Meet Heather Pelanne of Masterpiece Art Parties and Play Dates in Scottsdale

Today we’d like to introduce you to Heather Pelanne.

Heather, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Born and raised in Kansas City, I moved to New York City in 2000 to study at the Fashion Institute of Technology. After deciding to become an art teacher, I completed my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Art History and Education at City College. Since then, I have worked as an art educator in both museums and the New York City Public School system. Following the birth of my daughter, we moved to the Phoenix area to provide a more serene lifestyle for my family. I continued to work as an educator taking on the role of Art History instructor for GCU. However, once my twins were born I could no longer balance working and raising children.

Masterpiece started out of the lack of creative birthday party options available to my daughter. Few venues provided specialized and unique ways to bring creativity to party goers. After the tenth birthday party spent at a trampoline park, I decided that there was a need for simple birthday parties that provided structure and fun. In this cross-section, the idea for Masterpiece was born.

Since it’s inception, I became aware that there was not a lot of options for process-based art. Therefore, we have partnered with a few locations around the valley to offer “play dates”. These “play dates” are basically workshop opportunities for children of all ages to explore their inner artist with no judgment or comparison to their friends. Working with children and young adults to help them learn about art and to develop their own unique artistic abilities has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my career.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I wouldn’t exactly call it a smooth road, but I do feel like there is momentum. I am a one women shop, and there has definitely been a learning curve. I’ve learned so much about running a business, and I feel there is so much more to learn. I’ve only been operating for less than a year, so I feel truly fortunate for the support from other local businesses that have offered to collaborate with me. It’s so important that we support each other because we benefit and learn how to be better business owners.

Masterpiece Art Parties and Play dates – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
We provide a full-service Art Party at our customer’s home or location of their choosing. When booking a party, customers will have the option to choose from various themed art packages or create a custom package. Thirty minutes before the party, Masterpiece will set up the art projects using tables, chairs, and supplies that we provide. Masterpiece will then help partygoers create up to three projects during the ninety-minute art party. Once the party is finished, Masterpiece will clean up the mess.

Our parties are different because we will offer clear and concise options for our art parties. We provide crafts that the children will be proud of because we use quality keepsake materials and our lessons are developmentally appropriate. We take the stress off of parents by providing fun crafts that tie into the party’s theme. Our options are based around popular theme parties and enhance the party-goers experience.

Our playdates center around invitations to create; which are open-ended art projects. We provide an opportunity to work with different media in fun and meaningful ways. We also offer sensory bins, which are a hit with all ages. These provide children with ways to explore their environment in a safe and controlled way. Are play dated are planned a few times a month around the valley.

What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
The proudest moment is just getting started. I’ve envisioned various incarnates of this business over the years, but never found a time or space to make it possible. Once my kids were a little more independent, I decided it was time to start something. I was tired of dreaming of it and telling people my dream, I wanted it to become a reality. My hope is to one day open an actual studio, while still keeping the mobile component.

Pricing:

• Art buffet- $250/60 min for 2 projects and 15 artists $10/additional artist
• Masterpiece party-$350/90 min for 3 projects and 15 artists $15/ additional artist
• Play date- $100/hr 6 artists includes project and 3 sensory bins

Contact Info:

• Website: www.masterpieceartparties.com
• Phone: (480) 842-2115
• Email: heather@masterpieceartparties.com
• Instagram: @masterpieceartmomma
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/masterpieceartparties
• Other: https://yelp.to/qTKq/CvrqGVq8LW

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