A popular outing across the board and a fun new way to enjoy an evening has been popping up across the country in various forms. The idea is to spend an evening with friends, while learning how to paint.
Locally Whitney Paul, the Arcola School art teacher and an artist in her own right, has been hosting local paint nights.
“A friend of mine asked me if I had ever taught one, but if there was interest, I said I would look into it,” Paul explained.
Looking into it, turned into a fundraiser for the Stoughton Daycare, which was quite popular and further interest in the area popped up.
“I’ve hosted them for the Carlyle Figure Skating Club, I’ve done another one for the Stoughton Daycare, and I’ve hosted a few just in Arcola here for kids as well as for adults,” Paul said.
Additionally, Paul has been asked to Reston, MB, to host one of these evenings.
Essentially the idea behind the activity is to provide a fun evening out, while learning how to paint and creating your own masterpiece to take home.
“I will either choose a painting or the group doing the fundraiser will pick,” Paul explained. “I create my own as an example and teach the group how to paint; so, skills like colour mixing. Some that have come have had experience, but it’s a basic learn to paint, step by step.”
Cost of the event covers the rental fees of the space they’re painting in and covers supplies, and at the end of the night they get to leave with their canvas. Provided for the evening are the easels used, canvas, paint, and paint brushes.
“It’s fun, it’s a little bit different than teaching art in school; it’s acrylic paints are my own personal interest and it’s fun to work with kids and adults in a different environment,” Paul explained.
Helping her at these paint nights is grade 12 student Christy McNeil, who has been a big help: “She’s great to have helping, she keeps me on task,” Paul laughs.
They welcome approximately 20 individuals at each event, which Paul says is a good number to have.
“It’s nice because then it’s not too big, but it stays busy throughout the night,” she explained.
Currently there are none organized, yet, for the New Year; but, there has been interest shown in the event.
“It’s a lot of fun and as long as they’re popular, I’ll keep doing them,” Paul said.
