Amanda Rengstorf wants everyone who attends one of her painting parties to leave with a smile - and a little artwork.
Rengstorf is the owner of Bright Brushes, a Grand Forks company that specializes in painting and wine parties.
The new business is in its infancy but is already selling out parties of around 30 people.
"It's really starting to take off," Rengstorf said. "I had no idea it would be this successful."
At the parties, an instructor leads novice painters through step-by-step instructions on how to paint a specific painting. No experience is necessary, and the instructor is there to help anyone who may need it.
ADVERTISEMENT
Bright Brushes lists a calendar of upcoming classes on its website, brightbrushes.com , where the public can see when, where and what the featured painting for each class will be. Each class is $35, which includes painting supplies and materials for the about three-hour long course.
The company hosts both public and private parties. Public parties are available for anyone in the community who signs up, whereas private parties are designed personal get togethers, such as bachelorette parties and birthday celebrations.
"My goal is for everyone to have a good time," she said. "We've had quite a few repeat customers, and that's a great thing to see."
One of those painters who has come back is Rosalie Opdahl. She said she's drawn to the camaraderie of the group.
"I get to meet and hang out with a lot of new ladies, and it's been great," Opdahl said. "You're able to meet new people, and it's always fun for those involved."
Rengstorf said she always sees people having a good time, and nobody leaves the parties unhappy. Her goals for everybody who comes to one of her parties is for them to have fun and to paint something they would actually want to hang on their walls.
Not much of a painter herself, Opdahl said learning a new skill has been fun and challenging.
"I always leave here in a good mood," she said.
ADVERTISEMENT
Bright Brushes has now been operating in Grand Forks for three months. Rengstorf had seen the idea in other cities around the country, but couldn't find something similar in Grand Forks.
She said she held on to the idea for a few years, but didn't host a painting party until her bachelorette party.
"It went, surprisingly, really well," she said. "I thought, 'This is really fun. I can do this.' "
Rengstorf, however, didn't have a lot of teaching experience, so before she launched Bright Brushes, she did a party for friends and family to see if she how it would go.
A little while after that, Bright Brushes was born.
"It's been so much fun," she said. "I love doing this."
The organization now hosts a few parties each week in various locations around the Grand Cities - many of them being restaurants. The next public party is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. June 2 at Mamma Maria's in East Grand Forks.
ADVERTISEMENT
