Studio Paint Party FAQs
Read our Virtual Paint Party FAQS
Read our On Demand Painting Tutorial FAQs
What's a Paint Party?
A Paint Party (or a "social painting event") is a great way to have fun with friends while creating a painting. We'll provide you with everything you need, including easy to follow, step by step, instructions from our artist to create your painting from start to finish. Best of all, you'll get to take home your masterpiece to hang on the wall and say "Wow, I painted that" every time you see it.
It's a super laid back atmosphere and a great way for you to find your creativity in a safe and supportive space while socialising with others who are painting for the first time too.
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
HEART FOR ART NOW 100% ONLINE
We’ve closed our Wellington Art Studio so are no longer offering studio events
All Online services and Paint Club continue as usual
Paint Parties are a super fun and creative way to unwind and try something new.
Find out a little more about what to expect or check out what other people said about their Paint Party experience.
How do I book my Paint Party?
Easy, just go to our 'Book Now' page and click on the painting you want to create. New dates and paintings will be added as we paint them.
Select the number of tickets you want and click the 'ADD TO CART' button.
If you're booking for several people include their names in the notes box on your shopping cart page (just before check out) so we can seat you all together.
When you're ready to book click the 'CHECK OUT' button and fill in your details. You can pay directly through our secure website with your credit/debit card.
Done. Simple as. Book a Paint Party now.
As soon as we receive your full payment we'll reserve a seat and an easel for you.
What's included?
- A 3-4 hour step by step guided painting session led by our artist.
- Everything you need to create your masterpiece including:
- high quality 16 x 20 inch stretched canvas (thats approx 40 x 50cm)
- acrylic paint,
- brushes, and
- most importantly, inspiration!
- Your finished painting to take home and hang on your wall. NB colours may vary from painting shown ... 'cos you can totally decide to change them and do any colours you want!
- Complimentary refreshments as well as a scrummy snacks (refer below for more deets).
- A fun creative session in a supportive atmosphere and the therapeutic benefits of art to help you unwind and destress.
- Great tunes to listen to while you get creative.
- The satisfaction and buzz of knowing you created something awesome.
- Art action photos taken during your session and posted on our facebook page to show off to your friends.
- Free parking.
- No cleaning. Just paint and walk away! (We'll do the cleaning up)
Best of all though, you'll get to feel the joy and healing of art 'cos painting is fun and super therapeutic. Why stress, when you can paint.
What if I've never painted before and can't even draw a stick figure?
No problem. Our Paint Parties are created especially for people who've never painted before or feel they lack any creative ability. If you think you're not creative or artistic - we're here to change that and help you unleash your inner artist and have fun doing it.
With our easy to follow step-by-step guidance just about any non-artist can create a painting so there's no need to feel nervous that your painting wont look like everyone elses. You'll be sharing the experience with others who are painting for the first time too. Everyone's there to have fun and relax, regardless of whatever painting skills they may have.
What if I have painted before?
That's OK. Any skill level is welcome. Some participants come along 'cos it gives them easy access to painting supplies. You're free to follow along and paint the featured painting or go freestyle and paint whatever you like.
What will I be painting?
Each Paint Party features a different painting. We've created a selection of paintings for you to choose from. Just select the one you'd like to paint from the 'Book Now' page.
Our paintings are mostly based on local Wellington and NZ themes because quite simply, our country is gorgeous and full of kiwi awesome and we know you'll love painting home grown content. You'll get to choose paintings of our stunning scenery and wildlife. Check out more deets on 'Our Paintings' page.
What do I need to bring?
- Bring your friends ... or make new ones.
- A willingness to try something new.
- That's it. We'll provide the rest.
What should I wear?
Wear something you'll be relaxed and comfy in. We'll provide you with a paint shirt to keep your clothes protected. Unless you get super expressive and liberal with your paint, like Jackson Pollock, your clothing should be safe, but best to wear something you won't cry over if you do get paint on it ... just in case. Acrylic paint is easy to wash off hands and skin but a little harder to get out of clothes.
Just because you're adults doesn't mean you might not make a mess.
When should I arrive?
Please come 15 mins before your Paint Party starts to grab a refreshment and snack and settle in. The other guests will love it if you're here on time so we'll all be ready to start painting on time. If you arrive late, it's not really feasible for us to spend one-on-one time with you so you'll have to play catch up.
Can I do a group booking?
If you're a group, a troop or a squad, or any kind of bunch, brigade or club, a social group, meet up group, church group or just a group of besties looking for something fun to do together, Paint Parties are the perfect way to socialise and try something cool and new. We'd love to have you.
Just add the number of tickets you want to your cart and include the names of all the people coming in the notes box on your shopping cart page (just before check out) so we can reserve your seats next to each other and you can paint together.
Or if you're all booking and paying separately for the same event, one of you needs to include the names of everyone in your group in the notes box on your shopping cart page (just before check out) so we can reserve your seats next to each other and you can paint together.
If you've already booked your tickets and forgot to include their names, that's totally ok, just send us a quick email using our contact us form.
What scrummy complimentary refreshments and snacks* will I get to enjoy?
Drinks: We'll have a selection of fancy hot drinks for you to enjoy, think peppermint choc, Irish cream, spicy chai or hazelnut lattes or caramel or orange hot chocolate. And if you like your flavour a little bit out there we might even have salted caramel hot chocolate. We'll have cold drinks too.
The selections will vary depending what we buy that week but there'll always be lots of yumminess to choose from. We'll do our best to cater for different tastes, but you can't really complain, cos it's free :p
Snacks: For day time Paint Parties (anything before 6pm), we'll have delish baked treats like muffins, cake and cookies for your to munch. In the evenings we'll offer a selection of savoury nibbles like cheeses, cold meats and other finger food yummies. And if they're in season, fresh grapes from our garden.
* The above only applies to Paint Parties in our art studio. Snacks and drinks will vary for events at other venues.
How big is the canvas I'll be painting?
We'll give you a 16 x 20 inch stretched canvas - that's approx 40cm x 50cm in NZ measurements. It has it's own frame so you'll be able to hang your painting as soon as you get home. Awesome.
If it's a more detailed feature painting we may give you a smaller canvas. If that's the case the change in size will be included on the event details.
BTW: If you're a traveller we can give you rolled canvas so it's easier for you to take home - Just let us know a few days in advance so we can prep it for you.
Will anyone believe I painted it?
As the saying goes "Pictures, or it didn't happen". If you're having too much fun to take your own pics, don't worry 'cos we'll be taking pics for you. We'll post them on our Facebook page after your Paint Party so you'll have evidence of your creativity.
Can I really get a whole painting finished in 3-4 hours?
Yep, sure can. Acrylic paint dries nice and quick and we've created paintings that everyone will be able to finish within the 3-4 hour session. Our goal is to make sure you leave with a finished painting you'll be proud to hang on your wall.
Just bring an open mind and be willing to follow along. Of course you don't have to do the featured painting, you can go free style and paint whatever you like if you want. We'll still help you get your masterpiece finished in time to take home at the end of your Paint Party.
NB Finish time is approximate since everyone paints at a different speed. We never want to rush you, so please allow up to 4 hours.
Will I get to sit with my friends?
Yes of course, we'd never split up besties! If you're booking all your seats in one purchase just include the names of all the fabulous people you're bringing in the notes box on your shopping cart page (just before check out) and we'll reserve your seats next to each other so you can paint together.
If you're paying separately, let us know when you book. Use the notes box on your shopping cart to let us know who you want to sit with. Or, if you've already booked flick us an email and let us know. Please give us at least 24hr notice.
How come your Paint Party is more expensive than other Paint Party places in Welly?
Quite simply 'cos you'll get a tonne of awesomeness and heaps of value. We wanna make sure we offer you a super arty experience, so we've gone full bells and whistles for you.
We'll give you a nice big canvas, a proper artist palette, loads of brushes to work with, colour wheels and rainbow pencils to name a few. You'll also get 3 hours of step by step guidance to help you create your masterpiece.
And we've found all the coolest arty stuff and created an awesome art studio to give you a proper art experience - with all the gear you'll feel just like a real artist.
We'll feed you scrummy snacks too and refreshing drinks AND, best of all, we'll give you plenty of time to paint! All that's included in your ticket price. Awesome huh.
Read a little more about all the awesome mega value you'll get under the 'Why paint with us?' heading on our What to Expect page.
Can I pay cash when I get there?
Nope sorry. We need to make sure there's enough of everything for everyone so all tickets need to be purchased and paid for in advance.
What's the deal with walk-ins?
Sorry, no Looky Lous allowed. Only people with booked seats can stay for the session.
Is there an age limit?
Not really. Kids are welcome at our public events but only if they promise to behave and are accompanied by a grown up, who also promises to behave! You'll need to purchase tickets for each of you. Painting with your children is a great way to bond. Our public events are not really suitable for kids under 9 years old.
You can have kids of any ages if you book a private event. You'll need to provide adult chaperons though (we're not a baby sitting service).
At the other end of the age range, there's no limit at all. If you can still hold a paintbrush you can still paint.
What's your refund/cancellation policy?
All tickets are sold on a no refund, exchange or cancellation basis.
We understand that sometimes life throws you a curve ball and changes your plans. So, if you can't make your booked Paint Party, you'll need to let us know in advance so we can reschedule you to attend another Paint Party.
Minimum notice periods apply. Check our terms and conditions for full details.
If you just don't show up without letting us know, we wont refund or reschedule you.
Can I transfer my ticket to someone else?
Yep, no problem. Just email us and let us know the name of the person you want to transfer it to. Please give us at least 48 hours notice.
Do you sell gift vouchers?
We sure do. Our gift vouchers are like giving two presents 'cos you're gifting an awesome art experience AND they'll leave with their own finished painting! Get yours here.
What do you do with the photos you take during events?
We reserve the right to take photos during our Paint Parties. We'll post them on our social media sites for you to share and may use them for advertising or marketing purposes including on our website. By completing the check out process you agree to Heart for Art terms and conditions relating to photo use.
If you don't want your picture taken, that's cool, just let us know. We totally want to respect your privacy so will do our best not to include you in the pics or crop you out before we post them anywhere.
Feel free to take your own pics and help share the Heart for Art love on your social media. And we'd really love you if you tagged us so other people can find us and come find their creativity too.
Is there alcohol? or can we BYO?
We don't reckon you need alcohol to have fun at our Paint Parties, and we want to welcome kids with their parents, so Heart for Art is a dry studio during our public sessions - i.e. we don't sell alcohol or let you BYO.
You can totally have alcohol or BYO if you're booking a Private Party though and some of our public events are BYO (it'll be shown on the event page).
What's the copyright on your paintings?
Our paintings are created especially for you to enjoy during our Paint Parties and can't be reproduced or copied outside the studio, no matter how much you like them. We hold exclusive copyrights for all our paintings.
You haven't answered my question?
If you have a question we haven't covered drop us a line. All our contact deets are here.
One last thing from us
Heart for Art reserves the right to delay or cancel a Paint Party at any time due to class size, weather, sickness, etc. And, we wanna stay in business so we gotta make sure we cover our overheads. That means we need minimum numbers to run a Paint Party.
If we feel we need to delay or cancel your Paint Party for any reason, we'll do our very best to let you know as soon as possible and give you the option of rescheduling or getting a credit towards another session. Refer our Terms and Conditions for full details.
Now that we've answered all your questions, we reckon you're ready to Book your Paint Party.