Vabian and Victoria Alvarez love the arts and love their family. Their passion for the two inspired them to open I Am An Artist, a paint-your-own-pottery art studio and café in Downtown Hollywood that aims to provide a fun place for families and friends to gather while creating their own artwork.
The Alvarez’s, who have three children of their own, said they believe that families that play together, stay together, so they wanted to open a place to incorporate that belief.
“At I Am An Artist, you spend time with the people you care about and have fun at the same time,” Victoria said. “It’s not a sideline sport where parents watch their kids from afar; it’s interactive, and a way for parents to connect with their children on a more child-like level. It’s a great way for parents to open up to the wonderful world of art that their children explore so uninhibitedly.”
Opened in December 2009, the studio offers projects for everyone. Victoria said that creating personal artwork can be very therapeutic and said that I Am An Artist offers people a place to relax after a long day. She said customers simply choose a piece of pottery, choose a design and paint. Patrons can paint objects such as frames, plates, mugs, piggy banks, vases and Disney characters like Winnie the Pooh, and they also offer idea books, coaching and encouragement for those intimidated by art projects.
“There’s no need to be scared, and there’s no need to have artistic abilities,” she said. “Anyone can do it, and then you have something that you’ve made yourself – something you can keep forever.”
For example, she said Vabian adores his “I Love Dad” mug their children made for him and always uses it.
The studio also offers events on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays such as “Diva Night” for a girl’s night out, an “Adult’s Night” with live music, and a “Kid’s Night,” a night when parents can drop off their children to paint, eat pizza and sing karaoke while they enjoy Downtown Hollywood. And in addition to art projects, the studio also offers coffee, sandwiches and desserts.
“It’s something different, something unique in Hollywood,” Victoria said. “It’s a place for families and for friends.”
I Am An Artist is located at 2008 Hollywood Blvd. For more information, call 954-367-6378.
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