Immersive Art Experience: Brunch with Monet

Dec 21

By Cansu Waldron

There’s something about Unarthodox events that gently remove you from real life. You walk in expecting a fun art activity, and you walk out realizing you completely forgot where you were, what time it was, and everything waiting for you outside the studio. Brunch with Monet does exactly that, in the most delightful way.

After attending Urban Canvas with my mom around the same time last year, I already knew Unarthodox had a talent for creating immersive paint-and-sip experiences that feel welcoming rather than intimidating. That night leaned into Basquiat’s raw, messy energy. This one was on the calm, colorful, and almost meditative side — and just as engaging.

I went to Brunch with Monet with my mom again, which has become one of my favorite ways to experience these workshops. There’s something really special about sharing a creative space across generations, especially when neither of you are trying to be “good” at art — just present. Sitting side by side, paintbrushes in hand, surrounded by moving visuals inspired by Monet’s gardens, it felt like a pause button on everything else.

From the moment you step into the room, the atmosphere pulls you in. Soft French music plays, Monet-inspired visuals move across the walls, and the whole space feels warm and inviting. It reminded me of that sense of being transported I wrote about in Tonight with the Impressionists, Paris 1874 — not just learning about an artist, but stepping into their world.

Even though you’re not thinking about art history in an academic way, it was fun to learn how the Impressionists went against the artistic norms of their time by taking paintings outside the studio, thanks to the invention of paint tubes, and by celebrating visible brushstrokes — in contrast to their peers, whose goal was to hide them completely.

Our sweet instructor, Sarah, walked us through the basics, but the emphasis is never on recreating a Monet painting. Instead, you’re encouraged to use your own colors, your own style, your own instincts. The guidance is there if you need it, but the real goal is to let go. You don’t need to know how to paint — you just need to give yourself permission to explore.

And then there’s the brunch, which honestly deserves its own paragraph. Bottomless mimosas flow freely, along with coffee, pastries, strawberries, muffins, and macarons. It’s indulgent without being distracting — the kind of setup that makes the whole experience feel relaxed and celebratory rather than structured or rushed.

Once we started painting, time completely disappeared. My mom and I were both incredibly hard on our own paintings — questioning colors, second-guessing brushstrokes — while genuinely loving each other’s work. It was funny how obvious it became: we’re much kinder when looking at someone else’s creativity than our own. That realization alone felt like a little takeaway from the day.

Just like during Urban Canvas, watching everyone interpret the same prompts so differently was one of the most rewarding parts. Some people leaned into soft, dreamy colors, while others went bolder with texture — very much in the spirit of Monet: observing the same world, but experiencing it uniquely.

There’s a moment during these Unarthodox workshops when you fully forget yourself. You’re not thinking about that work email or what you’ll have for dinner. You’re just mixing colors, layering brushstrokes, responding to what’s in front of you. That in-the-moment feeling is rare, and it’s what makes these experiences stand out.

By the end, we left with two very different paintings, slightly paint-splattered hands, and big smiles on our faces. It felt joyful, grounding, and genuinely fun in a way that stays with you afterward.

Brunch with Monet is another beautiful example of Unarthodox’s ability to make art accessible, immersive, and deeply human. Whether you come with a parent, a friend, a partner, or on your own, you’ll leave feeling lighter, more creative, and pleasantly surprised by what you made.

If you’re looking for an experience where you can slow down, get lost in color, sip a mimosa, and forget the outside world for a while — this one is absolutely worth it.