For Brandy Durm, art has always been more than a hobby. It has been a lifelong passion and calling. After spending 28 years as an elementary school art teacher, Brandy officially retired on January 1, 2026, but she quickly realized she was not ready to step away from teaching and creativity altogether. Instead, she found a new way to continue doing what she loves through her business, ArtVentures.

A lifelong Louisville resident, Brandy has deep roots in the community she now serves through mobile paint parties and creative events. She and her husband, Steven, recently celebrated 25 years of marriage and are proud parents of two grown children. Their daughter, Molly recently graduated from Butler University and works as a marketing analyst in Chicago, while their son Dylan, is currently a junior at the University of Dayton. Completing the family is their nine-year-old Yorkie, Toto.

Although retirement marked the end of Brandy’s classroom career, it also opened the door to an exciting new chapter. Wanting to continue sharing her love for art in a more relaxed and flexible way, she began researching paint party businesses and discovered Paint Party Headquarters, an online community founded by Heidi Easley of Nashville, Tennessee. Through online courses and training, Brandy gained the tools and confidence to launch ArtVentures in November 2025.

What sets ArtVentures apart is Brandy’s decades of teaching experience and her ability to make people feel comfortable, creative, and successful no matter their skill level. She believes everyone can paint and enjoy the experience, even those who may feel nervous at first. Her goal is to create a fun and welcoming atmosphere where guests can relax, laugh, and leave with a personal masterpiece they are proud of.

Brandy says one of the keys to helping guests feel at ease is preparation and encouragement. Before each event, she traces the design onto every canvas so participants can focus on enjoying the creative process instead of worrying about perfection. She also reminds painters that mistakes are never permanent because, as she loves to tell her guests, she can fix anything. Her supportive teaching style encourages creativity and gives guests the freedom to personalize their paintings without fear of getting it wrong.

ArtVentures offers paint parties for all ages and occasions, including birthday parties, girls' nights out, bachelorette parties, corporate team building events, senior living communities, clubs, after-school art programs, and team bonding experiences. Because the business is mobile, Brandy brings the entire experience directly to her clients. She also hosts several public paint parties each month at venues throughout Louisville.

When asked what advice she would offer local residents, Brandy encourages people to simply give it a try. She understands that many people feel nervous about painting, but she believes the experience is about much more than the final product. Painting provides a relaxing escape from daily stress and offers something many people rarely prioritize: dedicated “me” time. For two hours, guests can focus on creativity, connection, and fun while stepping away from the demands of everyday life.

For Brandy, ArtVentures is about creating joyful experiences and helping people discover confidence through creativity. Her passion for teaching and love for connecting with others continue to shine through every paint party she hosts.

For more information about ArtVentures, contact Brandy Durm at:

(502) 558-2567
artventuresky@gmail.com
www.artventuresky.com