The Best Local Art Classes

ART WORKS DOWNTOWN

Located on San Rafael’s liveliest thoroughfare, this 40,000-square-foot Fourth Street behemoth is a truly comprehensive art space. Featuring four galleries, art studios, a frame shop, a restaurant and more, Art Works Downtown showcases new exhibits, events and classes every month.

MARIN MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART

The classes at MarinMOCA cover drawing, sculpture and painting as well as ceramics, mixed media workshops and abstract sewing, among others. Located at Hamilton Field in Novato, the museum is free-admission, and many classes are almost as affordable.

MASTERWORKS KIDS ART STUDIO

For nearly 20 years, this Corte Madera studio has been educating young artists with a multipronged approach. Led by Lisa Jones, a professional illustrator and fine art painter, the classes involve both standard art and a cultural context element.

O’HANLON CENTER FOR THE ARTS

Started by Ann and Richard O’Hanlon in 1969, O’Hanlon Center for the Arts in Mill Valley was known as Sight & Insight Art Center until 2004. Programs cover visual, literary and performing arts, meditation, classes for the family and wabi-sabi.

STUDIO 4 ART

With holidaythemed family workshops like ceramic platter making, locations in Mill Valley and Novato, and many classes offered off-site, Studio 4 Art covers a lot of the county. Class topics include staples like drawing and painting, but some of the curriculum also involves history and science.

This article originally appeared in Marin Magazine’s print edition under the headline: “Artistic License“.


Kasia Pawlowska

Kasia Pawlowska loves words. A native of Poland, Kasia moved to the States when she was seven. The San Francisco State University creative writing graduate went on to write for publications like the San Francisco Bay Guardian and KQED Arts among others prior to joining the Marin Magazine staff. Topics Kasia has covered include travel, trends, mushroom hunting, an award-winning series on social media addiction and loads of other random things. When she’s not busy blogging or researching and writing articles, she’s either at home writing postcards and reading or going to shows. Recently, Kasia has been trying to branch out and diversify, ie: use different emojis. Her quest for the perfect chip is never-ending.