Studio 1.6 - Alameda, California

Christine B.

Delighted to be a student here. I heard about Studio 1.6 after seeing all the pieces a new friend had created. And I realized I wanted to be able to do and have the same - a space to try out oils and pastels, charcoal and watercolors. And that's exactly what this is. Whether you're arriving fresh and ready to learn, or already creating pieces, Anita will be there to guide and help you. We all work at our own paces...there are choices of projects (or focus on your own). It's calming, challenging (but in a really great way) and gives you a break from your usual routine. Hugely rewarding. Sign up for a class - you won't be disappointed.

geri T.

I am moved to write this review for Studio 1.6 out of a profound appreciation for the positive impact that my art classes have done to enhance the quality of my life in general, but particularly during this era of shelter in place.
About a year ago, I started as a beginning art student at Studio 1.6 and was intimidated about doing art, having been pretty much estranged from it since Kindergarten! But I’d observed Anita working with my son at camp and I trusted her to help me through! And true to her nature, Anita has offered me thoughtful instruction, gentle direction and enthusiastic encouragement. Anita is particularly skilled as a teacher as she teaches art skills while actively encouraging creativity and self expression.
The Studio 1.6 classes have offered a range of art projects and hands on learning experience on working with different mediums and art subjects. Over time, I have gained some confidence in my nascent art abilities, but most importantly, I have enjoyed becoming more aware of what I see. This enhanced awareness creeps up at times when I am not “doing my art,’ but simply shows up wherever I might be. I’ve become more attuned and “present” to my environment and have noticed visual things, I’d otherwise have missed.
When the shelter in place began, Anita worked very hard to quickly learn how to convert our in studio experience to a meaningful online one, which included creating bags of art supplies for us to use at our homes. It was really a marvel to see how well she has succeeded in not only presenting lessons and making videos, but how she is able to give us feedback and suggestions in real time. Perhaps this burst of flexibility and creativity stems from the great artist she is! Anita has also generously encouraged her students to reach out to her between lessons to get feedback on class art work if we have been able to do more outside of class. Finally, I am so grateful to have my art lessons and projects as my “personal respite” providing hours of calm from my worries and responsibilities. It makes me happy.

Margaret L.

My son, has been taking studio art classes with Anita, an artist in her own right, for a few years. He had been largely self-taught, as public schools don't offer any decent art instruction. Anita taught him the fundamentals while providing motivation and inspiration. His skills have leapfrogged under her instruction. I was so inspired, I also signed up for adult studio class. I highly recommend Studio 1.6 for kids and adults.

corbin B.

My family has had a lasting, wonderful, and ongoing experience with Studio 1.6 under Anita's artistic guidance. My teenage son has been going to this wonderful space for many years. There are many reviews out there attesting to exactly those things. This art space is a fabulous resource and the kind of thing that makes Alameda a special place. Here I wanted to specifically call out Anita's excellent pivot to online instruction during our collective covid-19 restrictions. I personally have had a really hard time keeping my kids engaged while also trying to do my job at home. Anita to the rescue! She's provided an online face-to-face opportunity to keep doing art...and my teenager really looks forward to it! And he's not an art geek or anything, he just I think instinctively knows he needs to do something immersive and with his hands and to exercise his mental and visual creativity. I just signed up for an hour a week for the rest of the Summer to continue this experience. Priceless opportunity for my family! Outstanding use of my money and I'm endlessly grateful to Anita for making this an option for, not just my kid, but for me 🙂

David M.

Studio 1.6 is phenomenal. Last month, Anita organized a private life drawing class for a group of adult novices, which provided a challenging yet enjoyable experience for everyone involved. Anita was proactive in asking what duration, medium, model, and pose we wanted and then she was very responsive by e-mail as we worked out the details. We settled on a 90 minute class, using charcoal on paper, with a professional model from the Bay Area Models' Guild. Anita and the model worked out a pose that not only prevented fatigue by the model, but also maximized our success by avoiding technical challenges such as foreshortening. During the class, Anita provided a very short demonstration (about three minutes) before having us begin, then spent the class offering specific and constructive feedback one-on-one. The 90 minute duration was absolutely worth the slightly higher tuition; 60 minutes would have been too short. At the end of the class, Anita spray-sealed our drawings and provided poster tubes for transport home. You will not be seeing these works in a museum, but that was not the point. The point was to bring our group together through a shared challenge, and it was a phenomenal success, delivered by a professional, talented, and personable instructor. A+ for Studio 1.6!

Ben U.

What a great program. My daughter has been going here for years and it's fantastic!

yoko U.

Great classes

Maria S.