By Grace Pateras
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Matt Ribakow grew up in Maryland, went to college in California, and settled in Iowa City to build a family with his wife.

Ribakow and wife Dori own Brush and Barrel, a “social painting” atmosphere open to all ages.

Though Ribakow always appreciated art throughout his life in forms such as painting, drawing, illustrating, and architecture, he graduated from Cal Poly after studying construction management.

Though he enjoys construction management, he said owning a painting business gives him more time with his wife and 18-month-old son, Jasper.

“This is a little bit more fun,” Ribakow said. “We can have more time together as a family. Instead of working a job in the office, I could work a job where I can have the kid in there and is a little more family-oriented.”

Brush and Barrel, 408 First Ave., Coralville, is a BYOB painting studio. The idea, Ribakow said, is for guests to come in and have social time while still being centered on painting.

The business opened around two years ago and is a local success. The couple attended like-studios across the country, such as in Portland, Oregon, before deciding they wanted to open their own. Now, locals come and go for scheduled classes offered on the business’ website.

A guest can view the business’ class schedule online and sign up for whichever date works best for them. Many people sign up because they see a new painting they’d like to try, Ribakow said.

A typical class session costs $35 per guest, which sometimes includes a free first beverage.

On average, Ribakow said, there are 20 guests at each class offered throughout the week. He anticipates there to be a rise in attendees once fall and winter come around.

At the class, a painter employee (often Ribakow himself) stands on a wooden stage elevated to allow her or his work to be seen. There is a finished product, the mock piece, and then a blank canvas in which the painter will step-by-step teach the class the technique to getting art of their own.

Rows of blank canvases with appropriate paint colors at each seat line the studio prior to guests’ arrivals. The paint is acrylic, which dries best without a blending of colors.

On Sept. 10, Ribakow led a class with 20 guests.

“A big part of this is just to enjoy yourself, let the paint dry a little bit, take your time, and relax, and things tend to go more smoothly,” he instructed the class after painting the background of his canvas.

With each stroke of the brush, a tipping wine glass emerges.

Participant Kara Novotny of North Liberty, who was at the class with three friends, said they were at a work outing, the art class was a good way to gather everyone.

“Sometimes, it’s hard for us to get together, so we chose to bond and make art and drink wine together — although I’m drinking beer,” she said. “It’s an excuse to drink on a Thursday.”

Later in the night, when it was time to stencil in the wine glass, Novotny drew in a beer bottle.

“I like to put my own twist on it and make sure it doesn’t end up looking like his at all,” the experienced social painting student said. “It’s kind of like a challenge; I like to make it my own without ruining it.

“I’m more of a beer person anyways.”

Ribakow reminded the class members to ease up and have fun with their painting.

“Whatever you’re doing while you’re making art tends to come out in the piece,” he announced. “So relax, and don’t forget to breathe.

For the first time at Brush and Barrel, Amanda Conklin wanted to make her painting look perfect.

“It’s kind of nerve-racking,” she said. “It’s hard to relax because I want to do it right.”