Patti Spinelli, owner of Paint for Fun in Dover, has created an atmosphere of family entertainment that locals love.
“The atmosphere at Paint for Fun is all about family,” Spinelli said. She has been involved with kids for most of her life through teaching at Saint Mary’s Academy for 30 years before she owned the popular paint store. “When I retired, I wanted to do something fun, which is exactly why I started Paint for Fun, and it has been nothing but fun.”
Keeping with the family theme, Spinelli’s granddaughters, Mackenzie and Hannah, work at the studio with her, and aims to have a place where people can learn to paint on both canvases and ceramics.
“The kids are really the reason I do it, and seeing them smile is awesome,” she said. “A lot of what we do is for kids and helping them is amazing.”
One of her favorite things about the paint shop is the ability to host birthday parties and other such events. For birthday parties specifically, participants are offered plaster, which allows kids to take home their product on the same day instead of waiting weeks in some cases for the final product. Plaster art is different from what other art studios offer because they spray the ceramics with an acrylic spray which allows the same final product without having to fire ceramics in a kiln.
Paint for Fun’s philosophy of teaching art to kids and adults is to allow them to learn using many different techniques such as watercolor and pastels while preaching encouragement and positive reinforcement, according to their website.
“There is no skill level required to come and paint here just the desire to have fun,” Spinelli said.
Last Friday, Nov. 22, Paint for Fun hosted a Holiday Tree Painting with more than 30 people in attendance, including families of all ages. Attendees were encouraged to bring wine and food, and the seats inside the studio were completely full.
“Paint for Fun is great, it allows me and my family including my daughter who goes to UNH to have a fun family night,” local resident Mark Raiche said. According to him, Paint for Fun is a great option because it allows his family to spend time together on a Friday night instead of his kids going out to the bars. He chose to try out the studio at suggestion of his wife, and have attended many events since.
“I would definitely recommend Paint for Fun to UNH students,” Raiche said. “You can have a fun time while also having the freedom to bring alcohol and food. Also, it’s cheap and affordable for college kids.”
Local high school student and art enthusiast Alexis said that she and her family have been going to the studio for a while.
“I decided to pick up a hobby and Paint for Fun allows me to do that while also feeling productive when painting,” Alexis said, noting its therapeutic qualities. She said she would definitely recommend it to local high school students as well as UNH students because it is fun and relaxing.
Paint for Fun does not have any upcoming events currently listed on their website; however, they offer the Ladies and Gents night every Friday from 6 to 9 p.m. Spinelli updates their website weekly and posts events on their Facebook page (@paintforfun). They are open Wednesday through Sunday every week and they offer extended hours on Fridays. Prospective customers should keep an eye out for any events that may be added via their website.
