The Founder

In June 2010, through my first company, Genki Media LLC, I launched the for-profit venture, ArtJamz with a lofty mission: to make the world a more creative place. Fast forward to March 2023, and my trailblazing paint and sip concept had been successfully acquired by the CMA Group, marking the end of a remarkable chapter in my professional history.

ArtJamz began in 2010 as an innovative concept: a mobile pop-up paint party that offered a unique blend of fun, creativity, and social interaction. In 2010, I said this in our first press release: 

“I love the growing social scene in Washington, but it’s become routine,” says ArtJamz founder and Genki Media Founder Michael M. Clements. “If you go out, you have the same choices: dinner, drinks at a bar or bottle service at a nightclub. If you want to 'get artsy,' you can see a play, a band, or go to an art opening; but you are always on the outside looking in. I want to get people involved. That's why ArtJamz breaks down the fourth wall of going out and lets people unleash their inner artist and get their hands dirty."

This novel idea quickly captured the public’s imagination, leading to the opening of ArtJamz’s first brick-and-mortar studio in Dupont Circle. 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, I 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, i wrote in our final press release, “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 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.

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 new stewardship, its foundational spirit of creativity and community engagement continues to inspire.