Fun and creativity are at the heart of Maple Grove’s newest business: The Paint Pub. Owners and Maple Grove residents Tom and Jill Tufano hope to impact the community by providing art classes with a twist—a heap of socialization and some wine, beer and snacks on the side, while people work on the nights’ featured painting.
The idea came out of three art classes that Jill and a friend took while they were in Denver.
“It was just sheer fun,” Jill says. “The socializing and instructors were great. Not only did I learn how to paint something really neat and put it on my walls, but it was relaxing and we were really having a fun time.”
According to Tom, the painting classes work this way:
Those interested can visit The Paint Pub website and click on their calendar. People can then see what featured paintings are offered and choose the one that is most appealing to them. They register for the class, and all they have to worry about after that is showing up, relaxing, enjoying food and drinks, and listening for two-and-a-half hours as the instructor walks them through creating the painting.
Currently the classes run in the evenings and cost $30-$40, depending on the day. All materials for the painting are provided.
“Our business is mainly geared toward the non-artist, the people who want to be creative but need a little more help with it than most people,” Jill says. “It’s geared towards the people whose first reaction to our featured paintings is ‘no way can I paint that,’ but our instructors will take you step-by-step in great detail—including telling you which brush to use and how much paint to mix in. People are amazed by what they can accomplish.”
Jill recommends evening classes for those ages 10-and-up, and children must be accompanied by an adult. Family Days without alcohol are offered Sunday afternoons.
The Tufanos hope to open The Paint Pub up to groups for private classes in the future. They’ve already booked some birthday parties but want to expand to corporate team building events, bachelorette parties, church outings, and any other groups that would be interested.
The Paint Pub is located at 13607 Grove Drive. Business hours are Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. To sign up for classes by phone or to arrange a private party, call 612.747.2334.
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Other Services Offered
- Soup and Sandwich Kitchen
- Jewelry and Novelty Item Boutique
- Open Studio Time Without Instruction
- Week-long Kid’s Camps
