Painting with a TwistTM Painting Parties

This spring, the mountainous skyline of Salt Lake City will be home to the city’s latest hotspot. A once-empty storefront will soon be altered into a vibrant atmosphere filled with painting and laughter. On May 26, owner Candice Vacher will open the doors to Painting with a TwistTM, a studio that invites Salt Lake’s residents to reveal their inner Picasso while sipping their favorite beverage.

Located across the street from Fashion Place mall, the venue, with its glow of radiant lights and lively colors, is designed to accommodate regularly scheduled classes, as well as private parties. The grand opening is set to begin at 6:30 p.m.

Painting with a Twist, the franchise arm of Corks and CanvasTM, invites anyone and everyone to explore their artistic side. Daily classes, available in two- and three-hour sessions, will give experienced and amateur artists a chance to recreate original pieces led by local artists. The studio is equipped with easels, stools, canvases, paintbrushes, acrylic paints, water, and aprons- everything you need to produce your very own masterpiece. Everyone attending is encouraged to put their own “twist” on the evening by bringing along their choice of wine, punch and snacks.

But don’t worry; you don’t need to have any experience with painting to join the fun! Instructors will guide you step-by-step until you have completed your very own unique painting. To showcase the talent of downtown Salt Lake City, Vacher has hired artists from around the city to guide every class. Instructors will include:

Vacher’s decision to open a branch of Painting with a Twist sparked during her first class while in her native Louisiana. “I saw my Louisiana friends’ paintings from the classes and thought it was something my Salt Lake area friends would like.” Mrs. Vacher has a degree in Cardiovascular Echocardiography from the Oregon Institute of Technology and has worked in various cities on the East Coast. She is currently working at the University of Utah Hospital. Vacher is also a new mother, and hopes that owning a division of the franchise will give her a chance to spend more time with her daughter and husband, Matthew.

Vacher’s studio, located at 258 East Winchester Street, will offer regular, daily classes for adults (ages 14 and up). The classes are available in two-hour sessions for $35, or three-hour sessions for $45. Size limits on classes and events were placed in order to create a more intimate, relaxed and comfortable environment for everyone in attendance. Therefore, it is recommended that everyone hoping to attend a class register online from the studio’s Web site. Family Day will be offered twice a month and is designed for everyone, starting at 7 years old. Private events, such as children’s parties, birthday parties, couple’s night, bachelorette parties, or baby showers are available by request. The studio will also hold a special class once a month, Painting with a PurposeTM, in which half of all the proceeds from this class will be donated to charity.