Painting parties for adults, that combine art and drinks, are taking off across the Maritimes.
Canvas and Cocktails has become a regular event in Saint John.
“The whole gamut comes,” says Corinne Long, artist and instructor. “There is people like me who are totally capable of painting whatever and then people who have never painted in their life. So you're working with that whole range of people.”
Forty canvases are set up for people eager to try their hand at painting, as Long walks them through the steps to recreate her artwork.
“One idea, one painting that I've painted and everyone's painting the same idea, but the variations is amazing,” says Long. “It's all similar but a little bit, they have their own artistic impute in their own painting, which is awesome to see.”
The creative concept has attracted many newcomers to the art world and some have even come back for seconds.
“I had come this past Sunday for my first time and I was painting a picture for my mother for an early Mother’s Day gift,” says budding artist Kelly MacDonald. “I came with a bunch of girlfriends and it was just fun to relax, have a glass of wine and try something new. I wasn't the best at it, but it was lots of fun.”
Organizers say they started out holding the events once a month, but have increased the sessions due to the high demand.
“We started out hoping maybe we could do these once a week or maybe what if we did it, once or twice a week and it just kind of blew up,” says Nasiyr McGill, co-organizer. “Now we're just trying to keep up with demand, we have five this week, like we could do this five, six times a week.”
Similar events dubbed Paint Nite have become very popular in Halifax. More than a dozen events are scheduled over the next couple of weeks and almost all of them are sold out.
“I think it gives people a reason to come out, have a good time, relax with their friends, have a few drinks and just really get away and at the end of the day they get to paint something they created and it looks like the painting is supposed to and it brings out the artist in everybody,” says McGill.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Ashley Blackford
