About Gwen

Gwen Perin is a fourth generation Mill Valley resident, which means her two children are bringing up the rear as the fifth generation to live in town. Perin attended Old Mill School from kindergarten through sixth grade, Edna Maguire for grades 7 and 8, and Tamalpais High School. She continued her education at College of Marin for two years, and was later awarded her Bachelor of Arts at the California College of Arts & Crafts. She received her life teaching credential from Dominican University. In 2017, Perin began her 37th year teaching art at Park School. Perin was 18 when she first began teaching art through the Mill Valley School District's summer program with Australian sculptor Phil Dizick, then a parent at Old Mill. In addition to her current schedule, she has taught for over a decade of summers at Marin Country Day, and has taught after-school and summer programs for Mill Valley Parks & Recreation. Of her time with her students, Perin writes: "I can't think of anything more enjoyable than working with young children and art together in one place. When I was growing up here, we really didn't have 'art' classes until high school. It's delightful to see the light bulbs go on in children when they're making art and expressing themselves and being creative."

Kiddo! Programs

• Art Classes for Grades K-3