We all enjoy a little quality time with our friends. We might crash at somebody’s house for a movie, go on a shopping spree, get mani & pedis, or simply grab a table at a local wine bar. Here is another idea for your next girl’s night out: book a painting party at Wine & Design Greensboro. Even if you absolutely lack artistic ability, you will LOVE IT. Trust me!
Wine & Design Greensboro, located at 1821 Pembroke Ave, is an art studio that offers public and private painting parties for all ages, click here for full schedule. Class fee ranges from $25 to $40, and covers 16”x20” canvas, paint, brushes and instructions from the artist. Every night the studio offers a specific painting class, and, once a month, it hosts an open night where you can paint whatever you would like. Guests are encouraged to bring wine and other drinks along with light snacks, table and cups are provided by the studio. As you sip your wine you are given step-by-step instruction on how to create a painting. By the end of the class, which usually lasts 2-3 hours, you will have your own masterpiece.
I have never heard of such classes, and stumbled upon this when researching ideas for the Bachelorette party themes. I called the owner Missy Griffin to get as much information as possible. Missy kindly suggested I attend one of the painting parties myself to better understand the concept and to experience it firsthand. Although I consider myself creative, I lack technical training; my hand simply cannot do what my mind envisions. So I called all my friends, and two were brave enough to come with me.
Wine & Design Greensboro offers two lovely well lit rooms with rows of tables with easels. The walls are covered with samples of paintings from classical to contemporary, from abstract to realism, enough to get your creative ideas flowing. Missy Griffin, the owner, and her team (artists Jairo Marte, Kara Lewis, Lauren Smith) were preparing the canvases for class. After we put on our little black aprons, like Kindergarteners on their first day of school, we nervously set down on our chairs looking opened eyed at our instructor. Artists prepared the canvases by sketching a drawing so you are technically coloring it in by mixing your own colors. Jairo told us to start painting the background, so with trembling hands we dipped our largest brushes into, in my case blue, paint and were off on a good start.
Each time I felt like I had reached a stumbling block, I would ask one of the artists how I should proceed and they would help me with a suggestion and even show how to do something. It went like this: “Kara, this lily pad looks like a green Pac Man, from the early 80’s classic video game. Can you please tell me what to do with them?”
Time passed quickly as we painted our canvases, some were quiet and very focused, others chatted nonstop, some sang out loud with a happy and cheerful song. Throughout the evening, I would get up and check out the peer artist to see how everybody was progressing. Click here to see photos. It was also good to get a break from staring at my work so closely. To my utter amazement I was able to finish the painting and it looked good. At the very end, we took a group photo and proudly carried out our new creations all the time wondering where will we hang our new masterpiece and when can we get back to paint another one.
Click here to visit studio’s Facebook to read what others have to say. I highly recommend you attend at least one painting party, keep in mind no experience is necessary only some enthusiasm and an eagerness to learn!
Wine & Design is a national franchise that offers several locations throughout North Carolina.
Wine & Design Greensboro
1821 Pembroke Rd
Greensboro, NC 27408
Phone: (336) 500-8728
www.wineanddesignus.com/Greensboro.html
Wine & Design Chapel Hill
200 North Greensboro Street, A-8
Carrboro, North Carolina 27510
Phone: 919-913-9067
www.wineanddesignus.com/Chapel_Hill.html
Wine & Design Raleigh
219 Bickett Blvd
Raleigh, NC 27608
Phone: 919-374-0667
www.wineanddesignus.com/Raleigh.html
PBS featured Wine & Design Raleigh.
Whatever you are celebrating, here are few ideas and useful tips:
Bachelorette party: Depending on a party size, the bride might not have enough space to hang all 10 painting so why not let each bridesmaid keep the painting for herself, but:
- Choose a painting that will emphasize what all girls have in common. For example,
i. Wishing well from UNC Chapel Hill campus if all girls went to school there
ii. Bridal bouquet or other flowers
iii. Coastal theme if the wedding will take place at the beach
- Hide bride & grooms initials and wedding date somewhere in the picture. This way each bridesmaid may choose a different picture, but will always think of the bride and groom because their initials will be hidden in the painting
- Draw self-portraits in the bridesmaid dresses. Make sure to take a photo in the bridesmaid dress to go by. It does not have to be full body; it can be hem of the dress and shoes, etc.
Baby shower: although it is customary to register at BabiesRus or other department store, you might like to do this with your closest friends.
- Draw numbers, for example “2” and the drawing of fish
- Spell out child’s name. Each guest will have one letter to draw. For example, if the child’s name is Emily, five ladies can work on it. If there are more guests than letters in the name, draw pictures that would fit with the nursery theme.
- If you know the sex of the baby and the name, why not create a painting that would reflect the nursery theme to be given to grandparents. The date of the birth and the weight & length of the child can be filled in after the child is born.
As always, prearranged limousine service can add to your evening’s celebration!
Written by “AFA Social Planner”