Paint. Drink. Have Fun!

Art is something many find intimidating. Glancing at the walls of local coffee shops, restaurants and galleries you wonder why some paintings and photos are priced for decorating a college dorm while others would cover the cost of a new car. Where some find beauty, others don’t see it. At Pinot’s Palette in Coeur d’Alene, none of this matters and intimidation is the furthest thing from your experience. Owners Jeff Hansen and Jackie Casey invite their guests to come in, sit down with a blank canvas, grab a drink and have an enjoyable and memorable evening.

Hansen and Casey own both Pinot’s Palette locations in our area. Their Spokane location opened in February of 2014, and they’ve most recently opened the Coeur d’Alene studio this past November, located on 4th street across from Capone’s. Despite being open for just a few months, Casey is thrilled at the reception they have received. “We weren’t sure how this brand new and different concept would be received, and we are so grateful that everyone seems to love painting and sipping wine as much as we do,” said Casey. The completely full class I attended on a Saturday night evidenced this.

Like most others doing an art class for the first time since middle school, I was a little nervous. I checked in and headed straight to the bar for a little liquid courage. There were dozens of beers, wines and sodas to choose from and all the alcoholic beverages come from Idaho, Washington or Montana. The space was warm and comforting, and there was mingling and music as the class of about 30 got settled.

Audreana Camm, a professional artist currently living in Spokane, led us. She shared that we would be recreating a large blue flower with a golden backdrop. The library at Pinot’s Palette contains 1,500 paintings, and you can check online to see what you are painting beforehand.

Audreana explained to us how in just a couple of hours our blank canvas would become a piece of art despite our own best efforts to derail it. And if we thought we had messed up, the bar was just a few steps away and staff members also walked through class ready to help out and answer any questions.

We went step-by-step with Audreana showing us what to do and giving us about 10 minutes between steps. The music and mingling went on, allowing us time to enjoy our beverage. Twice I felt I had messed up my painting beyond repair, but after about two hours I stood back and was pretty impressed with how my attempt looked. It was by no means a masterpiece, but I can say truthfully I enjoyed every minute of the experience and this will find a place somewhere on my walls.

“At our studio, anyone can be an artist and have fun being creative – no art experience required! In two or three hours you can create a festive, colorful painting while listening to great music and sipping on your favorite beverage from our bar,” said Casey. Fun is truly what this is all about. Classes run most nights of the week, there is open studio time and you can also reserve a private event for your group. Pinot’s Palette is locally owned and Hansen and Casey are proud to call Coeur d’Alene home. You might not be the next Rembrandt, but that doesn’t mean you won’t come up with something you’re proud of while you paint, sip, and have fun at Pinot’s Palette.

Pinot’s Palette will be holding Valentine’s Day classes on February 13 and 14. Each person paints half of his or her canvas and when you put it together with that of your partner’s painting, it makes one big picture! It’s something unique to do with your sweetheart this year!

Pinot's Palette

728 N 4th St, Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814

208.930.4763

www.pinotspalette.com/cda

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