Friendly, warm, helpful are the staff. Patrons are the same.  This place is  a happy place where you can relax, explore your creativity and if that intimidates you, Ailine is there to share some of hers.  Not a place for little kids to hang out if Mommy wants to work on her own project. Â
I felt like I nearly had my own studio,
This is the kind of place you go to after a long day at work to relax and let your creative side take over! Â I love coming here and even when I go on a field trip with my students and vow I will not paint anything, I always do. Â
The owner is the most creative lady! Â She's really great. Â She always offers a hand if you get stuck or if you have trouble picking your piece to paint. Â
The turnaround to get back what you've been painting is fast too. Â They are usually right on the button with their time frame and if they're a little backed up, they let you know.
This is a great little paint-your-own studio in Benicia which also offers classes in glass fusion and mosaics.
I visited for the first time yesterday and fell in love with the place!
They have an impressive selection of bisque (unglazed, white ceramic ware) pieces and paints to choose from. The staff during our visit was friendly and helpful.
Pricey? Not really. Prices for pieces are comparable to other studios in the Bay Area, and the studio fee per person is almost half the cost other places charge. When I consider the limited space in the studio and the amount of time we spent there working on our projects (about 4 hours) I'd say this is a great value for an afternoon of awesome with my friend.
Our mugs will be ready for pick up in about a week. I'll post a pic of my masterpiece then. I can't wait!
When I went there with my boyfriend and his mom, there was a birthday party of about 8. The man who was "helping" us was terse, which was forgivable as there were many there. However, he was inexcusably rude. My boyfriend wanted to replicate a pattern he saw, but the man told him "I can't help you, take the class." I understand that he didn't want to give out free information, but he could have at least told him what brushes to use, even if he didn't want to divulge the exact method.
Also, I wanted to use tape to block the paint from certain areas of the outside of my bowl, but I already started painting the inside of the bowl. If the man helping us had paid us a little bit more attention, I could have done what I really wanted to do.
Two stars because they had a large selection of ceramics and paint colors.
There are a lot of varying reviews here! I have been a resident of Benicia for over 20 years, and was so happy when ArtCentric came into our town.
The shop is located on the main street in Benicia, where all the "action is", lol, and you can stroll for the day or evening before or after you paint.
There are pros and cons, as there are to everything in life, so you have to adapt to the situation to fit YOUR needs.
I love coming in here with friends or my children and painting. It is a relaxing time and there are sooo many pieces of pottery to choose from. The little paint holders are so cute, and I know someone mentioned that you don't get much at first, but it's obvious that you have kids come in there and gob in on their plate and never use it, wasting it. Â Sometimes, they have to play babysitter to the kids because parents aren't as aware as they could be what their kids are doing as they waste all the paint. That being said, you can paint with as much as you would like, just try not to glob all this paint on your dish and paint and throw away!
Yes, the studio is a bit pricey, BUT, we are in Benicia, and we do not have to drive across the bridge to go somewhere cheaper. We pay for convenience in our town as many of the stores do as well. I for one, would rather come to a friendly little studio downtown, say hello to the friendly owners, paint, and stroll around Benicia; rather than cross the bridge, go into traffic and hassles and then go all the way back to pick up your pottery!
They are also very helpful in ways to paint and teach, have many different stylings and techniques, glass fusing classes, etc.
Most painting/pottery studios are not "toddler friendly", so parents need to come with that in mind! These pieces will break! This is not a jumpy house, it is a pottery studio! So, be prepared, hold your kids, don't let them touch, but they can pick out something to paint and have them sit at their table. I did it every Mother's Day when my kids were little and it was great! If you are a mom that lets your young children run all around without supervision, then this is not the place for you! But a little common sense will make this an enjoyable time. I still have so many things my kids made for me at ArtCentric on my kitchen wall, and the wonderful and happy memories that went with it.
ArtCentric is one of the most enjoyable places in downtown Benicia. Mention it to a 2nd grade girl or up and they are jumping for joy!!!
In having my daughters' 9th BD party there, and she and her friends are so excited, I KNOW all will come. EVERYONE loves ArtCentric! We picked out the cutest little purse banks and can decorate them a bit more with jewels after firing. My daughter is so proud and excited to be having her party at ArtCentric!
Thanks for being there!
L.D.
The previous 2-star review makes me a bit sad. I have a toddler and I Â would NOT bring her here for a day of painting. I would, however, bring her in for a quick holiday gift (i.e. a painted hand print, etc.) and I would definitely bring her in for a clay print!
With that said, this review is long overdue...
The shop is located in a great area on 1st Street in Benicia. There's tons of window shopping, great local artisans and good places to eat. Parking is generally easy (on street, but free). Plus, it's near the water.
The shelves lining the entire length and nearly height of the store are filled with TONS of pottery pieces just waiting to be painted. They offer several different paints, paintbrushes, sponges, stamps, etc. for you to complete your project with. The tables are large and the atmosphere is friendly.
The owner is super nice and willing to teach you techniques if you're patient enough to give something new a try.
Prices range from about $5-$65 per piece, plus a reasonable $6 studio fee to cover the paint, glazing and firing. The studio also offers glass fusing and mosaics - which sounds SO fun.
Pieces that require firing are ready in about a week.
Artcentric offers their space up for parties, fundraising, and Girl Scouts. They even have a ladies night! They also offer LOTS of workshops.
A few months ago I threw a baby shower and wanted to give a really special gift to the new baby (and family). I decided to purchase a very large plate and turn it into a clock. While Artcentric does not have pottery clocks for sale, they did have a drill in the back and were able to make a hole in the plate large enough to adequately fit the workings of the clock (which I purchased separately ahead of time). I wanted to take the clock with me to the shower so I could have guests sign the back of it (with paint provided by Artcentric; included in the studio fee), so I paid for the plate and the studio fee ahead of time. After the party I took the mom-to-be back to Artcentric so she could design the plate. It was a HUGE hit!
I've also been in on Ladies' Night and in just for fun on a regular day.
I would definitely recommend Artcentric. It's a lovely place to visit and a great place to "get away" for a few hours...or the day if you choose!
I really like the idea of taking the kids to paint ceramics, but this place isn't exactly kid friendly. Well, at least not toddler friendly. Think "bull in a china cabinet". It's also suuuuper pricey (I paid over $50 for my kids to each paint a plate the size of a salad plate). The result was kinda cute, but I'm not sure it was worth the stress or money. I think if I ever go back, it will be with a group of girls and a bottle of wine on their "ladies' night".
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