Custom Afterschool Art Studio
Location: 5907 California St. @ 21st Ave. SF, CA 94121,
Hours: Sunday 1-5 pm, Tuesday 3-6 pm, Wednesday 2-6 pm, Thursday 3-6 pm, Friday, 3-6 pm, 7 to 9 pm for adult weaving classes only, Saturday Night 7- 9 pm, for adult weaving classes only
RESTRICTED FOOD AND DRINK ALLOWED: Students may bring a snack and water. NO processed sugar, NO chocolate, NO avocados, NO grapes or raisins allowed. We have three delightful emotional support pugs at our studio who are fatally allergic to these products.
INSTRUCTORS:
Drawing and Painting with instructor and founder Chris Babcock, published book author and working portrait artist, 25 years of art teaching experience
Sculpture and Weaving with instructor Mookie Margolis, BA in Weaving and Sculpting at California College of the Arts, exhibiting artist, 10 years teaching experience
Serious, individualized art instruction for motivated young artists ages 8 and up
CURRICULUM IMPROVEMENTS:
At Chris Babcock Art Prep, we welcome beginners, intermediate students, and advanced artists. Students do not need to arrive with polished skills. As part of our two fold mission, we are teaching our students how to write artist statements. It will help them to find internal and external meaning and prep them to respond confidently if anyone negatively criticizes their artwork or any positive project they are trying to accomplish in the future. This is a safe and fun way to increase their overall self confidence and help them further develop their courageous curiosity and resilient imagination. It is our long term goal that our students can tap into these two key healthy habits in a heartbeat! Our After-School Art Studio is designed for young artists who genuinely want to learn—not for children who must be persuaded to participate. (Please see our Consequences of Behavior Rules below.)
To all of our past and current students:
CONSEQUENCES of DISRUPTING ART CLASS and BOUNDARIES REGARDING OUR EMOTIONAL SUPPORT PUGS and BATHROOM ETIQUETTE.
Parents, please review these important rules with your child before every class as they are easy to forget! Think of reviewing this with them before every class as an extension of teaching them to say “Please” and “Thank you” repeatedly until it comes to them naturally.
Stay seated in your assigned seat unless a teacher gives you permission to get up.
Raise your hand when you have a question or need help.
Each student receives individual consultation time with the teacher. If you interrupt while the teacher is helping another student, you will be skipped during that round of private consultations.
Do not run around the studio, talk loudly, or distract other artists while they are concentrating. If you leave your seat without permission or disrupt other students, you will be skipped during that round of private consultations.
At the end of class, we will tell your parent or guardian if your behavior disrupted the lesson.
After the first disruptive class, you will receive a warning. If you disrupt the class again during your next visit, you will not be permitted to return to Chris Babcock Art Prep.
Every student deserves a peaceful, supportive studio where they can concentrate, learn challenging skills, make mistakes safely, and create their best artwork.
PUG BREAKS: If you are are feeling stressed or tired and you need some comfort or an energy boost by hugging one of our emotional support pugs, just raise your hand to ask permsission. You can get up and hug a pug for a five minute break, but do not disrupt the other students.
You don’t need to ask permission to go to the bathroom! We know this is most likely not a class you want to escape from, so you only need to tell us you are going to the restroom, so we know you are not leaving the building! If you need to wash paint off your hands and arms use the kitchen sink right outside the bathroom door. If you need to use the bathroom, wash your hands in the bathroom sink. NO ONE IS ALLOWED TO WASH PAINT OFF OF THIER HANDS IN THE BATHROOM since our bathroom is for parents and guests, not just our art students. To be fair, the kitchen sink is just for our art students to wash paint off their paint smeared hands, not for parents and visiting guests.
Standard Tuition for 4 classes per month is $269, however with our subscription option it is $196.
For months with 5 weeks (a 5th class) the fifth week can be used as the following:
A make up class. (1 make up per billing session)
A 5th additional lesson ($49 fee)
A one week break from class
Make-up Policy
Each student is eligible for up to 1 scheduled make-up class per month during the school year. The make-up class must be completed within the 4 week session on another day of the school week (Tuesday through Friday) and Sundays from 12:30 to 4:30 pm
Cancellation Policy
To cancel a class, please contact us no later than noon the day before the absence.
Please write arrival time on your registration form for the Custom Afternoon Art Studio what session you will be attending. Flexible start times to choose from for your child’s art lesson: 3:00–4:30, 3:30–5:00, 4:00–5:30, 4:30–6:00. (Also applies to Wednesdays 2–6 PM.)
MISSED CLASS & MAKE-UP POLICY
Each student may miss 1 class per every 4 lessons. Make-ups must be done during the same session, except if you miss the last class — then you can make it up the following week. Call Chris to book make-ups. No drop-in make-ups. Schedule at least 24 hours in advance.Custom After School Studio now available as a subscription!
Session Dates:
Session 1 Sept. 15 – Oct. 11, 2026
Session 2 Oct. 13 – Nov. 8, 2026
Session 3 Nov. 10 – Dec. 6, 2026
Session 4 Dec. 8 – Jan. 3, 2027
Session 5 Jan. 5 – Jan. 31, 2027
Session 6 Feb. 2 – Feb. 28, 2027
Session 7 March 2 – March 28, 2027
Session 8 March 30 – April 25, 2027
Session 9 April 27 – May 23, 2027
To all of our Students: CONSEQUENCES of DISRUPTING ART CLASS
Parents, please review these important rules with your child before every class:
Stay seated in your assigned seat unless a teacher gives you permission to get up.
Raise your hand when you have a question or need help.
Each student receives individual consultation time with the teacher. If you interrupt while the teacher is helping another student, you will be skipped during that round of private consultations.
Do not run around the studio, talk loudly, or distract other artists while they are concentrating. If you leave your seat without permission or disrupt other students, you will be skipped during that round of private consultations.
At the end of class, we will tell your parent or guardian if your behavior disrupted the lesson.
After the first disruptive class, you will receive a warning. If you disrupt the class again during your next visit, you will not be permitted to return to Chris Babcock Art Prep.
Every student deserves a peaceful, supportive studio where they can concentrate, learn challenging skills, make mistakes safely, and create their best artwork.
Custom After-School Art Studio: PAINTING, WEAVING, SCULPTURE, DRAWING
We are a nonprofit art studio for youth, dedicated to fostering creativity and growth. We prioritize emotional and psychological safety and overall well‑being in every class. We teach drawing, painting, weaving and sculpture to kids in a supportive, playful environment. Students are encouraged to choose their own imagery or develop their own creative ideas and are guided to learn how to develop both technique and creativity. We aim to give your child a creative space where they choose what to make, learn real drawing and painting skills, and feel safe, supported, and seen.
At Chris Babcock Art Prep, our nonprofit art studio helps kids discover their artistic voice through after-school classes, week-long summer camps, and short special workshops. We teach drawing and painting with patient, experienced instructors who meet each child where they are — whether they’re picking up a pencil for the first time or polishing a portfolio piece. We encourage our students to develop a lifelong practice of art: the arc of practice is about learning how to slow down and enjoy your wizard brain! To do this you have to tell you lizard brain to take a nice little nap!
Why families love us
Child-led creativity: Students select their own imagery so projects reflect their interests and grow their confidence.
Skill-based instruction: We teach techniques step-by-step, so kids learn to translate what they see and imagine into strong, expressive work.
Emotional safety first: Our programs prioritize psychological and emotional well-being — welcoming studio culture, clear boundaries, and gentle feedback create a space where kids can take creative risks.
Flexible options: After-school classes for regular practice, immersive week-long summer camps, and 1–5 day workshops for busy schedules or special themes.
Nonprofit mission: Every class supports our commitment to accessible art education for youth.
What kids gain
Better drawing and painting skills
Stronger self-expression and confidence
Focus, patience, and creative problem-solving
Real artwork they’re proud to show
Enroll now to give your child a joyful, skill-building art experience where their ideas matter. Space is limited—reserve a spot for after-school classes, summer camp, or a short workshop today and watch their creativity bloom!
This art student learned how to use the new weaving tool called the BOOMLOOM BOSS we offer our students who are interested in weaving original images using any of the four pattern bars; diamond bar, twill bar, plain weave bar or the krokbragd bar.
Ages: ages 8 to 18 for weaving and sculpting, ages 8 to 18 for painting and drawing
Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate and advanced
Length: Each session is one 1.5-hour lesson once a week for 4 weeks
Tuition covers all professional-grade materials your young artist will need to bring their creations to life. We provide a comprehensive toolkit for every discipline:
Subscription & Make-Up Policy
Weekly Class: Your subscription guarantees one class per week on your chosen day.
3-Class Months: For months with only 3 scheduled classes, we offer a complimentary make-up week.
To Reserve: To reserve your make-up date, text Chris babcock at 451-745-5301 Contact us if you need to schedule an alternative date.
Standard Make-ups: Students are allowed one make-up class per monthly session, which must be used within that session.
Make-up Day: Sundays, from 1 PM to 5:00 PM.
Need Help? Text us your child's age, and we can send you project examples that are a perfect fit.
How to Prepare for your Child’s Art Class
To ensure your young artist has a productive and inspiring experience from day one, please follow these simple steps based on their chosen discipline.
Project Preparation by Discipline
For Painting & Sculpture Projects
Please submit your child's project idea and chosen medium at least 5 days before the first class.
Text a clear image of their subject to 415-745-5301.
In the text, please specify the materials they wish to use (e.g., acrylics vs. oils for painting; cardboard, or wire paper mache sculpture).
Example Ideas: A self-portrait or favorite animal (painting), or a shark made from cardboard and paper-mâché (sculpture).
For Weaving Projects
No advance preparation or supplies are needed.
Students will design their weaving project in the studio during their first class, after the instructor assesses their skill level.
For Still Life Drawing or Painting
Students are welcome to bring a small, beloved object from home to observe and create from.
Please ensure it is an object that can be safely left at the studio for the duration of the project.
Image Complexity for Drawing & Painting
For 4-Week Sessions (6.5 hours)
Choose an image with moderate detail that is challenging enough to be completed within the session.
Examples: A pet's face, a detailed drawing of the student’s eyes, a favorite character.
For Year-Long Study
More complex and detailed images are highly encouraged to provide a sustained challenge and foster deeper skill development.
Studio Communication
The most direct and reliable way to reach us for all communications is by texting 415-745-5301.
Canvas Selection
Canvas Options:
Rectangle: 11x14, 9x12, or 8x10 inches
Square: 12x12 inches
Shaped: Circle. Heart, or Oval (approx. 10 inches)
Important: Please ensure your child's chosen image matches the shape of their canvas for the best artistic result.