Category: Business

As a sip-and-paint studio where people gather to create personal artistic masterpieces, the preferred pairings for a cabernet sauvignon at Pinot’s Palette in The Shoppes at New Tampa are art, family and friends, instead of a chargrilled steak or butterflied leg of lamb.

According to James Serrano, who co-owns the franchise with his wife Carol, the success of a day’s work at Pinot’s Palette is measured in the pleasure and satisfaction delivered to guests who come in for some creative recreation, as much as the revenue generated from seating fees and beverage sales. He sums it up in one word: “Service,” he says. “I have a servant’s heart and we have great artists (working here) who have a passion for this.”

It’s an approach that has made Jennifer Rakita of Seven Oaks a repeat customer. She says she often visits Pinot’s Palette with some of her gym friends for a more “aesthetic” workout. “James always takes very good care of us and makes sure we have a good time,” Rakita says, adding that the paintings she’s created at Pinot’s Palette have helped decorate her home. “I always leave with a nice piece of art and display them.”

Live Oak resident Michelle Rizzuto says the instructors who guide patrons during the painting sessions at Pinot’s Palette ensure your artistic success.

“I’m not an artist, but I can follow the instructions and the paintings turn out fine,” Rizzuto says.

Eight of Serrano’s nine employees are high-energy artists who lead guests step-by-step towards completion of that day’s art.

“I love the fact that we’re creating jobs for artists,” says Serrano, who notes that many of them are art students or recent graduates from the University of South Florida. For example, Ari Pascal received her Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree from USF in December and is glad to have a chance to apply her skills.

“It’s a really unique job,” Pascal says. “I feel like I’m a teacher but it’s not a normal class because people come to unwind and enjoy themselves.”

As an example, Pascal enthusiastically began a recent two-hour Friday night paint party by asking attendees, “Are you guys ready to have some fun?”

The project for the session was a beachscape and by the time Pascal illustrated the techniques to add details like a starfish and footprints (photo, right), the painters were filled with feelings of accomplishment.

“I’d never done any painting before,” admitted Wesley Chapel resident Dinah Danao. “But, this (painting) is something I can keep.”

Danao had brought visiting family members from New Jersey with her to Pinot’s Palette and was glad she did. “We loved it,” she said. “They want to come back, we had so much fun.”

Serrano says his place also appeals to people who are involved professionally in the creative industries. For example, Darci D’Onofrio and Melissa Van Schaik operate the performing arts venue Dreamhouse Theatre in Lutz. For the two Wesley Chapel residents, an evening creating guided artwork was more than a paint-by-numbers session.

“This is our girls night out,” said D’Onofrio. “It’s a great way to support the arts and we’re definitely coming back.”

“I thought it was fantastic,” added Van Schaik. “It was so relaxing and fun.”

As Diane Stickney, a staff artist at Pinot’s Palette expresses it, “This is fun art, not fine art.”

A Variety of Options

There are several ways to enjoy Pinot’s Palette’s offerings. Classes led by an art instructor are scheduled, with subjects selected from a catalog of more than 2,000 paintings. Two-hour painting sessions cost $35 per person and three-hour sessions are $45 per person.

There also are open studio sessions, where painters choose from a limited selection of paintings to recreate from written instructions without the aid of an artist that cost just $15 per person. The Pinot Perks rewards program offers special benefits to frequent painters.

Themed events add variety to the Pinot’s Palette calendar. “Date Night” sessions allow a couple to create a combined work of art from two canvases. Similarly, “Family Day” and “Mommy and Me” classes create a family-bonding event as well as a unique piece of art. According to Serrano, his black light painting sessions are especially popular and frequently sell out.

“We provide neon paint and black lights are everywhere,” he says. “The kids and adults all love it.”

Beer, wine and soft drinks are sold separately, but Serrano says his prices are very fair. He has 15 beers and 15 wines to choose from. Moscato wines such as Beringer pink, Villa Pozzi and Cupcake D’Asti are popular, with the Cupcake entry being the best-seller, according to Serrano, who enjoys the bold flavors associated with Gnarly Head malbec.

Other wines, such as Beringer pinot noir and white zinfandel, Cupcake sauvignon blanc and shiraz, BV Coastal Estates Cabernet Sauvignon and more are on the shelf to satisfy grape-loving palates.

Available beers range from Bud Lite to Sea Dog Wild Blueberry, with Stella Artois, Angry Orchard and Blue Moon the favorites, according to Serrano. Food is not served, but guests are allowed to bring their own.

And, people looking for a place to celebrate special occasions, such as bachelorette, holiday, kids and corporate parties, can even book Pinot’s Palette for their private use. Team-building events can be arranged with members combining their canvasses into a single creation as a reminder that they accomplished something together. Serrano says custom paintings can even be produced from photographs, such as a Project Pet creation.

Kids birthday party packages start at $300 for 12 painters and the appeal to young artists is also evident in the popularity of the Little Brushes Kids Camp. Shelley Semczuk of New Tampa says the half-day painting sessions helped her grandson Justyn discover a new interest in art. “He never thought he could paint and now he finds that he can. It’s been a very positive experience.”

Pinot’s Palette has been open in Wesley Chapel for about eight months. Serrano became a franchisee of the Texas-based company after a career in the financial services industry. One of the reasons he says he chose Pinot’s Palette as a business is the company’s philanthropic “Painting it Forward” program, which donates a portion of a painting event’s proceeds to charity. “It’s an opportunity for me to give back to the community,” Serrano says.

As an example of that commitment to doing good things, Pinot’s Palette will hold a fundraising event from on Friday, July 1, 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. to benefit victims of the June 12 mass shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando. It will be a black light event featuring a specially-designed painting. Serrano says 20 percent of the seating fees will be donated. As of press time Serrano was evaluating which charities are appropriate and worthy of financial support. “There are so many organizations out there that are trying to help,” says Serrano. You can find out more information and sign up for the event by visiting this page at Pinot Palette’s website: pinotspalette.com/wesleychapel/event/105788.

Other Painting it Forward fundraising events at Pinot’s Palette have benefitted Animalluvr’s Dream Rescue which rescues critically sick or injured dogs and cats and Frankie’s Friends, an organization providing financial aid to help people pay for a pet’s major medical expenses.

As a member of the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce, Serrano is an avid networker and advocate for local small businesses. “I’m often at the ribbon cuttings to support the businesses,” he says.

Like any new business owners, James and Carol find themselves putting in a lot of hours to establish themselves in the Wesley Chapel’s community. James says it’s starting to pay off. “The word is getting out and people are talking about us,” he says. “Wesley Chapel is growing and it’s perfect for a place like this.”

Pinot’s Palette is located at 1718 Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. You can check out upcoming events, make reservations and ask questions online at PinotsPalette.com/WesleyChapel or by calling 428-6590.