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.

My boys loved attending Little Tree Studios for art classes. They drew beautiful castles, and some…read moreamazing dragons. My son describes Nicole, their art teacher, as "super nice, helpful, and very caring." That's an 8-year old talking. They developed an even greater interest in art and drawing. It made my heart melt when they came home with their framed art :) It's now hanging in the walls of our home, and we hope to bring them back for more classes.

We have been here several times for different kids activities, and each time we are more impressed…read morewith how creative and thoughtful Nichole is in her approach to kids' art projects. We have been here for date night a couple times, where the kids do a cool project associated with an animated movie, on a Friday evening for 3 hours, while we grab dinner in the Mission. We threw a birthday party here for our 7 year old daughter and her friends, which was a big hit. And we had our 5 year old in a week camp during school spring break, where he and a cast of 12 kids were guided in creating a performance play. Each time our kids have been thrilled and excited about their activities, while Nichole and the staff have an organized and attentive approach.

My family and I feel totally blessed to have found this local gem. Our son is completely obsessed…read morewith his art classes here and looks forward to coming each week... SO much in fact, that the one time we had to reschedule, he cried. Gaby is sweet, patient, encouraging, and exceptionally warm. She does so much to inspire creativity and exploration. I can't recommend this place enough.

Art Abloom is one of the most fun spaces to nurture my creative spirit. OK, so I'm a grown up! And…read moreArt Abloom has a lot of classes for kids. And yet it was by connecting to my kid part that I felt nurtured by Gabi and her beautiful assistants (often her children). What a treat to paint, throw pots, be inspired. Gabi is multi-talented and has a gift of nurturing the creative geniuses in us all. I highly recommend taking a class or stopping by...maybe even have your 75th birthday party at Art Abloom. Thanks Gabi, I think I'll be coming back soon. xo, Marcia

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.

Second location of a great little art studio for children's art classes. Located right downtown in…read moreCorte Madera (corner of Corte Madera Ave and Tamalpias). Lessons run weekdays usually and they have summer camps.

From the owner: ARTifact Studio provides art classes for kids age 2.5-12 years old (Toddler, Preschool,…read moreKindergarten, Grade School) in San Francisco and Marin County. ARTifact also teaches summer camps, creative workshops, and special events for children. A typical ARTifact class includes a lesson in art history, an exploration of mixed materials (painting, drawing, crafts, etc), time for creative expression, and an investigation of an idea the kids themselves have wanted to try, but don't dare do at home. Sign-up directly on the website or contact us for more information.

An annual FREE event in June attracting artist from all over…read more Several blocks of amazing chalk art. An area for youth chalk art. Live music during the event from 9 am to 7 pm And of course there is food

Observing people create masterpieces out of chalk on concrete is like watching magic. Some pieces…read moreseriously blow you away. It is awesome to think that most of these artists probably don't use chalk as their primary choice of utensil, but they can pick up a piece of chalk and create the most unique, detailed, realistic piece of beauty. If you love art, you will hands down love this festival. And if you love music you will also appreciate this festival. This year they had a band called "Underage Records" wow. These kids must have been no older than 15 years old, and they ROCKED it. The band consisted of a guy bass player, pianist, guitarist/vocalist and a girl drummer. They were unbelievably talented. We couldn't stop watching them. It was almost surreal. It'll be cool to say I saw them way back when.

Diana is a DREAM of a teacher. I am an adult beginner and new to drawing and painting, and wanted…read moreto get the foundations down. Diana is SO knowledgeable and organized. She took me from drawing in flat, 2-D to a beautiful 3-D drawing in pencil, in only 3-4 lessons. She is so thoughtful, organized and flexible - she sequenced and adjusted her curriculum to my needs and adjusted to my style of learning seamlessly. In addition, she interweaves art history into her lessons so you understand what she is teaching in context. And she is so nurturing and encouraging! I've gone through a few teachers and she is one of the very best. I recommend Diana for anyone looking to improve their skills.

Diana Belenky--where did you come from! What an absolute gem in this world. If you have a chance to…read morebe instructed by her, you will be blessed far beyond expectation. Diana is bursting at the seams with technical knowledge, and even more wonderful is how generous she is with it according to the specific needs of her students. Warm, patient, kind, gentle, and sure, Diana was born (among many other things) to instruct art in a way that is approachable, robust, and life-giving. Her skill and artistry speak for themselves, her instruction is world-class, and her heart is a gift to all who know her. Do you self a favor and give her a call.

Wonderful studio - very welcoming to all ages & capabilities. Top-notch instruction with emphasis…read moreon safety and camaraderie. Facility is spotless and well-lit. Highly recommend Abada Capoeira Marin!

AMAZING! The COVID SIP had gotten to us and we needed to do something to get us to move. I took…read moretheir Zoom classes with my 17yrold not enthusiastic daughter. WOW!! Both of us are super not athletic but we had the best time!!! This teachers were fantastic. I had no idea this would be doable or that a Zoom class could be so fun!

This review is massively overdue. I'm a former frequent flyer here, and I have to say TIF is my…read moreall-time favorite one-stop shop for anything photographic in the Bay Area. I started coming here six years ago to augment the lab time and instruction I was getting in school. Their darkroom was my happy place for a long time and was fairly priced. What impressed me the most about their gorgeous space was that they encouraged clients to get their work off their screens and onto the walls. Literally, any time I had a question about anything related to photography or printing, Stuart, Ed, Constance, Chrysta, or Nathan would make the time for me and help me out or give me feedback. I enjoyed printing there and always left feeling inspired because they were so kind, knowledgeable, and professional. If you'd like to learn about photography, I highly recommend checking out their services, classes, and workshops. I wish I could give them more than five stars!

A a small business owner I have never left another business a bad review, but this experience was…read moreunacceptable. My artwork was mishandled and the finished product I had hired them for was poorly executed and unusable. I had to take it to a qualified business afterwards who confirmed they did not do a good job. When I raised the issue, the owner and staff were dismissive, refused a refund, and ignored multiple emails and calls. Their unprofessional behavior was bizarre and astonishing. They clearly aren't equipped to handle valuable artwork. Save yourself the headache and take your projects elsewhere.

amazing, learned so much. I would recommend to anyone who wants to advance holistic health…read moreunderstanding or get into the field

It has been several years since my experience at AIM and I am still grateful for all of it. My…read moreprimary care physician is a graduate and speaker there and so is my osteopath who still assists there. Both are important friends to me. The unkind and judgmental words---directed at me personally---from John B. of Oregon in his AIM review indicates the lack of empathy, sympathy, or understanding that another human being can have for another. I do not hold anyone at AIM responsible for the cruel attacks attempting to discredit another person's experience. I am happy that most students benefit greatly from Francesca's program. She has built noteworthy institutions in both the Academy of Intuition Medicine and Energy Medicine University. I admire her accomplishments and even mentioned her university favorably in my novel series. Something that could help others be more sensitive to and possibly grow in knowledge in is the misconception that the human ego is somehow negative or bad---as John B. chose to denote. In my experience, ego is an essential part of our being and absolutely necessary for soular development and eventual spiritual ascension . . . with a refined ego. I am sorry that my observations and personal experience triggers anger in some to the point where they feel berating and putting down another is the right course of action. It, of course, is not. Making assumptions based on ignorance hurts people. That would be the second thing a healer should know. The first . . . kindness helps people. John B. and Jean T. of Fairfax, who both wrote defensive reviews that misconstrued my words, who do not know what happened, who do not know me at all, made substantially wrong conclusions about my intentions and my actual statements. It is as if they didn't read my review at all and produced some alternate interpretation to exhaust their resentment to my experience which differed from theirs. The teachings and curriculum are just fine. Nothing cultish there. It is the cult-like devotion I witnessed every class meeting by the teaching assistants telling me all the various ways Francesca knows what is going on with each student---even in their private lives. I have always and continue to be open to any opportunity to learn . . . from any source. The large quantities of e-mails, materials, and coursework I received at the Academy was fascinating and I read everything I was provided. Learning for me is not mutually exclusive . . . it is a way of life to gather knowledge, to learn all there is to learn. It would have been nice to receive my MIM diploma, because I like to finish what I start. But, I was not given that choice. Francesca told me many times that "you are too advanced for this program." If anyone knows Francesca, they would know she never patronizes nor says anything she doesn't think is true. And, how many of you have ever heard Francesca repeat herself many times in the same conversation? That was the first and only time I've witnessed it. It saddens me that people didn't accept that Francesca might be right in her assertion about me. Somehow, some think the very notion of being too advanced is impossible ergo a white lie said to pacify a rebel egotist. According to several AIM graduates I've bumped into after my Yelp reviews came out, some things did in fact change at the Academy. This was my reason for the review, to help create positive change. It is good to hear that John B's class benefited years later. I imagine a world that does not merely tolerate differences. I imagine a people who see the pain of others and offer a space of kindness where true understanding can flourish. I had made an error in assuming AIM was one such possible haven. Consequently, I was the one who had been hurt back then. Quite a few people have written to me via Yelp commending me for my reviews of AIM depicting their same experiences accurately. I was well liked and respected by my fellow classmates. It was one teacher assistant and the instructor who resented me for asking a few innocent questions. I was openly punished and told, "if I don't trust her wisdom then I'd better leave." So, I accepted her punishment, kept quiet, and opted to willingly comply . . . yet, I was still eventually expelled. I was later called by my AIM mentor and told to ingratiate myself and beg to be reinstated to earn my spot back in the Masters program, because the same thing had happened to him and that was what he did. His apparent transference involved belittling me and invalidating Francesca's statements about my being too advanced for the Masters program. If John B. represents even a tiny percentage of how AIM people think and feel, it is case in point for my disappointment in the discovery that some intuitive healers are not spiritual, at all. Which I suppose is the main talking point the others are making---AIM teaches energy medicine, not spirituality. This happens to be my exact same point as well. Update 0019 Feel.