City living comes with plenty of perks — the energy, the culture, the endless things to do. But if you’re an artist, one thing you likely lack is space. Space to experiment, spread out and make a glorious mess without turning your apartment into an uninhabitable abstract expressionist masterpiece.
Enter The Dirty Pour Studio. Nestled in Jersey City, this vibrant studio founded by Carri Louise Degenhardt is a haven for those who crave the messy magic of fluid art (also known as acrylic pour painting). Imagine letting vibrant colors flow and mix on canvas, creating hypnotically beautiful patterns with the help of tools like hairdryers and spinners. Fluid art is all about surprise and release, offering a uniquely satisfying form of artistic expression.
The Dirty Pour Studio provides the space and resources that make trying fluid art easy, even for those who lack the setup at home. In essence, it eliminates the biggest challenges that stop people from trying fluid art. City apartments aren’t always designed for fluid art. Limited space, worries about ventilation and the sheer hassle of acquiring and storing the right materials can put people off before they even start.
This is where Degenhardt’s studio shines. Members enjoy dedicated workspaces, a full range of supplies and perhaps most importantly, someone else to clean up afterward. The camaraderie is another huge draw. Fluid art’s broad appeal means the club is filled with a delightful mix of ages, backgrounds and experience levels. Everyone from seasoned painters to complete newcomers can find inspiration here.
“It’s not just about the art itself,” Degenhardt explains. “Being around other creative people, seeing what they’re making — it fuels you, challenges you in the best possible way.” Along with the art mentorship, that community aspect is fundamental to the Dirty Pour Club experience.
For those wanting to dive deeper, Degenhardt has developed a comprehensive seven-week course that offers a structured path for mastering fluid art’s foundational techniques and exploring its endless possibilities. The emphasis is on both playful experimentation and the “science” behind those mesmerizing paint flows. Reducing waste and making this beautiful art form fit within the realities of urban life are also core aspects of the course.
Whether one harbors dreams of untapped creative potential or simply craves a fun, expressive outlet, The Dirty Pour Club offers a solution. It’s a place to let loose, embrace the mess and discover the hidden artist within — all without the risk of a ruined apartment.
The news and editorial staffs of the New York Daily News had no role in this post’s preparation.
