Behind Canberra's political exterior is what The Social Creative calls a hub of creativity.
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What's more, the duo is here to help Canberrans harness that creativity for themselves.
Genevieve Hunt and Maria Herman started the social art classes last September, filling The Treehouse and Honkytonks bars with easels and paints, in the hopes that people would connect with their creative side, all while catching up with friends over a few drinks.
Less than a year later the pair's brainchild has proved a hit, with The Social Creative running up to two classes a week, each offering step-by-step instructions to creating either a painting or a terrarium, which participants can then take home.
"There are painting classes around Canberra but we really to play more on the social aspect of it, which is why we do hold them at these venues," Ms Herman says.
"People come and drink here anyway, whether it's after work, just to be with colleagues and stuff."
"And if you think about it, most people haven't painted since school, so it's amazing for people to come for two to three hours, and do a painting class and finish the whole painting while they're here," Ms Hunt says.
"They've accomplished something, they've had a great time. It's just something people don't get the opportunity to do otherwise."
The Social Creative is one of a few Canberra businesses that have started offering the chance to paint in a casual setting. Pop CBR, for example, has hosted regular Bob Ross Parties while the recently opened Folks Gallery offers its cafe customers the chance to paint over a cuppa.
In a time when, according to an Australian Psychological Society survey, 26 per cent of Australians are experiencing severe symptoms of depression, and 26 per cent of Australians are experiencing above normal levels of anxiety symptoms, painting may be just what the doctor ordered.
In fact, part of the reason The Social Creative began was to provide a creative outlet for people to increase their wellbeing.
"I think the most common word I've heard used [in the classes] is therapeutic," Ms Hunt says.
"Art is so great for you anyway, but everyone that I'm talking to throughout the night, think it's so relaxing and even though they might question if they can do it, they just push through and do it, and then they get lost in it."
"I think it's a way for people to unwind at the end of the day and just relax and have a bit of fun in the middle of their week, or at the end of their week," Ms Herman adds.
The Social Creative is running two classes this week. On Wednesday participants will learn to paint a Frida Kahlo-inspired artwork at Honkytonks, while Thursday's Body Beautiful class at The Treehouse will look at the use of watercolours.