Business Details
23 Years
experience
Art Classes for All Ages in Foster City
Art Academia has been dedicated to fostering artistic growth since 2003, offering European-style art education in Foster City, CA. Our classical approach emphasizes three core principles: Observation, Interpretation, and Application, providing students with foundational skills in drawing, painting, and ceramics. With a focus on personalized instruction, we serve children aged 7-17 and adults through structured classes and immersive summer camps. Our instructors, including founder Inna Polnar and Alexandra Munoz, bring decades of academic and professional experience to nurture creativity and technical proficiency. Recognized as Best Art School in San Mateo for three consecutive years, our students consistently earn awards and gain admission to top art programs.We maintain small class sizes to ensure individual attention, combining disciplined academic training with opportunities for self-expression. Our summer camp program offers outdoor learning experiences at local lagoons, integrating nature into artistic practice. All materials are provided for introductory classes, with flexible payment options and a free tryout available for new students. Our policies prioritize student safety, academic continuity, and respectful collaboration in a professional learning environment.
Services
Youth Art Classes
Adult Painting Courses
Summer Art Camp
Private Instruction
Ceramics Workshops
Drawing Instruction
Watercolor Classes
Oil Painting Lessons
Portfolio Development
Art Summer Programs
Details
- Year established: 2003
Highlights and features
- We offer classical art education with personalized instruction since 2003
- Our instructors include award-winning artists with international academic backgrounds
- Small class sizes ensure individualized attention and progress tracking
- Students regularly win regional art competition awards and gain top program admissions
- Flexible payment options with transparent pricing and late fee policies
What people say
Individual attention
Award-winning students
Experienced instructors
Outdoor summer camp
Classical techniques
Services
Youth Art Classes
Structured art instruction for children aged 7-17, focusing on academic painting, drawing, and ceramics. Small class sizes ensure personalized guidance. Students develop technical skills while exploring creative expression through various mediums.
Adult Painting Courses
Comprehensive painting instruction for adults in oil, acrylic, and watercolor techniques. Classes emphasize observational skills and professional methods. Suitable for all experience levels seeking to refine technical abilities or explore new mediums.
Summer Art Camp
Outdoor summer program for children aged 7-12 featuring ceramics, painting, and drawing instruction. Includes nature-based field trips to local lagoons. All materials provided with experienced instructors maintaining 9:00am-3:30pm daily sessions.
Private Instruction
Customized art instruction available hourly for focused skill development. Tailored to individual goals in drawing, painting, or portfolio preparation. Experienced instructors provide personalized feedback and technical guidance for all proficiency levels.
Ceramics Workshops
Hands-on ceramics instruction covering hand-building techniques and glazing methods. Students create functional and decorative pieces using professional studio equipment. Classes include all necessary materials and firing services for finished projects.
People
Inna Polnar
Founder & Art Instructor
BFA graduate from Moscow Art University with gallery exhibitions across the US. Founded Art Academia in 2004 to share professional art techniques. Specializes in still-life and landscape painting instruction.
Alexandra Munoz
Instructor
UCLA Master's graduate with eight years of art camp teaching experience. Began artistic journey at Art Academia as a child. Focuses on nurturing young artists through Saturday program instruction.
Questions
What age groups do you serve?
We offer classes for children aged 7-17 and adults 18+. Summer camps specifically serve ages 7-12 with outdoor programming.
Are materials included in class fees?
Basic materials are included for introductory classes. Regular students need to purchase their own supplies following our recommended material lists.
Do you offer trial classes?
New students can take one free trial class before enrolling. Trial availability depends on current class capacity and instructor schedules.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept online payments through our booking system, personal checks, and Zelle transfers. Credit card payments incur 1-4% service fees.
How are instructors qualified?
Our instructors hold advanced art degrees and have professional exhibition experience. Founder Inna Polnar studied at Moscow Art University, while Alexandra Munoz earned her UCLA Master's degree.
What is your cancellation policy?
Full refunds (minus $30 fee) require 4-week notice before session start. Less than 4 weeks notice receives 50% refund. No refunds after sessions begin.
