Fellowship Applications Live and Open for Submissions!

Interested in the Fellowship, AIR, and Veterans Residencies at Kala - the Fellowship and other residencies at Kala are open to international, national, and local artists producing innovative work in and across multiple media. In 2025, the Fellowship will support up to 6 artists with a $3000 stipend, 1 month of housing for artists outside of the 9 Bay Area counties, 24/7 access to Kala’s facilities for 1-9 months, a Kala class or workshop, and a culminating group show in the Kala Gallery. Find out more here and start your application today! The deadline to apply is February 2nd, 2025.

Fellowship artist Dahn Gim installing work in the Kala gallery; Photo credit: James Ken Butler

Apply Here

Kala's Board of Directors is Growing!

We are excited to extend a warm welcome to Kelley Berg who has joined the Kala board. Kelly is a multimedia artist living and working in Oakland and Inverness and an artist-in-residence at Kala. Kelley has lived in the Bay Area for over 30 years and spent the bulk of her professional life at Charles Schwab in various capacities. During the last half of Kelley’s tenure there, Kelley worked on their donor advised fund (then Schwab Charitable) first running the Fund’s donor relations team then moving into complex problem resolution and non standard gift acceptance. Kelley left Schwab in 2017 to develop her art practice with a focus on painting and most recently, printmaking. We are grateful to have the opportunity to work in a new capacity with Kelley.

Learn More About Kala's Board of Directors

In Loving Memory of Scott Atthowe (1944-2024)

Scott Atthowe, a long-time and beloved Kala advisory council member and supporter died on October 31, 2024 at the age of 80. Scott was an important part of the Bay Area arts community. He was a pioneer of specialized art-handling and shipping, founding Atthowe Fine Art Services in the 1970s around the same time Kala got its start. Before his retirement Scott realized his dream to sell his company to its employees, organized as a California Worker-Owned Cooperative. His legacy of innovation, leadership, and generosity continues to touch many people. We will miss you Scott! Our love goes out to Patricia and all of Scott's wonderful family and friends. Learn more about Scott's life and work.

Teen Studio Art Program (6-12th Grade)

Winter Session 2025 Registration is Open!

Join Kala’s Teen Studio art program for skill-based art-making, hands-on projects, and activities during the academic school year. Whether students are learning a new art practice or developing their technical and conceptual skills, they explore a variety of visual art media, experiment with techniques and materials, and dive deep into the creative process. See what's in store for the upcoming winter session!

Drawing For Teens

January 13th - March 10th  (9 Tuesdays, 4 - 5:30pm)

Learn More and Register

Teen Studio After School

January 15th - March 12th (9 Wednesdays, 4:30 – 6pm)

Learn More and Register

Teen Studio: Sculpture - 3D Exploration (NEW!)

February 24 – March 24, 2025 (5 Mondays, 4 - 6pm)

Learn More and Register

Trial Days Available Too!

Register Today

After School Program (1st-5th Grade)

Winter / Spring 2025 Registration is Open

Our fun and interactive art-making experiences are designed for young artists in 1st-5th grades. At Kala, we nurture curiosity and creativity through the arts. Participants explore a variety of visual art media, techniques, and concepts, and learn about diverse artists, artistic practices, and themes related to personal and community experiences. Our classes encourage young artists to connect, experiment, and dive deep into the creative process.

The After School Program offers classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:45 to 5:30 and runs from January 7th through May 22nd. Kala also offers trial days throughout the year.

Register Today

Winter Season of Adult Classes Open for Registration

Interested in learning about letterpress printing? Curious about cyanotypes? Whether you're new to artmaking or looking to expand on your current art practice, our classes are taught by skilled teaching artists who create supportive and fun learning environments for everyone.

Members receive 10% off classes and workshops. Join the Friends of Kala membership program here. 

Scholarship tiers are available for all classes. Learn more about scholarships and assistance.

All Adult Classes

Upcoming Class Highlights

Intro to Printmaking (January)

8 Thursdays

January 9 — February 27 (6-9pm)

Instructor: Tomoko Murakami

Location: Heinz Printmaking Studio

This introductory, 8-week course will provide an intensive experience with printmaking. Students will have the chance to learn and work in relief printing, intaglio, monotype, collagraph and more!

All levels welcome.

Register Today

Intro to Watercolor Painting (January)

6 Wednesdays

January 15 - Feb 19 (6-8pm)

Instructor: Jennifer Mazzucco

Location: San Pablo Community Classroom

Explore the basics of watercolor painting ! Participants will learn fundamental concepts such as brush strokes, color theory, composition and watercolor techniques (wet-on-dry, wet-on-wet, etc.) through guided painting prompts. There will also be room for experimentation as participants are encouraged to embrace spontaneity and the playful dance between water and color. No skills required, all are welcome.

Register Today

Photopolymer Plate Gravure (January) 2 spots left!

3 Sundays, Jan 26 - Feb 9 (10 - 4pm)

Instructor: Kazuko Watanabe

Location: Heinz Printmaking Studio

In this course, participants will learn how to make positive film with and without Photoshop (non-digital process). Participants will then use the film to make intaglio/etching polymer plates, both machine made and manual processes. Inking and printing sessions in this course will cover related techniques such as color inking, texturing, and chine-collé like collage. No previous Photoshop experience is required; printmaking experience is helpful but not required – all levels are welcome!

Register Today

Printing on Handmade Paper (January)

2 Thursdays, Jan 30 & Feb 6

(6 - 9 pm)

Instructor: Whitney Humphreys

Location: San Pablo Community Classroom

Papermaking is a craft with a rich legacy and deep ties to art practices including printmaking and book arts. In this 2-part workshop, we will explore methods for making our own paper from recycled materials as well as an introduction to relief printmaking on unique surfaces. Students will learn the basics of paper making, and practice carving and printing from linoleum blocks to create an edition of handmade paper prints. Students will gain a deeper appreciation for the production of the materials artists use, as well as inspiration and skills to continue exploring print and book arts.

All levels are welcome!

Register Today

All Adult Classes

Accessibility – Please email [email protected] regarding any accessibility needs prior to enrolling so we can assess if we are able to accommodate you safely and efficiently.

More News... In Brief

- Gallery Holiday Closures: Kala Gallery will be closed for holidays from Nov 27 - Dec 2 and Dec 20, 2024 - Jan 6, 2025.

- SF Chinese Culture Center, presents the final event of Hotam Press @ 41 Ross, a creative platform led by artist-in-residence, Ho Tam. The Closing Talk will take place at 41 Ross on Sat, November 30 at 2pm and will be held in a hybrid format. RSVP

- Kala's 50th Anniversary Reunion/Annex Opening Celebration Saturday, Dec 7, 2-5pm. More info

- Kala is excited to participate in the SFMOMA Small Press Book Bazaar on Thursday, Dec 5, 1-8 pm! More info

- ARTogether presents "Gather In: Building Sanctuary with Immigrant and Refugee Artists" on Friday, December 6th from 5 - 8 PM. More Info

Connect With Us!

- Join or renew your Friends of Kala membership and receive 10% off all art classes and workshops and more!

- This year marks fifty years of Kala supporting artists and engaging the community. We set out to raise $500,000 in honor of Kala's 50th year and we have raised $478,000 to date. We're so close to the finish line. Donate before December 31st to Kala's Fund for the Future.

- Follow Kala?s new IG account, @kalagallery_berkeley, to see work from Kala?s gallery and art sales program