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October 2023 by Kiri McCart
Benjamin is a wonderful ceramics teacher, I really learned a lot from him, and now I’m making ceramics for all my loved ones!
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July 2023 by Fiammetta Castaldi
The hours I have spent at the sweet spirit ceramic are amongst the best of my life. Fun, instructive, creative, socially and emotionally fulfilling. Barbara is an amazing highly accomplished teacher who, apparently with no effort, follows each student at their level and according to their learning methods.Fantastic for children and adults alike, you will soon discover that you found not just a potter but a teacher of life.My little personal history: when I first arrived to the States in 1988 I lived in San Geronimo Valley and I noticed that households and backyards were adorned by whimsical cookie jars, marble runs, imaginative castles and ceramic pots and plates. With time my daughter follow suit and I too have my share of ceramic pieces to decorate the rooms: from perfectly thrown jugs and vases to a plate to hide the peas in and a pig house with a slide on the roof.At some point I discovered that I could join in and I did, following Barbara when she moved to San Rafael whenever I had time, inclination or room in my shelves for new pieces, and never regretting it.Watch out: it can be addictive in the best possible way.
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July 2023 by Fiammetta C.
The hours I have spent at the sweet spirit ceramic are amongst the best of my life: fun, instructive, creative, socially and emotionally fulfilling. An amazing teacher who, apparently with no effort, follows each student at their level and according to their learning methods. Highly recommended and fantastic for children and adults alike. But watch out: it can be highly addictive.
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January 2023 by M C.
This class is the best three hours of my week by far! If you're looking for a fun clay experience, beginner or seasoned potter, Barbara at Sweet Spirit is the one to call. Welcoming community of creative spirits!
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September 2022 by Caroline M.
My daughter has special needs and Barbara Andino is simply the most patient and experienced teacher we have ever encountered. My daughter has learned how to hand make plates and throw vases and bowls on the wheel which is not easy because I tried it. I'd give 6 stars if I could. My daughter entered one of the vases she made with Barbara's guidance in the 2022 Marin County Fair special arts division and won a blue ribbon. The boost to her confidence is priceless but she couldn't have acheived this without Barbara's excellent instruction.
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January 2020 by Roger R.
I heard about Sweet Spirit from friends who went there. But when I couldn't fit in class with Barbara, she took me to the studio to meet Benjamin, who offered class at a time that works for me. I was blown away by the excellent help I got, and by the pieces I learned how to make in my very first class. I didn't expect to be so pleased, so quickly. Benjamin has great ideas, lots of them, and he got me thinking up my own creative ideas, happy surprise. I couldn't have it any better than just two of us students with one dynamic teacher for the first two classes (a few of the regulars couldn't make it). My goal was to throw on the wheel. I got my chance. And the stuff I had learned in high school 50 years ago seemed to come back with good instruction from Benjamin. A few classes, and I'm throwing cups already, with a few trimmed bowls ready for the kiln. Yes, I am happy! This brings new excitement in my busy life. I wait patiently for Sunday to come around so I can get my hands dirty in wet clay. If you're thinking about Ceramics, check out class with Benjamin while there's still lots of open space. I guess it's right place, right time.
