The Story Behind Fresh Paint Studio | Toronto’s Art Studio on Danforth Ave
Fresh Paint Studio is a paint night and art studio toronto at 1849 Danforth Ave in Toronto, built inside a converted century-old church. Founded by artist Roxane Tracey in February 2016, the studio was built around one idea: creating art should not require a background, a trained eye, or years of practice. It is a space with 11-foot ceilings, exposed brick, and original hardwood floors, and it has hosted thousands of paint nights, workshops, kids’ camps, and corporate events since opening — all without losing the character of the building it is housed in.
How It Started
Fresh Paint Studio was years in the making before it opened its doors on the Danforth. Roxane Tracey, a visual artist, wanted to build something that let her thrive creatively while giving other people in the neighbourhood the same chance: a space to make art without pressure, and a way to make a living doing it. The idea that stuck was combining three things under one roof: a social painting studio, a cafe, and an event space people could actually use.
Once the vision was clear, there was no half-measure. The building at 1849 Danforth Ave was purchased outright, leased to tenants for a period, and once those tenants moved on, planning and renovation began in earnest — a process that took over a year before Fresh Paint Studio + Cafe opened in February 2016 under the tagline “create art fearlessly.”
A Century-Old Church Turned Art Studio
The building itself predates the studio by a century. It was originally a Korean church, and its tin ceilings, now over 100 years old, are original to the structure, along with the maple hardwood flooring and the brick walls that give the space its warmth. The studio sits in East Danforth, between Coxwell and Woodbine stations, a stretch of the Danforth known for independent cafes, shops, and studios rather than chains.
When renovation began, the tin ceiling was the only original feature still visible. Everything else — the hardwood floor, the brick — was buried under decades of paneling, carpet, and vinyl added by whoever occupied the space before.
The Renovation | Uncovering What Was Always There
The beauty of the space was always there; it was just hiding. Stripping back decades of renovations to get to the original brick and flooring was not easy and took longer than expected, but the payoff was a studio that felt lived-in from day one instead of built from scratch. Rather than gutting the space and starting over with something generic, the goal was to keep what made the building interesting and build warm, organic touches around it.
What’s On the Calendar
The weekly schedule changes with the seasons. Recent sessions have included a Van Gogh-inspired paint night, a silk scarves and sip workshop, watercolour evenings themed around the Scarborough Bluffs, and acrylic paint pouring nights, alongside ongoing freestyle drop-in slots for anyone who would rather work on their own piece. Kids’ programming runs themed weeks for school breaks and summer camps.
Step Inside Today
That same building now runs on a full calendar of paint nights, wine and paint evenings, guided art workshops, and freestyle drop-in painting for anyone who wants studio time without a set class. Kids’ programming runs alongside the adult schedule, and the studio regularly hosts corporate team-building events, bachelorette parties, and private bookings for groups who want the space to themselves.
Between sessions, the cafe side of the studio serves coffee, tea, smoothies, and treats, so the studio and cafe concept from 2016 is still exactly how the space runs today.
A Space for Everyone, No Experience Needed
No art background is required for any session at Fresh Paint Studio — an instructor can guide you through a finished piece, or you can paint freeform with no instruction at all. Workshops run with a minimum of four people, which makes the studio a natural fit for small groups: a handful of friends, a family, or a work team.
Visit Us
Fresh Paint Studio’s original location is at 1849 Danforth Ave, Toronto, ON M4C 1J3. Call 647-927-0764 or email info@freshpaintstudio.ca. Green parking is available directly on the Danforth, with free parking on the neighbouring side streets. The main studio floor is wheelchair accessible; washrooms are located downstairs.
Fresh Paint Studio also has a second location in Scarborough at 2229 Kingston Rd, Unit A. Browse the Event Calendar for upcoming paint nights, or check Contact and Hours for current opening times at either location.
FAQs
Where is Fresh Paint Studio located?
The original studio is at 1849 Danforth Ave, Toronto, ON M4C 1J3. A second location is at 2229 Kingston Rd, Unit A, Scarborough.
What was the Fresh Paint Studio building before it became an art studio?
The Danforth building was originally a Korean church. Its tin ceilings, over 100 years old, are original to the space, along with the maple hardwood flooring and brick walls uncovered during renovation.
How long has Fresh Paint Studio been open?
Artist Roxane Tracey founded Fresh Paint Studio and opened it on the Danforth in February 2016.
Do I need art experience to join a class?
No. Every session is beginner-friendly; an instructor can guide you through a finished piece, or you can paint freeform with no instruction at all.
Can I book a private or corporate event at the studio?
Yes. Fresh Paint Studio hosts private parties and corporate team-building events in addition to regular paint nights; see the Corporate Art Parties page for details.