The Painter’s Palette opens in Lower Broadway this weekend. Paint and Sip classes are typically pop-up in nature at restaurants and bars, however Celeste Banks is making it official as a dedicated store. The Painter’s Palette will offer classes for children and adults and for private parties like showers and birthday parties. She also has created kits to take home if you missed a class or want to do more on your own.

Celeste started doing paint and sip classes in November 2015 at the request of a co-worker at Open-Ended Studios. It grew and she expanded to Burger Walla in 2016. Initially, it was a way of making extra money, however, the response was tremendous that a storefront was the next step.

She was able to find her space with the help Kenneth Gifford (Executive Officer at Newark Film and Television) and the Newark CEDC (Newark Community Economic Development Corporation). Celeste was a fine arts teacher in the Jersey City Public Schools for 11 years, prior to teaching as a fine arts professor at Essex County College. She loves being a part of Newark’s vibrant arts community and comments, “I see great things happening here and I wanted to be a part of it!”

In addition to The Painter’s Palette, Celeste also has a non-profit organization, Activism Through Arts (ATA). ATA is a charitable arm that she uses to create a variety of free and/or educational programs and workshops for children and adults in our community. Last summer she hosted Painting For Peace in Military Park. This gave members of the community the opportunity to take a free painting class with acrylic paint and canvas. In 2017, we will likely see more Painting For Peace events at local parks here in Newark.

Grand Opening is Saturday, January 14, 2017 from noon – 10pm at 9 7th Avenue, close to intersection of Broadway. There will be free painting, food, drinks and music. Also a great time to pre-register for classes at a discounted rate.

PAINTER’S PALETTE

9 7th Avenue, Newark 07104

(551) 232-8276

Classes: $15 little artists, $20 seniors, $35 adults

www.thepainterspalettenj.com

www.facebook.com/thepainterspalette1