This summer, the former home of the historic Dorchester Theatre at 1524 Dorchester Ave., also known as the Park Cinema, will be transformed into an art studio where people of all ages can go to create and celebrate.
Modern Party Art will be operated by Fields Corner native Samantha Rivas, who started her business in 2009.
“Basically, I made centerpieces, and I decorated birthday parties and did invitations, graphic design, things like that,” Rivas told The Reporter. “Over the years, it just evolved. I started doing the paint parties in 2018, and in 2020, I opened my first storefront on Bowdoin Street.”
With business booming, Rivas decided to leave the smaller storefront for a 3,000-square-foot space south of the city.
“We kind of outgrew the space, and we moved,” Rivas said. “I thought I could do the same thing that I was doing on Bowdoin Street in Canton, and it took me a little while to realize that my target audience had changed, the demographic had changed.”
What Rivas loved about being on Bowdoin Street was serving her community. In Canton, that wasn’t happening the same way. There were no more open mic nights, comedy hours, or adult brunches; instead, 90 percent of the events were private kid parties.
In January, when she discovered that the commercial space on the corner of Dot Ave and Park Street was available, Rivas knew it was time to return home. Later, she learned that in the 80s, her parents had gone on a date at the former theater to see Purple Rain, som thye move seemed meant to be.
“I’ve always wanted to come back,” she said. “I know that if I had an outlet, like what I’m creating, my life would have been so different. I’m hoping that I can give that to the community.”
She added: “We’re going to be doing everything. The kids’ parties, the adult parties, and public events. We will be open for you to just walk in and have a dirty soda or a cup of coffee and pick something from the art wall and paint, and then go home with it that day, whether by yourself, date night, a group of kids, or a private paint party.”
Rivas wants MPA to be a space for everyone – from toddlers to seniors and everywhere in between. As a mother of three, she is especially excited to offer jobs to local teens.
The MPA doors will formally open on Wed., July 15, with the Dorchester Summer Art Academy beginning the following week and running Monday through Thursday through August 13.
The high-energy, hands-on art and STEM experience is for kids ages 5 to 12 and costs $380 per week, with discounts available.
Throughout the week, kids will paint, tie-dye, sculpt, complete labs, and play outside.
For more information, visit https://www.modernpartyart.com/summer-dorchester.
