Creativity covers the walls and laughter fills the room. The smell of paint embraces an encouraging environment inviting new guests to express themselves.
The Corky Canvas is a local business that offers a variety of painting classes with a side of drinks, both non-alcoholic and alcoholic.
“I think everyone can benefit from art,” Landyn McHugh, the Corky Canvas manager, said. “So many people come through our doors and are shocked at what they can do. They’ve never picked up a paintbrush before, and they come in and they’re like, ‘Wow. I actually can do this.’”
The Corky Canvas was started by Lincoln local, Angie Lewis, who was very into art. Paint and sips were on the rise, so she decided to open her own, becoming the first of its kind in Lincoln. The business first opened in 2013 at 3700 S. 9th Street Suite C. Additionally, they have an Omaha location.
Lewis later moved on and passed the business to Mike and Lisa Ross. The Rosses hired McHugh two and half years ago. McHugh started as a customer of the Corky Canvas, then became an instructor and is now the manager.
“That uplifting, energetic spirit that I felt when I was here, just as a customer, is translated through all of the aspects of the business,” McHugh said. “From our co-workers to our staff meetings…everything is just so positive and helpful. It’s truly a universal thing in this company, which is pretty awesome.”
Jessica Cudaback, a returning customer, has been attending classes since 2016. She loves how welcoming the staff is and has attended over 10 classes.
“I think people should try it, even if you’re not a painter or an artist,” Cudaback said. “I think at least trying it and seeing what it’s about…it’s a nice way to wine out or wind down.”
Two of the classes offered at the Corky Canvas are canvas and board. Board classes offer over 200 designs stenciled onto a wooden board that customers can paint. Canvas classes have instructors giving instructions on a painting design.
Even though there are instructions, the artists are encouraged to make their artwork their own.
“I change the colors and create my own thing,” Cudaback said. “(The instructors) allow you to change it to be what you want it to be…I don’t have to do what they’re doing. They just instruct you.”
A typical class starts with everyone having their plain canvas and a paint station. An instructor then sits at the front of the room and gives step-by-step instructions on the painting. Once everyone is finished, they leave with their final project.
The Corky Canvas offers classes based on current trends such as Harry Potter, Wicked and Music Mondays, as well as events like Christmas, Halloween and Thanksgiving. Private parties can also be held at the Corky Canvas.
“One of my all-time favorite classes that we had this past summer was with The Cat House,” McHugh said. “We did a fundraising event with them to where every ticket that was sold, we donated a certain amount of money to them. We ended up racking in quite a big donation for The Cat House and the studio was packed, and we were all painting a bunch of kittens, so it was cute.”
The Corky Canvas also has a full bar with alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks for guests to enjoy while they paint.
Underage students can still attend classes. Some events are also labeled “all ages welcome,” which tend to be easier classes and are discounted.
“I have so many good things to say about it,” Cudaback said. “I wish more people would take the chance to check it out. Find something you love, like I did. I didn’t know I would love painting, and here I am, several years later, and now it’s one of my favorite things to do.”
Students can sign up for classes on the Corky Canvas website and use the code dailynebraskancc10 for 15% off any class. The code can be used multiple times and doesn’t expire.
