A Trailblazing Journey
Genki Media is proud to announce its sale and successful exit of ArtJamz. In June 2010, Genki Media LLC launched its inaugural for-profit venture, ArtJamz, to widespread acclaim and with a lofty mission: to make the world a more creative place. Fast forward to March 2023, and this trailblazing ‘paint and sip’ concept has been successfully acquired by the CMA Group, marking the end of a remarkable chapter in its history.
Pop-up to Global Brand
The brainchild of Genki Media founder Michael M. Clements, ArtJamz began as an innovative concept: a mobile pop-up paint party that offered a unique blend of fun, creativity, and social interaction, or what became known as the “Paint and Sip” industry. This novel idea quickly captured the public’s imagination, leading to the opening of ArtJamz’s first brick-and-mortar studio in Dupont Circle, Washington DC. By 2020, the brand had expanded to three locations, along with a mobile studio catering to corporate team-building and group events.
However, the COVID-19 pandemic brought unforeseen challenges. In an overnight shift, all ArtJamz locations were forced to close their doors. Unfazed, Clements strategically steered the company in a new direction, introducing the ArtJamz ArtBox—a comprehensive, drop-shipped art kit—and pivoting to online art classes. This move transformed ArtJamz from a local favorite to an international brand, hosting virtual events for clients globally.
Post-pandemic, ArtJamz rebounded, spreading its creative wings across various American cities. Reflecting on this journey, Michael M. Clements shared, “I started ArtJamz with the belief that the joy of painting and creativity can be brought to anyone, from age 2 to 100. To see it evolve from a small pop-up party to an international art brand has exceeded my wildest dreams. I am eager to see how CMA Group will carry the ArtJamz legacy forward.”
Throughout its evolution, Genki Media retained full ownership of all ArtJamz intellectual property and trademarks, providing strategic direction from the CEO’s desk. During its years of operation, ArtJamz generated over USD 5 million in revenue and brought the joy of creativity to hundreds of thousands of people around the globe.
The Power of Creativity
This remarkable journey is not just a story of business success; it’s a testament to the power of innovative ideas, resilience in the face of adversity, and the universal appeal of creativity. As ArtJamz enters a new era under CMA’s stewardship, its foundational spirit of creativity and community engagement continues to inspire.