Art Classes for Kids in the Bay Area

Most kids love to create art. And where better to make a mess as well as masterpieces than somewhere you don’t have to clean up? Here are some great art studios for kids in the Bay Area.  

San Francisco:

San Francisco Children's Art Center

This art center focuses on process-oriented art, meaning that they guide with art materials and techniques, but don’t tell your child what to make. The nonprofit is located in Fort Mason, and they offer classes for ages 22 months to 10 years, with weekend workshops, Friday night parents’ night out, mini camps and birthday parties.

Art Camp

Art Camp offers fine art classes to preschool and elementary school kids, plus summer camps. It’s open to kids ages 4-8. They get exposed to the art, and then make a project in response to what they've seen. It’s run by Miss Christine, who has a long background in early childhood education and a degree in art history.

Scribblescrabble

Art teacher Mary Finlayson offers in-home (or outdoor) classes as project or technique-based lessons. Discover print making, painting, drawing, or make 3D wall hangings, puzzles, wooden dolls or a pressed fairy journal.

Pixie Hall Studio 

Pixie Hall Studio in Noe Valley offers summer camps, workshops and alternative (Reggio Emilia inspired) preschool. Check out photos on their blog.

ARTtifact

ARTifact offers summer camp, plus school time classes for kids up to age 12. They even have a playgroup for kids under 3 (and their caregiver). Kids will learn about artists, may sing songs and play games and do other things to boost their creative spirit. Plus they’re always looking for reusable/recycled materials to create masterpieces (you can donate some!).

East Bay:
MOCHA

MOCHA, the (Museum of Children's Art) in Oakland offers drop-in art, family programs, Saturday stories (art and literacy), field trips, parties, camps and special programs.

http://mocha.org/

4Cats in Kensington (Berkeley) and Portrero Hill (San Francisco)

4Cats offers summer camps, workshops and parties. Art projects might include sculpy, splatter paint, clay, acrylics, sculpture, mixed media or paper mache, and may focus on the work of one artist, like Henri Matisse. They have a class for almost every age, starting with 2 year olds, going through adulthood. And sessions for homeschoolers too.

Peninsula/South Bay:

Triton Museum of Art

Kids from kindergarten on up can take courses in a variety of media at this Santa Clara museum. They offer many courses in the school year and summer, including for homeschoolers.

Young Rembrandts

Learn technical drawing skills in this afterschool Milpitas program.

Where do you like to go?

My post initially ran on Mommy Nearest, a free on-the-go app with location-based activities, food, shopping and more - everything a parent needs. Check it out.