Painting with a Twist Brings Art, Wine and Relaxation to Downtown Farmington

Michelle Lewis isn't just the owner of new Farmington business Painting with a Twist – she's a client. And a loyal one, at that. 

The Detroit native will celebrate the grand opening of her second store Thursday evening, with a ribbon cutting at 6 p.m. Lewis opened her Ferndale store a little over a year ago, after becoming a loyal customer of parent company Corks N Canvas in New Orleans.

Lewis said she went to the city to help with recovery efforts after hurricanes Katrina and Rita and ended up staying for five years. 

"My last year there, I went to a painting class," she said. "I didn't know what I was getting into ... I thought it was just a wine tasting event."

Instead, she picked up a brush and became an instant fan of the venue. Painting with a Twist is a similar concept. Clients sign up for a 2-hour or 3-hour class, or make a group reservation with a minimum of 10 people. The company provides everything from brushes and paints to an apron that protects clothing, Lewis said. 

A hand-picked, local instructor guides clients as they aim to recreate one of the thousands of acrylic art works in Painting with a Twist's gallery. 

"All you have to do is come in ready to have a good time," Lewis said. "You can bring snacks, a favorite bottle of wine, it just makes it more relaxing." There's also music playing to help set the mood, she added. 

Lewis admits she had never painted before walking into her first Corks N Canvas class. 

"I sat down that night, and I had just the best time," she recalled. "When the night was over, I ended up signing up for additional classes." 

Friends admired photos of her artwork on Facebook and asked whether a Corks N Canvas existed in the Detroit area. As interest grew, Lewis said, circumstances conspired to bring her back home, where Painting with a Twist has gotten a great reception thus far. The Ferndale store draws clients from Ann Arbor to Toledo, and one group comes from Windsor. 

"It's one of those things you dream about," Lewis said. "We're able to touch so many people's lives, in a positive, good and fun way."

The public is invited to the Thursday ribbon cutting ceremony. Painting with a Twist is located in the Downtown Farmington Center on Grand River, off Grove Street. 

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