Hawaii Fluid Art

by Jill Duff-Hoppes

At home, Michele Vice enjoys throwing parties for friends and family, and she excels at being a perfect host who can wow guests with everything from decorations to desserts. In fact, Michele likes hosting parties so much that now she does it at work, too.

Michele recently opened Hawaii Fluid Art Winter Springs, an art studio and retail store in the Winter Springs Town Center at State Road 434 and Tuskawilla Road. She and her talented team welcome in couples, friends, families, and individuals to take classes and embrace their inner artist. The studio is ideal for groups, too, from birthday celebrations to team-building corporate events.

“I love that groups can have parties in here,” says Michele, “because it makes me feel like it’s an extension of being a hostess at home.”

Hawaii Fluid Art was founded by Maya Ratcliff, who opened the first studio in Waikoloa, Hawaii. The thriving company now has locations across the United States. Hawaii Fluid Art differs from other art studios in that guests don’t all paint the same subject. Rather, everyone makes something distinctive, led by knowledgeable instructors.

Guests can choose to make fluid acrylic paintings on canvas, resin tumblers, or painted charcuterie boards and wine glasses among other options. At the Winter Springs center, a favorite with the younger crowd is the Patch Party, where guests adorn hats or tote bags with patches to reflect their personal style. The studio’s projects start at $20, and group discounts are offered.

“Anyone – male, female, young, old – can come in here and have a great time,” says Michele. “I just love that this is an experience.

Community Connections

Michele lives in Winter Springs, not far from her store, with her husband and two teenage children. Michele, who had a career in real-estate development for 20 years, plans to open two more Hawaii Fluid Art centers in Central Florida in 2025.

At her Winter Springs location, the front section of the spacious art studio is the retail area, which carries products by local artists and artisans including jewelry, paintings, candles, and candy. The rest of the center is devoted to the art-making process.

Groups from AdventHealth and Oviedo-Winter Springs Life are among those who have already visited Hawaii Fluid Art, and their creative results have been spectacular.

“You can’t mess up a piece,” says Michele. “They’re all going to be cool in their own unique way.”