Katie Wisell enjoys an evening of painting while sipping on a glass of wine. Paul Litman
Paint and wine studios offer an alternative to date night
BY ALYSSIA PAYAN
Walking into a room full of white canvases is intimidating for those lacking art skills.
Pick a seat. You’ll find that globs of pink, blue, red, purple, yellow, orange, brown, tan, white and black paint are starring you down. And just to the side of them, are three brushes and a fresh water glass – not for drinking.
What is for drinking in this room however, is at the bar. Wine, beer, martinis and non-alcoholic beverages are served at this hot spot.
Welcome to the new paint and sip studios, POSH located in Boulder and Whimsy Paint and Sip Art Studio in Erie.
Behind the Color and Canvasses
Whimsy Paint and Sip Art Studio opened its doors Jan. 1, and has been inspiring inexperienced artists ever since.
Raye Harris-Southern, owner of Whimsy Paint and Sip Art Studio, runs the business with her husband and daughter – who can be found behind the bar and instructing class. Harris-Southern wanted to create an avenue for creativity and change the world one canvass at a time.
“Ninety-nine percent of the people who come have never picked up a paint brush before and create master pieces by the end of the night.”
Harris-Southern encourages customers to leave their stress behind and experience a mini-vacation at her studio.
“People come from all over Colorado and sometimes other states, too. It’s a place to go and have fun.”
POSH is also a family operated business and opened its doors April 1, at the Boulder Pearl Street Mall.
Andrew Fejer, co-founder of POSH, along with the other co-founders, has lived in Boulder his whole life and felt there wasn’t something fun to do during the pre-dinner, post-dinner hours.
“My wife and I went to a similar class in Atlanta and felt this was something Boulder needed,” he says.
Fejer says that customers will be impressed with their inner artist at POSH and clearly, no experience is necessary. “We provide an environment for people who have shied away from the arts and now embrace their inner artists.”
POSH customized the studio for the
Boulder community by featuring local Boulder artists, merchants, wine, beer and crafts.
How it Works
For both studios, all you need to do is sign-up online. On the websites, find a painting, day and time. Sign-up for the class, and don’t forget to invite friends.
When you come into the studio, grab a drink, pick a seat and mingle. The class is taught by a local artist who helps you every step of the way.
“The room is a little tense until they put something on the canvass. Once they feel the white space isn’t so bad, the fun begins and the room gets louder over time,” Harris-Southern says.
Also, you don’t have to paint what the instructor is; you can paint whatever you’d like, if you so choose.
“A few weeks back, there were four different groups and somehow some paint got on someone’s face. The next thing we knew, it went into quite a festive face painting experience,” Fejer says with a laugh. “It was great to see everyone come together for some fun.”
Come and Create with Friends and Family
This unique experience is one that has people talking and coming back for more.
“Try it out. It’s an experience that’s difficult to capture in words. People need to experience how fun it is. When the music is turned up loud, the liquor is flowing, this is the cure for the ordinary night out,” Fejer says.
Future Picassos, friends, family and children are all welcome to create their own work of art.
“The talent is amazing. I didn’t expect to hear how many people are putting their art from Whimsy up in their home. Seeing how proud people are at the end of the night, and that they can’t wait to come back, is the most fun,” Harris-Southern says.
