The popular paint and sip themed parties have come to Hawthorne, NJ. 

Dorothy Mae Morton Creative, a local artist, has started hosting regular parties in Hawthorne at Maria Party Planner on Lafayette Ave, with the latest being a Girls’ Night Out themed party held on Thursday, May 13.

“I’m so thankful  she created this event and gave us an opportunity to connect in person in a safe setting at a local business,” said Jessica Ellis, who brought her Facebook group, First-time Moms of Hawthorne, to the paint party.

“A lot of the moms are from Hawthorne or new to Hawthorne and don’t have family or friends close by. We can walk here, so we don’t have to worry about driving,” she said.

The parties are the latest evolution in Dorothy Mae Morton’s paint party business. Dorothy launched a mobile paint party business in November of 2019, taking the party to individual homes and local restaurants.

Just as the parties started catching on, the pandemic put a stop to them. Dorothy then pivoted to creating Zoom paint parties and delivering art packages to local parents, giving house-bound children activities to do.

“Everyone was stuck inside. Being a mother, I know what it is like to being stuck in the house, so I wanted to give them something creative to do,” said Dorothy. “I also made it a fundraiser, so I could also give back to our local first responders. I wanted our children to have fun being creative while doing some good.

With pandemic restrictions easing, Dorothy resumed meeting in person with the parties now being held monthly in Hawthorne.

She hosted a Mother’s Day themed Mommy and Me Party, a Girl Scout mom’s group party, and a Girls’ Night Out  party.

Next month, she is planning a Father’s Day themed Daddy and Me party and Welcome Sign workshop.

“There’s really nothing for adults to do outside of dinner or drinks,” said Morton. “I wanted my friends and neighbors to be able to gather, connect, and have some fun without having to leave our town.”