After School – Culinary & Ceramics

About this event

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program overview

Each month the SCC After-School Enrichment program will offer a culinary arts and ceramics curriculum that will connect students to the world by investigating diverse cultural traditions and the common themes that bind us. Through these classes, the Community Center is helping children learn about and celebrate the large and beautiful world we live in!

Students will spend half their time deep diving into the culinary arts with Chef Gerardo by exploring cultural food traditions, learning basic cooking skills, sampling flavor profiles, and understanding the importance of sustainability. The other half of the program will be spent learning the fundamentals of handbuilding with clay with Margaret Thomas. Instructors will prepare lessons that engage and teach while the children create. It’s a wonder to see how proud the children are after they make their creations!

This after-school program includes 1 culinary class and 1 ceramics class each Thursday.

Pick-up & Drop-off Information

Drop off at 3:30 PM and pick up at 5:30 PM

Drop-off and pick-up will happen outside the Rotary Kitchen each week. For safety purposes, we ask that parents come inside to sign their child in and out after each session. You can view a map of our building here .

Optional Pick-up Service

Starting August 20th, we will also offer a free pick-up service from Sonoma schools if you are unable to drop them off after school. Please contact Melissa Agocs, the Youth Program Director, for more information. You can contact her at melissa@sonomacommunitycenter.org .

Thank you to the California Arts Council for providing funding for this program.

instructor Overview

Gerardo Diaz

Gerardo Diaz is a passionate individual with a love for the great outdoors, culinary arts, and family connections. Born and raised in Mazatlan Sinaloa Gerardo’s affinity for nature was fostered from a young age. His earliest memories are filled with the sights and sounds of the ocean waves sparking a lifelong passion for exploration and adventure. Beyond his love for fishing, Gerardo is also a skilled culinary enthusiast. He delights in the art of cooking, using fresh ingredients and innovative techniques to create mouthwatering dishes that tantalize the taste buds. From sizzling seafood caught on his own fishing excursions to hearty meals prepared with love for his family, Gerardo’s kitchen is always brimming with creativity and flavor.

Above all else, Gerardo treasures time spent with his family. Whether they’re gathered around the dinner table sharing stories and laughter or embarking on outdoor escapades together, the bond they share is unbreakable. He believes that family is the cornerstone of happiness and finds true joy in nurturing those relationships through shared experiences and cherished moments.

Margaret Thomas

Instructor / Artist

Margaret is a born and raised Sonoma local. She went to SVHS and has been involved in the Community Center since a young age. Graduating Sonoma State University in 2021 with A BFA, Margaret wanted to become a teacher and continue her education career by taking on the after-school ceramics program in 2023.

Jumping around from printmaking and painting, Margaret has found her new passion in ceramic arts. She finds joy in teaching children while learning along with them, helping break down the fundamental techniques of hand building.

Margaret focuses her lessons on cultural traditions of different regions and origins of ceramic history, encouraging children to be inspired and creative. Children will make fun and useful pieces they can take home, share with their family and cherish for years to come.

Membership Has It’s Benefits

All Silver Memberships and above receive 10% off the registration cost for any class purchase over $40. Materials fees are not discounted.

Membership helps support our programs, events, and financial aid programs. Become a member today and find community, connection, and creativity.

Membership Information Join the Studio

Class FAQ

What is the process for cancelling my registration?

We ask that you notify us at least 10 days in advance of a class if you need to cancel your registration. You may cancel by phone or email and we will gladly offer you a refund or credit toward a future class. If you cancel with less than 10 days’ notice, we will not be able to provide refunds , due to our contractual obligations and material purchases for each class.

Sometimes, the Sonoma Community Center has to cancel a class due to low enrollment or unforeseen circumstances, such as a natural disaster or health emergency. If this happens and we do not offer a reschedule date, you will be refunded 100% of your registration fee (minus the payment processing and services fee), or credit towards a future class. If we are able to offer a reschedule date but you are unable to make the new date, we will gladly offer credit towards a future class.

All credits must be used within 1 year.

Where can I find your full class policies and guidelines?

You can view our full class policies and guidelines here .

Accessibility Needs & Commitment

The Sonoma Community Center is committed to creating an accessible learning environment. If you require any special considerations(medical, physical, learning) please share them with Sean Baskin, Program Associate, by emailing him at sean@sonomacommunitycenter.org so that he can forward them to the relevant Program Director and Instructor.

What skill level is right for me?

• All Levels

• Welcomes participants from beginning through advanced. Instructor provides a balanced and flexible curriculum suitable for participants with any level of experience.

• Beginning

• Participant has little to no experience with this medium and needs or expects guidance at every step during the class. Participant wants to learn about materials, techniques, and vocabulary of the medium.

• Intermediate

• Participant is comfortable with the medium and expects both guidance and time to work alone with the medium.

• Advanced

• Participant is very confident with all aspects of the medium. Participant is self-motivated; ready to experiment and develop their artistic voice.

Is there a building map so I can find my room ahead of time?

Click Image to Expand

Click Image to Expand

Do you pro-rate late additions to classes?

Late additions to any program, class, or workshop that has already begun will be allowed on a per-case basis depending upon the Program Director & instructors approval. Late additions will have to pay the full registration cost of the class, along with any materials fees, and will not be prorated for the time missed. You may reach out to the program directors directly, or the Program Associate Sean Baskin at sean@sonomacommunitycenter.org to request a late addition.

I am interested in teaching, where can I find more information?

We are always looking for new instructors. You can fill out the form directly here .

Schedule

Weekly Every Thursday

Date & Time

September 3 – November 19, 2026

3:30 PM – 5:30 PM

This Session

from

Exceptions

No class November 26(Thanksgiving)

Location

Category

Registration Groups

1st – 2nd Grade 3rd – 5th Grade

Weekly Registration Cost:

1 – 2 Grade

3 – 5 Grade

Financial Aid

From Sonoma Community Center