Yes — Cats & Dogs is one of our most approachable paintings. Absolute first-timers finish this one looking great. Aislinn walks you through every step, and the whole group moves together so nobody falls behind. Worth knowing: Paint Nite events happen at real bars and restaurants, not studios — it's a night out that happens to involve painting.

A painting class teaches you technique. Paint Nite gives you a finished painting and a good night. Aislinn is a real local artist — not a teacher running a curriculum — and this event happens at SimonHolt, a real local spot, not a studio. Paint Nite invented this format in 2012 and has sold more than 10 million tickets. The trade-off is honest: lighting varies, it can get loud, and the person at the next easel is a stranger. That's the point. It's more of a night out than a class.

Aislinn is a real local artist based in Nanaimo — not a franchise employee or a corporate hire. Paint Nite artists complete our certification program before their first event. Across all Paint Nite events, 93% of guests say their instructor was amazing.

SimonHolt is a local venue in Nanaimo — a real local spot, not a dedicated painting studio. Paint Nite events happen at places like this by design — venues with character, regulars, and a bar. It can get lively. That's what makes it a night out rather than a class.

Yaymaker is Paint Nite. We brought both brands together under the Paint Nite name — same artists, same events, same format we invented in 2012. More than 10 million tickets have been sold across both brands combined. If you used to attend Yaymaker events in Nanaimo, you're in the right place. Welcome back.

Your ticket to Cats & Dogs includes the canvas, all the paint you'll need, the use of brushes and an apron during the event, and step-by-step instruction from Aislinn. Drinks and food are ordered separately from SimonHolt — you pay the venue directly for anything you eat or drink.

This event runs approximately 2 hours. Doors open at 2:00 PM — we recommend arriving 15 minutes early to get settled and order your first drink before Aislinn starts the painting.

You can reschedule your ticket to any other Paint Nite event up to 24 hours before this one starts. After that, tickets are locked — no refunds or changes. If Paint Nite cancels this event for any reason, you'll receive a full automatic refund.

This event has reached our minimum attendance threshold and is guaranteed to run. If we ever have to cancel a guaranteed event, every ticket holder receives a full automatic refund plus a free ticket to a future Paint Nite — no questions asked. The only exception is weather or force majeure, where full refunds are issued but free tickets are not.