This review is based on my experience with the instructional classes at the studio…read more I'm not an artist but I strive to live in touch with creativity. For a long time, I've made art but struggled with feeling like what I was doing was really creative. Michael, the owner and instructor at the studio, has transformed the way I think about the creative process through the avenue of figure drawing. His classes are the most meaningful part of my week. If you're looking for an instructional class focused on technique for drawing more accurately, this may not be the right place for you. Instead, the classes offer a new connected way of living--engaged with beauty both around you and internal to you. So much of the class is about unlearning not just how you draw but also how you value the creative process. It is the most challenging class I've ever taken and there's no amount of brute force I can apply to get it other than trusting the process and the instructor. Nonetheless, as frustrating as it is, there's nothing else I do that is more rewarding. It takes a lot of effort to strip away your aesthetic value system to get at the core of what you find beautiful, but if the result is a more meaningful existence, then that investment is priceless. Some practical aspects of the instructional sessions. Michael strives to provide only the best models to inspire you not to capture their poses but to feel something in yourself. The medium is stick charcoal and newsprint is available cheaply at the studio. The class is a lengthy commitment of 20 weeks of three-hour sessions but is highly structured and builds on successive lessons. Michael also allows you to make-up classes. Although there is a high upfront cost, for the hours of instruction and model time spread out over the weeks, it's a steal.

Excellent in all ways: location, furniture, back up supplies, equipment, atmosphere and,…read moreespecially, the models.

Such a fun and community-oriented studio! I took Paul's handbuilding class twice and then recently…read morebecame a member.

Great studio, clean space. I took a handful of classes here and a couple of workshops. They provide…read moreall the tools you need and the instructors are fairly helpful. Sadly I moved, so I can't continue going here, but I enjoyed the space and the open studio hours!

Took a beginning intro to throwing on the wheel class last Friday, and I am still glowing from the…read morefun! Jason was the teacher and he made things very welcoming and accessible, even for a first time pottery student. Such fun that I am signing up for a 6-week course as soon as possible!

Kaytea was awesome! Yesterday I took my team to a private pottery wheel throwing class and everyone…read moretold me how much fun they had. Kaytea is very knowledgeable, funny, and helpful. Me and most of the team have personally never done this before and we appreciated her patience, humor, and story telling. I've always been interested in wheel pottery as a personal hobby and I'm leaning towards coming back here on my own time :) plus the studio is super cute!

Such a fun, thorough, accessible, and fulfilling workshop! I love that Chris and his brother are…read moreholding down the space. I wish it was closer to my house and if it was I would come use the shop all the time. Makes me want have my birthday here and make some awesome wooden project with all my friends! I brought home my art deco shelf and my six-year-old son promptly knew what to do with it. See photo!

The wedge table class was worth every single second of our time and every dollar. Our instructor…read morewas Chris who was kind, knowledgeable, and patient. The studio and the class environment were lovely. I cannot recommend Wood Thumb enough!

Took classes here for several terms / years, and stopped going in Feb 2026. Most of the teachers…read moreare great (shoutout Jenny and Ryan), except the owner Adam. He repeatedly was rude, condescending, and belittling to me when I asked for help (umm... who's gonna tell him it's a school?!?) He also found it appropriate to make a racist joke to me (called my keffiyeh, a "terrorist rag"), and often made sexual jokes, in a room full of women. When I texted and emailed about my issues, Adam ignored me. No response (and have the receipts for it). I disputed my class charges to which he did not fight... but was majorly disappointed in my experiences overall. Would not go back nor recommend.

Amazing experience! Adam is the jeweler you want by your side for a unique DIY engagement or…read morewedding band ring from start to finish. The process with him is engaging and fun; he is an excellent teacher with methods that are easy to follow. Adam's experience shines through guiding us beginners, helping to possibly avoid common pitfalls, and he is patient when you miss his queues. Adam approaches his work with joy and integrity, always remembering he's working with people, not simply a transaction. He is transparent about costs. And he is forthright based on his experience. Adam is more than fair and reasonable in all respects. For my wife's engagement ring, which was more complex for a beginner, Adam informed me it would take longer and require more of his hands-on assistance. The result was a stunning, unique piece that my wife and I absolutely love. I can't thank Adam enough for his support and expertise in making this happen! I wish there was a better-than 5-star option! This is a way to be a human and do business, well done Adam!

This is my first time leaving a Yelp review. We had a group…read moreof 14 people, and Yi's class was very fun. Yi's a great instructor and an amazing singer.

A unique experience to definitely do in SF!!!…read more A bottle of red wine, chill music, homely atmosphere, & art. Yi is the shiiiz. Not only was she easy to talk to, she taught so well, and spoke to us as peers. She made it fun and chill, and had a glass of wine with us! 1 con - we got started late. 10,000 pros - her art studio was amazeballs, her art itself was brilliant, the music set the artistic mood, and then others in the class + the ease of learning Yi made it made the WHOLE NITE PERFECTO!!! :: melt my heart now!! :::

I've taken a weekend intensive with Stewart Cubley and Erika Jenssen as well as a 4-week (8…read morecalendar weeks, on/off every other week) intuitive painting class. Prior to picking up the brush here, I had dabbled in a paint and sip here and there, a doodle once in a while, but it had been a while since I had really sat down and committed myself to making a piece of art. Sitting down in front of a blank canvas with no prompt, subject, or directions to go off was intimidating, and vastly rewarding. I've learned to trust my first impulse, let go of worrying if something looks "right" (hint: it never does, no matter how hard I try :^) ), and ultimately embrace whatever's coming up. Of course, something new happens every class - every stroke, even - and the process continues. I'm grateful to have the structured series plus the option to drop in on an adhoc basis to continue my work. Thanks Stewart, Erika, and CCE! :)

I just completed a 4 week intuitive painting course with Claudia yesterday & it's been interesting…read more& powerful experience. I initially found the center through an instagram ad that was advertising their free open studio & decided to check it out. The intuitive painting course is not your typical course. The focus is being in community, learning to listen in & lean into your own intuition & creativity. There's no formal technique, no critiques or comments, but there is a lot of guidance & prompts to help you tap into your creative spirit. The goal is to create a painting from within & quiet the inner critic. It's about the process of letting go of "perfection" & to be create whatever comes up. It may sound a little woo-woo but the beauty of this process is that there's no right or wrong or good or bad painting - it's about your experience. If you're still unsure, I'd recommend dropping into a class to see what it's about. I definitely plan to take more classes in the new year.

Amazing space, I've been a guest here for three years and will not go anywhere else to purchase…read moreplants, gifts, prints and do clay work. If you haven't checked out the space, I highly recommend it. -Gomez

I spent so much $ and wasted time here. The hand sculpture class is a joke. She never remembers…read morewhen you have class, she's late, She got her dates wrong.... Throw class teacher very profesional and on top of her stuff. Hand building, no returned phone calls, material is still at the store and nobody there to help you collect items. Spend your hard earned $$ elsewhere!!!