Wey is the owner of Painting with a Twist, 580 Frandor Ave., a studio that encourages art exploration. The studio opened up for business at 5:30 p.m. Thursday.

The studio offers classes that teach the basics of painting. To ensure no white-canvas anxiety creeps in, participants also are encouraged to indulge in sharing wine among friends.

Wey has lived in Lansing since she attended MSU in the late ‘70s and said she is happy to provide a new creative outlet for the surrounding community.

“Lansing has a thriving artistic community, and this will add into that climate that already exists,” she said. “This is a different niche in that same community because we’re targeting nonartists or no-vice (artists).”

Wey’s daughter, zoology senior Victoria Wickens, said Painting with a Twist is a great addition.

“There’s nothing you can do like that in East Lansing,” she said. “It’s a fun thing to do with your friends or as a date.”

After Wey took a class at Painting with a Twist’s Ferndale, Mich., location, she knew she wanted to become a franchise owner.

After doing some research, she said the charitable work of the franchise was her final persuasion.

“To bring painting to Lansing feels right to me; it’s a very positive thing,” Wey said. “A big thing is giving back to the community (and) holding Painting with a Purpose nights once a month — 50 percent or more (of the profits) go straight to a local nonprofit.”

Frandor Shopping Center property manager Patrick Corr said the unique services of Painting with a Twist will benefit Lansing.

“I think it’ll be very welcomed by the community,” he said. “This will be a way to introduce people to that art medium in a fun, positive way, and at the same time, (they can) learn something new.”
Wey said she’s proud to embrace her personal philosophy: Don’t be afraid to reach above and beyond.

Wickens said her mother always has had a knack for achieving her aspirations.

“She’s really driven,” Wickens said. “Once she sets her mind to something, there’s really no stopping her.”

Although Wey said business is always a risk, she has full confidence that her project will be successful in the Lansing area.

“There’s not a fiber in my being that thinks this might not be the right time for me,” she said. “I feel very confident that Lansing and the greater community will embrace this business.”

Class schedules are available on the Painting With a Twist website at paintingwithatwist.com.