Pairing art and wine has been trending from coast to coast, making its way to Jefferson City. This new social event offers adults a unique avenue to enjoy themselves, while getting in touch with their inner artist.
Local art venues including The Art Bazaar, Capital Arts, Mary Kate Johnson's Art Gallery and Unique Creations all have wine/art events coming up in the coming weeks, each with its own spin.
"This town is big enough to support these, and each has a different teacher," said Mary Ann Hall of the Art Bazaar. "We aren't in competition, we all support each other."
Art With A Twist, hosted by Jenny Neff, manager at MKJ Art Gallery, has hosted three events so far, with great turnout.
"We have been wildly successful. Everyone who has attended a class has given rave reviews and had a really great time," Neff said. Getting the word out has been the biggest challenge, she said.
The gallery manager has taught step by step how to use brushes, mix paint and apply creativity to a canvas.
"Some of these people haven't painted since the second grade," she said. "But at the end of the night, everyone has had a good time and their paintings look great."
Neff said the social event isn't so much an art lesson, as much as it is a fun thing to do for the night. She compared the evening to a book club, where you drink wine and socialize, all with a productive twist.
The demographics for such a class have ranged significantly from young professional women, to couples and baby boomers.
"I always tell people to just try it out. It's not going to break the bank, and we don't expect anyone to be a rock star," Neff encouraged.
The class has attracted people from all walks of life, those with and without painting experience.
"We all laugh, and then at the end of the night everyone sees how great they really are. I think it surprises them," the gallery manager said.
The Art Bazaar has also caught on to the national phenomenon and will host its first event of this kind on Wednesday. Hall, along with local artist Ann DeRosier, are excited to offer The Art Bistro in the upstairs of the downtown shop.
The two women noted that drinks will be provided, along with all the art supplies needed to create a romantic masterpiece. DeRosier, a retired art instructor, will be teaching the acrylic painting class.
"We're just trying to put a fun attitude on it," DeRosier said.
"We want to offer a broader view approach that art can be educational, fun and you don't have to be afraid of it," Hall related.
The Art Bistro will be offered once a month, and possibly more often, as long as the interest is there.
"The wine just gets them to play," Hall said, something she emphasized is very important to drawing out creativity.
Art Uncorked will be offered by Capital Arts for the first time on Thursday. The local art society will use all of the proceeds from the Feb. 7 and Feb. 14 events to go toward art education in Jefferson City.
"We wanted to do something fun," Jessica Dulle said. "People here are always looking for something to do."
Capital Arts offers more formal classes throughout the year, but said Art Uncorked is a chance for the public to take a class that's more social, and only lasts for the evening.
"You shouldn't feel intimidated; this is something fun, and you get to take your painting home with you," Dulle noted.
With creativity its main focus, Unique Creations has been offering several classes since its opening. Pottery painting and glass classes have been the local studio's niche in the past, but owner Lisa Kindle hopes to offer more canvas classes in 2013.
The family oriented studio wants everyone to enjoy being creative, including the adults. "In the pottery world, we have a saying, this is "cheaper than therapy,'" Kindle said.
She hopes having more classes will allow those who may not think they're creative to get acquainted with their inner artist. "You don't have to be an artist to create, and we can guide you," she noted.
The Wine and Design class coming up Feb. 15 is for adults only, with BYOB (bring your own beverage) for a laid back atmosphere.
"Our main focus is pottery, but we have people who have painted 1,000 pieces of pottery. We wanted to offer something different," Kindle explained.
The studio is also excited to offer something people can take home at the end of the night. With pottery taking approximately one week to be returned, the canvas class offers an "instant gratification."
Kindle offered a few canvas classes in 2012, but hopes to hit the studio hard this year, offering several classes each month, with outside artists available to teach participants different techniques.
Novice or professional, there is something for everyone in the trending art nights around town. With so many events to choose from, the Jefferson City community should be getting artsy in the new year.
Get creative!
Art Uncorked: Capital Arts will offer two classes, Thursdays, Feb. 7 and 14 under the name "Art Uncorked." The local art society is charging $35 for the class, which also includes drinks and art materials. Adam Dresden, an art instructor in the Fulton area who holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in art, will lead the class in painting an undisclosed idea. The class is held from 7-9 p.m. at the 1203 Missouri Blvd. location. Register via (573) 635-8355 or [email protected]
The Art Bistro: The Art Bazaar will offer its class Wednesday from 6-8 p.m. at 114 E. High St. The next event will be held March 13. Ann DeRosier will instruct the class on painting a 16x20 canvas. To register, call (573) 634-4918. The cost is $45.
Art With a Twist: Mary Kate Johnson Art Gallery will offer classes at 6 p.m. Feb. 14, and Saturday, Feb. 23. The cost is $45 for approximately three hours. Evan Connor will be this month's instructor. To register, call (573) 644-9989 or email [email protected].
Wine and Design: Unique Creations will offer a canvas class with BYOB on Feb. 15. The class will cost $30. The studio will offer Therapy Night (a fun themed pottery painting night for men and women) on Feb. 22. A Glass Getaway class will be held Feb. 27. To register for the classes call (573) 893-6111.