Bring Friends and Drinks to pARTy & Paint

Stephanie McGillicuddy found solace through art therapy after surviving breast cancer and now she wants to share the benefits of creativity with the world.

"Art really changed my life," McGillicuddy said. "I want people to realize how fun and de-stressing it can be."

McGillicuddy's new business pARTy & Paint, opening Friday, will host BYOB parties with painting sessions led by local artists at 829 B Savannah Highway in the Avondale Point Business District. Groups will be able to make reservations for the evening sessions through the pARTy & Paint website.

"A little over a year ago on our wedding anniversary my husband and I went to Bottles & Brushes in Mount Pleasant," McGillicuddy said. "It was the first time after my cancer treatments I was able to go and use my creative side."

She got so much out of the experience that she started learning more about art as therapy, and specifically about group art therapy. She also found a dearth of people or groups offering much in the way of art therapy services, so she set out to create something that would offer it.

In addition to the evening BYOB group sessions, which will cost $35 per person, McGillicuddy plans to start a 501(c)3 organization to offer art therapy sessions led by certified art therapists during morning and afternoon hours, and to help pay for the program for people that can't afford the sessions on their own. She has already hired three certified therapists to help run the program.

She wants to use the non-profit organization to offer services to at-risk youth, and to fund summer programs for teens and children as well.

"Think about teens, parents wonder what they do while they're at work," she said. "They can come here and learn how to do large-scale murals from some of the chARTists."

McGillicuddy said she chose the Avondale area for her new business because it is a vibrant spot in West Ashley, where she now lives, and still close to James Island, where she grew up, and because the area already has a tremendous arts presence in the form of the Charleston Art Outdoors (chART) gallery in the alley out back.

"I love what chART is doing, and I have two chARTists on staff," she said. "Avondale seemed like a good place."

It is often said that the three most important things in real estate is location, location and location, and McGillicuddy plans to take full advantage of pARTy & Paint's proximity to the numerous bars and restaurants in the area. She has already worked out deals with some neighboring businesses to allow her customers to place orders ahead of time, such as for cheese, tapenade and cracker platters from .

McGillicuddy is also making every effort to keep the business environmentally friendly, using reclaimed doors from downtown homes for work tables and reusable paint palettes made from recycled plastic.

The evening classes will last from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. and can accomodate as many as 40 people. Customers can reserve an easel through the pARTy & Paint website, by phone at 769-7529 or in person. The studio can also be reserved for private parties of 10 or more. All painting supplies, including smocks, are provided. Anyone bringing alcoholic beverages must be 21 or older.

After school kids sessions, summer camps and other kid-centric sessions will also be available.

"The studio is going to stay busy pretty much all day," McGillicuddy said.

A grand opening party is scheduled for 5-9 p.m. Friday, May 3, with refreshments and the opportunity to meet some of the art instructors that will be leading the sessions. The first 100 people to show up will also get some pARTy favors, she added. Artist Crosby Jack will be leading a session on painting the pineapple fountain at Waterfront Park downtown.

"It will be like one no one has seen before," McGillicuddy said.

Classes will being in earnest on Saturday, May 4 with artist Carri Miles teaching people how to make sugar skulls for Cinco de Mayo from 3-5 p.m. followed by artist Amy Dunn leading a session on Van Gogh's Sunflowers.