Chautauqua Winery Sip and Paint 2021
Yall! This was my first session partnering with the local winery! I was too excited! I’ve brought the bus out to their events for the past few years and loved it. I was asked to also paint their store front windows with some fall window art for their annual fall festival event.
After discussing art class options they worked fast on getting their pavilion ready for their first paint class! What is funny, after we put the word out about the painting and wine sipping, it blew up! Everyone wanted to join! I have a limit of 20 easels for my large canvas. We didn’t know the reaction we would have gotten or I would have changed the class to my smaller canvas to host more than 20+people. We did manage to put in a limit of 24 guests (I had to use the backs of other easels). After realizing the number of attendees, we didn’t even get to use their beautiful new patio area, we actually had to roll out the big tent lol. It was all good though, there were plenty of people coming out to do wine tastings or buy wine that they watched as we painted and sat under the patio and enjoyed some delish wine!
With outdoor events you never know what Mother Nature has up her sleeve. Well I opened my car door to start unloading my 20+ people painting supplies (yall the fullness of my vehicle!) and WHOOSH!! The wind was ready to take me off into the sky ( and I ain’t no petite lady)! I was so worried everything would fly away and guests would be miserable. Not how I wanted the first sip and paint to go at my new perfect venue! It took me more than my normal time to setup for sure, but all the attendees showing up were perfectly content purchasing a glass of wine and sipping while chatting to their friends. Such a patient crowd! The winery workers were great in setting up the tables and adding the table coverings (they too were about to blow away).
I’ve had plenty of “Rain on my Parade” scenarios when popping in for art events, but I always find a way to creatively solve the problem best as I can.
Once I was finally able to start the session, everyone settled in and enjoyed the process. We had some ninjas that day…people catching their canvas or paint plates left and right! None the less, everyone told me they had an amazing time! They loved the venue, they loved my bubbly personality, the project, and the overall experience. Even got a handful of A+ reviews!
I’m so excited for the next round in 2022! For the ones who weren’t able to get a ticket, I started some sip&paint sessions for this Fall Break Week! Hopefully some are able to attend. Nov. 26th, 1-3pm is a Paint Party (all ages welcome), painting Funky Christmas Trees. Nov. 27th, 6 to 8pm and Nov 28th, 1 to 3pm I have two options to vote on, “Christmas Tree Dress” or “Winter Forest”! If you’re reading this, pop on over to my “Class sign up” tab and book your spot! This may be a new experience for some of you who’ve never got to paint on the Art Bus! Its not parked next to "Roll Out Sushi in Defuniak Springs on South 9th Street!