When Cheri and Ed Mueller started bringing art activities to fan conventions in 2023, they weren’t sure how attendees would respond to mixing fandom with hands-on creativity. Two years later, their concept called The Roadhouse has become a fixture at 50 conventions and counting.
The Las Vegas-based couple runs ArtParty4U, an art entertainment company they founded in 2012. Their fan convention art activities operation transforms convention spaces into themed creative rooms where fans can make everything from temporary airbrush tattoos to canvas paintings between panel sessions and celebrity meet-and-greets.
The business model is straightforward: pay $25 for a single day or $50 for three days, and attendees get unlimited access to multiple activity stations. There are no additional charges for materials at the painting stations with themed stencils, jewelry-making tables for bracelets and necklaces, or the digital green screen photo setups complete with props.
From Supernatural to Star Trek
The Roadhouse began at Supernatural conventions—the long-running TV show about demon-hunting brothers has an intensely dedicated fanbase. At their Nashville Supernatural convention in December, the Muellers marked their 50th event milestone. They’ve since expanded to conventions for Vampire Diaries, Star Trek, and Little House on the Prairie.
The appeal lies partly in the flexibility. Convention-goers can drop in to decorate photo mats and autograph boards, play games, or color between scheduled events. For those wanting more structured experiences, the Muellers offer separate ticketed events after hours, including guided painting parties. Ed Mueller is a certified Bob Ross instructor, teaching the late TV painter’s signature oil painting techniques at special sessions.
They’ve also created convention-specific game shows. At Supernatural events, that means Supernatural Family Feud and Name That Tune, adapting familiar game show formats to test fans’ knowledge of the series.
Beyond the Convention Floor
The Muellers have figured out how to adapt their themed activity experiences to different fandoms. The key is customizing the stencils, props, and materials to match each show’s aesthetic and iconography. A Star Trek convention gets different jewelry designs and green screen backgrounds than a Vampire Diaries event.
Their expansion plans move beyond traditional entertainment fandoms. In 2026, they’re planning themed rooms for first responder conventions and Broadway musical events. The formula remains the same—give creative people a space to make things related to what they’re passionate about—but the themes will shift to match different communities.
For attendees at conventions where The Roadhouse creative activities appear, it’s become an alternative to the typical convention experience of waiting in lines and sitting in audience seats. Instead, they’re painting, crafting, and leaving with tangible souvenirs they made themselves, all while surrounded by fellow fans doing the same.
