Hi neighbor!
I’ve been getting back into my art practice over the past couple of years, a hobby I sadly neglected throughout my 30s. I love going to my weekly watercolor class through Pleasant Hill Rec, volunteering to teach my kids’ art program at school, and checking out some of the other local studios and workshops with my kids.
Our community has so many amazing opportunities to introduce art and nurture creative expression for our kids, and I’m excited to share them with you!
Right here in Pleasant Hill
i heart art has two events every Wednesday at the Pleasant Hill Library:
I Heart Toddler Art: Story time, songs, and an art project from 11am–12pm — perfect for Pleasant Hill’s youngest artists
I Heart Afterschool Art: 4 different art projects for kids of all ages, from 1:30–3:30pm
There’s no registration; just show up and have fun!
Cost: Free
Location: Pleasant Hill Library, 2 Monticello Avenue, Pleasant Hill
Our local art store periodically hosts free Kids Club events, such as the upcoming Watercolor Chameleon event on August 22 from 10am–12pm.
They also host birthday parties and private events, and rent out their craft room.
Cost:
Kids Club events are often free, though they sometimes require a materials purchase (check their website for details)
Birthday parties start at $149
Private events start at $199
Rent the craft room starts at $99
Location: Michaels, 60 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill
This is the newest addition to Pleasant Hill, operating as a fine art glory and art studio. They have an adult sip and paint night coming up on August 28 and also offer venue rentals.
Cost:
Paint and sip night is $65
Contact the gallery for private event rental pricing.
Location: Andaan Gallery, 2261 Morello Avenue, Pleasant Hill
This art studio is fairly new to Pleasant Hill, with pottery painting, ceramics classes, paint and sip nights, and more. Walk-ins are welcome.
Cost:
Paint the pottery: $7 studio fee per person plus $10–$30 for the piece you choose
Classes: $45–$50
Memberships: $180 per month
Private events: $70–$200, plus studio fee and pottery, depending on group size and time
Location: Thought Balloon Art Studio, 670 Gregory Lane, Unit G, Pleasant Hill
Art, design, and STEM for kids. They run studio classes, school break camps, homeschool and after-school enrichment, and kids' nights out.
Cost: Varies by activity
Location: Sparkologie, 1941 Oak Park Boulevard, Suite 70, Pleasant Hill
PH Rec has various art classes for kids and adults, including Afternoon Adventures for 3.5–5 year olds, as well as school break camps. Pleasant Hill residents get discounted pricing and priority registration.
Cost: Current kids’ classes range from $180–$566. Adult watercolor classes are $92–$110.
Location: Various Pleasant Hill Rec facilities, including the senior center ad community center
A little further
Kids can build a project to take home on the first Saturday of every month at 9am. Upcoming workshops include a school bus organizer, witch candy box, and dump truck.
Cost: Free
Location: Home Depot, 2090 Meridian Park Boulevard, Concord (~10 minutes from Pleasant Hill)
Pottery painting studio that also does to-go kits if you’d rather paint elsewhere. Walk-ins welcome, but larger groups should make a reservation.
Cost:
$7 studio fee for kids 12 and under, $10 for 13 and up, plus the price of the pottery
Parties start at $150
Contact the studio for to-go kit pricing
Location: Color Me Mine, 1950 Mount Diablo Boulevard, Walnut Creek (~10 minutes from Pleasant Hill)
Art classes and school break camps for artists aged 4 and up. They also offer art parties.
Cost: Classes are around $300–$400 per session, with a free trial class for new students.
Location: Rebel Art School, 1432 and 1444 South Main Street, Walnut Creek (~10 minutes from Pleasant Hill)
Instructor-led DIY wood sign workshops where you sand, stain, stencil, and paint a finished piece. They also offer private parties.
Cost: $82 for adults, $50 for children’s projects. A materials surcharge may apply.
Location: Board & Brush, 1414 North Main Street, Suite A, Walnut Creek (~10 minutes from Pleasant Hill)
These periodic in-store kids workshops feature a variety of projects. Upcoming events include Paw Patrol: The Dino Movie, MrBeast Swarm Twister, and Haunted House.
Cost: Most projects are free, but some special edition events require a fee (see their website for details).
Location: Lowe's, 1935 Arnold Industrial Parkway, Concord (~20 minutes from Pleasant Hill)
Create your own customized slime (scent, color, texture, and more) with a 10 step process. Walk-ins welcome, but reservations are recommended. They also offer parties!
Cost:
Roughly $25–$30 per person
Tiny Tot every first Tuesday of the month at 10am for $20
Party packages start at $100 base fee
Location: Slime Kitchen, Stoneridge Mall, 2045 Stoneridge Mall Road, Suite A219, Pleasanton (~25 minutes from Pleasant Hill)
This museum features two floors of hands-on art and technology for kids! They also offer birthday parties.
Cost: Admission is $20 for everyone age 1 and up. Birthday parties are $600.
Location: Children’s Creativity Museum, 221 Fourth Street, San Francisco (~40 minutes from Pleasant Hill)
This museum features a space to draw your own comic strips, design zoetropes, and color.
Cost: $15 adults, $7 youth ages 4–18, free for 3 and under
Location: Charles M. Schulz Museum, 2301 Hardies Lane, Santa Rosa (~1.5 hours from Pleasant Hill)
Where do your kids like to do arts and crafts? Reply back and let me know!
See you around town,
Jen
