UNION W.Va. (WVDN) – In early September, the small town of Union welcomed a big idea courtesy of Ross & Cyndi Hanna. This husband and wife team is not only partners in life, but in business as well. Artistic Alchemy Studio, co-owned by the talented duo, is the newest location for crafters and painters to learn a new skill and have fun in the process.
“I’ve been artistically inclined since I was a child,” Ross said. “I started painting at an early age and went to art school in Maryland. I sold paintings around the country, including through a gallery in Lewisburg. We opened a paint party business in Lewisburg in 2017 before moving to Ronceverte, where we continued paint parties as Ross Hanna Studios,” he adds. “In 2020, when COVID hit, it shut us down. We moved to Myrtle Beach, but came back last year, and we wanted to do something here in Union, so when a space came open, we decided to open a paint party business.”
A paint and sip party is a social event that combines a love of art with getting together and socializing in a casual setting. “It’s just fun to splash paint around and enjoy yourself,” Ross admits. “With a paint party, you really can’t mess up. There’s really no mistakes – we can correct anything with paint. We start from a point where we can build the painting the way it needs to flow in order to achieve the right outcome,” he adds. “It’s about knowing where to begin and following the instructions. When you have that beginning and understand how to mix and blend, that gets the painting started. Everything from that point, we can tweak and adjust.”
When asked if someone needs experience in painting in order to achieve a good outcome, Ross was quick to respond. “I always say that you don’t have to know how to paint or draw. All you need to bring is yourself. Just come and you’ll have a blast painting and we will lead you through every step,” he said. “You’ll end up with a painting that’s beyond your own belief. You never have to have any experience.”
With Artistic Alchemy Studio, a typical paint & sip party lasts two hours and comes at a cost of $35 per person. If the need arises, Ross confirms that they will lengthen the class time. “We will stay longer to help you get the painting you want to achieve,” he said. “We take our time with people and allow them time to create a work of art.” Everything needed to create a painting is provided, including a 16×20 stretched canvas. For paint parties, acrylic paint is used.
When asked what he hopes people leave with after a paint party, Ross didn’t hesitate. “I hope they leave with a great experience, one in which they have had a lot of fun, enjoyment and have relaxed. I hope they leave with a great work of art they are proud of and can hang on their wall.”
In addition to paint & sip, Artistic Alchemy Studio offers private instruction at a rate of $50/hour. While the majority of private lessons are done in the studio, Ross admits that he wouldn’t be opposed to traveling to a customer’s home, provided there’s room to set up. If you’re looking to host an event with friends, the company also does private party bookings. For the avid crafter, Cyndi Hanna specializes in private instruction for wreath building, busted canvas and Cricut projects. She is also focusing on enrichment classes for children, including elementary and homeschooling projects.
Going forward, Artistic Alchemy Studio plans to offer live instruction via the internet. “We plan to incorporate a live feed where you can purchase a seat and learn from the comfort of your own home through a cell phone or computer.” Until then, studio hours are 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Tuesday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. The studio is closed on Sunday and Monday. Paint parties are offered on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday evenings, at which time the studio will reopen from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Artistic Alchemy Studio is located at 315 Main Street in Union, West Virginia. For more information, call 304-503-3311 or email artisticalchemywv@gmail.com. You can also visit them online at artistic-alchemy-studio.com or follow them on social media at Facebook.com/ArtisticAlchemy11.
