I don't consider myself a natural artist, but after taking Introduction to Silkscreen with Emily…read morehere I feel like a spark of potential was finally lit. I thoroughly enjoyed the flexible after-work hours where I could relax and concentrate on just a few set tasks that go into making a screen and prints. The small class size felt both intimate and collaborative. I also loved how the teacher provided great materials to experiment with and Kala had all the necessary equipment. I'd love to come back and take more silkscreen later in the year!

Kala has some great art programs. One of them is Drink and Draw, a post-work evening activity that…read moreinvolves drinkin' an' drawin'. It's a rare opportunity for working folks who love art (but never get to do it) to be artistic and creative. We also hoped it would be an opportunity to meet people, relax, unwind, drink some wine, and hang out... but we discovered one fine weekday eve that it was lots of Draw but very little Drink. There are some serious art students in Berkeley! The art instructor was knowledgeable, talented and inspiring, and brought some great materials for us to use - handmade paper, high-quality ink, brushes. We did have to supply some of our own stuff, like scratch paper, pencils, erasers. She taught us new techniques and was very hands-on. A few completed projects even looked frame-worthy. Kala offers great programs if you want to do art in the evening. However, if you actually want to hang out with friends, catch up, and Drink with your Draw, you may want to go to a bar. Just sayin'...!

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.

I took a beginning serger class here and learned so much in only two hours! I feel a lot more…read moreconfident about choosing a serger and threading it when my project callls for finally getting one. Eli was great and it was a great intro to their lovely studio as well. Maybe I'll schedule machine time there instead of buying a serger? Still to be determined! Thanks Eli!

Eli and her team are AMAZING! They are wonderful instructors and teachers who really know their…read morestuff and yet are accessible, patient, and understand how to teach complete beginners. I know Eli is also very intentional about who she collaborates and works with, which explains the high caliber of guest instructors who lead workshops and classes. I cannot imagine Elmwood without Studio Sessions! Such a special small business. Please support your small businesses! which also means understanding why their policies are what they are--last-minute no-shows and cancellations are extremely detrimental for experience-based businesses. Anyway, I'm excited to take more classes in the future!

A very welcoming makerspace, with good access to various equipment and knowledgeable…read moremembers/volunteers.

Ace is a wonderful space full of workshops and different creative machines. They host many…read morecommunity events and remain accessible to everyone via volunteer program. I've personally learned how to 3D print and I plan on going to one of their many classes and social nights!

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.

We had a Clay Date to celebrate our 18th wedding anniversary. Having never done anything like this…read morebefore (literally my only experience was watching Ghost), I had no idea what to expect. In short, it was awesome! Caty was an informative instructor who gave each of us the support and care that we needed to be successful. I'm so proud of what we created. We'll use all of the pieces for years and remember the special experience even longer.

I took a beginning wheel throwing drop in class. The instructor is amazing; they gave a…read moredemonstration to start that helped provide some initial knowledge. They keep the classes small so they can give you as much help as you need. At the same time, they asked what you wanted to work on (skills or final product) and you can take freedom in that. I tend to be pretty intimidated by art classes, and this was the best experience of a drop in art class I've ever had. They also gave you a lot of clay to work with so you could restart plenty of times if you needed to, and even shave part of the top off and still have a decent sized piece.

My son just attended a birthday party in this little hidden gem. The space is inviting and the kids…read morehad so much fun . The instructors were so kind and engaging with the kids . My little boy is already asking to go back again ! Definitely recommended !

We just had our 10 year old's bday here! Every thing was great, and the kids really got in to the…read moreproject we picked (felt succulent gardens). Planning to come back soon for an adult night (or another private party with my girl friends!).

I took the beginner class with Susanne. It was always the highlight of my week. Glass is such a…read moregorgeous medium, and even if you aren't particularly artistic or handy you can make something beautiful. Susanne hits the right mix for a beginner class of detailed instruction and letting you do the work and make your choices on your own. I absolutely recommend it.

I took a six hour stained glass class from Suzannah and it was wonderful. There were five of us in…read morethe class and we all ended up with a beautiful piece of stained glass art to take home and hang up in the window. Suzannah is a wonderful teacher, kind and thoughtful and able to give good feedback, and really straight instructions on how to do the things you need to do to create a stained glass piece. I highly recommend these classes to anyone. It was a wonderful experience, and I would do it again.

Took two great sewing classes so far and can't wait to take more. This is a great business.read more

I have had several quilts quilted by Hello Stitch. They are helpful and do high quality work.read more

My wife and 10-year-old niece had fun painting pottery at Brushstrokes Studio in Berkeley. This is…read morea neat little place/concept. My sister told me they used to come here, then stopped for a period of time but have recently returned for multiple visits because my niece's friends got them back into it. This is a cool spot because you can drop in without a reservation and paint pottery. The studio fee was $18 per person (includes all the paint and supplies you need) plus the cost of the pottery item you choose. My wife chose a Small Nesting Tray ($23) and my niece chose a Rectangular Pen Cup ($18). After 10.25% sales tax, the visit cost $81.20 total. You have to come back at least a week later to pick up your finished pieces. We sat outside on the back patio. This is a humble studio. The complimentary water ran out so I walked to a nearby cafe to get some. There was also complimentary Kirkland Signature green tea. The restroom, located outside, is tiny. Nice staff. The vibe is inclusive and family-friendly.

We recently went to Brushstrokes Studio to make clay imprints of our son's hands and feet, and…read moreoverall it was a mixed experience. We scheduled an appointment through their website and specifically mentioned that we wanted hand and foot clay imprints. When we arrived, the staff member told us it would have been helpful to include that information in our appointment request, which was a little frustrating since we had already done so. Thankfully, they were still able to help us, and the appointment itself went really well. The staff was patient and kind, and the process was easy and enjoyable. We made a set with both hands and feet together, along with two separate hand and foot imprints. As parents, these kinds of keepsakes are really special, and we were excited to get them back. The reason I'm giving a lower rating is the turnaround time. We were told the pieces would be ready within three weeks. When three weeks had passed, I called to check in and was told they still weren't finished and would need a few more days. In the end, it took almost a month. Normally that wouldn't be a huge issue, but I was hoping to give them as a birthday gift for my son's grandparents, so the delay was disappointing. The finished keepsakes are lovely, and I'm glad we did it. I just wish the communication and timeline had been more accurate so we could have planned accordingly.