New business offers painting with a twist

PANAMA CITY — Instead of fine art, new Panama City business “Painting with a Twist” is selling fun art.

“The concept is not fine art; it’s fun art. We play music; it’s BYOB,” said owner Billie Williams. “We try to create an environment for people to have fun.”

The nationwide franchise offers “painting parties” led by professional instructors, where customers can bring their own bottle of wine or beverage and create a one-of-a-kind canvas. The studio, at 2503 Martin Luther King Blvd. in Panama City, is the first in the Bay County area.

“It gets a little bit wild,” Williams said of the parties, adding that instructors encourage their students to let loose. “The ladies, they have a ball, and that’s what I like to see ... everybody having a good time.”

Painting with a Twist can seat about 50 painters and also offers a private studio that can seat about 30.  The company also offers a mobile unit that can bring a painting party to you. Painting party prices range from $25 to $45, and include all of the necessary supplies.

“Just bring yourself and whatever you want to eat and drink,” Williams said of the two- to three-hour classes. “We thought this would be a great community that would be open to trying Painting with a Twist.”

Budding artists can register for classes online at PaintingWithaTwist.com or using the Painting with a Twist smartphone application. Those who prefer can also make reservations and payments in the studio or over the phone.

Williams encouraged customers to keep an eye out for special themed events like “Paint your Pet,” where instructors help create a canvas piece using a pet photograph. Once a month, the studio will also host “Painting with a Purpose,” an special painting party where 50 percent of proceeds will go to a local charity.

Based in Louisiana, the company now has almost 180 locations across the U.S.

Williams had her first encounter with Painting with a Twist while at an out-of-town business conference with her husband, Michael Williams, who signed her up for the class.

“I did not want to go — I thought, ‘How boring’ — but I got there and it was just great,” she said. “I got to the painting class and I heard the music and was greeted at the door. The more I got into it, it was just a life-changing experience.”

After an evening of socializing and sharing painting tips and drinks with the women in the class, Williams was hooked.

Williams’ decision to open a franchise in the Panama City area came at tough time in her life, not long after her mother passed away and she was dealing with some serious health issues.

“I was really looking for something, and I found that with Painting with a Twist,” she said.