SIMPLY JANE ART STUDIO
MINNEAPOLIS, MN
VISIT WEBSITE
Art holds a very special place in my heart. It also holds a spot on my wall in the form of a Bachelor’s Degree. When we had children, I had two high hopes for them: 1) be creative and 2) be musically-inclined. So far, we are lightyears away from the latter, but when it comes to drawing and painting, we seem to have gotten lucky <happy mama>. I am always in search of adorable kid-friendly art venues to let them polish their skills. When we landed at Simply Jane Studio in South Minneapolis, my smile extended three miles past my ears! This place…this place is a garden of beauty and you could feel the creativity bursting through the walls. Small, clean, locally-owned, and covered in painted flowers and vines? I had hit the art-major-mama’s proverbial jackpot.
What is it?
Simply Jane Art Studio is a quaint, garden-themed art studio that was founded by former-muralist Jane Elias, who opened the shop with her community in mind. It quickly became a non-profit, focusing on mobile accessibility and the idea of using art as a form of relaxation and therapy for those of all ages and ranging abilities, including the elderly and those with special needs. Through donations, she is able to employ people with disabilities (such as bipolar disorder and autism), host birthday parties for large groups of kids and adults, teach group classes and private lessons, and provide drop-in paint time open to the public. Kids can come during Toddler Time (Thursdays from 10-noon) and select from a wide range of canvas sizes or choose from other paintable items (vases, bird houses, bowls, etc.) for cheaper than during regular studio hours, and when finished, they can entertain themselves in the white picket fenced-off play area.
Fit for what ages?
My daughter, who just turned three, isn’t one for staying inside the lines. She’s also not one for keeping colors separate, not making a mess, or following the rules. As the kids settle in to a table, after selecting their project of choice, an instructor comes over and talks them through how to use their professional paints and brushes. I was worried a bit that they had high expectations of her actually abiding by their lessons, but when she started mixing her palette into a 50 shades of poop-brown disaster area, the teacher smiled and just let her go. While she painted over her pre-drawn design, Jane is there to trace over it again after the paint dries, so you can actually see what it is they “painted.” All that being said, I’d even go so low as to say two-year olds on up would enjoy Simply Jane. I saw some teenage girls spending an afternoon with friends (and they were staying in the lines), and I just kept thinking how much my old art major buddies would love an evening here before grabbing a beer and burger at Driftwood Char Bar down the road. So all ages could really find a project and spend time perfecting it to their liking, but for kids, it’s especially fitting and colorful and special.
How much are we talkin?
The regular studio fee is $5/person (or $10 for a group of up to four) plus the price of the project you choose to paint. If you are bringing your children here, look into going on Thursday mornings from 10am to noon. This is when they host Toddler Time where kids can paint at a discounted price. Toddler Time is only $10/person, which includes the studio fee and canvas, so it’s really a great bargain.
Your kids can choose from a vase, birdhouse, wall hanging, glass, bowl, flower pot or canvas. We went with a basic canvas in the smallest size (4×4 inch was $7) but prices go up with the canvas size (up to $19 for a 9×12 inch). You can select a blank canvas or a “fun” one with drawings of mermaids, snakes, frogs, or (a personal favorite) Olaf the Snowman.
Memberships: Think you’ll be going more than a couple times a year? Purchase a family studio membership at the rate of $50 and your studio fee will be waived for up to four family members or friends who join you at each drop-in paint session. Visit their website to learn more about their membership options.
Want some tips?
Consider attending Toddler Time to save money. Older kids who will take more than nine minutes to paint their project would probably be worth going during regular hours, but there’s a reason they have this time specific to toddlers. The store has a bathroom in the hallway, a little shop to purchase hand-painted gifts and cards, and a variety of rooms throughout, all with connecting ramps for wheelchair-accessibility. The rooms are sectioned off nicely so birthday parties don’t interact with the drop-in tables and classes are held in the back. There is an area for those with sensitivity issues, a kids play area (with coloring books, reading books, a small play kitchen, some puzzles and tools and a chalkboard), a small stage in the party room for playing dress-up, a sink for clean-up, and a cute summer patio area in the back to enjoy warm days and messy projects.
Don’t worry about clothing destruction because they offer over sized t-shirts or smocks for kids to wear. The paint comes off of skin very easily and there is a sink with a stool for kids to wash up afterwards.
This place would be a great birthday party venue selection for the little artist in your life. Check out the website for more party information. They also offers kids (and adults) art classes and camps during the school year and those long summer days, which seriously make me wish I could be nine again…minus the giant glasses and obsession with jelly shoes.
Hours and Location
5411 Nicollet Ave S. | Minneapolis, MN 55419
Simply Jane Art Studio hours vary by season, school release weeks, and holidays so be sure to check the website before leaving home, but in general, drop-in paint hours are:
Tuesday 10am – 5pm
Wednesday 10am – 5pm
Thursday 10am – 5pm (Toddler Time 10-noon)
Friday 10am – 9pm
Saturday 10am – 6pm
Sunday 12pm – 6pm
No appointments are necessary for drop-in paint (hence the name). Just show up, select your project and get messy! And personally, I can’t go to this neighborhood without stopping into Tangletown Gardens, an adorably decorated garden center. Just stepping foot in there makes me wish I had home decorating and gardening skills.
Follow Simply Jane on Facebook for hour updates, discounts, camps and events.
