New Art Studio Adds to Downtown Nightlife (Video)

When a storefront opened up on Main Street after its doors, three Natick artists jumped at the opportunity to create their own art business and add to the downtown social scene.

Owners Denise Girardin, Steve Levinsky and Liza Curtis officially opened the doors to last Tuesday, inviting guests to learn how to paint while enjoying snacks, beer, wine and an array of infused and imported waters from their unique "water bar."

"Natick is just such a great blank canvas," said Curtis, who once owned her own mural painting business. "The residents of Natick seem like they're really excited about having something to do at night downtown." The classes at Palettes, she said, offer locals an escape from the monotony of work and life's everyday stresses.

Those interested in painting can visit the Palettes website to choose from a variety of prepared paintings that they'd like to learn how to copy. During each class, an instructor will walk guests step-by-step through recreating that specific painting. By the end of the one-and-a-half to two-hour class, the acrylic paints are dry and the paintings are ready to take home. The focus is on, as Palettes slogan states, "fun art, not fine art." Even those who have never picked up a paint brush are welcome.

"You don't have to be intimidated, you don't have to be afraid," said Levinksy, who shares studio space with his wife Girardin, and Curtis, at 3 Adams St. in Natick Center. "It's more about the experience and while you're having a great time, you're also creating a nice piece of art."

Palettes is currently offering four classes each week at $35 per person. For those who would like to paint on their own, the studio will be open every Thursday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for that purpose. For $20, painters can use all the studio's supplies to create their own works.

"There's a lot of people who are artists, but don't want to paint at home, so we're hoping to capture that person that, once a week, would like to sit and be surrounded by this," said Girardin, who previously owned a paint-your-own pottery business.

Food is made fresh daily by a chef in the studio's cold kitchen and special snack spreads can be created for the private parties and corporate events that Palettes plans to host. A water bar includes imported waters from all over the world and infused waters made by Curtis, which include flavors like basil and cucumber or strawberry and mint.

The Palettes owners said a large focus of their business is to be "hero friendly." They will offer a house beer, "50 Back", which gives half of its profits back to veterans.  The studio will also give all veterans, police and firefighters a $10 discount to paint.

If you would like to learn more about or sign up for a class or private party, visit the studio's website or like the Palettes Facebook page.