Improv, paint night and a clay workshop at the Center for Community Arts

The Center for Community Arts has three studio events on the calendar this week, starting Wednesday evening with an improv jam.

The jam runs 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 26, and is facilitated by Kenn Adams, artistic director of Synergy Theater. The city describes it as a no-pressure evening open to every experience level, and says spectators are welcome to come watch rather than play. Adams is a familiar name in the city's studios: Synergy Theater's own site lists its Walnut Creek classes at 111 N. Wiget Lane, taught through the city's Arts and Rec department, and runs a three-level School of Improv that ends with a performance.

Thursday, Aug. 27 brings the last Paint Night of the summer series, 6 to 8 p.m. The subject is an abstract take on a late-summer sunset in acrylics, working on color blending, texture and brushwork. Drinks and light refreshments are included, the city said.

Friday, Aug. 28 is a ceramics day. Visiting artist Scott Jennings will spend 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on a session the center calls Stretching the Slab: making patterns for each form, texturing the clay, building hand-made vessels out of slabs, then stretching and contouring them to get volume. The Clay Arts Guild is providing refreshments and snacks.

Two dates are worth putting on the calendar now. Fall classes start beginning Sept. 6, in ceramics, drawing, painting, printmaking, glass, sewing, weaving, dance, music and theater. And on Saturday, Sept. 19, the center holds a free Preschool Art Pop-Up at Shadelands Art Center, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., with hands-on art and sensory activities for children ages 0 to 5 and their families.

The center also announced it is now taking bookings for art parties, for birthdays, graduations and team parties. There are three packages, and each one includes supplies, activities, set-up, clean-up and a staff member the center calls a Party Captain.

A practical note: the announcement does not list prices or a room for the three August events, and points people instead to the center's class and program listings, to artsrec@walnut-creek.org, or to (925) 295-1490.

One more thing to know before you register for the fall. Arts + Rec asks for withdrawal or transfer requests at least 14 calendar days before a class starts to get a credit or refund, and charges a $12 fee per person, per program. Refunds are processed within three weeks. After that 14-day window there are no refunds or credits, and none for non-attendance. Withdrawals can be done online; transfers have to be done in person or by phone.