Movement and mindfulness go hand in hand at Oak Folk Studio, where self-expression takes on many forms for many ages.
Since its soft opening in November, the eclectic Orcutt venue has hosted kid-friendly classes in art, performing arts, and yoga.
“I feel like they all kind of weave together,” founder, owner, and instructor Katlin Majewski told the Sun. “I love them all, and as much as I thought about focusing on one, I want the variety, … and to be able to offer up the community a lot of different things that I don’t think we’ve had before.”
A former public school teacher, Majewski set out to create a hub for activities—from painting and sewing to drama and improv workshops—that children could enjoy outside of their regular school schedules.
She realized her vision for Oak Folk Studio in a spacious storefront that used to be an eyeglass showroom, at 4850 S. Bradley Road, suite B, in Orcutt’s Oak Knolls Shopping Center.
“We ended up changing everything, but in the moment of walking in, I could just see it. I really liked the layout, how it was kind of just this big open space,” Majewski said. “When I saw the building, I saw the layout being a good fit for what we wanted to do. … I could see the yoga mats lined up.”
A certified yoga therapist, Majewski designed her yoga programs for younglings, with different age groups that range between ages 4 to 12, with less of a workout in mind than what’s commonly expected at many yoga studios.
“Yoga is for anyone. A lot of people immediately associate it with a workout. Really, it’s a philosophy. There’s so many layers to it,” Majewski said. “I just feel like it’s untapped in that aspect of people realizing I can teach a one-hour class every week and you can learn something new about this philosophy, as opposed to just getting in here to sweat and get out.”
There are even options for ages younger than 4 to give yoga a try at Oak Folk Studio as long as a parent or guardian joins.
On Dec. 22 and 23, the studio will host “sneak peek” programs that allow kids to sample the venue’s yoga offerings without making a month-long commitment, which is asked of those who register for regular weekly classes.
Majewski will also host art and drama sneak peeks throughout the weekend as well.
“For the same ages, I did line them up back-to-back,” Majewski explained, “so they can try everything if they want.”
Ages 4 to 6, for example, can sample art at noon, drama at 12:30 p.m., and yoga at 1 p.m. on Dec. 22, while ages 7 to 12 have a similar block of sneak peeks to consider the following afternoon. Registration info and more details are available online at oakfolkstudio.com.
Some of Majewski’s goals include encouraging kids to branch out of their comfort zones by trying new things, while also reducing their screen time, she said.
“So much of the day is on the computer now, and I get it, … everything has its pros and cons,” Majewski said at her studio desk, sitting in front of her own keyboard and monitor. “But I love being able to provide a space that’s a little bit more analog.”
While the building’s back room is full of arts and crafts materials that Majewski can conveniently wheel out to the front area for workshop offerings, her improv classes rely more on imagination than anything you’ll find in her supply cupboards.
“It’s a lot of games. It’s a lot of getting out of your shell, building confidence,” she said. “One of the No. 1 fears is public speaking. So, can we break that early?”
Highlight
•The Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) included Molly Alves, vice president of operations and membership with the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce, in its latest 40 Under 40 list. The annual program recognizes chamber industry leaders hailing from different states across the country. Read about Alves’ placement in the 2025 roundup online at magazine.acce.org, which describes her as positioning Santa Maria’s chamber as “a true catalyst for economic vitality.”
Reach Senior Staff Writer Caleb Wiseblood at cwiseblood@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Dec 18 – Dec 25, 2025.