Julia Dziubla says that attending a friend’s party to paint and have a few glasses of wine sounded only about half interesting at first. She didn’t consider herself a painter of any sort, but enjoyed having a drink or two and socializing, so she said yes.
“My friend is always talking about how much fun she has at paint and wine parties, and I don’t like going to bars, but I love to drink wine! I want to socialize with adult beverages so I thought I’d give it a try,” said Dziubla, of Chesterton.
That party was held in a private home and was led by Kathy Eckert, owner of Canvas Escapes in Porter.
“I have about 80 paintings to choose from,” Eckert said. “The host invites all of their friends and serves food and alcohol. I bring all of the supplies and set up the canvases, easels, paints, aprons, in the kitchen, living room, or even the garage during the summer. I play music and I stand up front and teach everybody how to do the same painting.”
Paint and wine parties have become a popular trend in recent years and franchises such as Wine and Canvas, Sip & Paint, and Painting with a Twist are opening dozens of locations nationwide.
Dziubla said that she never attended an art studio or had any art instruction before, so being in a comfortable environment, a friend’s home, was essential.
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“I never thought I had a creative side and I could see I was creating something that wasn’t too horrible. She gave us step-by-step guidance and I do know how to follow directions well! I was able to see my progress from a blank canvas to something kind of nice,” she said.
But Dziubla had another incentive to create—the wine and camaraderie.
“I think without the wine, I would have been too stiff because I have horrible self-esteem when it comes to creative arts,” she said. “It was a lot of fun, to get together with friends, and it was something different—not a bar with obnoxious people fighting for space somewhere.”
Eckert says this is precisely the reason she created the parties, as a way to bring the arts to those who don’t normally tap into their creative side but may have something inside to express.
“I started doing paint parties in April 2013 and bought supplies and created a Facebook page and it totally took off. It’s been awesome. I was teaching art classes at a place in Hobart and brought the idea to that studio and it was good, but people wanted to drink, and I thought, what a great idea! The only way to do that would be to go to people’s homes to do it,” she said.
Eckert estimates that at least 50 percent of her business comes from private parties at people’s homes, while the other half is at studios and for organizations.
She said the appeal for the private parties comes in the ability to socialize and experience the art in a new way.
“If you go to a painting class at a studio, it’s typically a six week commitment, and maybe they only have one night a week to themselves and they don’t want to go sit in a classroom, they want to socialize. But this is interactive,” she says.
And then there are those who would never take an art class, like Dziubla, but find that they have a creative side after all.
“At least 50 percent of people have never painted before and by the time they’re done they can’t believe they painted that! It’s a great way to get people to take an art class,” Eckert said. “We all have a good time and everyone is painting the same but different and they go home with a treasure.”
Mary Patrick of Gary said it was her third time visiting Brushes and Bottles in Merrillville, and her sixth time experiencing a wine and paint event.
“I love getting out, doing something different and creative,” she said as she followed an instructor’s directions, blending the paints on her palate.
Marilyn McLemore of Crown Point said it was her first time and she came to be with her daughter who had attended a number of times before.
“I like to craft, but I’ve never painted before. I love it,” she said, admiring her work.
Whether it’s a rookie or a veteran, Ronda Schultz, owner of Brushes and Bottles, said her business, which just celebrated its one-year anniversary this month, is targeted to all skill levels because it’s not all about artistry, it’s also about amusement.
“It’s just fun. Even if people don’t know each other, they mingle and have a great time getting together. Once they try it, they love it,” she says.
Heather Augustyn is a freelance reporter.