With unique experiences from paint and sips to cookie bouquets, there's something for everyone at the DIY studio, Once Upon A Creation. Grab your girls or your plus one, bring your appetites (food and learning), and get crafty with this Clermont date night! This fun art studio is about 10 minutes from Downtown Clermont. Come see why I recommend it as a fun date idea.
One-of-a-Kind Clermont Date Experiences, No Craft Experience Necessary
You'll find original workshops in the Once Upon a Creation studio space where design meets delectables. Previous classes have included making margarita candles while sipping on a margarita, planting succulents and painting, decorating cookies, and even archery paired with painting summer-themed signs.
What's the best part? There's no crafting experience necessary. Show up ready to learn, eat, and have a good time in a supportive environment.
The studio provides all the supplies you'll need, and the instructors walk you through the crafting process at an easy-to-follow pace. If you get lost during the process or need another opinion on a painting technique, the instructors are there to help.
“I take these workshops as if I was going to attend,” Cathylee said. “I get so excited when we launch a workshop, and I feel like, would I want to go with my girlfriends? Would I want to take my husband to that? Would I want to do that with my kids? What would be different?”
– Cathylee Morales, Owner
Pairing Food with the Festivities
Co-owner and Master Chef Jessica Gagliano adds her flair to workshops with these unique culinary experiences. Chef Jessica's culinary work ranges from ESPN to Bank of America, providing catering services for up to 10,000 people.
“She's an incredible chef who loves teaching,” Cathylee said. “As long as food is involved, she loves doing it. She's very special to Once Upon A Creation. Her heart is in it because that's what makes her happy at the end of the day.”
Partnering with Local Businesses and Entrepreneurs
Instead of coordinating where you're going to eat before your workshop or rushing out after a class to grab dinner, you can enjoy dining and designing all in one place.
“It's more of a loungy feeling. There's no rush,” Cathylee said. “It's a moment that we can sit back and say, I'm going to do this for me. You get to enjoy yourself.”
From charcuterie boards to plated dinners and sweet treats, Once Upon A Creation partners with local businesses to support the community and expand class experiences. A few of the local businesses they've partnered with include:
- LuBelle's Cakes
- Theos Catering
- Boujee Boards by Justina
- Blushin' Bubbles
- Tay's Party Decor
- Lakeside Petals
- Event Lit
- Bridget's Face Painting
- Artisan Pizza
“We love connecting with kids and adults, crafting with them, and making new memories with them,” Cathylee said. “We hope they see the love we pour on them while they're here just makes them come back for more.”
Finding Art in Life
Voted South Lake's Best Entertainment three years in a row now, Owner and Master Instructor Cathylee Morales founded Once Upon A Creation in 2017. Before opening the studio space, she found beauty in art as a professional figure skater. “I had the love of being artistic on the ice, so it was like creating my own dance routines,” Cathylee said.
However, once she moved, the skating rink was too far to travel to regularly. She later pursued a career in sales and marketing, getting a taste for design with trade shows and restoration work. Owning her own artistic business was a dream.
Building a Creative Path
Shortly after she and her husband had their second son, Cathylee unfortunately lost her job. This motivated her to move forward with starting a business. Her parents gave her a Cricut machine, and she began crafting for family and friends. She customized shirts, cups, signs, and other gifts for family reunions, birthdays, and baby showers. She wanted to share this love of learning and creating with other people.
“It was so therapeutic, and I was able to stay home with my boys. I'm a firm believer that…God speaks, and he gave me a dream that one day I was going to have my own studio,” Cathylee said. “All I saw was people who were happy. They were smiling, they were creating memories, and parents were putting their phones down, and they were creating fun art.”
Cathylee went on to teach friends how to make wooden signs that served as creative decorations for their homes. What started as a trial workshop of 25 friends painting signs turned into referrals, private parties, and now the studio space for double dates, girls' night out, bridal showers, and other celebrations of life.
“Art is being creative,” Cathylee said. “It's being unique. It's being different. I think Once Upon A Creation stands for that.”
Plan Your Next Crafty Clermont Date Night
Remodeled in January 2024, Once Upon A Creation will offer more in-depth art courses and event venue rental options. Check out upcoming DIY workshops as they're added to their website.
If you're craving an extended adventure, explore our recommended daytime spots before your workshop. You're bound to get the creative juices flowing during your next Clermont date night or girls' night out!
Once Upon A Creation
4300 S Hwy 27 Suite 207
Clermont, FL 34711
352-667-3211
https://onceuponacreationco.com/