Bad Artist” Club to Create and Play - Affordable Open Studio Time

Discover how to be “bad” at art, for good. Zero pressure affordable art as play


Paint With Me
Paint With Me
4.8 (170)

2 hours Experience size 1 to 20 guests

  $5 - $200 ($5 for Bad for Good; $10 for Club Sponsor; $15 for Snack fund; $20 for Club Treasurer; $30 for Club Benefactor; $200 for Pay it Forward)
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Experience Gifts
Join something rebellious and decide to be bad. Pay what you can. Turn up. See what happens! Think of it like Melbourne’s Breakfast Club; whatever your ability, whoever you are, you’re in the club.
No artist rules except this: “you break it, you turn it into art.”
Discover how deliberately making bad art can bring joy, laughter, reflection, forgiveness, connection, and community into the world.
In this open studio meetup for non-artists, adults are given freedom in a real art school created by a bad artist with a good heart.
Paint With Me is a special place. We offer the absolute widest range of art and craft events out of all providers on popular platforms and have the title of “The Anchor” of the inner north arts scene! *ClassBento rules don’t allow referencing other platforms… so it’ll be a mystery we can’t elaborate on until you join the club!
Why “bad” art? Any true artist struggles to believe they’re 100% “good” at art. And it’s important to be bad at something! And better to be bad at something together.
What if someone laughs at me? Then you’ll likely laugh too! That’s the magic of it. And hey, it’ll make a great story.
(Serious: we don’t hesitate to remove anyone being a bully, abusive, exploitative, unkind, or prejudiced. Being on High St near the Croxton, we’ve learnt how to handle meanies. For real. We have a lot of stories. We’ve got your back.)
So… what do I do? Pick up a brush or pencil or glue or markers. Learn to let go of expectations and embrace the opportunity to see how it feels using the materials. Meet people and tell us about yourself, or listen to others.
Who started this? And why? Eloise, Paint With Me’s owner, is self-taught. If you’ve tried to teach yourself to paint, then you know it’s absolutely punishing for perfectionists, workaholics, and stress heads. (She’s all 3 underlined in red.)
Learning to live with lifelong debilitating OCD, alongside the sensitivity from autism, is what created an accessible studio space that Melbourne trusts to hold the door open for all.
Without access to support for most of her life, taking up painting gave Eloise a new language to communicate with herself through; where her frustration could resolve somewhere else in the world, where loneliness could be held and noticed by someone, and where her confusion sparked curiosity and play.
Community is so important to us at Paint With Me. Our mission is one of dedicating all of our resources towards inspiring creative self-acceptance.
Through learning to play instead of achieve, Eloise has let herself open up to the world and seen that it isn’t really that bad out there. We want you to give yourself that chance too.

Upcoming dates for Bad Artist” Club to Create and Play - Affordable Open Studio Time

Times are Melbourne time. Dates and prices as of 6 Oct 2026, 4:24am; availability and price are confirmed live when booking on this page.

32 upcoming dates between 16 Oct 2026 and 24 Dec 2027.

  • Fri 16 Oct 2026, 2pm-4pm
  • Fri 30 Oct 2026, 2pm-4pm
  • Fri 13 Nov 2026, 2pm-4pm
  • Fri 27 Nov 2026, 2pm-4pm
  • Fri 11 Dec 2026, 2pm-4pm
  • Fri 25 Dec 2026, 2pm-4pm
  • Fri 8 Jan 2027, 2pm-4pm
  • Fri 22 Jan 2027, 2pm-4pm
  • Fri 5 Feb 2027, 2pm-4pm
  • Fri 19 Feb 2027, 2pm-4pm
  • Fri 5 Mar 2027, 2pm-4pm
  • Fri 19 Mar 2027, 2pm-4pm
  • Fri 2 Apr 2027, 2pm-4pm
  • Fri 16 Apr 2027, 2pm-4pm
  • Fri 30 Apr 2027, 2pm-4pm
  • Fri 14 May 2027, 2pm-4pm
  • Fri 28 May 2027, 2pm-4pm
  • Fri 11 Jun 2027, 2pm-4pm
  • Fri 25 Jun 2027, 2pm-4pm
  • Fri 9 Jul 2027, 2pm-4pm
  • Fri 23 Jul 2027, 2pm-4pm
  • Fri 6 Aug 2027, 2pm-4pm
  • Fri 20 Aug 2027, 2pm-4pm
  • Fri 3 Sep 2027, 2pm-4pm
  • Fri 17 Sep 2027, 2pm-4pm
  • Fri 1 Oct 2027, 2pm-4pm
  • Fri 15 Oct 2027, 2pm-4pm
  • Fri 29 Oct 2027, 2pm-4pm
  • Fri 12 Nov 2027, 2pm-4pm
  • Fri 26 Nov 2027, 2pm-4pm
  • Fri 10 Dec 2027, 2pm-4pm
  • Fri 24 Dec 2027, 2pm-4pm
What you'll get
A social, welcoming, creative space to simply exist. It’s like what’s called a “third space” - a place for people to meet that isn’t work/school/shops or home. A space about the people.
Work on something with others, learn from them, or open up to experimenting.
Fun, friendly, generous - join us in a beautiful environment that’s open to adults simply because we need it.
Knowledge required
None! Beginners, hobbyists, social butterflies, lone wolves, parents, child-free adults—all are welcome. We encourage club members to meet people where they are and to try to find the shared human connection in our similarities.
What to bring
Any snacks you might want.
Projects you’re working on.
Stories to tell.

FAQ

Do I have to pay extra to use supplies?
Nope. Enjoy em!
I’m nervous about showing up, what should I do?
That’s ok, we probably are too. You don’t have to be brave all the time! No pressure ever - attend when you can.
Is this a real club?
Hmm. Good question. Yes, it’s a real club. Should I get jackets made for us?
See more FAQs   
Can I bring a friend? Do they have to pay?
Bring a friend any time! Oh we would love to meet them. No. You don’t have to pay extra. We are doing this to include everyone we can, without the usual barriers.
I want to help. How can I contribute?
If you want to bring supplies and run a mini workshop, we’d love that. If you want to financially help, we can take contributions in many small ways. Reach out and chat with Eloise to help support our little inner north art retreat.
Location

Paint With Me Melbourne - 579 High Street, Northcote VIC

We’re next to the Darebin rd High St intersection, near Northcote Bakeshop, Welcome to Thornbury, Flinch Coffee and Play, and the 86 tram stop. You’ll see us!

Bad Artist” Club to Create and Play - Affordable Open Studio Time location
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Paint With Me
Paint With Me

4.8 (170)
female Women-owned

25, 000 bookings. 1800+ reviews. Kidsbook Outstanding Provider Award winner for kids art education, and ranked most affordable high quality creative workshops in Melbourne.
And we’re just getting started ‍
Paint With Me has been Melbourne's Favourite Art School for over 6 years! OPEN 7 DAYS ALL YEAR to paint, party, and play!
We're leading the way at the top of every workshop booking platform in Australia with art activity variety, with the most diverse classes for all things creative and crafty.
(Google it! see what platforms and guests are saying!)
Paint With Me in Northcote is one studio. Yep. Just one. We travel all across Victoria for collaborations with wineries, estates, historical trusts, parks, and community orgs for seasonal special events and private parties.
Our corporate team building, onsite / offsite events, and creative workshops are regularly held for businesses and companies big and small - Like local pizzerias, or Swinburne University! Our events scale perfectly to fit project needs.
A labour of love, the studio is owned by Eloise Nouvelle, a Melbourne landscape painter and arts business mentor. She’s an exhibiting member of the Victorian Artist’s Society, and connects young artists with important organisations. Working alongside StreetSmart, WAYSS, and schools across Melbourne, Paint With Me is more than just a paint and sip studio. We’re leaders and creators of change. Our commitment to fairness, encouragement, mental health awareness, community engagement, and safety make us a strong community partner in Northcote, Thornbury, Preston, and Fitzroy.
Working hard every day, Eloise has built Paint With Me through genuine, financially accessible events that make you think like an artist (even after a few glasses…)
Our loyal and talented team of local artists are always in the studio windows painting our own pieces, which are on display in the 2 spacious studio rooms.
Competitive? Not around here thanks! All of the artists put effort into building each other’s practice, reputation, and networks in Melbourne arts.
Eloise is a self taught pro arts entrepreneur making impactful waves across our famous inner north arts culture. As a leader with something to say, she gives personalised support, professional opportunities, and professional mentoring to all the artists in the studio.
Paint With Me is here to educate and empower emerging artists, no matter your experience.
Reviews:
Top rated art classes make us a highly regarded provider for painting, drawing, and creative fun in Melbourne; and awarded a position as “the anchor” of inner north Melbourne’s creative culture.
We host private paint parties for adults and kids, hens and corporate, and more. You were born creative so let’s celebrate with it!!
Paint With Me is not a corporation. Community, education, and access comes first. We hold doors open and protect community spaces and small businesses. Contact us to run your own workshops on our space.
We teach art classes for kids, adults, families, NDIS participants, & seniors.
Inclusive academic art classes designed by seasoned experts in painting, drawing, digital art, and more!
WE OFFER
○Casual Classes & Intensive Programs for all skill levels in painting, drawing, design, floral art, 3D printed minis, and art history.
○Private Parties for adults, kids, businesses, & more
○Pop up parties, corporate events & team building. We can travel to you for a party!
○After school & weekend kids classes
○Creative school holiday programs
○Private lessons: In-home & online
○Gallery/studio hire for hosting YOUR workshops
○Market days, fundraiser support & community events
○Paid work experience placements & industry mentorship
○Subsidised fees & accessible rates alongside our NDIS funded workshops
Sliding scale ticketing always available. Donations for community fundraisers always available.

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ClassBento has verified that Paint With Me has a valid Working with Children Check clearance.

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class 0 V48I01Z33L 34c052b7f77f35dccea660a6ce51910d 1 production melbourne Melbourne VIC AU melbourne