A few weeks ago, my son and I spent a few hours trying out an awesome new class in the Kentlands.  We were invited to check out artventureUS!, a local painting studio that offers painting classes for kids and adults.  They really offer something for everyone, from very basic classes for kids and families called Simple Strokes, to adult sessions where you can enjoy a glass of wine while you socialize and paint.  They also offer date nights, fundraisers, corporate events and even birthday parties.

The classes are 2-3 hours long depending on the type of class and level of difficulty, and the prices range from $25 for the Simple Strokes class, up to $50 for an adult session which includes a glass of wine. 

I love the idea of having some place to go, allow yourself to be creative, enjoy quality time painting with your child, and then not have to worry about cleaning up paint from the floor or tables!  It makes the experience much more relaxed and fun!

The class we attended had about eight kids in it ranging from four to twelve.  Each class has a specific themed piece that the instructor will show you how to paint.  When we went, we got to paint a monkey.  Everyone was at a different level, but everyone was made to feel special and important.  My son is not yet five so he decided he wanted a spotted, ninja-like monkey.  The instructor still took the time to tell him what a great job he was doing and how great it looked instead of trying to correct him. 

In my opinion, I think these classes are probably best for ages 6 and up.  I definitely plan to coordinate a girls night out there at some point in the future as I think it is a great place with a fun, creative atmosphere.  I can also see hosting a birthday party for my son there when he gets a little older.

Here is a picture of some of the masterpieces created during our session.



You can check the artventureUS! website to see all the different paintings available, check out the calendar of events, and register for classes.  You can also check out their Facebook page for more info.