“A wonderful change of pace for fun and relaxation.”
Rebecca Hollander · Google review
Our story · Since September 5, 2000
A little paint.
A lifetime of memories.
The Painting Place is a family-owned creative studio in Wellesley, welcoming kids, teens and adults to slow down, spend time together and make something their own.
Family-owned · Creating memories since 2000
Meet Samara
I started this studio with a love of art and bringing people together. Today, The Painting Place welcomes kids, teens and adults to slow down, get creative and make memories.
Meet the heart behind TPP
It started with
a love of kids.
Owner Samara Helfman studied child psychology and taught nursery school before opening her own creative business at age 24. In 2000, The Kid’s Place opened in Needham with a simple idea: give kids a place to be kids, make a mess and color outside the lines.
In 2019, the studio moved to Wellesley and became The Painting Place—a creative home for every age.
Today, children who once painted at our tables bring their own kids back to create. Friends catch up over pottery, families celebrate birthdays, and colleagues spend time together away from their screens.
25 years of creativity in 2025
Different generations.
The same joy.
From that first little artist to today’s grown-up maker, thank you for making us part of your memories.
See us in the newsA place for everyone
No artistic experience needed. Our team is here to help you choose a project, get started and enjoy the process.
Pottery, plaster, canvas, candles, gem mining, slime and charms. Come with your kids, your friends, your team—or a little time just for yourself.
Kind words from our guests
Memories worth sharing.
Kind words from birthdays, family visits and adult outings.
“Just fun and quality time”
Aliza de la Piedra · Google review
“Love this place and the owners so much!”
Netty Ambrosio Gaede · Google review
Birthday joy
David loved the friendly, well-prepared team and how they helped make his daughter’s sixth birthday easy for parents and exciting for the children.
David Downing · Google review summary
A family tradition
Debra returns with her grandchildren whenever she visits family in Boston. She appreciates the welcoming owners and the artwork they make together.
Debra L · Google review summary
Fun with your team
Sophia enjoyed her team’s creative outing and praised how helpful the owner and family were. She plans to return.
sophia · Google review summary
Selected excerpts and summaries · Google reviews reproduced on Birdeye
Ready to make something?
Open 7 days, 10am–6pm.
380 Washington St., Wellesley
Free parking · GPS: 11 Laurel Ave.
Take a look inside.
Take a look around the studio
Real people.
Really good memories.
A peek at the fun. Come be part of it.
Latest from @paintingplace4fun
Can’t see the posts? Visit us on Instagram.
See our Facebook posts
See what’s happening at The Painting Place.
If the feed doesn’t appear, view our page on Facebook.