Side by Side Fridays
An Intergenerational Painting Series- 2026
- JUL 24 - AUG 14
- 6PM-7:30PM
Some of the best conversations happen with a paintbrush in hand instead of across a table. This summer, the Guild is pairing generations at the easel — grandparents and grandchildren, parents and kids, aunts, uncles or any adult who plays a meaningful role in a child’s life, alongside adult children and their own parents — for four Friday evenings of painting, dessert, and something made together.
What to expect:
- Paint side by side — grandparent and grandchild, parent and kid, or any adult and the young person who matters to them. Any pairing, any age, no experience required.
- A themed painting session each week — everyone leaves with their own piece.
- Dessert included — because a night of making art together should feel like a treat.
- Guidance from local artist and educator Paula Desano, along with experienced Guild artists who make every skill level feel welcome.
- All materials provided — just show up together.
Register for one, two, or all four sessions in the series.
July 24th: Paint and Pizza
Plain or pepperoni-ed, choose a pizza to put to canvas. It’s a delicious warmup for beginning artists and seasoned ones alike, and the best part comes at the end, when the real thing arrives. Bring your appetite for both.
July 31: Petals and Paint
Flowers have been the subject for artists for centuries, and tonight they belong to you. Working with fresh blooms, explore color, shape, and the surprising detail hiding in a single petal. Enjoy dessert as you paint! When the brushes are cleaned and the paintings are admired, the flowers go home with you — along with something you made together.
August 7th: Tea Cups and Cookies
Set the table, pour the tea, and take a long look at what’s in front of you — because tonight, the still life is also dessert. Paint the spread before you enjoy it, finding beauty in the ordinary and sweetness in the act of slowing down. The cookies are worth the wait.
August 14th: Painting a Diagram
This one is a little different. Each pair receives a single canvas, divided down the middle — one side yours, one side mine. The subject? A shared world you’ll build together as you go. When the two halves meet, something unexpected happens. Part collaboration, part discovery, and dessert to go with. Come curious.
Register today — space is limited for each session.
- LOCATION: Portsmouth Arts Guild
- COST: $20 per couple each session
Paula Desano, Instructor
Artist Statement: “What we create and form today opens the door to what becomes real tomorrow.”
I think I was born with a crayon in my hand; all my childhood memories centered on coloring in coloring books, enjoy watching my grandmother paint, and watch my uncle paint different parts of animals and fish in his taxidermy shop. From there to adulthood with classes in pastel painting and oil painting at Don’s Art Shop with Kathy Kittell and Bill McLane.
My painting compositions in oils are very broad; they include still life, landscapes, portraits, allegories, cityscape, seascapes, boating, abstracts, and mandalas. I use this medium with my personal expression from the depth of my subconscious when processing through the expressive arts and use a multitude of various mediums with clients in the expressive arts process as well. My paintings have been shown in various art galleries, museums, and local establishments to include, the New Hope Art Gallery in Cranston, RI, the Bristol Art Museum in Bristol, RI, the Portsmouth Art Guild in Portsmouth, RI; Angelina’s Café, Alta Luna Art Gallery, and Hope Art Gallery. In 2013 I was the featured artist at Sandra Desano Studio, Gallery Night, showing my mandala series based on the expressive arts and subconscious expression (a Jungian practice).
I currently teach Homeschool Art and Art History classes as well as oil painting in my home studio.