About the Art Party instructors
* Paula Mitchell received a bachelor’s degree in commercial design from Indiana State University. She gained 25 years of experience working for ad and design studios in Dallas, Texas. Mitchell teaches design at Ivy Tech Community College and is a freelance artist.
* Lisa Wulf expects to complete studies for a bachelor’s degree in fine arts this spring. She has a passion for nurturing the creative mind and enjoys relaxing by making a work of art. Wulf believes art is a form of entertainment which anyone, at any age, can enjoy.
5740 Vogel Road
EVANSVILLE Are you tired of holding your Girls’ Night Out, or Guys’ Night Out, or couple’s date night centered around the same environment or theme — a sports bar, or a dinner out and a movie, or bowling and dinner?
For a fresh approach, how about knocking yourself out at an art party, creating your own take-home painting whether or not you have nary an ounce of art experience.
Jeff Zinn, owner of Alpine Vending Co., and his wife, Sara Jane, a business continuity manager for Old National Bank, have just opened a novel new business that will allow you to do just that.
Simply called Art Party, the business is located at 5740 Vogel Road, near — but unrelated to — the Thomas Kinkade Gallery.
The business accepts guests by reservations only, via its Web site, ArtPartyEvansville.com.
The evening of entertainment, costing $35 per person, includes informal and fun crash courses in painting by instructors Paula Mitchell and Lisa Wulf.
All painting supplies are provided. Wine or soft drinks can be ordered, and guests may bring their own snack or cake, said Jeff Zinn.
In recent days, the Art Party has held a soft opening, but is gearing for a grand opening at 7 p.m. Friday.
Bob Wuertz, vice president of the engineering firm Project Associates, and his wife, Kathy, Paragon Promotions’ office manager — neither of whom have a background in art — believe there now may be a little hope for them as amateur artists after participating in a recent Art Party session.
Bob Wuertz said they were able to create something as simple as a watermelon with a colored background without painting with lines and numbers.
The instructor’s very casual manner made them feel comfortable with a brush in their hands, he said.
“There was no pressure to do something great, no right or wrong and no grade. The instructor gave very simplistic instructions, removing any fear.”
Wuertz said the experience allowed them to do something which they normally wouldn’t have done.
“I believe the business will reach a broad range of people.
“We enjoyed it and will recommend taking friends there.”
Retirees Gay and Mick Arrick and their son-in-law Randy Sheffer — all first-timers in the art arena — found Art Party exceeded their expectations.
“It was a ball,” Gay Arrick said, considering she had never painted even a wall. “We had such a great time.”
She figured her husband and Sheffer would stay for only one-half hour and then slip away to Sheffer’s office to watch the recent University of Kentucky basketball game.
“But they didn’t lay down their brushes the whole session,” Arrick said. “It was a great couples’ night out.”
The Art Party Web site lists the painting topic and date for each session. The sessions average two hours each.
The Art Party facility can accommodate up to 25 guests, but it may be expanded in the future to hold up to 50 guests.
The facility can also be rented out for private parties.
It presently is open each Friday and Saturday evening at 7 p.m. for adults 18 and over, and at 2 p.m. on Saturday for kids 7 and older, accompanied by an adult.
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