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Rikki’s Journal

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Artvana holiday classes

Hello there!  If you are looking for FUN Holiday classes, activities and events in Washington for this years Christmas season, look no further!

We have some exciting NEW things to share with you alongside our typical Holiday paint and sip classes here in Washington.

First of all if you haven’t joined one of our Holiday classes in the past, are you in store for a treat!

Artvana Holiday classes are a great way to:

Experience the holidays with your own two hands

Create memories with your friends and family as you create together

Give meaningful, collectible, hand-painted gifts for your loved ones

Enjoy the Holidays with your community

 

We have some beautiful new Holiday classes coming out this Christmas Season including two NEW ORNAMENT SETS

You can find these ornament classes available throughout our service area which includes the following locations and surrounding areas:

Auburn, Tacoma, Puyallup, Bonney Lake, Gig Harbor, Bremerton, Bainbridge Island, Yelm, Tenino, Lacey, Olympia, Centralia and Spokane.

2024 holiday market art classes

This year will be full of Holiday Markets in Washington State, Holiday activities for the family and of course Holiday parties!

 

We are looking forward to sharing the Season with you as we create joy this Christmas!

Here are a few more Family-friendly Christmas activities we are hosting this year:

Folk Ornaments Holiday Classes at Top Rung Brewing in Lacey WA – View Class

Winter Critters Ornament painting class at Bertoglios Pizza in Yelm WA – View Class 

Gift Truck Holiday paint and sip at Top Down Brewing in Sumner WA – View Class 

Christmas art class at Cranes Castle in Bremerton WA – View Class 

Holiday event for Kids and Families at Ocean5 in Gig Harbor WA – View Class

 

Here is what some of our class attendees have to say:

“Bloom was our instructor, it was the best paint party I had been to.  Bloom had a delightful sense of humor and empowered each of us and gave us a space to play and take chances” – Michelle D. Olympia Wa

 

“OMG this was amazing! I swore I couldn’t do it but I DID! RIKKI YOU ROCK!” – Shawna G. Lacey Wa

 

“They came to our house for my sisters 65th bday party and we all had a blast. The host was amazing, we had a group that consisted of: a person with special needs and people of ages from 11 to 70. It was so much fun and quite entertaining.”  – Susan I. Chehalis Wa

“Rikki and her assistant were phenomenal instructor’s, and so personable. My girlfriends and I had a blast at our painting party at a coffee shop in Gig Harbor. Rikki traveled to us, which made it convenient. I can’t wait to book Artvana again for an afternoon of fun. Thanks again ladies” – Samantha J. Gig Harbor Wa

 

“We had a great outdoor painting party. Artvana is amazing, worked with me to find a painting that would make everyone happy, and they even put up with my obnoxious family � . It really was a great experience all around and I can’t wait to do it again. Thanks for everything!!” – Tami S. Tumwater Wa

“We had our paint and sip tonight and it was awesome!! We started talking about and planning our next one before this one was over! Thanks so much!!” – Linda D. Yelm Wa
“I hosted a moms night in and Artvana was so much fun!! I loved getting everyone together for a paint and sip! The Artist arrived exactly when she said she would, set everything up, and made it so easy for us. We will definitely be booking again in the future” – Jolene M. Olympia Wa
Interested in a Hosting a private party for your next Holiday office party, family gathering or girls night?  You can GET STARTED HERE 
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halloween party ideas 2024

Fall is here! Pumpkins are here! That’s right we are all excited. Jokes aside Fall is one of the best times of year to plan something fun and cozy indoors. It’s why it’s our favorite season of the year to host paint parties!

Have you been curious about hosting your own paint party? Perhaps you have been to an Artvana paint night event and want to share the experience with your friends and family. I can tell you from experience that a paint party brings people together!

You will have so much fun creating with your people during the 2-hour class. You WILL discover things about your friends and family that you didn’t know! See how everyone’s creativity manifests on the canvas differently and enjoy the after-party of looking at everyone’s artwork!

One of my favorite things about private paint parties is how they engage and keep a group together. Sometimes, when you are hosting a party, it’s hard to keep everyone entertained and having fun. Sometimes your party breaks up into groups and some can feel left out. That doesn’t happen with a paint party.

You will get to choose your date and time, your artist will arrive around an hour early for set up. Everyone gets checked in, takes a seat, and then it’s time to paint! Your artist will guide the entire group through the painting as you share laughs, techniques, ideas, and more with each other. Who will be the teachers’ pet? Who will be the perfectionist? And who will go rogue?

Here are some tips for hosting your party and some of our favorite ideas we have seen from hosts over the years:

TIPS:

Have tables and chairs for the number of painters you will have, folding tables and chairs work fine. You will need the same amount of room as if you were going to eat dinner. We will cover the tables when we arrive unless you have a special theme and use your own covers.

Tell guests to arrive 20-30 min early from the painting start time. This gives them a chance to settle in and we all have that one ‘late’ friend.

Guests can pay with cash, check or card at the party be sure to let them know we take these type of payments ahead of time.

Get everyone involved by letting them contribute food or drinks or something fun to the gathering.

PARTY THEMES:

Cider and Canvas party – Simmer a huge pot of cider for you and your guests, drop in the cinnamon and mulling spices and we will bring the canvas. Your house will smell great and everyone will be so cozy! Choose a cozy fall painting from our gallery to match your theme. Cookies also pair well with this party.

Paint and Pumpkins party – This ones all about the pumpkins! Bake your treats with pumpkin and ask your guests to only bring pumpkin-themed dishes! Daytime parties can make a PSL inspired coffee drink option, evening events can experiment with pumpkin flavored cocktails. Choose a pumpkin painting and the stage will be set for a beautiful gathering you will remember for years to come.

Traveling paint and sip parties in tacoma, olympia, bremerton, yelm, puyallup, auburn, bonney lake

Spooky sip and Paint party – Halloween is a great time to get your friends together if spooky is your style! Go all out with creepy snacks and cocktails and top it all off with one our Halloween painting options, you can create your Halloween decor while having a blast painting! We have many new spooky options in the gallery to choose from!

Holiday Ornament Painting party – One of our favorites! We love creating a new tradition with our painters as we hand-paint rustic wooden ornaments in this class style. We release a new ornament set each year for you to choose from! We have Gnomes, we have Folk, we have Traditional, We have winter Critters and more! Add these special items to your own tree or give them as keepsake gifts! Ornament parties are great for Fall dates so you can have your holiday decor ready for the Christmas season!

I hope these party ideas and themes inspire you to create a hands-on Fall season full of experiences shared with your friends and family! To book a party email your preferred date and time to [email protected]

VIEW OUR GALLERY OF PROJECTS AVAILABLE

NOT READY TO HOST? JOIN ONE OF OUR PUBLIC CLASSES INSTEAD

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Tacoma paint and sip

Living in the PNW is breathtaking and filled with adventure! The options are endless, from Camping and hiking, the Pacific Ocean, and our famous 101 scenic highway to unique food and drinks. But have you ever been on an art adventure?

As a local company, Artvana always looks for ways to enhance your PNW experience! We have partner venues all across Washington state and we offer something for everyone! Let’s take a look.

Maybe you are familiar with Artvana classes or have even attended a few, but did you know we currently have 20 partner locations where you can take an Artvana class?

We specifically curate our classes to bring you new experiences again and again. Our classes are a great way to explore and discover new places in the Pacific Northwest. Of course, you can always attend a class near you but if you want to push the boundaries and create somewhere new with us, what are you waiting for?

Here are a few types of classes we offer, keep reading for a full list of partner venues:

Wine and Paint– we host classes with several wine bars and restaurants that serve wine. If sipping some delicious wine while you relax and paint in one of our guided art classes seems like it’s your thing check out one of our events at Rumors Wine Bar or Ocean5. These events are adult-focused, fun, and relaxing. They are great for a date night with your special someone or a girls’ night out.

Get creative with Craft Beer -Washington is renowned for its distinctive craft breweries, and we’re big fans too! We organize acrylic painting classes at some fantastic local breweries, providing an opportunity to unleash your creativity while sampling unique, locally brewed beers. Our most enduring partner brewery is Top Rung Brewing in Lacey, founded by a group of firefighters – pretty cool, right?

Crafty Cocktails – If wine or beer isn’t your thing, we have a few venues that offer a full bar. That’s right, you can get tipsy or sip your favorite cocktail during class! Unwind and see how some spirits influence your creativity!

Coffee and Canvas – If you’re not a drinker or if you’re underage, don’t worry – we have classes designed for you! Our coffee and canvas classes take place at amazing coffee shops and provide a fun, alcohol-free environment for you to express your creativity. Some of our coffee shops also serve wine and beer in addition to espresso and café offerings. Discover your new favorite coffee or hangout spot!

Kids and Family events – Certainly! Here’s the rewritten text:Yes, we offer events specifically for kids and their families! Our Kids and Family paint nights are great fun for the whole family. If you are looking for something fun, engaging, and educational to do with your family, an Artvana Kids Paint may be just the thing. Kids can paint by themselves in class, or you can purchase a special family ticket and paint with your kiddo. Creating together is such a fun experience, and we can’t wait to share it with you and your family!

VISIT OUR COMPLETE EVENTS CALENDAR

Alright there you have it folks! Start your art-venture with Artvana and visit us for a class at one of these partner venues in Washington state! Here is a current list of our partner locations:

Top Rung Brewing, Lacey WA – Craft Beer – Visit

Cafe Elite, Lacey WA – Coffee, wine, beer, kids and family – Visit

Fog and Fern Coffee, Lacey WA – Coffee – Visit

Cup of Swords, Olympia WA – Craft beer – Visit

Rumors Wine Bar, Olympia WA – Wine – Visit

The Juice Box, Centralia WA – Craft beer – Visit

Stone City Farm, Tenino WA – NA – Visit

Bertoglios Pizza, Yelm WA – Wine, beer, kids and family – Visit

Locust Cider, Tacoma WA – Cider, wine, beer – Visit

The Redd Dog, Tacoma WA – Wine, beer – Visit

Top Down Brewing, Sumner WA – Craft beer – Visit

Yoked Farmhouse Brewing, Port Orchard WA – Craft beer – Visit

Ocean5, Gig Harbor WA – Wine, beer, cocktails, kids and family – Visit

Locust Cider, Gig Harbor WA – Cider, wine, beer – Visit

Cranes Castle, Bremerton WA – Craft beer – Visit

The Toad House, Bremerton WA – Wine, beer, cocktails – Visit

CRFT Beers, Auburn WA – Craft beer – Visit

Dane Joe Espresso, Spokane – Coffee – Visit

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Hi Parents! We all notice a change when school lets out for the Summer, kids enjoy more time in their daily pursuits and parents adjust schedules. Summer can be a great time for you and your family to grow closer together and experience more things together. It doesn’t mean that learning has to stop just because the fun has begun! Check out these 3 activities for kids and families that are educational and entertaining!

  1. Join an Artvana Kids & Family painting class. Artvana now offers these family events once a month or more in Lacey and Gig Harbor Washington. More locations are coming soon! These events are designed with your family in mind, they are a little shorter than a typical painting class and feature a fun artwork that everyone can complete. Join the art adventure with us as we paint Toucans, Baby whales and more….

We currently offer these kids and family painting classes at:

Cafe Elite, 130 Marvin Rd SE UNIT 130, Lacey, WA 98503 (Saturday afternoon event)

Ocean5, 5268 Point Fosdick Dr, Gig Harbor, WA 98335 (Thursday evening event)

Chick-Fil-A, 8302 Quinault Dr NE, Lacey, WA 98516 (Select events in July and August)

Thurston County Fair, 3054 Carpenter Rd SE, Lacey, WA 98503 (Special Event August 3rd 2024)

Click HERE to view all upcoming Artvana classes

2. Order an Artvana painting adventure kit. Our Mini Masters kits are fun, easy, educational and great for those long Summer days. Choose your kiddos adventure with Kahlo Koala, Monet the Mouse or Picasso the Opossum. Have a kid that loves art, get the bundle and get a Mni Masters apron for them to continue their artistic journey. These lessons are short, easy to understand and include fun facts about real artists from history!

Check out the Mini Masters art-venture kits by clicking HERE

3. Get outdoors and create a Fairy Garden. I have been obsessed with building these fairy Gardens lately and its something kids of any age can do, either by themselves or you could easily build one together! All you need to start is a broken flower pot or another vessel, then take a walk and collect moss, sticks, rocks, and other findings. Build the base of your garden with these then pick up a few polymer clay packs and make some little mushrooms for your garden or some little creatures. The possibilities are literally endless. It’s also a great project for kids that will help develop fine motor skills, imagination and design skills.

Here are links to a few of my favorite Fairy Garden Supplies:

Glass Globes – Click HERE

Polymer Clay Starter Kit – Click HERE

If you live here in Washington state you can easily go out and find moss on trees and fallen trees. But if you don’t have natural moss readily available where you live this moss is a great replacement

Moss for terrariums – Click HERE

Have a happy creative Summer!

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Artvana private paint parties

Spring and Summer are FULL of activities to do, but if you are looking for something that brings everyone in your group together; keep reading to see why a private paint party might be your next Summer plan.

Of course, Artvana offers painting classes all throughout the Summer at our partner venues in Thurston, Pierce, and Kitsap county. But if you are looking for something more personal and customizable a private party might be perfect.

Artvana private paint parties are easy to book, easy to plan and so much fun! All you need to do is email us at [email protected] with your preferred date and time and we can help you get everything set up.

When you plan a private paint party YOU get to choose the painting your friends and family will create during the class. We have over 100 paintings to choose from with choices for kids and adults. Kids and adults can paint together at private events. Aside from the many kids’ birthday parties we host each year, we paint with family groups too!

A friends and family paint party can be a great activity for:

Mothers day

Fathers Day

4th of July

and more

You can visit the Artvana painting gallery and start browsing options by clicking HERE

The other great thing about private paint parties in the Summer is that you can host them outside! We love patio, garden, and garage paints in the Summer. Check out this photo from an Artvana private party last Summer! We had so much fun painting out by the lake.

We paint with groups of all sizes and we do not have a minimum number of painters required, instead, we offer small parties for groups of 7 or less for a flat rate of $315. All other parties are the same as our public events at $45 per person. We do not charge travel fees and everything you need for your party is included. All you need to get ready is tables and chairs and maybe some fun food and beverages for your guests!

So what are you waiting for?! Email us today or fill out a form in the gallery to get your Summer paint party on the calendar and start inviting your friends and family! This may even become an annual event for you to plan and look forward to.

We can’t wait to paint with your group and enjoy the Summer, we are standing by for questions or to help you with your booking. – Paint soon!

Visit our website here for more details

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painting to go kits, art kits for travel, acrylic painting kits

Warm weather is coming which may mean packing up and hitting the road for many of us this Summer!

Whether you are making plans to hit the cabin, the beach or the trails this summer Artvana has creative projects that are road ready!

Summer is one of the best times to let our creativity run wild! Being such a busy time with so many activities on our schedules finding time to pack up your art supplies or even knowing what to bring can be a challenge.

You may also be wondering, what will I create on vacation? How will I pack all of my supplies, will they fit?

The good news is, we have made creating on the go this summer EASY! Artvana paint club members get an exclusive shipment each month with a travel ready art kit. All you need to do is sign up, grab your art supply drop when it arrives in the mail, and throw it in your adventure wagon!

All you need is a device to watch the tutorial on and you can create ANYWHERE!

We have some super fun summer paintings coming up in the club that you won’t want to miss. Register before June 1st to get our painting ‘Summer Arrangement’ shipped to your door in your welcome kit.

Join the paint club CLICK HERE

At Artvana we believe creating should be fun and easy! We strive to make painting accessible so all you need to do is sit out and let your creativity take over. We take care of paint and materials so you don’t have to worry about getting the right colors, brands and amounts. You don’t need to stock an entire studio to start learning to paint.

Wherever your creative adventures lead you this Summer we would love to see your projects in our members section. Happy painting and travels!

painting to go kits art kits acrylic painitng kits

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retreats and weekends for women in washington state

Have you heard of Reconnect? Maybe you have heard about this retreat in the past or seen it on Facebook. If you haven’t had a chance to check it, today I am going to cover everything in detail for you and what you can expect if you attend the Reconnect Womens Retreat this year!

Here is the scoop.

Reconnect was started as a Womens Retreat 4 years ago in Lewis County Washington. It was born out of a need to get away from the hustle and into the country. It is women only; if you have never attended a women’s only event, you are in for a treat!

Something magical happens when women come together and in this retreat, we have built such an amazing group of women that come back year after year.

We relax, in the creek, in the hammock, in the hot tub….there is no shortage of ways you can take a deep breath and let it go here.

We stretch and feel, with 3 onsite yoga sessions that you can choose to participate in. All yoga is included.

We play and connect, I can’t tell you how many awesome connections and friendships have come from this weekend. Join us Saturday night of retreat for game night, it’s always a highlight. This year we are also planning a movie night under the stars, where you can grab your blanket and get cozy while we have snacks and watch a classic. All of these activities are included.

We create, each year I have been in charge of the art workshop for the weekend and it has been so fun designing this for the women! In years past we have explored painting, gratitude and goddess workshops, Hand block printing on tea towels and more….This year I have an art & clay workshop planned for you where you will create a fairy garden globe. Wander the 7 acre property to find natural additions for your art piece and then come back and create some special items out of clay! Add a mushroom or a toad, a little house a butterfly your imagination is the only limit and of course I will be there if you get stuck. We will bake your clay on site so you can paint it and add it to your art piece. The art workshop is inlcuded.

We partake, this Womens retreat is alcohol and canna friendly. If you drink, you can do that here, crack open a cold one as you float in the creek. If you smoke you can do that here, take a toke and zen out in a hammock. We are all about sharing. Also if you do not partake, that is ok too! Find the vibe that’s right for you with multiple areas within the property and plenty of different women to connect with no matter your habits.

I do hope you can join us this June 21-23 for our 5th annual Reconnect womens retreat. The  Womens retreat is happening near Onalaska WA at Fonzo and Marindas Campground. The Lewis county countryside is breathtaking and full of fresh air! See you there!

If you have any questions about the retreat or how to register you can email me at [email protected] – Rikki

Retreat tickets are available HERE 

Here are a few photos from our past Retreats!

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My partner surprised me with a trip to this exhibit for my Birthday recently!
Was it a true ‘surprise’? Not really, because I had been begging to go ever since the Van Gogh exhibit that I missed! Regardless, it was an awesome gift and experience and I wanted to share my highlights with you. The exhibit is available until May 12th at Tacoma Arts Live.

So what is “immersive” about the exhibit?

When you enter the building you will be greeted by museum staff and guided through the experience. I felt that they were very attentive to making sure you knew what was going to happen and how to navigate the space.

You can peruse a hall of digital information about the Artist Monet, it covers different times in his life and career, lots of interesting stuff.

You will continue to the main event which is a huge room surrounded almost completely by giant screens. In the middle are a few benches and they also offer floor pillows. The benches were full when we attended and we took the cushions to the floor. I will say I wish they had a little more seating available in the main area.

Once you are comfortable you can start to enjoy the display of over 300 Monet artworks. The show is put together beautifully with a moving floor to add to the experience.

Was it awesome?

I loved it!

It was neat to see the artwork presented so large, you could see the detail and the messy, quick strokes Monet is so famous for. I was able to study his use of color in a new way and this exhibit inspired me to go out and get some ultramarine blue paint!

I would highly recommend this as one of the fun things to do in Tacoma! Here is the exhibit schedule. If you get a chance to attend, leave me a comment with what you thought of the exhibit!

  • February 14 – May 12, 2024
  • Thursdays and Sundays, 10:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
  • Fridays and Saturdays, 10:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
  • Low Sensory: The first Saturday of each month at 11:00 a.m. + 11:30 a.m.

Tickets are available online at: https://www.tacomaartslive.org/events/imaginemonet/

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Today we are taking a deep dive into the world of paint and sip! Perhaps you have attended a paint and sip class at a local venue, but have you hosted a private paint party yet?

Let’s explore some paint party ideas that will make you the most exciting host around!

Of course, Artväna loves hosting paint-and-sip events at our local partner venues but there is just something about a private paint party in your home that hits differently. The great thing is you don’t need a lot of space, you can design your party to work best for you and your friends, you can pick a theme, and set up is super easy!

So how do you do it? The first step is contacting us and choosing the date and time you want for your party. You can email [email protected] to start the process.

Private paint parties are great for all kinds of occasions and themes, here are a few of our favorites:

  • Girls’ Night In
  • Pool paint party
  • Fourth of July
  • Mother’s Day parties for Mom
  • Birthday paint party
  • Couples’ Date Night
  • Office/Team parties (can be hosted at your office)
  • Kids Birthday parties
  • Retirement celebrations
  • Holiday themes
  • Beach/Vacation themes

Whatever event or person you are celebrating, adding paint to the mix is sure to make it the most memorable time. You will learn things about your friends, family, or co-workers that you didn’t know! Create together and share the experience.

At Artväna we do not have party minimums and we paint with groups of all sizes. Our artists are standing by to help you host a successful paint party at your home, office, or venue.

Go all-out and choose a painting from our gallery that matches your theme, with over 100 paintings to choose from we know you will find something beautiful for you and your friends to create.

We would love to hear your party idea, answer any questions, and get your date and time reserved on our calendar, email us to get started and get a paint party on the calendar that you can all look forward to!

Paint soon – Rikki

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3 Easy Activities to Help Develop Your Child's Fine Motor Skills

Today’s post is all about our Mini Masters!

Do you have a little one at home? Perhaps nieces, nephews, or grandkids? Maybe you find yourself wondering how you can help them be more creative as they grow and learn. This can be especially challenging if you don’t consider yourself particularly creative.

Artväna is here to help!

Children often have the advantage of being creative with less stress and more time to play and discover.

However, children also face a specific set of challenges that are unique to young people. One of the biggest challenges when they are young is developing fine motor skills, such as the ability to hold the brush still or hold the brush with a certain amount of pressure, on the canvas.

Making shapes, drawing lines, and coloring inside the lines can all contribute to stronger fine motor skills in the hands. As they grow and practice these skills will naturally strengthen, however here are a few activities that will give them extra opportunities to develop these skills, and they are fun too!

Here are 3 easy ways you can create experiences for your little one that will get all those tiny hand and finger muscles working and strong!

#1. Spring Planting

This is a great activity for kids of all ages, especially those who struggle to break away from screen time. The very best part of gardening for fine motor skills is seed planting. Using those tiny finger muscles to pick up tiny seeds and drop them in their rows or pods is something every child can help with!

#2 Sculpture-Building

Play-doh or Lego sculpture building is a great activity for these fine motor skills to be used and improved. Set a project for your kiddo such as ‘Let’s build a castle’ or ‘Let’s design a barn’. Shaping the Play-Doh and clicking all those little blocks together tight is going to strengthen hands and fingers.

#3 Painting

Of course painting makes the list! Making art is one of the best developmental activities for children of any age. Painting and drawing help to develop with pressure control, gauging distance, hand-eye coordination, and grip strength. Artistic painting is also a way to develop a child’s creativity by letting them choose the colors for their projects. As they get older they can use the painting and drawing skills they have learned to make their imaginations come to life!

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