A "paint and sip experience" is coming to Dubbo, leasing studio space in the main street and adding to the city's entertainment landscape.
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Pinot & Picasso is set to open on March 20, Dubbo franchise owner Chris Christodoulou has revealed.
He's currently recruiting a team to host the sessions he describes as mixing "art with an enjoyable night out", open to anyone from "non-creatives to budding artists".
This month fit-out is set to take place at 174 Macquarie Street, leased for the studio and vacant since the closure of former tenant Easy Living Shoes in October.
Dubbo is one of three studios coming soon for the brand, taking it closer to 40 studios since it started franchising two years ago, the Pinot & Picasso website says.
Blue Mountains-based Mr Christodoulou considers the city on the plains has a number of strengths.
"Dubbo already has a vibrant nightlife with great bars, pubs and restaurants providing a range of entertainment options," he said.
"We felt that a Pinot & Picasso franchise would complement the existing entertainment landscape of Dubbo by giving people options that would otherwise not be accessible in the region.
"Dubbo and surrounding areas like Wellington have a great arts community, we hope to support this by giving people an opportunity to experience painting with no pressure which will hopefully encourage them to immerse themselves further into the existing local arts scene."
A search is on for a minimum of four hosts, with a mix of part-time and casual employment on offer, Mr Christodoulou said.
"We are currently looking for artistically-inclined, energetic and customer-focused people to host our events," he said.
"No experience is required as we provide full training...
"We also have an amazing mural being created by local artist Gill Pedrana.
"The mural is of her design and of a subject that's close to her heart and we can't wait to reveal it on our opening weekend."
The mural is not the only way the business is embracing local.
"Our studio is BYO with our guests encouraged to bring wine and some snacks," Mr Christodoulou said.
"We have also established a relationship with the wonderful Church Street Café where our guests are able to order their amazing grazing boards through our website if they would rather feel a little more pampered."
The franchise owner said it had been important to have a main street location.
"We wanted to be in close proximity to other complementary businesses so our customers can easily grab a bottle of wine, a take-away cocktail or a quick dinner before their session," Mr Christodoulou said.
We wanted to be in close proximity to other complementary businesses so our customers can easily grab a bottle of wine, a take-away cocktail or a quick dinner before their session.
- Pinot & Picasso Dubbo franchise owner Chris Christodoulou
"In any business the more foot traffic you have the greater the visibility you have.
"In a big city rents are so high that main street locations are prohibitively expensive for most small businesses.
"With rents being more reasonable in a smaller city like Dubbo it made complete sense to take advantage of those conditions to maximise the visibility of the business."
Both the local and visitor markets are in the sights of the franchise owner.
Mr Christodoulou said they aimed to provide entertainment for community members of Dubbo and surrounding areas.
"The beauty of Dubbo over some other regional centres is that it has its own local market rather than relying on income solely from the tourist market," he said.
"That said, Dubbo does have a significant tourist sector and we have a number of strategies in place to encourage tourists to make a visit to Pinot & Picasso as part of their trip."
Pinot & Picasso will have public events on Friday and Saturday evenings as well as Sunday afternoons.
It will also have private functions both at the studio and at private residences and businesses, as well as pop-ups at entertainment venues both at Dubbo and in surrounding towns, Mr Christodoulou said.
An announcement about its first pop-up at a local venue is expected soon.
Job applications can be sent to dubbo@pinotandpicasso.com.au
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