

"Muse allows us to share our passion and create art in a fun, relaxed atmosphere," said Leigh. Muse Paintbar is managed by Stan Finch, president and co-founder, and co-founder and lead artist Vanessa Leigh, and run in cooperation with local artists from the Providence area. A relaxing oasis for artists and non-artists of all ages and skill levels, Muse Paintbar is place for friends to learn, laugh, relax and celebrate life's milestones with skilled painting instructors in an inviting space. Muse Paintbar is open to the public and to private parties on a space-available basis. For more of her work and that of the journal, please visit R.I., J/PRNewswire/ - Combining painting instruction with a wine bar, Muse Paintbar is now open for guests at the company's first Rhode Island location at 117 North Main Street, Providence. "You can come in and you can get caught up in the painting, and for that two-and-a- half hours you're not thinking about anything else other than just kind of perfecting your piece," Finch said.ĭanielle Brody is a reporter for the Westchester County Business Journal. People often tell him the experience is therapeutic. New and experienced painters are welcome to stray from the instructions and use different colors or add their own creative elements, Finch said. Events for kids and families typically cost $29 per person, Finch said.įinch said while people learn to paint in the class, it is not academic. A painting session typically costs $35, which provides a canvas, apron and painting supplies. He said Muse also provides a curated selection of beer and wine. "You may not be able to see the instructor the right way." "We like having our own locations so we can really invest and create the artistic vibe and optimize for this exact experience, as opposed to in bars you just kind of throw a few things together," he said. There is a stage for the instructor to lead the class, and an assistant walks around helping painters. The approximately 3,000-square-foot space in White Plains will have a main studio with separate rooms for private events, so multiple events can be held simultaneously. He said the business also matched his retail experience and Leigh's artistic background.įinch said a venue solely for painting creates a better experience because it is specifically built for that purpose. "We thought a business like this would be really fun to start and to run," he said. He said he originally saw the concept in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The paint bar serves tapas-style food that people can eat while painting, like bruschetta, hummus platters and spinach and feta triangles.įinch and his co-founder Vanessa Leigh, an artist and actress, opened their first location in Manchester, N.H., in 2012. Finch said instructors talk about half the time, giving people time to socialize. Painting sessions last two to two and a half hours with a break included for painters to catch up, eat and drink. The paint bar offers private events for kids, adults and co-workers as well as family painting days and public sessions in the evening. Participants at Muse are guided through the painting process in 10 to 15 steps to create a piece, like their own version of Vincent van Gogh's "Starry Night," to take home. "Our customers tend to either go eat or go out to bars before or after they come to one of our sessions - so it just works well in that kind of area." "We like that area, Mamaroneck Avenue, with kind of all the hustle and bustle and bars and restaurants," he said.
