What happens when you mix paint and wine? A night out on the town that you’ll literally never forget. That’s because you’ll have a 16-by-20-inch canvas to remember it by.
At Painting with a Twist, guests come together for a unique nightlife experience that includes friends, paint and the option to BYOB (or maybe we should say BYOW).
With locations in St. Petersburg, Clearwater and Tampa, you can plan your artistic nightlife adventure nearby your hotel or even your home, if you’re a local.
Painting with a Twist classes offer a fun way for friends to spend a night out on the town — Photo courtesy of Painting with a Twist
How it works: You bring the wine and a creative sense of adventure. And they provide the cups, paint, paint brushes, canvas and a professional art teacher.
The instructor stands at the front of the room and gives step-by-step instructions as students follow along. Of course, after a few glasses of wine, the creative juices begin to flow. And two hours later, a finished work of art emerges.
There are more than 4,000 original pieces of copyrighted artwork, ranging from landscapes, abstracts and cityscapes, to creative renderings of animals, iconic buildings and florals, which have all been conceptualized and produced by Painting with a Twist art instructors.
Follow along as the instructor leads an interactive painting class at Painting with a Twist — Photo courtesy of Painting with a Twist
One of the more popular classes in the St. Pete area is called “Paint Your Pet.” Students register in advance for a limited number of spots (typically between 28 and 32). Then, instead of everyone making the same painting, each individual paints their own pet.
When you register for the class, you send a picture of your pet to the studio. Then, the artist will print out the photo and sketch the image of your pet on the canvas for you to use as a reference.
When you arrive to the studio, your canvas is ready to go, and you work individually to bring your four-legged friend to life.
Private group classes are available — Photo courtesy of Painting with a Twist
“When we started franchising in 2009, we had no idea that we would become the new night out, for people everywhere,” says Painting with a Twist Cathy Deano, who founded the company in 2007 with Renee Maloney.
Additionally, the company maintains a strong focus on giving back to the local community. Painting with a Twist donated more than $1 million in 2014 through their charity arm, Painting with a Purpose.
Each month, the local studios raise funds for charities like Special Operations Warrior Foundation, Big Brothers Big Sisters, American Heart Association, The Ronald McDonald House and more.
Keep in mind that classes at Painting with a Twist tend to sell out pretty fast; you’ll want to register in advance for this popular attraction.
