Paint Nite, created in Boston in 2012, has finally made its way to Winnipeg, thanks to Manda Brownrigg. Founded upon the principle of facilitating adults being creative and social, Paint Nite brings the atmosphere of an art studio to a local bar or restaurant where patrons are encouraged to mingle and grab a drink while learning to paint a preselected image.
“Basically we take over local pubs and bars on their slow nights, typically Sunday through Thursday, and host 30-50 people and teach them how to paint a 16×20 acrylic painting while they drink,” Brownrigg told the Manitoban.
“It’s typically about two hours, wherein myself will walk the whole group through step by step – whether that’s telling them what brush to use, how to mix a colour, and then how to put it on the canvas. Halfway through, we have a drink and dry where we encourage people to drink while their painting background dries.”
But fear not if you don’t know the difference between acrylic and gouache paint; the event is designed to provide a creative outlet and unique experience, rather than act as a rigorous art class.
“Our tagline is ‘drink creatively,’ not ‘paint perfectly.’”
With a drink in one hand and a paintbrush in the other to keep inhibitions low and creativity high, everyone creates their own unique painting to bring home at the end of the night, no matter their level of artistic ability.
“They will leave with something that they’re proud of and looks similar to the painting we’re teaching, but at the same time it’s art. It’s not paint by numbers; it’s not going to turn out exactly the same.”
While fostering sociability and creativity, Paint Nite also creates an environment designed to promote individuals to evade the stressors of everyday life.
“As adults we’re taught to do certain things: you go to school, you get a job, you maybe get married and have babies, whatever. Those are the things you focus on and those are your overarching goals,” said Brownrigg.
“Goals are important and wonderful but I think the goal to be creative and allow ourselves to explore that is equally, if not more, important for our mental and emotional health.”
Paint Nite allows individuals to unleash their creative side and gain back the freedom of painting without care. When people are young, they create without judging their work and comparing it to the work of others. But we lose that freedom as we get older.
“Paint Nite is really about reminding people that you can have that freedom, to not judge themselves or their paintings and to just relax and allow themselves to create again. Maybe their painting is not going to be the best thing they have ever created, but they’re doing it. And they probably wouldn’t be doing it at home. It’s good to explore that side of ourselves.”
Paint Nite tickets are available at paintnite.com and must be purchased in advance. Supplies are provided.
