About

Our Story

Since 2020, Creative Art & Clay offers a safe and happy place to inspire curiosity and creativity.

We strive to deepen the connection between people and art with a variety of programs and provide an artsy playground for both children and adults.

We offer morning/ afternoon and weekend classes for kids and adults, birthday parties, private events and homeschool classes.

Our studio is at 1200, Boulevard Way, Walnut Creek - Once you turn into the parking lot from the main road, we are on the right side with a cheerful, painted door.

We require advance sign up for classes and workshops, so unfortunately no walk in option is available.

Let’s inspire and create together!

About Maria

Creative Art & Clay was founded by Maria Rachidi, a full time dreamer, community organizer and mom of two silly kids. 

Maria was born and raised in Budapest, Hungary, a city that still holds a special place in her heart. She graduated from Eötvös Lóránd University, a prestigious college in Budapest, and moved to New York City shortly after. While the Big Apple was a huge culture shock for her, the art scene inspired Maria. She studied at NYU, and in between classes, enjoyed the city’s diversity and colorfulness. 

Maria moved to the San Francisco Bay Area in 2014 and settled down in Walnut Creek. She instantly fell in love with the city and community. She loves the outdoors and the positivity she is surrounded by here in the Bay Area. 

After her kids reached elementary school age, she founded Creative Art & Clay, creating an outlet for families and adults of all backgrounds. Dreaming is what moves her forward, and art, creativity and self-expression are the values that inspire her the most.

Her teaching experience includes:

  • Creating and teaching an after-school curriculum for East Bay Area Public Schools and private schools (Walnut Creek, Concord, Pleasant Hill and Brentwood)

  • Working closely with Cresent Moon Center - a non - profit -desingning and facilitating art therapy workshops monthly

  • Working with Jewish Contra Costa – a non-profit - to create an art curriculum and teach at their yearly summer camp

  • Working with the Jewish Family and Community Services to help facilitate art therapy for Afghan Refugees

  • Working with Visions in Education to create homeschool classes for homeschool families in the East Bay

  • Creating workshops for corporate events in the Bay Area

  • Creating workshops for the Islamic Center in Walnut Creek and Brentwood

  • Designing and facilitating classes at East Bay Hungarian Educational Group (Hungarian School in Walnut Creek)

  • Volunteering at Events

  • Designing ongoing classes and events at Creative Art & Clay