Photos: Paint Nite in Anchorage

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Paint Nite patrons cheers before beginning their painting class with instructor Tasha Webster at the Hard Rock Cafe on Tuesday, December 22, 2015. The national franchise has had great success in Alaska.

The Paint Nite company is based in Massachusetts. It began just over three years ago and has turned into a cultural phenomenon across the country. Mike Capka, a Spokane, Washington, entrepreneur, picked up the Anchorage franchise and started classes here in late September. Fifteen classes are scheduled for the Anchorage area in January. Two had sold out by Christmas.

"The Paint Nite slogan is 'Drink creatively,'" Capka said. "We're a drinking party with art, not a serious art lesson. It's a social event, people having a good time. We've decided that, rather than just sitting on a bar stool, let's do something fun, creative and positive."

Read more: Paint Nite craze gets an enthusiastic welcome from Alaskans