File this under: cool things to do in dallas

Yesterday, I co-hosted my first foodie event at Top Pot Doughnuts and my heart couldn’t be fuller! You see, earlier this year, I set a goal to take my “donut work” offline and into the real world.

I came across Volta from Color Snack on Instagram and just knew we had to collaborate. Cue the Donut & Watercolor Painting Class

Location

Top Pot Doughnuts: 8611 Hillcrest Ave #195, Dallas, TX 75225

Ticket

$5 ticket donation included 1 large donut, 1 coffee, supplies and instructions for a watercolor tutorial on coffee cups (Obviously, we painted donuts). 100% of proceeds went to No Kid Hungry.

Volta focuses on simple, colorful art projects to inspire “creative risks in your sketchbook.”

MAJOR TIP: The key to painting on coffee cups is finding one without a gloss finish, and not being afraid to experiment with colors. Here’s her technique in action:

We kept the ticket price super affordable for a few reasons. First, it was a great opportunity to give back. Second, and if I’m being honest, I wanted to test the market. Would people be interested in this kind of event?

We ended up selling out both sessions online, although a few no show’s were expected with the torrential downpour in the morning. I noticed that many attendees bought extra donuts and hung around well past the tutorial. That sense of community is exactly what I wanted to cultivate.

Check out a few of the attendees’ creations:

Plus, how can you not have fun with a sprinkled photo booth like this?!

in their own words...

Thanks Rory for daring to live your dream of bringing fellow lovers of fried doughy goodness together and being a resource for all things donuts. We really enjoyed your recent event Donut Watercolor Workshop with proceeds going to No Kid Hungry. Fun + Helping others = best recipe for spreading love and positivity. We look forward to your next event. Thanks again!
Maria - Watercolor Painting Attendee
Maria
Attended with husband & daughter
Watercolor Painting has never been more deliciously fun and fulfilling than with @donutdigest and @colorsnack. Proceeds of this two-class event benefitted @nokidhungry and I couldn’t be more proud of these beautiful women for putting this on!

Volta and I plan to host more tutorials like this in the future. Tell me: What other kinds of events would you like to see?

Pin It for Later:

Pink watercolor donut painted on a coffee cup