional relationship with the studio owners…read more I am impressed by the facility, resources, staff, and members of the Amphora Ceramic Studio for the following reasons: Facility: Amphora is located in a large, warehouse type facility that is spacious, conducive for productive work, and with provisions for adequate storage of member creations. The ample space and strategic placement of the many shared work tables, storage racks, and washing stations allows for efficient work flows. The facility has three roll up garage doors that create an indoor/outdoor environment weather permitting. Studio members have access to the studio from early morning to late night hours. In addition, there are sheltered outdoor benches and tables for enjoying meals and snacks during breaks from clay work. There is also ample parking and easy access to the facility that is located diagonally across from Jackson's Hardware. Equipment: The studio is well equipped with newly installed 24+ Nidec/Shimpo potters wheels along with hand building tables, slab roller, four electric kilns, glazes, clay and communal tools. There are several washing stations and accommodations for many members without the facility feeling crowded or cramped. Staff: The staff are welcoming and friendly. Sharon Virtue, a dedicated and experienced ceramic educator is focused on providing detailed instruction. Julian de Vries is never too busy to answer questions, even during non class times. Lucy and Robert seek to make members feel valued and strive for member satisfaction. In summary, Amphora stands above other studios because of its outstanding facility, great clay equipment/resources, convenient location with parking, and growing community of friendly ceramic artist members.

What an awesome experience! Whether you're and experienced woodworker and just want to make…read moresomething cool or a total novice with zero wood experience, this is the place for you! Michael provides clear instructions, quality equipment, and personalized advice to help you through the build process. Classes are flexible and he allows you to customize your project however you like. It makes the project feel much more personal! I took the cutting board class and he let me choose my materials (I chose walnut with maple), size of the board, and unique touches that I thought looked cool (rounded edges, handles). I couldn't be happier with how it turned out. It's fun to say to be able to say that you built something with quality materials that is going to last for years! The class took about 4 hours which I thought was totally reasonable. And I walked out of there with a finished project that I could show off right away. The shop is easy to get to and Michael works with you on scheduling to make sure you complete your project in a timeframe that works for you. The whole thing is really easy convenient! I'm looking forward to returning and taking other classes!

I had a great day learning from Michael this week. He's patient and flexible with the curriculum,…read moretailoring the session to exactly what I needed and asked for. I learned the proper a/k/a safe way to use: miter saw, jointer, planer, table saw, track saw, and router table all in one day. He's open for collaboration on future projects outside of the fixed classes, so when I come up with something that goes beyond any of my skills, we'll work together to design and execute. Awesome experience all around. Lesson learned: safe woodworking means no gloves and no long sleeves, so prepare to keep your core warm for sessions during the winter months.

My 8 yo daughter loved Poekie nook camp! The camp was great. She sewed little stuffies, danced,…read more did karate and yoga and math at mathnasium. A well rounded and fun camp.

Poekie Nook is the most magical place that our daughter has ever found. It's her retreat and…read moresanctuary; there is no place else she would rather be! My daughter, now nearly 8, found Poekie Nook 2 years ago and since then she has sewn about 40 poekies, made 4 houses, and a couple different habitats. She has gone to summer camps, holiday camps, after school hours, spent most Saturdays, and had her birthday party at her beloved Poekie Nook. It's a place where she can go, be herself, and visit with kind friends and teachers while keeping her imagination and hands busy sewing the softest, cutest animals ever. Sophia, Christine, Jay, Abby, and all the amazing teachers that work with the kids each provide guidance and allow for independence and imagination to flourish. The other children there range in ages so the younger ones get to listen in on conversations about middle and high school life, while they all develop skills of conversation and socialization, as well as dexterity and the craft of sewing. Honestly, it's the best thing that could have happened early in her life to have found such a wholesome place and be a part of such a lovely community. I can't say enough good things about Poekie Nook and the people who work there!

I've been attending Marin Art School for about 2 years. I've been painting on and off most of my…read moreadult life. I've taken lots of workshops and classes over this time but had never found a place/teacher who could really TEACH me what I need to know to skillfully paint as I wanted. Dorallen is this teacher. I've learned more in these past 2 years of how to actually paint, mostly in the impressionist style of actually painting light, than ever before. Is the school or teacher perfect? No, nothing is perfect. But here's a real community of folks of various skill levels with whom you will really learn

Here is an update to my PERSONAL experience at Marin Art School. I write the update to balance out…read moremy earlier enthusiasm. When I wrote the earlier review, I was still considered new in the class. I make this point now, because it is important to remember that when you start an adventure, one often puts aside seemingly unimportant and unpleasant details in order to get to the heart of the journey. So, as the weeks passed and I continued to attend the classes, I could no longer ignore those above mentioned unpleasant details. Again, this is a personal thing. I got triggered by D.D's behavior. When someone yells and pitches a fit in front of the entire class because they don't agree with you, it is distracting, not only to the person getting yelled at, but the entire class. That is it.