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.

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.

As an adult who can only repair duvet and shirt buttons strongly but not elegantly, Connie really…read morehelped by letting me sit into and open session with my project. I was offered usage of the materials, drafting table, and her wealth of knowledge to help me learn the skills I wanted to learn (which is finite at this time). Connie and I had a conversation about what I wanted to accomplish and she offered me advice and guidance on the best way to go about it. Within an hour, I feel confident that I can make my desired repairs and build upon that knowledge. Connie let me know that should I wish to join a class or expand my skills, that was possible. The studio is small but very well lit (I accentuate that for the visual aspect to sewing). Folks sit close to each other, but it feels communal and pleasant.

Awesome little sewing studio in West Portal taught by crafty San Francisco designer Connie…read moreWalkershaw, whose two other retail shops around the city have always been a good source of quirky, simple menswear and women's wear. Many classes here at the sewing studio are geared towards kids (seven and up) who are able to complete 5-6 projects in a week. This is extremely ambitious for a beginning sewing class that lasts a few hours a session. My student says the class is fun and she felt well supported by the instructor and her assistant. Projects do get completed alongside good supervision and instruction. The studio is unmarked beyond a simple black awning that reads aptly, "Sew."

I came here on a whim, because a friend wanted to check out the sidewalk sale, and I was happy to…read moreaccompany them. It wasn't quite the day of the sale, so they moved everything into their entrance/front-of-store. I was a kid in a candy store. There were so many pieces by so many artists, and the sale was still going on (most importantly). It's 2 story, and we were able to explore both, with plenty of offerings on both levels. I was looking for a cortado vessel, and I left very very happy. If I had more money, I think I'd be spending a LOT of it here, hahaha. It feels rustic and connected, the entire store. Artists are walking around and in and out. I have to respect the fact that the whole place is just buzzing and alive. I wish I lived closer, because I might come once a month, if I did! Come on by for your cute ceramics! Something for everyone, I think.

My passion for making pottery started here. I've taken 4 or 5 classes with various teachers:…read moreShelley, Barbara, Bonnie and Mark. They're all awesome potters who are ALSO great teachers. Tip: if you want to get into a class, get your credit card ready right when the sign up time starts. If you're even a minute late, you won't be getting into the class -- the capacity is not that large and the demand is high. If you've had some pottery experience, you can also try to get into the drop-in program. There's also studio and locker space but the waitlist for that is literally years long. It's also one of the few places doing cone 10 firings with very unique glazes that are formulated in the studio. There are two different kinds of shino, three different kinds of celadon, all sorts of mattes and a really unique satin white and satin black. Ruby's is the OG for pottery in SF. Way before pinterest and instagram got tech folks like me into throwing pottery, Ruby's got started in this residential building back in the hippie 60s. There are folks teaching and doing work at Ruby's who got their start here from back then. It's also a non-profit with a strong sense of community. You'll learn a lot from watching and talking to other potters in the studio

Marilyn is a master sculpture and an incredible teacher. I have taken many classes with her and no…read moreone else I have ever met understands the body inside and out as it relates how to sculpt it in real life. Her classes are intimate and fun with a great sense of community. You will be amazed at to what you can make under her tutelage.

Having never sculpted before, my experience with Marilyn was simply amazing!! She is very patient,…read moreand knows how to communicate all her years of knowledge to a newbie like me. The class is relaxed, yet very informative. The day after every class we receive a detail email with pictures & so much information. So not only did I feel like I learned, I created 2 masterpieces!

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!

CCSF is Free and a Big waste of time…read more Let's be blunt if u use mind & place ur dedication u will fail no matter the circumstances because are already exerting all ur efforts in 1 options. If u use ur brain & create new options stop being pessimistic u will find new opportunities for urself. Place is full of losers, it is important for a person to be individual not a follower tap outside the box the boss is of full of idiots. Life is about sex, meeting new people. Who cares if it is appropriate or inapproiate set of stupid rules, learn to be free. U also got a passport to abuse & outside of out the usa sex & prostitution is open. No need to mom the place up anymore because it is annoying really annoying deal with ur own problems.

Today, I have officially graduated with honor from city college of San Francisco (ccsf). I am glad…read morethat i made such a correct choice for choosing ccsf. At ccsf, I have received so many supports, assistants, and opportunities to obtain this sucess. Ccsf have provided a short but mavolous chapter in my life. I'm so proud to be a student at ccsf because I know that the school has prepare me well for the next chapter (sfsu) of my life. Class of 2022. Cheer

I have taken Chinese Dance Classes at American Art institute for several months. Teacher Kyle is a…read morevery nice and professional instructor. The school environment is good. We have learned traditional and national dances. Our group students are like a warm family. We feel very happy to dance together. During Covid-19, American Art Institute offers on-line classes. Now we gradually come back to the classroom together with online classes. Our kids are taking both dance and drawing classes. They love their teacher and classes very much, too.

Very nice place. Very good teachers. I enjoy the classess. Very welcoming staff…read more Brad.