Paint Night at Loaded Empanadas

EAT

Aug 20

A Mom’s Night Out in Summerlin

The sangria was flowing, the empanadas were hot out of the oven, and a room full of moms traded diaper bags and carpool duty for paintbrushes and canvases.

Las Vegas offers no shortage of entertainment, but sometimes the best nights are the simple ones—good friends, good food & drinks, and a little creativity. That’s exactly what you’ll find at Paint Night at Loaded Empanadas, a monthly event in the Boca Park/Summerlin area that combines flavorful Latin bites with a guided art workshop. Every month, the restaurant transforms into a casual art studio where guests sip sangria, share empanadas, and follow along as a professional artist leads them through the steps of creating a painting. This is exactly where we (Las Vegas Parents Club) wanted to have our Mom’s Night Out….and so we did!

The Artist: Alexander Franco

The evening was guided by Alexander Franco, a Colombian-born painter known for his bold, abstract work.

Alexander began painting at just five years old and sold his first piece by six; by eight, he was already being recognized for his talent. At 21, a move to Manhattan shifted his work toward bold abstraction, layering vibrant colors and lines into immersive, emotional pieces. Today, his art is collected in more than 50 countries, and he donates 10% of proceeds to support the elderly. At Paint Night, Franco channels that experience into a welcoming, step-by-step format designed not to create professional painters, but to give guests a relaxed, enjoyable evening where anyone can leave with a finished work of art.

The Hosts: Loaded Empanadas

Paint Night is hosted at Loaded Empanadas, the Summerlin restaurant owned by Anna and Adam Gomes. The couple are also known for operating Via Brasil Steakhouse, a longtime local favorite. With Loaded Empanadas, they introduced a fresh concept that blends Latin flavors, a curated sangria menu, and a community-driven atmosphere. Hosting events like Paint Night reflects their mission to make the restaurant more than just a dining spot—it’s a gathering space.

What’s Included in Paint Night

Each ticket provides:

✔️ Choice of empanadas
✔️ A serving of sangria
✔️ Canvas, brushes, and all painting materials
✔️ Step-by-step instruction from Alexander Franco

The night typically runs a few hours, allowing guests to eat, sip, and paint at a comfortable pace. The vibe is casual and social, with plenty of room for laughter (and the occasional happy mistake on canvas).

The LVPC Touch

This event was exactly what we needed. With sangria in hand and plates of empanadas on the table, we settled in to paint under Franco’s guidance. The National Youth Advocate Program joined us as a sponsor. They are a non-profit that provides community based services and connect potential new foster parents to foster children.

We also had chair massages on-site from Massage Customs - between conversation and painting, moms could pop over for a 5-10 minute break. We ended the night with raffle prizes from some of our local favorite businesses like DNAesthetics, Dry Bar, Massage Customs, Prenatal Yoga Las Vegas, The Hive LV and Shirt Mommy!

The night wasn’t about perfect technique—it was about stepping away from routine, sharing time with other parents, and enjoying a creative break. By the end of the evening, everyone left with a canvas to remember the night by, along with the kind of easy laughter that only comes from doing something out of the ordinary.