We were staying in the Des Moines area and looking to kill some time before heading to the theatre…read moreon a Saturday, and a quick Google search brought us to Painting with a Twist. We were intrigued by the idea of painting and pouring a candle, even though we aren't artistic by any means and felt a bit out of our element. We were "walk-ins" and when we arrived, they set us up with paints and materials, and showed us the books to choose a design with step-by-step instructions. Beverages were available for purchase - we had cans of soda (2 for $3, very reasonable!). The vibe is creative and welcoming, and the staff are friendly, encouraging, and make you feel artistic even if you're not. There's space for both scheduled sessions and walk-ins, as well as painting classes (one started after we arrived). Everything felt very organized and cohesive. Once we finished our paintings, a staff member guided us through pouring our candles - we even mixed scents, and they smelled amazing! After pouring, we left and returned about two hours later to pick up our finished candles. We had a fantastic time. This was a fun, creative, and inexpensive experience - just $63 total for the two of us to each paint and pour a scented candle, plus two beverages. Highly recommend! Disclaimer: I said I'm not an artist, so go easy on me when you see my pics! :-)

Great experience! Had a blast for a birthday party…read more They let us bring in food. They offer drinks! Super fun atmosphere. Staff was lovely. Would definitely go back with friends!

Update. 3rd time here. Another company outing. They middle…read moreof a work day and we reserved the time to make our projects. We had the whole shop to ourselves and all the help we could want. From start to finish, this is a well organized production. If you do groups, they send you links ahead of time to pick out projects. They work with you for payments ahead, so you don't have to worry about that the day of. Excellent email communication so that everyone is set up. Lots of time to shop online and figure out what you want to do. Team bonding experience that puts you to work. Like I said,don't be fooled. You are going to work for your project! You walk in and are warmly welcomed by the staff. She directs you to your table. They have all the projects that you pre-purchased laid out. Snag a drink, they are available for purchase. The individual assigned to you goes over all the details. You throw on your work apron and get going. Pick out your stain. Sand your project. (Hope you picked a smaller one) Stain your project. Decorate your project. Paint your project. You can easily spend a couple of hours working on your project. Sanding, staining, painting, detailing. You do it all. If you want to have take-home projects too. They are there through the whole process. It was a lot of fun, work and recommended.

Had such a great experience!! I am not artistic and this made me so confident in my artistic…read moreabilities!! Will definitely be back!!

JJ is an amazing teacher and artist. The session with him was interactive informative creative and…read morefun! Highly recommend!!

I cannot express how much it meant to me to have the opportunity to create a beautiful handblown…read moreglass piece in memory of my lost furbaby, Noelle. I was able to incorporate the cremains of her into a cupcake, which resembled her favorite toy. I was walked through each and every step safely and completely on my own when I was able to show what I was capable of. On a few parts, I had assistance, but the majority or the glass was done by me. The glass cooled for a day and I was able to pick up the following afternoon. I could not be happier.

Great place for a birthday party. The kids got to pick their own project and take it home that day…read more No need to come back and pick everyone's statue up! The staff was energetic and really knew how to handle a group of kids.

We were so excited to come in and make our own pottery for a reasonable price. The class was fun…read moreand we were given the option of painting it then or we could come back at a later time and paint it with studio paints and make designs, so we chose that option this class was in November). We went to paint these on February 13. We did very detailed pieces with flowers and intricate designs. The studio told me that they would be done within two weeks to a month. After a month passed, I called to see if our pieces were done, they weren't. After this, I called every week as the studio never followed up with me. Our pieces were finally done on April 3rd. So, I went in on the 4th to pick them up at opening. I waited an extra 15 minutes after opening and they had no one there, I knocked on the door and no one came. They did not have it anywhere that they were closed. I finally picked up our pieces and this studio absolutely destroyed our pieces. They melted the glaze and did not heat them in the proper temperature and ruined all our work designing them. So after 6 months, our pieces are going in the garbage. There was no apology for trashing our pieces or offer to reimburse us or to come in and redo them. It was so unfortunate that the team did not care to make things right.

A really nice cultural experience in the heart of Des Moines. The series of buildings includes the…read moreonly I M Pei design (same architect of the glass pyramid in the heart of the Paris Louvre). Iowa the Des Moines Art Center is a nice way to spend a few hours. Complementary admission and free parking is an added bonus and a fantastic value. And impressive selection of old world and modern art, including some more well-known artists such as Picasso, Goya, Cezanne, Miro, Lichtenstein, and an impressive selection of newer artists that definitely leave a lasting impression. I recommend that you stop, and even if only to see a few of the artists and a little bit of the architecture. Great gift shop too!

Spent an afternoon with artists Picasso, Hopper, Warhol, Matisse, Miro, Chagall, Klee, Monet, and…read moreothers...at the fabulous Des Moines Art Center! I did not expect to see some of the world's greatest artists in Des Moines. Instead, it was an elite venue at an incredible price point. Located in Ingersoll Park, 20 minutes from Ankeny and 10 minutes from the State Capitol, the Art Center is a must-see, beautiful venue with spectacular works, considerable spaces, and gorgeous grounds. Amazingly, it is free. Loved the Samantha Box "Caribbean Dreams" exhibit, a fantastic collection of photography and art. I also loved works by Stella ("Interlagos"), Kiefer ("untitled"), Francis ("Summer #2"), and Schnabel. We also liked the postcard exhibit. The building has an awesome vibe and incredible visuals throughout its spectacular architecture. There is a great gift shop and discounted items near the entrance. Sensational guidance and kindness from the museum's docents, notably Loretta, Issac, and Gabby.

Wow...I saw Kathleen's work at the Iowa Arts Summit in August of 2018 and was able to watch…read morethroughout the day as it progressed. It was unbelievable to see the depth of her creation and to see how effortlessly she pulled it off. She was also very approachable when interrupted for questions or comments. At the end of the day, several of us had to have out photos taken on her final project.

From the owner: Are you looking for unique entertainment for your event that will be enjoyed for years to come?…read more Kathleen Roling paints LIVE at all kinds of events! She is a professional 3D chalk artist, Muralist, and LIVE Event Painter! She creates colorful 3D art pieces at various festivals, fairs, corporate parties, and weddings for entertainment or advertising. She also paints many murals indoors and outdoors in private residences and businesses. These are some common events requested for LIVE Painting to capture special moments. - Corporate Parties - Weddings - Garden Parties - Anniversary Parties - Bar Mitzvahs - Quinceaneras - Concerts - Birthdays - Tea Parties - Dinner Parties - You name it! Kathleen is also a phenomenal fine artist and will do custom paintings for you. She is based in Des Moines, Iowa and travels all over the world creating art. Book her for your event to bring unique entertainment and create an epic photo opportunity!