Core Values

We believe that everyone has the potential to learn and grow, and we are committed to helping children reach their full potential. Our mission is reflected in our core values:

  • The Role of Art

    Art is a powerful tool that can help children express themselves and learn about the world around them while developing their creativity. We also believe that art can help children build self-confidence, develop problem-solving skills, and learn how to work collaboratively.

  • Commitment to Equity

    We believe that everyone has the potential to learn and grow, regardless of background or ability. We are committed to providing access to education and training for everyone, regardless of their circumstances.

  • Accessibility for All

    We seek to ensure that our programming is accessible to everyone, regardless of their background or resources.

About Maria

Founder & Director

I live and work in Richmond, CA where I am an educator, writer and artist of color. A graduate of the Art Academy of Cincinnati, I am proud of the solid foundation of technical training that I earned as an undergraduate and that continues to inform my identity as an artist and educator.

In addition to my arts training, for 10 years I served as a full-time English faculty at Los Medanos College where I designed and spearheaded programming that included holistic, social-emotional learning with an aim to build resilience in marginalized communities.

In collaboration with local business, non-profit, and government partners, I have developed Sketch Odyssey East Bay as a platform to offer outdoor sketching and painting workshops to underserved and under-resourced communities, combining my interests in social justice, fine arts, and teaching and learning.

About Adriana

 Program Specialist

We are excited to announce that we are welcoming Adriana Paniagua as our new Program Specialist to the Children’s Art Studio Richmond team! Adriana is a dedicated early childhood educator with over a decade of experience in art education and program development. She has a strong background in creating culturally responsive programs and facilitating parent workshops for diverse communities, including Black and immigrant families.

With extensive experience in family engagement, bilingual communication (English and Spanish), and a practical understanding of the Reggio Emilia approach, she is highly skilled in creating an inclusive and inspiring learning environment. Her prior experience as a Weekend Art Instructor and Curriculum Developer with our program makes her a perfect fit to continue fostering creativity and community with our young artists and their families.

Meet Our Program Partners


  • Early Childhood Educator / Advisor

    Alexina has served as the Director of the West County First 5 Center, a program of Bay Area Community Resources and First 5 Contra Costa, for over 16 years. She has a Master's in Educational Administration. She enjoys working with her team to provide supportive and creative classes for families with children from birth through five years of age, including building meaningful relationships with families who participate in Center programming. She sees art as a natural extension of children's creativity and exploration of the world, and also draws and makes earrings as a hobby. Alexina serves as the lead early childhood subject matter expert for this project.


  • Richmond Museum of History & Culture, Executive Director

    Raised in the vibrant and diverse City of Richmond, California, Evelyn's insatiable curiosity was nurtured by the wealth of community resources at her fingertips as a youth, including the Richmond Public Library and the Richmond Art Center. Guided by her thirst for knowledge, Evelyn now finds herself in a privileged position as Executive Director of the Richmond Museum of History & Culture. Here, she endeavors to spark the same sense of wonder in today's Richmond youth that enriched her during her own formative years. Through her work, Evelyn aspires to create lasting moments of inspiration and discovery, fostering a deep appreciation for the city's rich cultural heritage and instilling resiliency among youth.

Testimonials

  • "Mi hijo le encanto pintar y eso ah hecho que en casa lo practiquemos más."

    — Caregiver of a toddler or preschooler

  • "This program allowed us to enjoy art right here in our neighborhood. There aren’t a lot of options out there so we were very excited to join."

    — Parent of a young participant (ages 2-5)

  • "Le ha encantado mezclar colores y usar diferentes medios para pintar. Le encanta mostrar su trabajo a su papá ☺️"

    — Parent of a child who participated in our workshop

  • "La repetición de los colores ayudó a que mi niña se aprenda los colores."

    — Family member of a young workshop participant

  • "We learned to use different items (not just brushes) to paint, like balloons, paper rolls, etc. so it was fun to see and think of what else we can find at home to use when making art and painting."

    — Guardian of a preschooler (ages 2-5)

  • "Gives me more ideas for arts and activities to do at home and to use stuff we already have at home."

    — Guardian of a preschooler (ages 2-5)