Sisters Johanna and Maria Granados, Bakersfield College business majors, and their significant others, Jason Rojas and Ausencio Ortiz, partnered up to open their own local business, Corks & Strokes, in July. They welcome the Bakersfield community to come “paint, drink, and enjoy,” as their slogan says.
Corks & Strokes, located at 2005 Eye St. Suite 7, is an art class that welcomes adults to bring their own beer or wine to drink while they paint, with all supplies necessary provided, with the step-by-step assistance of a local artist.
Jason Rojas, business partner, said that the idea came about by the group brainstorming together. He explained that they knew they wanted to open a business that would bring something to the community that had not been seen here before.
Corks & Strokes offers classes by reservation, combination classes by reservation, and private parties by appointment. There is a calendar on its website, corksandstrokes.com, where people can find out what dates are available for private parties, what paintings are being done on each night, and previous paintings, as well as discover more information about the business itself.
Rojas also emphasized that the class is not just for painters or something that needs to be professional. He wanted to clarify that what they offer is just “an overall good setting” where people can go to have fun.
In each two-hour class, there is a painting that the instructor assists the group of guests with step-by-step coaching. Local artist and Corks & Strokes art instructor Chris Kirschenmann said although it is helpful in the effort to assist, guests do not have to paint the selected painting of the night.
Many guests showed their creativity by painting a wide array of things during a class held on Nov. 9. First-time guest and BC adjunct instructor Julie Demos said that she felt it was an awesome opportunity and she would definitely return.
“It beats going to the movies,” Demos said. “I created something; it’s going to be forever.”
Rojas explained that beyond the aforementioned reasons, it is a goal of Corks & Strokes to promote local artists and art culture in the community. For this reason, Corks & Strokes invites local artists to hang their paintings in the facility to promote their artwork. However, they do stipulate that the paintings must be priced at less than $100 and they would maintain a small percentage of the sale price if a piece were to sell.
Demos also explained that the promotion of the local art community was one of her favorite aspects of Corks & Strokes. “Bakersfield has a big art culture that we don’t even know about and we need to rediscover it,” she said explaining that “it is our town and we should own it.”
Although the four co-owners are all painters themselves, Rojas explained that they would rather have local artists instruct the classes as a way of promoting that community. Rojas said that despite the fact that they don’t instruct the classes, they are there to help every step of the way for classes and private parties respectively.
Corks & Strokes also offers to deliver the same service for private parties to another location, if necessary.
“We only accommodate about 24 people here,” Rojas said, explaining that if a private party wished to accommodate more people they are willing to hold the same class at a venue, or house, of the customer’s choice.
There is a required minimum of 10 people to schedule a private party. However, Corks & Strokes is willing to discount larger groups. “If you have a big group, it’s going to be more of a discount for you,” Rojas said. “It just depends on the group size.”
Rojas explained that the co-owners have noticed that a common misconception among the community is that Corks & Strokes is only for adults. He mentioned that they do have a combination class for adults and children but it might be more of a “private party thing.”
He said, “If you want a children’s party, just call us and you can pick any date that is not booked already on our calendar, then we just schedule you in.” Although the combination classes and private parties do accommodate children, the consumption of alcohol is not permitted with children present.
For adults, it is $28 for a two-hour class. However, there is currently a $5 discount coupon being offered, which expires Dec. 31.
“You don’t have to bring it in, we pass them out, we mention it, it’s on our website,” Rojas explained about the coupon. “Even if you don’t know we have it, we still offer it.”