Bad Art Co is an independent art lounge located in Oregon, WI.
We are a family friendly community space designed for adults and older kids.
Our goal is to inspire and facilitate your creativity!
Our bar features craft mocktails, beer, sodas, coffee, tea, and pre-packaged snacks.
We offer classes, events, and private sessions. With our open studio, we have many supplies available for independent art making whenever we are open.
We feature local artists throughout our space, and have gallery wall that features a new artist every six weeks. Our lounge areas have comfortable seating, and art books and art games. Our shop sells art supplies, gifts, and local art and handmade wares. We have two rental rooms available for private creative sessions, work/study, or a quiet visit with a friend.
Creative Services
Events
These themed sessions take place in small groups at the Bad Art Co studio. The materials are pre selected to work well with the theme. Each session starts with a lesson on how to work with the medium/supplies and some information on the theme. This is a great opportunity to do something unique with your friends or family, or to make new friends! Sessions last 1.5-2 hours.
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Open Studio
Open Studio is an opportunity to work on your own creative project. You can transport projects that you have been working on, or start from scratch at the studio. The use of many supplies is included in the cost, including but not limited to acrylic & watercolor paints, oil & charcoal pastels, colored & regular pencils, pens, paint pens, paint brushes, various glue, scissors, tape, a variety of papers, magazines for cutting, and more. You are welcome to bring your own supplies. We also have additional art items available for purchase, such as canvas, canvas board, coasters, rocks, and air dry clay. Instruction is not provided at open studio. Attendees are responsible for their own set up and clean up. Kids age seven and up are welcome with a guardian, who is expected to supervise the child to assure that they are respecting the space, materials, and the other artists.
Single or Duo Sessions
These sessions are curated for you or you plus one! What are your goals for art making? What materials would you like to work with? If you have a very specific idea, that’s cool! If you have no idea where you want to start, Emma will take care of it! This is an opportunity to have some solo art time or to have a shared positive experience with someone important in your life. During your session, we can talk as much or as little as you like.
Work Sessions
Customized Groups for Business Owners/Managers- An excellent way to grow the bond in your work team. This can be strictly fun and entertainment, or it can be an opportunity to work toward a common goal that is directly related to your team’s work. You can make a large group project, individual pieces that come together to form a whole piece, or single projects. This can be something you hang in the office, or something for each person to take home. Groups larger than eight people must provide their own location. We can conduct groups as large as fifty people. We will bring everything necessary for the session, we just need access to a sink
Things to know when you come to the studio
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For classes, wear things that you wouldn’t mind getting permanently dirty. We do have smocks and aprons available.
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Events start promptly at their scheduled time & it's recommended to arrive a few minutes early, especially if you'd like to order a beverage.
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Our space is completely accessible, including the bathrooms.
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Most events are designed for adults and older kids. We do have classes for kids specifically, and classes for adult/child to do together. Please be mindful of age requirements when booking a class. (If you have someone a little younger than the age requirement but REALLY interested in the class, we can usually make an exception)
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Anyone engaging in disruptive behavior will be asked to leave with no refund.
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Hate speech/hate art is not tolerated.
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Our lounge is a space is for everyone! For the safety of all, we ask that small children be supervised at all times.
Why Bad Art
Many people understand that creativity is essential for humans, yet tell themselves “I am not an artist,” or “I am bad at art,” and are nervous to try. Yes, it is nice to create a masterpiece, but with Bad Art Co, that’s not the point. The point is the value of simply being creative! We know that life is busy, and it can be really hard to get motivated without distractions at home. Maybe you don't have the materials, or don't know where to start. We will help you with all of it!
Bad Art Co is here to break down the barriers between you and your art making! In our classes, we provide the directive, the materials, and support throughout the process. Our instructors are passionate about creating a welcoming space for creativity. Your instructor will give a short demo on how to work with the material and about the theme, and be there throughout the session to offer support with technique or other questions. You will be given as much or as little feedback and/or encouragement as you desire! We provide the nonjudgmental space to focus on the art making. For classes, we even take care of all the set up and clean up!
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Our Amazing Crew!
Emma Dehlinger
Owner, Instructor, Bartender
Emma is a life long lover of art and art making! She spent two decades working in the bar/restaurant service industry, with an emphasis on managing establishments that featured live music and valued art. She spent many evenings tending bar and loves cultivating an inclusive and welcoming environment. In 2018 Emma earned her BA in Art Therapy from Edgewood College in Madison, WI. She holds minors in Psychology and Studio Art. It has been her dream for many years to bring her two areas of expertise together with an art lounge. She passionately believes in the power of the creative process for wellness, and her belief in that is the foundation for Bad Art Co. Emma is excited to offer a wonderful new space for the Oregon community. She is an OHS graduate who moved back after a decade of living in Madison after high school. She lives in town with her son, husband, and 2 dogs, a cat, and a bunch of chickens!
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​Mark
Co-Owner & Bartender
Mark was the first test subject for Bad Art Co and even came up with the name!
After a career in sales he decided to go all in with his partner in life and business, Emma. He's been living his best life chatting up patrons and making bad art ever since.
​Kelly Gratz
Instructor
Kelly is a largely self-taught artist residing in rural Southern Wisconsin. She is a wife and mom first and foremost. Creative Little Octopus Studio was born out of a deep, personal need to create and a desire to share that passion with others. Kelly’s own art is largely influenced by nature themes, especially flowers, and is expressed in a variety of mediums- acrylic, watercolor, collage, fabric, and more. She deeply believes that we are all creative at our core and that creativity is healing. She is passionate about helping others use and develop their own creativity. She shares her work on Instagram @kellygratz .
​Callee
Administrative Assistant & Bartender
Callee enjoys all forms of creative expression, originating from her childhood love of dance. Her administrative assistant position pairs well with the business magement degree she is pursuing at Blackhawk Tech. She enjoys all the creativity in the space, especially making carefully crafted drinks. She lives in town with her fiance, Kendall, and cat, Sheldon.
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