Art Parties/Events FAQ
How much is a party?
Kids birthday parties, ages 5-8, 1.5 hours, minimum $200, then $28 per person after 8 participants.
Tweens/Teens parties, ages 9-17, 2 hours, minimum $250, then $32 per person after 8 participants.
Adults, 18 and older, 2.5 hours, minimum $300, then $45 per person after 6 participants.
For group events (scouts, teams, schools, corporate, organizations, fundraisers), contact us for pricing.
We offer unique add-on themes, such as glow in the dark parties or “glitz and glam”, for an additional fee of $5 per participant. Some designs, already completed or custom made, have a premium charge for an additional fee of $50 (flat fee, not per participant). Let us know which themes and or designs you would want and we’ll provide a detailed quote.
We require a non-refundable $50 deposit for most parties to reserve your date (large events may require a larger deposit).
If you require additional time at a party, you can rent out the studio or lobby for an additional $50 per 30 minutes. This must be discussed and agreed upon at least three days ahead of time. We cannot extend the duration of the program the day that it runs due to the scheduling of instructors and staff.
What ages can participate?
We typically host private parties for young artists aged 5 years old and older. Occasionally, we have a group younger than that; in those cases, we ask a parent or guardian to sit with the child during the painting. If your young artist finishes before the rest of the party, please bring your child to the space in which you have dedicated to have food until the rest of the party finishes painting. Please also remember if your event uses acrylic paint that the medium is permanent, and we recommend wearing clothing that is okay if it gets painted on
Also, please let us know if someone is joining a party significantly younger than most of the group, even if over 5 years old. We plan the chosen painting for the birthday child’s age group, and may need to make accommodations in advance for the younger child. This ensures that all young artists have an opportunity to enjoy painting at a level that suits their skills.
How long is a party?
Each party's duration depends on the age group of the artists registered. You may choose to extend your room reservation to run some games, have time for opening presents, etc. In the event additional time is requested, we do offer 30-minute increments; however, this must be planned and paid for in advance. We cannot extend the party time while the event is currently being held.
For the youngest group (typically ages 5-8), we paint for an 60 minutes, and leave you 30 minutes for food and party time.
For tweens and teens' birthday parties (ages 9-17), we paint for 90 minutes, and leave you 30 minutes for food and party time.
For adult private parties, we paint for 90 to 120 minutes (depending on the chosen painting), and leave you 30 minutes to 60 minutes for food and social 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, flower pressing, collage, mosaics, etc.), the duration of time for the event depends on the type of art and the project chosen. We will provide this information in your quote when you submit your request.
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 given an apron, paints, brushes, painting supplies, and an 11”x14” wrapped canvas (12”x16” for adult parties) to take home at the end. If you purchase an add-on premium theme package, additional décor, special materials, 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 with tables for food and presents, usually in a separate room.
Can we paint images found online?
Unfortunately, most pictures have licensing and copyright restrictions. All of the paintings we offer are created in house by our art teachers, or the design license was free or paid for. 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. We will not do paintings of licensed characters such as 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 the same, for a custom design fee.
Can I bring or order 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 chafer dishes to keep food warm if you have a large spread. Remember to bring a lighter!
Alcohol is allowed; however, you are responsible for ensuring everyone drinking is of legal age and drinking responsibly. We reserve the right to stop the serving of alcohol if there is any indication of underage drinking and guests are being disruptive.
For deliveries, please use the correct address and include delivery directions to our entrance to the back, since we share our building with another business. Please provide your phone number as a contact.
What is the maximum size parties can you accommodate?
For indoor painting parties at our facility, we can accommodate up to 15 painters. Outdoor painting parties 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 8 seats. You may have just a party of 3, but must still pay the minimum of 8 participants.
For adult parties (individual or corporate/organizations), you must pay for at least 6 seats.
For youth groups, the minimum is 8 seats.
How should my party guests dress?
Our paint parties use acrylic paint, so please tell your guests to dress for mess! We provide aprons, but they do not offer 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 are 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 heavy medium 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 it will depend on the location and size of your party, or how late the request comes in. When there are special preparations required, such as additional materials, party favors, etc., we may not be able to add any additional participants. Please do not assume we will have space and materials for an extra person who shows up without notice.
How early can I arrive? When should I tell guests to arrive? What is the schedule during the party?
We recommend that the host arrive up to 30 minutes before the scheduled start time of the event to allow time for setting up food, additional decorations, etc. The guests should be told to arrive at the scheduled start time. We usually plan up to 10 minutes to settle in before we start the program. We do our best to stay on track to finish painting on time to allow 30 minutes at the end for food, party events and socializing. If we are to get a late start due to tardy participants or the painting takes longer than expected to finish, 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. Also, there are some designs that are more complicated that we suggest taking a short break to allow time for the project to dry before the rest of the steps. This planning of the schedule will be discussed in the final details for the party. While you are eating or opening presents, we start cleanup, and we may also use a dryer on your painting to speed up the drying. Before guests leave at the end time stated in the program, we like to do a group photo with everyone holding their masterpieces! Finally, we allow an additional 30 minutes 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, cleaning materials, etc.
Can we eat and drink while painting?
For children, we do not allow eating in the studio while painting. However, they may have bottled water or soda cans at their station. We do not allow open drink cups because space can be tight and they can easily get bumped and spill.
For adults, we will allow eating and drinking while painting if space and time permit. For a large group, space may be tight, and there may not be room for a plate of food. Eating while painting also slows the painting portion of your event, so we would either need to reduce the time available at the end, or you may extend your reservation time for an additional fee ahead of the event.
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 available. If the group is small, the instructor may be able to accommodate, but with a large group, it may not be feasible.
Can I let my guests choose between two or more paintings?
Typically, the instructor cannot provide step-by-step instruction for two or more paintings at the same time. But there are some options.
For the youngest group, the instructor can provide a reference for the basic painting and allow for them to go at their own pace without instruction. This would need to be decided on in advance along with the final head count: which paintings and how many of each.
For teens and adults, instead of the instructor leading the group step by step, we can provide written instructions for each painter to follow at their own pace. This would transition the space into an open studio time, where the instructor can be available to help as needed. This would need to be decided on in advance along with the final head count: which paintings and how many of each.
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 and pick up as needed. Parents are welcome to stay for family parties. 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. While welcome on site, the studio space is reserved for those who are painting. The only exception is for young painters who may require parental assistance.
I want to book a party outside. What if it rains?
If inclement weather comes and it is unsafe to remain outside, we will move indoors and either wait it out or continue inside. If bad weather is predicted in advance, we can discuss rescheduling to another date. Please note additional dates you are available in your request forms.
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 an additional date. Please note additional dates you are available in your request forms.
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, including the deposit or the deposit with 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.