Wausau Pilot & Review
Editor’s note: This sponsored weekly feature shares the stories of locally-owned and operated businesses and organizations in the Wausau area, highlighting the products and services they offer and the ways they contribute to the metro area’s unique flavor. Learn how to feature your business by emailing [email protected].
This week’s featured Wausau business is U Paint & Party, a breath of fresh air to those looking for a novel experience as a change from other social activities like going to the movies, book clubs, bridal showers or other events. Briana Z-Glasel, creator and founder of U Paint & Party, spent years studying and perfecting her art, and established the business in 2013 as a way to share her love of creativity and expression with the community. Learning how to paint can feel intimidating to many, but private painting events allow participants the joy of creating something with their own hands while relaxing with friends, family members or coworkers. People feel connected to art because a painting can invoke moods, memories and more, and having art that you create yourself is a satisfaction like no other, especially when it’s done for the sheer fun of it. Companies find private painting events to be a good bonding experience for their employees, while some people enjoy going on their own and meeting new people. Painting parties have become so popular because they make for a great night out, when people gather to socialize, enjoy a cocktail and leave with a feeling of rejuvenation and accomplishment. Another great thing about a U Paint & Party event is that they don’t require any long term investment or commitment and there’s no need buy a set of expensive materials, since all supplies are provided. You simply show up in paint-friendly clothes to enjoy the social atmosphere and the delight of shared creativity. For a time, Briana had a physical studio location, but she now hosts parties at the location of your choice. Together with her best friend and husband, Bryon, she finds joy in sharing her craft and seeing the creative endeavors that blossom. Here, she describes her background, her business, and what to expect when you join in the fun!
Give me a brief history of your background. How did you develop a love of art, and what led you to share it in this way with others?
I graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with a bachelor’s of interdisciplinary art, double majoring in art history and minoring in theatre. I am the first person in my family to ever graduate college. I’ve worked most of my life as a florist and mural artist and was hired by the first paint-&-sip franchise that opened in Wisconsin by a woman who moved here from Tennessee, where the concept of art for entertainment has been popular for decades. I worked as lead instructor and art creator for the franchise’s nationwide chain of studio locations. I then taught and created teachable art for two other national franchise art companies before deciding to go into business for myself. I’ve been an artist my whole life. I’ve worked very hard to earn my art degrees and I’ve shown and sold studio work at various galleries. I truly enjoy utilizing my gifts and passions to create fine art and mural commissions for my clients. However, being able to make art accessible to everyone and anyone with easy-to-grasp concepts and easily followed instructions while celebrating life’s best moments has been such a rewarding and fun adventure! Like I say, “it’s art done FUN, and that’s just FINE!”™
What are class sizes like, and what do you provide when people arrive?
Previously, I opened the first paint-&-sip studio with a licensed bar in Wausau and for six years my staff and I enjoyed hosting a myriad of different events from infant sensory paint explorations to bachelorette black-light glow canvas parties and everything in between. Some days we would have three back-to-back private parties or public classes while also traveling all across the state hosting off-site corporate team-building events and art expo demonstrations. In 2019, after some health complications, I decided to close my physical location on 7th Street and just focus on the destination events bringing the paint party experience to U. Getting out of my brick and mortar studio location has been a great way to support not only myself, but other community restaurants, event spaces and taverns that profit from these gatherings taking place in their establishments and I feel good about that. Thinking globally starts by supporting locally. I’m always looking for venues to partner with. Sam’s Pizza in Schofield and Little Ole Winemaker have been great, just to name a couple.
Tell me about the class experience. When people arrive at a painting party, what can they expect? Take me through it.
A U Paint & Party event is fun, comfortable and entertaining! You can sign up for a seat at a public event online (check our Facebook page) or call me to arrange a private party. I supply everything needed to get creative – from table covers to easels, aprons, paint and canvas. Venues or hosts simply need to provide the event space, tables, any beverages or refreshments for their guests and have access to water and electricity. I set everything up and clean everything up- that’s the best part! I break the painting down step by step as you follow along with me to create your own masterpiece. Self expression is highly encouraged and I don’t believe in mistakes, just happy accidents!- to quote Bob Ross. Classes and parties are usually 2 to 2 1/2 hours and there’s a lot of different creative projects to choose from beyond painting on a canvas such as wood signs and classes for kids.
How do you choose the specific pieces of art that guests can choose from for their projects?
I have decades of experience creating teachable art, so there are lots of my paintings to choose from on the U Paint & Party website under the gallery tab. For private events you get to choose the painting or activity you’d like for your event. I don’t believe in teaching someone else’s paintings and claiming them as my own. But inspiration is everywhere and many central themes for easy-to-create art can be rendered in my fun, teachable style. Often people will simply ask if I can create something custom for their group, and I do.
Is it really true that anyone can learn to paint?
Yep! I’ve painted with 8-month-olds, 89-year-olds, and even taught a class for the blind. I’m the first business in Wausau to be certified ‘Autism Friendly’ by the Autism Society of Central Wisconsin and have led people from all walks of life and abilities through the creative process to express themselves and have some laughs! Half comedy show, half art instruction and totally a lot of fun. The experience itself is truly where the magic happens. I don’t go bowling for entertainment because I’m focused on only getting strikes each and every turn- I bowl because it’s fun! You might not have every brush stroke be a strike, but it’s going to be fun, and it’s amazing what a little instructor touch-up and glitter can do! Glitter really does fix everything. In all seriousness, I honestly haven’t had anyone leave one of my classes upset who’s shown up ready for fun and willing to try. I want you to leave with something you’re proud to hang on the wall with the memories of what you celebrated and you who celebrated with when you created it- and that’s priceless.
What do you want people to feel when they leave a paint party? What’s the best experience possible?
I want people to feel like they had fun! I want this art-for-entertainment experience to be rewarding. I want everyone to follow along but not be afraid to express themselves, and if you make a happy-little-accident we just paint right over it! Honestly, the paint on the canvas can be fixed, tweaked, glittered and adjusted to look just fine, but the camaraderie and joy of painting with family and friends or even a solo night out is so refreshing and rewarding in itself. No matter what, if you show up with a willingness to try and don’t take yourself too seriously (wine can sometimes help with that…) you’re going to enjoy a U Paint & Party.
What inspires you most?
I enjoy helping people and I believe that doing what you can with what you have and using your gifts in a positive way is so important. To the person who has never held a paintbrush in their life or the skilled artist who now has a memory of painting alongside their child or grandparent – you inspire me. And I couldn’t do what I do without the support of my husband and children. They inspire me every day!
What is the connection between art and mindfulness?
For me it’s stepping away from the digital devices and being attuned to what’s happening one step at a time, making something physical and tangible with my hands, and enjoying the company of my friends and family while not worrying about a bill that’s due or the latest dumpster fire of goings-on in the world. Cheaper than therapy, that’s for sure!
What do you love most about being in business in central Wisconsin?
I moved here to be closer to family, and that’s always a worthwhile decision. Also the friendships I’ve made through my creative work here are what I love most about being in central Wisconsin. Whether I’m designing wedding flowers for a bride and groom who then become dear friends, or teaching a paint party for a bachelorette party and then years later painting with their children or baking cookies for a birthday and watching people’s eyes light up over edible art- the community and the people are the best.
What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve had to overcome, and how did you do it?
Being the first at anything has it’s challenges! The concept of art-for-entertainment in a liquor licensed establishment was not originally well received by the powers that be. But fortunately I had the experience and tenacity to know that every “No” just got me one step closer to the “Yes” I needed and deserved. In the almost six years my studio had a liquor license we received zero infractions. Zero. Being the first family-friendly entertainment venue with a liquor license in our area outside of bowling alleys set the precedent for other entertainment/laser tag/game centers to be considered for liquor license consideration and approval too. I feel good about that. To be self employed, a woman, and an artist, I’ve had to be very determined, even relentless to make some things happen and I’m glad I did. “Believe in yourself and all that you are. Know that there is something inside you that is greater than any obstacle.”~Christian D. Larson
What do you wish more people knew about your business, or what you do?
Word of mouth has been the absolute best advertising for my business. I’m actually inspired by the over 5,000+ followers I have on social media, being listed as one of the top 10 paint & sip experiences online, and contracts with team building retreats for most of our area’s major health companies and corporations with groups of 65+ painters at a time. I think whether you’ve been getting creating with me for the last decade or this article is the first time, I’m excited to Paint & Party with U!
What else would you like people to know?
I couldn’t do this without the help of my best friend and husband Bryon. When I had the physical studio location I was very lucky to have the best staff ever! As a solopreneur now, I’m still very close with them and appreciate all their love and support over the years and love seeing their own creative endeavors blossom in everything from photography, marketing and Etsy craft sales. Special shout out to Jamie at H&R Block for helping my creative brain navigate the world of taxes each year. She’s the best.
Connect with U Paint & Party
- Mailing address: PO Box 1833 Wausau WI 54402
- 715-942-7374 call or text
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/upaintandparty
- Mobile business, always open.
