Highly rated for a great bonding event. Tia, our family had…read moresuch a memorable time at your recent paint party! With all levels of artistry talent - totally green to experienced, young and old - each of us gained some good tips and came out feeling accomplished. I could have sat for a few more hours, because it was relaxing to be in a creative space with good friends discovering what talent hides inside each of us. Your detailed instruction and teaching experience kept the brushes moving which helped us finish our masterpieces. Now they hang in my room as an art wall which I smile at whenever I pass it. Something different to do with friends, or a place to make new friends. I highly rate your classes and events, Tia! Hope to join you again soon.

Tia is an incredibly gifted artist and teacher. Her classes are frequently full and many of her…read morestudents have come back repeatedly in order to continue to learn and refine their painting skills. She nurtures and encourages participants to freely explore and express their individuality, while providing concrete lessons in painting technique and a variety of projects.

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.

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.

I have commissioned two paintings from Misty. One of my daughter and the second of my…read moresister-in-law's cat. She painted more than a beautifully skilled portrait. She captured an authentic moment with such a realness that it seems borderless. Everyone that sees the paintings comment on how striking they are. I absolutely love what she has done for me and I know you will love them too.

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!

Unsolicited Proselytizing and Dishonesty…read more I had been taking my son of eight here on and off for a few months. It's not too far from my work, reasonably priced and the atmosphere is generally creative. My little one is crazy about remote control cars and enjoys the company of other children who share his interest for legos and building things out of wood all of which 'The Planet' provides. I would say that for the most part staff is very attentive and I agree with their general philosophy which teaches kids values by respecting their independence as individuals. What I don't agree with however is day care providers pushing their brand of Christianity on my kid. My partner and I teach our kid to respect all religions and beliefs but we also expect a daycare environment to be upfront about their religious philosophy, especially if they plan on sharing that ideology with the children in their care. As a gay parent I am very conscious of finding an open minded environment for my child. My son's passion lies in building things, especially out of wood. Tom, is the wood-shop instructor, and my experience with him has not been pleasant. It became obvious that he was the one taking my son aside and indoctrinating him. When I confronted him and requested that he not proselytize to my son he lied and denied any wrong doing at first and then as I presented the facts, and quoted what my child had been saying, he became defensive, almost lost his temper, and said something along the lines of "Kids have the free will to believe what they want!" before dismissing me rudely. Needless to say my child is never going back. Now at this point I should say that no where in the daycare's philosophy statement (which you can read on-line) does it say anything about the organization being religious let alone holding conservative Christian beliefs. Also the staff at the Planet are all related (Dave Kersting, the brother of Tom, is the owner/head) so there is not much recourse in terms of redressing a problem employee.

I read the first review of The Planet with great dismay. I would like to contribute our experience,…read morewhich has been 100% positive. My 2 sons both went to The Planet to do wood-working for years before moving on to sports as they got older (other activities are also available, but they both loved to use the tools and make things). The vibe is relaxed and the kids are encouraged to follow their interests. They can play, inside or out, or work in the woodshop or beading room. My younger son went here once a week for 2 full school years, and Tom was the first grown-up outside our family he felt comfortable with and spoke with--he was otherwise very, very shy and quiet. One time when I arrived to pick him up, I heard him chatting away. I couldn't believe my ears. Needless to say, this was a safe, comfortable environment for my son and has a place in my heart. I do not know whether the brothers who started the Planet are Christians (I would have said they were not religious, whatever religion they are) and after reading Jon's review, I asked my kids whether they talked about God/Jesus etc. while at the Planet. Neither had any idea what I was talking about. So, I can say that over at least 4 years, there was no mention of religion to my children while there. So our experience was very different than Jon's. I recommend The Planet as a wonderful alternative to structured after-school activities.

ACA is dreadful…read more.. Just before my son got into ACA, his camp behavioral therapist said to me she believed he was being coached by the other parent to alienate him from me. And she was willing to work with me to ensure my relationship with my son remained healthy. Later, she started working at ACA and said her director Shana had told her she could no longer communicate with me. Dismayed, I reached out to Shana to resolve the issue, but she wouldn't respond. I then contacted the teacher again who emailed me stating my son hates me and the sooner I'm out of his life the better ... unreal. She did a complete 180 on me. Her response was probably due to her worrying about her job more than anything, which shows the power toxic people have over others. Regardless, teachers should never speak to any parent like that. After that, I show up to pick up my son and see Shana approaching my car with a stern look on her face. She then leans into my car window and demands I pay her. I told her to step away from my car, she then threatened to call the police and record me (she did neither -- essentially manipulating the situation), and all this happened in front of my son and his classmates. To say this behavior was out of line and unprofessional is an understatement. After the altercation Shana emails me (and for some reason, my ex-wife) threatening that I can't go on her property again ... the result? I must pick up my son from the adjacent church. On top of all that, the school accused me of stealing the papers my son brings home, which is asinine -- don't you keep copies?! Even worse, when speaking with the San Rafael school district they communicated to me the information received from ACA is unreliable, in other words my son isn't getting the education he deserves. And here's the real kicker, if you have any issues with this school you'll have to go to court. Why? Because it's a non-accredited school that answers to no one. Children should be in environments where there's structure and kindness, not toxicity. If you're thinking of having your child in this school, I highly recommend you do your homework to help with your decision making. I'm not the only parent who has had trouble with Shana.

Stop right here if you are searching for a school that is accepting, nurturing and goes above and…read morebeyond to work with kids that may struggle socially, behaviorally or academically in a larger school setting. Prior to ACA, my now 7 year old with ADHD, was in TK distress at a Novato public school. We made the move for Kindergarten and now 1st grade. Best decision ever!! The Director, Shana, has a gift of understanding what children with special needs (ADHD, ASD, Social Pragmatics, etc) need and how to help any parent through the challenges it may present. At ACA, my son has been given the chance to thrive academically with all the extra social and emotional supports that are often unavailable in public school. ACA is truly a diamond in the rough and deserves a major shout out!!!

I came into this class not knowing a single thing about digital art and came out knowing soooo…read moremuch! jen and josh are super helpful and flexible when it comes to classes. they are helping me put together my portfolio for the marin school of the arts and their help is making me confident that I will get in! thank you guys. I defiantly recommend the art reactor