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ST. ROSE — St. Rose native Deante Armstrong has always thought outside of the box as an artist. His creative vision has transformed an ordinary trailer into a traveling venue that invites the community to experience art in new and innovative ways.

When he’s not teaching art at Fifth Ward Elementary in Reserve, Armstrong operates the D.ArtXperience Mobile Art Studio. Equipped to hold 20 adults or up to 25 children, the mobile studio offers paint parties, private art classes, slime parties, video game parties, movie nights, karaoke and much more.

“I just love being able to show the world new things and being able to separate myself from others,” Armstrong said. “I love being able to see people expressing themselves through art. It brings me a lot of joy to know I’m actually helping them tap into their inner artists.”

Armstrong, 30, has been drawing for his entire life and painting for the past 11 years. He’s also a skilled woodworker who went viral when a video of one of his handcrafted picnic benches garnered nearly 1.8 million views, prompting 300 orders in a five-month span.

Armstrong’s passion for teaching art began when he worked at the now-closed Geaux Paint location in LaPlace.

Inspiration for a mobile art business took shape in 2018 after Armstrong saw FEMA trailers for sale in LaPlace. He bought a trailer for $400 and transformed the simple structure into a traveling venue full-equipped for all of life’s celebrations.

Armstrong sold that first trailer in February 2022, at which time he built a more durable trailer to carry his business forward through the next several years.

“I was ready to really show the world what I have to offer,” he said.

Paint and karaoke parties have been most popular among adults. Kids normally enjoy slime and video game parties. The D.ArtXperience is currently packed with 10 50-inch TVs and 10 game systems including PlayStation, X-Box, Nintendo Switch and Occulus consoles.

The Mobile Art Studio has also hosted several school functions, church events and community fundraisers.

Beyond D.ArtXperience, Armstrong has made a living as an artist throughout the New Orleans metro region. His large-scale murals can be found at NOLA Sips on St. Claude Ave., a St. Gabriel veterinarian clinic off of Highway 30, in St. Helena Parish, and at the Liberty Learning Center in Kenner.

His work, including painted backdrops and handmade wooden props, have been featured at numerous weddings and baby showers throughout the region.

Armstrong said his two children motivate him to strive for success each day.

For more information about D.ArtXperience, call 504-441-8417.