Art Parties/Events FAQ

What ages can participate?

We host parties for kids 5 and up. We occasionally have a painter in the group who is younger. For those younger than 5, we request that a parent sit with the child during the painting. Also, the younger children tend to finish very quickly (because they really aren’t following along with the instructor), so please be prepared to entertain the child (in the food room) while the rest of the party continues their painting. But please remember that we are using acrylic paint which is permanent.

Also, please let us know if there is someone joining a party significantly younger than the majority of the group (even if over 5). We plan the chosen painting for the birthday child’s age group, and may need to make accommodations in advance for the younger child.

How long is a party?

For the youngest group (ages 5-8), we paint for 1 hour and then leave you 30 minutes for food and party time. We find that the younger kids do not have an attention span for longer paintings. You may, however, choose to extend your room reservation if you would like to run some games, have time for opening presents, etc.

For tweens and teens birthday parties (ages 9-17), we paint for 1.5 hours and leave you 30 minutes for food and party time. You may extend your room reservation if you would like more non-painting time.

For adult private parties, we paint for 1.5-2 hours (depending on chosen painting), and leave you 30 minutes to 1 hour for food and social time. You may extend your room reservation if you’d like more time.

For youth groups and adult organization events, we normally do not include food/party time unless requested, for an additional fee.

For other types of art parties (e.g., paint pouring, porch leaner painting, clay), the length depends on the type of art and the project chosen. We will provide this information in your quote when you submit your request.

Additional time is available in 30 minute increments for an additional fee. This must be planned and paid for in advance. We cannot extend the party time on the spot.

What is included in a party?

We will set up a room for the painters with tables, chairs, and table coverings. Each painter will be provided an apron to use, paints, brushes, etc., plus an 11”x14” wrapped canvas (12”x16” for adult parties) to take home at the end. If you purchase an add-on theme package, additional décor and dress-up items may be provided for use during the party, or as take-home favors (as indicated in each package). You will have an instructor to lead the painting portion of the party. Depending on the size of the party, we may also have helpers working during the party to provide more paint, change water, etc. Music can be played upon request. You will also be provided tables for food and presents (usually in a separate room).

How can I see what dates are available?

While some information can be found on our calendar at a glance, just because you don’t see an existing event doesn’t mean the slot is available. We must confirm availability with our instructor and helpers needed. Please submit a request with the date or dates you are considering and we can get back to you with availability.

I saw a picture I liked on the internet. Can we paint it?

Most likely, no. All of the paintings we offer we have designed or have paid to license the design. We cannot use someone else’s photo or design without permission. Feel free to send us a picture to see if we have something similar in our library we could use. Also, we will not do paintings of licensed characters (e.g., Disney princesses, Minions, Minecraft, etc.). If we have permission to use the image, there will be a custom design fee (since the instructor will need to evaluate the design and determine how to paint it and do a sample to display during the event). We can also do a custom design similar to your reference photo (but not exactly the same), for a custom design fee.

Can I bring food and drink (including alcohol)?

Yes! We will provide tables and chairs, usually in a separate room from where we are painting, and plain white vinyl tablecloths. We do not provide utensils, napkins, etc. We do not have a kitchen, so if you have food or drink to keep hot or cold, please bring the food in an appropriate container. You may bring chaffing dishes to keep food warm if you have a large spread. Remember to bring a lighter!

You are allowed to bring alcohol. You are responsible for ensuring everyone drinking is of legal age, and drinking responsibly. We reserve the right to stop the serving of alcohol or stop the party if the drinking is getting out of hand and guests are being disruptive.

Can I order food to be delivered to the party?

Yes. Make sure they are given the correct address and are given directions to our entrance, since we are in a building that is shared with another business. Please provide your phone number as contact.

What is the maximum size parties can you accommodate?

For typical indoor parties at our facility, we can accommodate up to 18 painters. Outdoors on our lawn we can accommodate up to 30. If you are hosting the party at your location, we can accommodate as many as you can fit! Just keep in mind how much space each painter needs for supplies, they usually need line of sight to the instructor, and the instructor needs space to set up a table with paints, a space for their palette and supplies, and two easels (one for the sample painting and one for the step by step).

For other types of art parties (e.g., porch leaners, ceramics, etc.), the numbers may be reduced because more space is needed per participant or we run it in a smaller space.

What is the minimum I need for a party?

For kids private parties, you must pay for at least 10 seats. You may have just a party of 3, but must still pay for 10.

For adult parties (individual or corporate/organizations), you must pay for at least 6 seats.

For youth groups, the minimum is 5.

How should my party guests dress?

Our paint parties use acrylic paint. So PLEASE tell them to DRESS FOR MESS! We do provide aprons, but they do not provide complete coverage. Acrylic paint is usually permanent on fabric once dry. So leave the fancy party dresses at home! An old short-sleeved T-shirt and old jeans or leggings is perfect! They may get paint on their skin or even in their hair, but a good scrub with soap and a washcloth will remove it.

You may request to use tempera paints on canvas boards, or watercolors on canvas boards or watercolor paper instead of acrylic on wrapped canvas for a younger group.

I have a last-minute person who wants to come. Can they come?

Please contact us immediately if you’d like to add to the final head count after we have confirmed it with you. We can usually accommodate, but depending on the location and size of your party, or how late the request comes in when there are special preparations required (e.g., pre-sketched canvases, party favors, etc.), we may not be able to. Please do not assume we will have space and materials for an extra person that shows up without notice.

How early can I arrive? When should I tell guests to arrive? What is the schedule during the party?

We allow the host to arrive up to 30 minutes before the scheduled start time to allow time for setting up food, additional decorations, etc. The guests should be told to arrive PROMPTLY at the scheduled start time. We usually plan up to 10 minutes to settle in and then start the painting. We do our best to stay on track to finish painting on time to allow 30 minutes at the end, but if we get a late start or if painters are not staying focused, there may be less than 30 minutes left at the end. If you know in advance there may be late arrivals, we will suggest that you do the food before the painting. That way any late arrivals might need to rush eating, but we won’t run out of time for the painting. Also, there are some paintings that we suggest taking a break to eat in the middle to allow time for the paintings to dry before the rest of the steps. We will discuss this when going over the final details with you. Guests should begin leaving promptly at the scheduled end time. While you are eating/opening presents, we will be starting cleanup and we may also hit the paintings with a dryer to speed up the drying. Just before people start leaving, we like to do a group photo with everyone holding their masterpieces! Finally, we allow additional time at the end for the host to take down decorations brought in, gather gifts and food, and do cleanup (we provide a bag for you to collect the trash, but we’ll handle sweeping, etc.).

Can we eat and drink while painting?

For children, we do not allow eating while painting, however they may have bottled water or soda cans. We do not allow open drink cups, however, because space can be tight and it can easily get bumped and spill.

For adults, we will allow eating and drinking while painting if space and time permits. For a large group space may be tight and there may not be room for a plate of food. Eating while painting also slows down the whole painting portion, so we would either need to reduce the time available at the end or you may need to extend the length of your reservation, for an additional fee.

Can guests paint whatever they want?

If you have selected a painting for the group, then this is what the instructor will be teaching. Often this means only the specific colors for the selected painting are out. If the group is small, the instructor may be able to accommodate. But with a large group, it may not be feasible. Also, if the host has requested a pre-sketched canvas, blank canvases may not be available.

Can I let my guests choose between two or more paintings?

Maybe. The instructor usually cannot be doing step by step teaching of two or more paintings at the same time. But there are some options.

For the youngest group where they are provided a pre-sketched canvas and the paintings are simple, we could allow them to go at their own pace and do their paintings without instruction. We would need to know IN ADVANCE AT TIME OF FINAL HEAD COUNT which paintings and how many of each. We prepare the canvases just for your party and don’t have any in inventory, so we must be provided the exact counts in advance. Be aware, however, that without the instructor setting the pace, some kids will finish very early while others may take much more time. The host will need to be prepared to entertain the kids finishing early.

For teens and adults, we could offer this option. Instead of the instructor leading the group step by step, we can provide written instructions for each painter to follow at their own pace. The instructor will be available to help as needed. We would need to know IN ADVANCE AT TIME OF FINAL HEAD COUNT which paintings and how many of each.

Am I supposed to tip the instructor?

Tips are not required, however they are appreciated!

For kids parties, do all parents have to stay? Or can they stay?

The host must remain on site during the party. All other parents can drop off/pickup. Parents are allowed to stay. If you’d like to have a large group of adults stay for the duration, please discuss this with us ahead of time to ensure we have the space to accommodate them. We do, however, request that parents spend most of their time in the food room. They may come in to the painting room for a short time to see the progress or take pictures, but space is usually tight and the instructor needs to be able to move freely around the room to help painters. Also, the parents’ chatter can be distracting and make it hard to hear the instructor. The only exception is if there is a young child requiring a parent to assist during the painting.

I want to book a party outside. What if it rains?

We will have a tent set up so usually we can continue even if it rains. If a storm comes and it is unsafe to remain outside, we will move indoors and either wait it out or continue inside. If they are predicting bad weather in advance, we can discuss rescheduling to another date.

They are predicting a snow storm. What do we do?

We will usually try to follow what the Roselle schools or park district is doing. If they cancel their scheduled programs, we will usually recommend rescheduling your party, but it is up to the instructor assigned to the party to decide if they feel safe traveling to the event. In the event of predicted inclement weather, we will be in contact with you to discuss.

We need to cancel the party. What do we do?

If you need to cancel the party because of illness or other emergency, contact us immediately. Any money paid (just the deposit or the deposit plus final balance) is non-refundable, but you can reschedule the event for another date in the future. A reschedule must be for the same painting/project if we have already prepared the materials for the event. You are allowed one reschedule. If the second time you also cancel, you forfeit all money paid.

If you do not show up for your event without contacting us in advance, you will not receive a refund or be able to apply those funds to a future event.