Jill and Tom McDonald of Urban Paper in The Dalles are headed to area bars, but it’s all in the name of fun — and business — as they put on “PaintNite” parties.
Participants of a Paint Nite event at Clocktower Ales work on a painting of a peacock. Every participant creates a unique piece based on the featured artwork. Contributed photo
Jill and Tom McDonald of Urban Paper are taking their love of art and craft beyond their downtown The Dalles storefront with paintnite.com, hashtag #DrinkCreatively, under the slogan “It’s a party with paint.”
The duo are licensed to work Paint Nite, founded in Boston, here in The Dalles and central Oregon in the Bend and Redmond area and have been holding the popular “Paint Nite” events since April.
The concept is simple. The events are held at a bar — current venues included Clocktower Ales Restaurant and Brew Pub and Sunshine Mill in The Dalles — and registered participants gather together to paint, and drink, for two hours.
The McDonald’s contact the venue and provide everything needed; easels, aprons, paint, brushes and canvas.
They set up a sound system, purchased from Columbia River Music, to help the presenting artist get heard and prepare a selection of music.
A new painting is selected each week and posted online prior to the event. Some paintings are provided by paintnite.com, or artists can submit their own paintings, Jill said.
As many as 30 participants then paint their own versions of the artwork.
Preregistration is required, and is done online through PaintNite.com. Cost is $45, although a coupon code (SeeYouSoon30) will get you a 30 percent discount.
“Anyone should be able to be successful in a two hour event, even if they haven’t painted since kindergarten,” Jill explained. “It really is a party with paint.”
Currently, the McDonalds work with three artists: Addie Case and Denae’ Manion of The Dalles, and April Strenger of Vancouver, Wash., who guide participants through the process of creating a their painting.
The McDonalds were attracted to the PaintNite events in part because it fits well with the classes and scrapbooking work they were already doing.
“The fun part to me is when they are done — everyone will have created a different interpretation,” said Tom.
“We wanted to bring some fun activities to The Dalles,” he added. “People think there is nothing to do here, they think only a big city can do this. But we are doing very well.”
How well? Most events are selling out, both here and in Central Oregon.
Tom is thrilled. “This is a fun, social event,” he said. They hope to add new venues soon.
The public events are 21 and over — it is drinking and painting, after all — but the McDonald’s also offer private events and fundraisers.
The events are very social media driven, Jill added, and a taste of the local events can be found on Facebook at paintnitethedalles.
They can be contacted via email, jill.mcdonald@paintnite.com or phone, 541-296-2767. Urban Paper is located at 415 E 2nd St., downtown The Dalles.
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