Just Paint Offers Professional Help for Amateur Van Goghs

Saturday, June 16, 2012

Ashley Klann, GoLocalWorcester Contributor

Looking to be the next Rembrandt but not sure where to start? Just Paint is coming to the Canal District, offering professional level guidance and lessons for any aspiring painter.

No matter your age or experience level, Susan Dunshee at Just Paint is ready to bring some creativity your way.

“I came up with the concept more or less because I have two small children. Parents get tired of doing the same thing every birthday and a lot of work goes into putting them on,” she said. “We’re open to children coming in with parents, hosting parties, or any other type of occasion.”

Just Paint will be moving into Crompton Place, 138 Green Street in the Canal District, a neighborhood that has been getting a lot of good publicity lately. The area’s nightlife and restaurant scene are making strides and the area just hosted the Spring Edition of StART on the Street.

The studio will host their kickoff, grand opening on Friday, June 29th from 6-10pm. Guests are welcome to come in for complimentary drinks, food, and raffles and get acquainted with the new business.

Classes at Just Paint will be taught by professionals and will run from Tuesday to Saturday 7-9:00 p.m. Classes are open to new students at any time, but Dunshee says talk of a more intense, focuses course is in the works.

“Just Paint is an art studio where professional artists teach you how to paint step-by-step in a fun and social environment, while sipping on beer or wine. No experience is necessary, just a love of art,” Dunshee said.

Dunshee will be keeping things local with her team of professional artists.

“I have a team of local artists. A few are working for the summer, and have graduated from local art schools,” she said. “We’re trying to keep it local. All of our art supplies we have been buying from CC Lowell.”

Just Paint is trying to be more than just a class, however. Dunshee wants patrons to know that they’re welcome to come in and enjoy themselves.

“We will have a monthly calendar up the next week. One night will be an open studio night where our hours will be a little later – 6:00 – 10:00. These classes will be more loose. Anyone can come in and paint anything they’d like,” she said. “Adult classes are BYOB.”

“We want to create a social atmosphere and make it more than just coming in for a class,” Dunshee said. “If they want come in with partners, friends, whatever. Everyone’s welcome.”

If you’re not interested in the adult classes, keep them in mind for your little one or any upcoming event you’d like to make more artsy.

“In addition to adult classes, Just Paint hosts children's art classes, private parties and art camps. Just Paint offers art lovers of all ages the opportunity to create something unique, while learning to do so in a very unique environment,” Dunshee said. They host private parties, birthdays, wedding showers, field trips, and more.