News
Community Arts News
November 2025
We're wrapping up the fall season with our last round of classes and workshops for 2025. New opportunities are always coming up around our studios! Check out all of our featured upcoming fall classes or explore the full schedule here.
Planning for 2026? Don't forget to build in time for creativity! Our Winter 2026 classes begin the week of January 11. Check out what's in store for 2026 here or view all of our classes online starting November 12.
Learn to create your own comic over the November break! Spend your morning with us as we explore the world of superheroes and manga. Learn more about our Fall Break Workshops here or read on below.
Join us for our 3rd Annual Chili Bowl Fundraiser! Support Center for Community Arts and Clay Arts Guild with a warm handmade bowl of chili and select a unique handcrafted bowl to bring home! Learn more here.
Our Handcrafted Holiday Sale is back! Our artist vendors are busy preparing for our upcoming sale on Saturday, December 6 and Sunday, December 7. Share the joy of a handcrafted gift this year! Don't forgot to bring your kids with you to shop our special kids shopping room! Learn more here.
Are you an adult 50+ community member with limited income? Thanks to generous support from the Walnut Creek Civic Pride Foundation, the Community Arts Foundation, and the Walnut Creek Senior Club, we’re offering free art classes designed just for you. Scroll below to learn more or view all classes here.
View our upcoming classes and programs here for participants of all ages. Questions about our upcoming events and classes? Reach out to us at artsrec@walnut-creek.org or by calling (925) 295-1490.
Rigid Heddle Loom Weaving Workshop - INT (Adult)
Sunday, November 16 (9:30 am - 4:30 pm)
Explore the creative potential of the rigid heddle loom through lace and patterned weaves inspired by indigenous traditions from Latin America and Southeast Asia. Using pick-up sticks, students will expand their skills and discover the loom’s surprising versatility.
African Drums and Percussion-Get the Beat! - ALL LEVELS (Adult)
Tuesdays, November 18 - December 16 (7:30 - 8:30 pm)
Come on out and enjoy some djembé and percussion fun while making fantastic inclusive music together! Explore and celebrate your connection to the drum and to the community at a comfortable pace in a relaxed, friendly and safe environment.
NEW! Watercolor & Ink: Painting San Francisco's Victorian Charm - INT/ADV (Adult)
Tuesdays / Thursdays, December 9 - 18 (6:00 - 7:00 pm)
Capture the timeless beauty of San Francisco’s iconic Victorian houses in this focused watercolor class. Designed for beginners and intermediate artists alike, this course guides students through the process of painting charming cityscapes using watercolor washes and detailed ink linework.
Ballet Barre & Strengthening - ALL LEVELS (Adult)
Tuesdays, December 9 - 16 (9:45 - 10:45 am)
This class will focus on refining ballet technique, fundamentals and alignment. We will work at the barre for technique. Strengthening exercises will also be a focus of this class. Mixed levels welcome.
NEW! Contemporary Dance - BEG (Adult)
Tuesdays, December 9 - 16 (11:00 am - 12:00 pm)
This class is for the brand new Contemporary dancer or anyone who wants to go 'back to basics'. Class will move slowly with thorough explanations of technique, body alignment, steps, choreography, etc.
Absolute Beginner Ballet - ALL LEVELS (Adult)
Wednesdays, December 10 - 17 (10:00 - 11:00 am)
This class is for the brand new ballet dancer or anyone who wants to go 'back to basics'. Class will move slowly with thorough explanations of ballet technique, body alignment, steps, etc. Dancers will be at the barre and center in this class.
Lyrical/Contemporary Jazz - ALL LEVELS (Adult)
Wednesdays, December 10 - 17 (11:15 am - 12:15 pm)
This class combines ballet technique with the freedom and musicality of jazz and contemporary. Emphasis is on choreography, expression and combining elements of ballet, jazz and contemporary in this class.
Virtual Gentle Hatha Yoga - BEG (Adult)
Fridays, December 12 - 19 (9:00 - 10:00 am)
Introduction and practice of yoga postures and body alignment. Through stretching and relaxation techniques, yoga postures will strengthen the body and stimulate creative energy. Students will experience gentle poses, like a moving mediation.
Youth Classes & Workshops
Nature's Art Box - ALL LEVELS (Youth)
Saturday, November 15 (1:00 - 3:00 pm)
Leaves, sticks, stones, seeds and more are the inspiration for our creations. We will be using things found I nature to create your own special world and creatures.
Jingle-Jangle Art (Youth)
Saturday, December 13 (1:00 - 3:00 pm)
Tis the season to paint and sculpt beautiful holiday ornaments and gifts.
Family Classes
Hands on Art & Play Group (Parent & Me)
Fridays, December 12 - 19 (9:30 - 11:00 am)
The Hands On Art & Play Group is a fun parent-and-me class that gently introduces toddlers to a preschool setting. Each week features new themes with creative art and sensory activities that support imagination and fine motor skills. Parents join in, fostering bonding and early socialization—an ideal first step toward preschool.
Hands on Art & Play Group (Parent & Me)
Fridays, December 12 - 19 (11:30 am - 1:00 pm)
The Hands On Art & Play Group is a fun parent-and-me class that gently introduces toddlers to a preschool setting. Each week features new themes with creative art and sensory activities that support imagination and fine motor skills. Parents join in, fostering bonding and early socialization—an ideal first step toward preschool.
Making a Comic
November 24-25 (9:00 am - 12:00 pm)
Join us for your November break! Superheroes or manga, silly or serious, comics can be all this and way (WAY) more. Mix art and writing to make your stories come to life!
Join us for FREE arts classes at the Civic Park Community Center!
This program is provided by Center for Community Arts with secure funding through the Walnut Creek Civic Pride Grant Foundation, Walnut Creek Senior Club, and the Community Arts Foundation. These classes are designed for our senior (50+) community members that are experiencing financial hardship. All supplies are provided. Registration is required.
Creative Arts Class (Adult 50+)
Wednesdays, October 22 - November 19 (2:00 - 3:00 pm)
Explore watercolor or drawing in a stress free environment.
Space is still available - register today!
Ceramic Gingerbread Workshop
Wednesday, November 12 (11:30 am / 3:00 pm)
Join us for a delightful grown-up and me ceramic workshop! We'll be crafting gingerbread-style ornaments out of clay. The ornaments will be fired and ready for pickup before Thanksgiving. This workshop will be offered on Wednesday, November 12 at 11:30 am and again at 3:00 pm. This event is a fundraiser and all proceeds benefit Community Arts Foundation and our preschool scholarships.
3rd Annual Chili Bowl Fundraiser
Saturday, November 22 (11:00 am - 2:00 pm)
Come support Center for Community Arts and Clay Arts Guild with a warm handmade bowl of chili and select a unique handcrafted bowl to bring home! We'll have over 200 handmade bowls to choose from. In addition, Clay Arts Guild members will host a ceramic pop-up at this event.
Your Gift Help Makes the Arts Within Reach
Center for Community Arts and the Community Arts Foundation have the privilege of offering arts education scholarships to local children and adults throughout Contra Costa. We see first hand how in-depth experiences in the arts stimulates imagination, awakens curiosity, and builds community.
Thanks to a generous $26,500 matching grant from the Quest Foundation, every gift you make will be matched dollar for dollar — doubling your impact!
Help us reach our $80,000 goal to expand arts scholarships and community outreach programs that make the arts accessible to all!
Cocktails & Conversations
Thursday, November 6
You’re invited to join the Bedford for its next edition of the popular Cocktails & Conversation series. Led by the Bedford’s Curator of Exhibitions and Programs, Emilee Enders, you’ll enjoy an insider's look at the making of the Observations of a Still Life exhibition and learn about the featured artists, all while sipping cocktails and savoring delicious bites from our event sponsor, Montesacro. The cocktails start pouring at 5:30pm - tickets are limited and can be reserved at BedfordGallery.org.
Don't Miss This East Bay Premiere!
November 5-23
Center REP brings the internationally acclaimed theatrical ghost story to Walnut Creek—The Woman in Black. The second longest-running play in the history of London’s West End, The Woman in Black is the chilling theatrical event that has kept over seven million theatergoers on the edge of their seats for more than 30 years. Hailed by critics as “a white-knuckle thrill” (San Francisco Chronicle) and “Ingenious!” (New York Times) Center REP audiences will be lured into the pulse-pounding and spine-tingling ghostly world of their own imaginations… what happens next is something you must see to believe!
Public Art Walking Tours Coming Up!
Saturday, November 15 (10:00 am)
Bedford Gallery's final Public Art Walking Tour of the season takes place Saturday, November 15. Focusing on the public art found along downtown’s Main Street and the Public Library, these one hour walking tours of Walnut Creek's downtown public art are led by trained public art specialists and offer information and insight appropriate for all ages.
Public Art Walking Tours are now Pay What You Can! Visit the Public Art page at BedfordGallery.org to learn more and reserve your tickets today!
Arts and Rec Class Withdrawals/Refunds/Transfers
If you wish to withdraw or transfer, request this at least fourteen (14) calendar days before the start date for a credit or refund. A $12 fee per person, per program will be charged. No refunds or credits after this time. Refunds are processed within three (3) weeks. No refunds for non-attendance or lack of student participation. Withdrawals may be done online. Transfers must be done in person or over the phone.