{"id":391404,"date":"2026-07-09T01:10:37","date_gmt":"2026-07-09T01:10:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/391404\/"},"modified":"2026-07-09T01:10:37","modified_gmt":"2026-07-09T01:10:37","slug":"learn-a-craft-at-these-bay-area-open-studios-summer-26","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/391404\/","title":{"rendered":"Learn a Craft at These Bay Area Open Studios, Summer \u201926"},"content":{"rendered":"

Artisans around the Bay Area are getting ready to open their studios and workshops to the public as part of National Craft Open Studios Weekend<\/a>. The free American Craft Council<\/a> event will take place in 36 states across the country, with more than 200 organizations participating.<\/p>\n

Here are the people and places in the Bay taking part on July 18 and 19.<\/p>\n

\nSan Francisco\n<\/p>\n

Mission Community Woodshop<\/a>
(20 Clinton Park)<\/p>\n

Hidden near the corner of Valencia and Duboce, this huge, 5,250-square-foot shop is a woodworker\u2019s dream. The nonprofit, founded by teachers Andrew Salverda and Dan Matz, prides itself on making woodworking accessible for everyone and offers classes on a sliding scale. This is a great opportunity to find out more about machine safety, upcoming workshops and \u2014 most importantly of all \u2014 the three adorable shop dogs<\/a> who will guard you as you learn more.<\/p>\n

RGF Studio<\/a>
(1340 Bryant St.)<\/p>\n

Jeweler, welder, blacksmith and machinist Rebekah Frank is opening her studio doors to share how she turns steel into works of wearable art. Frank, who trained all over the world and has actively attempted to build communities of queer metal artists, is a consciously inclusive teacher. This is, in part, the result of her so often being the only woman in the workshops where she learned her craft. In addition to her jewelry practice, Frank also creates sculptures and monoprints.<\/p>\n

Rockingstitch Productions, Inc.<\/a>
(1803 Market St.)<\/p>\n

Joe Cunningham\u2019s quilts are literal works of art, made by both hand and machine. Cunningham has been a professional quiltmaker \u2014 and author on the subject \u2014 for almost half a century. He uses his craft to explore political themes, recall historical events, and as expressions of personal love and loss. His work has been part of the de Young Museum\u2019s permanent collection since 2010, when he was the museum\u2019s artist in residence. Cunningham\u2019s online workshops attract thousands of students; this is a chance to grab a glimpse behind the wadding for free.<\/p>\n

\"APam DeLuco of Shotwell Paper Mill in San Francisco.<\/p>\n

Shotwell Paper Mill<\/a>
(305 Shotwell St.)<\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve ever wondered how to make paper from old rags and plants, you\u2019ll want to visit Shotwell Paper Mill. Helmed by textile and fiber artist Pam DeLuco, this Mission District studio collaborates with individuals and organizations alike to make books and tell stories in sustainable ways. The organization is also surprisingly romantic: among many other things, they help couples turn their old clothing into wedding invitations.<\/p>\n

\nEast Bay\n<\/p>\n

Berkeley Potters Guild<\/a>
(731 Jones St., Berkeley)<\/p>\n

Founded 55 years ago, the Berkeley Potters Guild is Northern California\u2019s oldest and largest collective of professional ceramicists. Hidden behind the anonymous blue visage of the Guild\u2019s warehouse are 19 private studios, embracing an eclectic array of aesthetics. Highlights include Julia Kirillova\u2019s whimsical teapots, Carol Valk\u2019s ornithological creations and Niki Shelley\u2019s earthy, minimalist homewares.<\/p>\n

Carol Lee Shanks<\/a>
(3102 Wheeler St., Berkeley)<\/p>\n

Carol Lee Shanks wants the textural clothing she creates to turn the wearer into a living, moving sculpture. Playing with dimension, transparency, volume and lines, Shanks\u2019 handmade creations offer comfort and practicality, as well as a wow factor. The UC Davis graduate treats sewing as a meditative practice. That focus and intentionality is visible in every stitch.<\/p>\n

David M. Bowman Studio<\/a>
(2816 10th St., Berkeley)<\/p>\n

Father and son team David and Reed Bowman work with brass and copper to make a wide variety of unique art pieces, as well as jewelry, vases and other homewares, including clocks and menorahs. David is self-taught, and has been perfecting his craft since 1971. His son Reed\u2019s designs are informed by a UC Berkeley history degree, as well as the Master\u2019s he earned in Medieval Studies. The two operate out of a studio they built behind their homes.<\/p>\n

\"ABruce Pizzichillo of Pizzichillo Gordon Glass in Oakland.<\/p>\n

Pizzichillo Gordon Glass<\/a>
(2680 Union St., Oakland)<\/p>\n

Glass-blowing duo Bruce Pizzichillo and Dari Gordon have worked together for more than 45 years, combining traditional Venetian techniques with more modern methods. Together, they create striking bowls, vases, jewelry, lighting, as well as abstract, maximalist wall art. Expect fire and intimidating ovens!<\/p>\n

Werkshack<\/a>
(481 25th St., Oakland)<\/p>\n

Ten makers share this nonprofit studio, gallery and retail space \u2014 and they work in a wide variety of mediums. Don\u2019t miss Holly Bobisuthi\u2019s innovative approach to statement jewelry, Sigrid Hubbell\u2019s botanical sculptures and Olivia A. Carter\u2019s gorgeous leatherwork.<\/p>\n

\nNorth Bay\n<\/p>\n

Fassbinder Gallery and Atelier<\/a>
(110 Purrington Rd., Petaluma)<\/p>\n

Expressionistic landscape artist Mary Fassbinder has been painting the wilds of Northern California \u2014 and much further afield (including all 63 National Parks) \u2014 since 1994. When not on a hillside with her easel, Fassbender also makes ceramics and Lino-cut prints, and takes portrait commissions for both pets and humans. Her paintings of Bodega Bay, China Camp, Point Reyes, Merced and Marin will be of particular interest to local outdoorsy art lovers.<\/p>\n

FLM Ceramics<\/a>
(301 2nd St., Petaluma)<\/p>\n

FLM\u2019s geometrically inclined handmade tiles and pottery were born in the mind of Forrest Lesch-Middelton, who calls working with clay \u201calluring,\u201d \u201csexy\u201d and \u201cincredibly hard.\u201d Now he shares his business with two fellow potters, Wyatt Amend and Kelly Brothers, along with ceramicist Stephanie LeBaudour. Lesch-Middelton teaches workshops from time to time, and uses creative techniques to create his pottery \u2014 including transferring screen-printed images onto pots while he\u2019s still throwing them.<\/p>\n

\"ElevenSalad plates in varied patterns, by FLM Ceramics. <\/p>\n

Nicasio Woodworks<\/a>
(2000 Nicasio Valley Rd., Nicasio)<\/p>\n

Husband and wife team Barbara Contini and Patrick McDonnell use scavenged wood from downed and discarded trees to make furniture, toys and kitchenware. Contini \u2014 a former vice president of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco \u2014 recently referred to her business in an interview as a \u201chobby that has run amok.\u201d Nicasio\u2019s website offers step-by-step guides to carving wood yourself, but you\u2019re sure to learn more by meeting this couple in person.<\/p>\n

\nSouth Bay\n<\/p>\n

Harriete Estel Berman<\/a>
(657 42nd Ave., San Mateo)<\/p>\n

Self-described \u201crecycling evangelist\u201d Harriete Estel Berman takes other people\u2019s trash and turns it into art and jewelry that consistently questions capitalism, patriarchy and the constant onslaught of advertising. She creates from a perspective that embraces both the hardness of a metal workshop and the softness of traditional femininity. This is a great opportunity to explore Berman\u2019s work \u2014 and find some of the most spectacular bracelets you\u2019ve ever seen.<\/p>\n

Attendees of the National Craft Open Studios Weekend are encouraged to register in advance<\/a>. <\/p>\n