Bothwell Arts Center

We have visited the Bothwell Arts Center several times over the years for various things. Our first visit was about 9 years ago when we attended the Livermore Family Thanksgiving Dinner. Unfortunately they no longer have this but we certainly got to meet so many others from Livermore and learned a bit more about the Bothwell Center.Over the years my kids as well as some of the children I watch have loved the park area.. it seems to be well kept and a variety of things to play with for all ages.Over the past couple years, my boys have enjoyed the Summer and Winter art camps. After attending some after school art programs that did basically the same thing every week, my kids were quite bored and wanted another outlet for them to express themselves. The art camps have been wonderful. One of my boys did the full day program and was asking when he could go again which peaked my other son's interest. They have both done 2 more full day camps and have done something different through each one. The instructors are engaging and get the kids to "think outside" the box. Every student's work was different and not copied from something the teacher did. We loved this.As we were ready to sign up for the next camp, we saw the Bay Area Children's Theater has partnered with the Bothwell for a full on musical kid's production. We have missed out in the past on these opportunities yet my boys have so much interest. We are signed up and excited to start the Spring production of "The Jungle Book". There are some scholarships offered so we had a little break on the art class. There is a sibling discount as well. I've pestered them with many questions and had very quick response to my emails and very pleasant interactions in person. The acting sessions typically fill up with a wait list but anticipate it will be money well spent for my aspiring actors. Check it out. It's a great alternative to the typical community activities.

My employer held a team building activity here on learning how to paint with a group of ~30 people. Our employer purchased lunch from another location and bought it over to this venue, and we were able to eat it at this venue prior to painting. We ate for 1 hour and painted for 2 hours. All painting supplies were provided from venue.Vera was the instructor with 2 assistants. The assistants replaced our paint brush rinse cup, re-fill paint and provided tips. Prior to the event, the event coordinator asked Vera to choose a picture for us to paint. The picture was a couple of sunflowers in a vase. It was a good choice since the finished painting can placed in many common places and it was at beginner's level. There were a real sunflower available at each table, so we can use it as a reference. Vera provided guidelines and we had the option to be creative or paint something completely different. Vera is a very sweet lady, she hand wrote many different inspiration quotes on a mini card and handed out to each person. This was to give us some inspiration right before we begin painting, I really like the positive energy that it provided. However, I wished she provided more instructions on how blend different colors to achieve the colors she had, communicate the techniques on how to create certain strokes, and show visually how to paint each section (her back was covering since she stood directing in front of her painting). Perhaps, she might have decrease verbal communication so we can hear the background music, which was very soothing while we paint. She provided detail responses if we had questions though.Our group came here on a mid-day on a Wednesday and there was plenty of free street parking.The area where we painted had a strong mardi gras theme with decorations, lights, objects hanging from ceiling & walls, painting on walls, and more. Also, there is a stage already set up. This venue here could be use for a wide variety of functions such theatrical performances.Overall, this was an awesome event as mini getaway from the office.

Our Granddaughters attended the Winter Break Art Camp. Busy hands are happy... especially with DGD the Elder.I dropped them off and went to their Show.The girls had fun.The first day was a bit slow for them, and markers were not plentiful. Their favorite part was clearly the painting.Instructors were friendly and helpful.I was impressed that their paintings were very creative and individual... not a closely instructed experience like other painting activities.At the Show their work was nicely displayed, and classical music was a added touch.Livermore is a great town to raise kids with so many fun activities and resources.

I went here for a benefit Rotary concert (Nell and Jim Band). I thought the hall was lovely- very nicely decorated with decorative lights, good bathrooms, plenty of space for seating- both rows of chairs and tables and chairs- and a good amount of space left over for a food bar. I'd never been here before- but I hope there are more concerts here. I loved it.

Beautiful Hall/Center with great Art and Decor, but the new Event coordinator is difficult to work with, lacks customer service skills and didn't have the hall set up as paid.The hall was extremely dirty, and in bad shape. We had to spend many hours cleaning it, organizing it and clearing it out just so our event can start. Until they figure out how to set it up for event rentals, they should just keep it as a community center art area. This hall can truly be great but lacks the management to take it into that direction (based on the new person).Otherwise it's a beautiful place.

Nice rental hall. Recently went to a party there as a guest. The only downside I saw was the bathrooms. There are only 2 stalls in the womens bathroom, so most of the night there was a long line. Also, there is no parking lot. we had to park pretty far down the street.