The Rise of Paint and Sip
January 1, 2016 9:00 AM Subscribe
The Paint and Sip Industry has been steadily on the rise since 2007. You bring wine or beer, there are snacks, and you tie on an apron to make some art. Yes, the paintings tend to look similar; one instructor writes that "There is real merit to what is being done, but it is a whole different animal than what some artists want or feel about art."
The majority of participants tend to be upper-middle-class women; the Jezebel article gathers from one such franchise, Paint Nite, that "86% of its customers earn more than $51,000 per year, and 30% make over $125k."
The rise of Paint and Sip studios, combined with the popularity of coloring books for adults, suggests a renewed nationwide interest in art therapy--even if we don't call it that.
The majority of participants tend to be upper-middle-class women; the Jezebel article gathers from one such franchise, Paint Nite, that "86% of its customers earn more than $51,000 per year, and 30% make over $125k."
The rise of Paint and Sip studios, combined with the popularity of coloring books for adults, suggests a renewed nationwide interest in art therapy--even if we don't call it that.
This post was deleted for the following reason: Poster's Request -- Brandon Blatcher
My friends and I have been doing gay crafternoons for years, and it's always warm and wonderful. I've told the host he could make a mint hosting parties, but he doesn't want to make his fun his business. It's about the crafts, man.
posted by yellowbinder at 9:42 AM on January 1, 2016 [16 favorites]
posted by yellowbinder at 9:42 AM on January 1, 2016 [16 favorites]
I've done this sort of thing before. It's not exactly the thing I want, but it's fun and something I can do with my friends, who are often too intimidated by their idea of what art is to take a painting class with me.
posted by bunderful at 9:47 AM on January 1, 2016 [3 favorites]
posted by bunderful at 9:47 AM on January 1, 2016 [3 favorites]
Every time I see the results of one of these sessions, I think, I would totally hang that on my wall, that looks like fun, I wish I could do that.
Call me a Philistine, idgaf.
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 9:58 AM on January 1, 2016 [27 favorites]
Call me a Philistine, idgaf.
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 9:58 AM on January 1, 2016 [27 favorites]
I think groups of middle class women just crave something to do together.
posted by JoeZydeco at 9:59 AM on January 1, 2016 [14 favorites]
posted by JoeZydeco at 9:59 AM on January 1, 2016 [14 favorites]
I like your art. That's why I don't take you dancing.
posted by Nanukthedog at 10:12 AM on January 1, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by Nanukthedog at 10:12 AM on January 1, 2016 [1 favorite]
I was skeptical but had to do this for a work team building event...and kind of enjoyed it. My painting was decidedly mediocre. But it was still fun. Beats bowling.
posted by emjaybee at 10:12 AM on January 1, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by emjaybee at 10:12 AM on January 1, 2016 [2 favorites]
MetaFilter: Something To Do Together.
posted by ArmandoAkimbo at 10:13 AM on January 1, 2016 [4 favorites]
posted by ArmandoAkimbo at 10:13 AM on January 1, 2016 [4 favorites]
I have never changed my mind about anything as quickly or completely as I changed my mind about adult coloring books.
I agree with this completely. It's better than constantly reading metafilter on my phone.
posted by bleep at 10:14 AM on January 1, 2016 [6 favorites]
I agree with this completely. It's better than constantly reading metafilter on my phone.
posted by bleep at 10:14 AM on January 1, 2016 [6 favorites]
Beats bowling.Hey, now. [puts hands over bowling's ears] There's no need to diss other fake reasons to get together and drink.
posted by ArmandoAkimbo at 10:16 AM on January 1, 2016 [19 favorites]
My mom and my sister are way into paint nights with booze. It's fun interaction with other adult women while drinking in a safe environment and they get to feel like they are being productive as part of their relaxation. A big reason my sister likes it is that she feels guilt free about taking a night on the town with a few glasses of wine without having to hit a bar and deal with all of the baggage that comes from going out for a ladies night. Plus, my sister is very artsy and doesn't really have the time at home with 3 kids under the age of 6 to seriously paint like she used to. I tease them that it's like Curves gym. All women (usually), no judgement, and you get to do what you came to do - paint, drink, and be social without worry.
My mom likes the social interaction, since as a military wife, she is constantly pulling up roots and meeting new friends and this kind of activity is perfect for meeting other women in the community.
posted by Suffocating Kitty at 10:16 AM on January 1, 2016 [20 favorites]
My mom likes the social interaction, since as a military wife, she is constantly pulling up roots and meeting new friends and this kind of activity is perfect for meeting other women in the community.
posted by Suffocating Kitty at 10:16 AM on January 1, 2016 [20 favorites]
Thanks for this post! I had no idea this existed and found one by my house for 25 bucks and signed up immediately. I'm going tonight!
Because this looks like a great activity in which one could introduce chaos with no real consequences, which is my idea of perfect fun.
posted by barchan at 10:17 AM on January 1, 2016 [26 favorites]
Because this looks like a great activity in which one could introduce chaos with no real consequences, which is my idea of perfect fun.
posted by barchan at 10:17 AM on January 1, 2016 [26 favorites]
The piece by the instructor was interesting and focused both on the practicalities of running one of these events and the reasons why people like them:
I have always described paint-and-sip as standup comedy, because the instructor is really just entertaining the audience.
It's definitely not my sort of thing, but I can see how it would totally appeal to the kind of person who crafts and is seeking out the sociality of group classes. I feel like I have been seeing more of this sort of thing over the last three or so years, including events with figure drawing that sound like they intersect with burlesque. Demographically I'm probably more in that target audience, unlike the paint and sip.
posted by Dip Flash at 10:19 AM on January 1, 2016 [1 favorite]
I have always described paint-and-sip as standup comedy, because the instructor is really just entertaining the audience.
It's definitely not my sort of thing, but I can see how it would totally appeal to the kind of person who crafts and is seeking out the sociality of group classes. I feel like I have been seeing more of this sort of thing over the last three or so years, including events with figure drawing that sound like they intersect with burlesque. Demographically I'm probably more in that target audience, unlike the paint and sip.
posted by Dip Flash at 10:19 AM on January 1, 2016 [1 favorite]
I think groups of middle class women just crave something to do together.
There is one of these joints in the local frou-frou shopping center, and I do not think I have ever seen a single man in there painting. That's kind of weird.
posted by thelonius at 10:20 AM on January 1, 2016
There is one of these joints in the local frou-frou shopping center, and I do not think I have ever seen a single man in there painting. That's kind of weird.
posted by thelonius at 10:20 AM on January 1, 2016
Maybe the best thing about coloring books is that they're *so cheap*. Even the nicely bound, big, thicker-paper ones I have top out at about $14.99. I was using a cheap set of colored pencils I had for ages, but recently upgraded to fancy prismacolor pencils and it has made a bigger difference than I could have anticipated. Other considerations for coloring books: you can use markers, or oil pastels (fancy crayons), or actual crayons. Also- there's so much emphasis on 'adult' coloring books. Go get a Frozen coloring book and fill in Elsa's dresses if that's what you want!
posted by BuddhaInABucket at 10:21 AM on January 1, 2016 [5 favorites]
posted by BuddhaInABucket at 10:21 AM on January 1, 2016 [5 favorites]
I'm reminded of an old thread that was in defense of 'middlebrow' art. There's something go be said for it- why does everything have to be revolutionary, important, amazing? Not everyone is a creative genius, they should still be allowed to participate in the pleasure of making art.
posted by BuddhaInABucket at 10:28 AM on January 1, 2016 [90 favorites]
posted by BuddhaInABucket at 10:28 AM on January 1, 2016 [90 favorites]
... renewed nationwide interest in art therapy--even if we don't call it that.
This is an excellent thing. I majored in art and have long had conflicts & felt judgment in terms of 'who do you think you are, doing art?" Yet we don't do this with sports at all. We don't say "who do you think you are with your fantasy football and your Sunday golfing? You think you're an athlete?" Anything that fosters acceptance of creativity as a normal part of life for anybody, not just an elite, is an excellent thing. We needs more creating, less consuming. It's very healthy. I don't care how bougie the activity is, just create anything other than hours sitting in front reality TV.
In the 70s, we crafted the daylights out of stuff and I have fond memories of macrame owls (fuckyeah!) and sand candles, decoupage, etc etc. Sure you will crank out some shlock, but you will have fun doing it.
I also think there's an implicit sexism in the judgment that comes with this kind of thing; "Oh, those silly housewives! Oh, those silly rich women! Who do they think they are, Rembrandt?" No one says, "Oh, who does that silly man think he is, Tiger Woods?". No one says that ever.
posted by GospelofWesleyWillis at 10:30 AM on January 1, 2016 [196 favorites]
This is an excellent thing. I majored in art and have long had conflicts & felt judgment in terms of 'who do you think you are, doing art?" Yet we don't do this with sports at all. We don't say "who do you think you are with your fantasy football and your Sunday golfing? You think you're an athlete?" Anything that fosters acceptance of creativity as a normal part of life for anybody, not just an elite, is an excellent thing. We needs more creating, less consuming. It's very healthy. I don't care how bougie the activity is, just create anything other than hours sitting in front reality TV.
In the 70s, we crafted the daylights out of stuff and I have fond memories of macrame owls (fuckyeah!) and sand candles, decoupage, etc etc. Sure you will crank out some shlock, but you will have fun doing it.
I also think there's an implicit sexism in the judgment that comes with this kind of thing; "Oh, those silly housewives! Oh, those silly rich women! Who do they think they are, Rembrandt?" No one says, "Oh, who does that silly man think he is, Tiger Woods?". No one says that ever.
posted by GospelofWesleyWillis at 10:30 AM on January 1, 2016 [196 favorites]
Not everyone is a creative genius, they should still be allowed to participate in the pleasure of making
art.
This comment-- a million favorites.
posted by GospelofWesleyWillis at 10:33 AM on January 1, 2016 [14 favorites]
art.
This comment-- a million favorites.
posted by GospelofWesleyWillis at 10:33 AM on January 1, 2016 [14 favorites]
I'm reminded of an old thread that was in defense of 'middlebrow' art
Yeah, I miss the aspirational middlebrow. Folks reading the 'Great Books' and listening to Bach and going to Lectures on Important Topics because that what you do to 'improve yourself' and be a full participant in Civil Society. Yes, it's all a crock, of sorts, and the Great Books ignore important voices, and Classical is only a small subset of musical traditions, but better to be folk striving for something better than simply slouching towards the lowest common denominator. All that's left now of this in mass culture seems to be NPR.
posted by leotrotsky at 10:35 AM on January 1, 2016 [20 favorites]
Yeah, I miss the aspirational middlebrow. Folks reading the 'Great Books' and listening to Bach and going to Lectures on Important Topics because that what you do to 'improve yourself' and be a full participant in Civil Society. Yes, it's all a crock, of sorts, and the Great Books ignore important voices, and Classical is only a small subset of musical traditions, but better to be folk striving for something better than simply slouching towards the lowest common denominator. All that's left now of this in mass culture seems to be NPR.
posted by leotrotsky at 10:35 AM on January 1, 2016 [20 favorites]
why does everything have to be revolutionary, important, amazing?
I think that the art world, despite all of its postmodern minimalism and conceptualism and multimedia, is very much still firmly in the grip of a Romantic idea of the artist as innovative and transformative spiritual seer, who stands above the common run of mankind. I'm sure that people who do art criticism have thought about this somewhere, since it is a pretty obvious idea.
posted by thelonius at 10:38 AM on January 1, 2016 [8 favorites]
I think that the art world, despite all of its postmodern minimalism and conceptualism and multimedia, is very much still firmly in the grip of a Romantic idea of the artist as innovative and transformative spiritual seer, who stands above the common run of mankind. I'm sure that people who do art criticism have thought about this somewhere, since it is a pretty obvious idea.
posted by thelonius at 10:38 AM on January 1, 2016 [8 favorites]
I did this recently but it was a special class where YOU PAINTED A PICTURE OF YOUR PET, they printed the photo directly onto the canvas, it was so fun to see everyone's pets and everyone trying to help each other get the gleam in the eye JUST RIGHT, plus now I have a sweet painting of my cat. HIGHLY recommended.
posted by leesh at 10:41 AM on January 1, 2016 [71 favorites]
posted by leesh at 10:41 AM on January 1, 2016 [71 favorites]
There's no need to diss other fake reasons to get together and drink.
Book Club would like a word with you.
posted by JoeZydeco at 10:44 AM on January 1, 2016 [5 favorites]
Book Club would like a word with you.
posted by JoeZydeco at 10:44 AM on January 1, 2016 [5 favorites]
The only time a MeFite has sent me an angry MeMail was over my saying, in an AskMe thread asking for best methods of obtaining art instruction, that these wine and art classes don't actually teach painting and the paintings produced are not anyone's best work.
posted by vegartanipla at 10:45 AM on January 1, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by vegartanipla at 10:45 AM on January 1, 2016 [1 favorite]
"I also think there's an implicit sexism in the judgment that comes with this kind of thing; "Oh, those silly housewives! Oh, those silly rich women! Who do they think they are, Rembrandt?" No one says, "Oh, who does that silly man think he is, Tiger Woods?". No one says that ever."
Yeah ... My friends (middle-aged Midwestern moms!) who do this, none of them think they're "making art" ... they're doing something crafty and fun. They all know how to take the ACTUAL ART CLASSES available, they just sometimes WANT to relax and play with paint! (Or pottery ... That's the other big one here.) WITHOUT an 8-week commitment or having to purchase supplies or find space at home or any of that ... just doing something creative and relaxing and hands-on and zero-pressure.
The most popular one around here is hosted by a non-profit that has artist working spaces, a gallery, and teaches "real" art classes ... and also does kiddie craft classes and wine-and-paint and "gallery yoga" (open the gallery at 6 a.m. for people to do a yoga class amid the art) and all kinds of stuff. Kiddie craft classes aren't "art" but they get families IN THE GALLERY and my kids recognize the work of a particular local sculptor when they see it in the community because they've seen his workspace at the gallery and his gallery pieces on display. They even met him in his workspace one day and got to see him working and talk to him (mostly about whether he wanted to make statues EXPLODE!!! but he rolled with it). Bringing in art-adjacent FUN stuff like wine-and-paint gets community members invested in the local art community and familiar with it.
"The Middlebrow Mommies daring to make art!" Well, you STFU until you're going to the local gallery twice a month and reliably donating to fundraisers that subsidize workshop space for local artists and can name at least six. Because that's what the Middlebrow Mommies do.
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 10:49 AM on January 1, 2016 [66 favorites]
Yeah ... My friends (middle-aged Midwestern moms!) who do this, none of them think they're "making art" ... they're doing something crafty and fun. They all know how to take the ACTUAL ART CLASSES available, they just sometimes WANT to relax and play with paint! (Or pottery ... That's the other big one here.) WITHOUT an 8-week commitment or having to purchase supplies or find space at home or any of that ... just doing something creative and relaxing and hands-on and zero-pressure.
The most popular one around here is hosted by a non-profit that has artist working spaces, a gallery, and teaches "real" art classes ... and also does kiddie craft classes and wine-and-paint and "gallery yoga" (open the gallery at 6 a.m. for people to do a yoga class amid the art) and all kinds of stuff. Kiddie craft classes aren't "art" but they get families IN THE GALLERY and my kids recognize the work of a particular local sculptor when they see it in the community because they've seen his workspace at the gallery and his gallery pieces on display. They even met him in his workspace one day and got to see him working and talk to him (mostly about whether he wanted to make statues EXPLODE!!! but he rolled with it). Bringing in art-adjacent FUN stuff like wine-and-paint gets community members invested in the local art community and familiar with it.
"The Middlebrow Mommies daring to make art!" Well, you STFU until you're going to the local gallery twice a month and reliably donating to fundraisers that subsidize workshop space for local artists and can name at least six. Because that's what the Middlebrow Mommies do.
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 10:49 AM on January 1, 2016 [66 favorites]
Imagine a 'songwriting' course where you select from a subset of chords, a series of progressions are recommended, and then your choices are fed through a synthesizer, and you leave with an MP3 and sheet music for your composition.
posted by leotrotsky at 10:52 AM on January 1, 2016 [6 favorites]
posted by leotrotsky at 10:52 AM on January 1, 2016 [6 favorites]
If you're not making googly-eyed painted rocks, you are not a True Artist
posted by GospelofWesleyWillis at 10:54 AM on January 1, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by GospelofWesleyWillis at 10:54 AM on January 1, 2016 [2 favorites]
I went to one with some friends, and felt a little strange about it at first. I'm struggling a little with being middle-aged and what that means and I work at a museum so it felt like I was almost required to take the whole thing with a big ironic grain of salt. I mean, I'm not an artist, although I occasionally craft stuff, but I'm around the highest of highbrow art all the time, it felt like I wasn't supposed to honestly enjoy this because other people could point a finger and say "see, look at all these middlebrow ladies liking their wine and cackling together..." All those stereotypes, seriously, even though two of the ladies are people I know via my dojo and could reliably kick the ass of most dudes and that's not really a Typical Middle-Aged Lady thing to do.
Anyway, I went and had a really good time once I unclenched.
posted by PussKillian at 10:57 AM on January 1, 2016 [17 favorites]
Anyway, I went and had a really good time once I unclenched.
posted by PussKillian at 10:57 AM on January 1, 2016 [17 favorites]
Imagine a 'songwriting' course where you select from a subset of chords, a series of progressions are recommended, and then your choices are fed through a synthesizer, and you leave with an MP3 and sheet music for your 'composition.
isn't that what a lot of laptop noodling is? Maybe it hasn't been turned into a Meetup, but this guy's youtube seems pretty close. There's a lot of software that performs skilled musical functions, such as harmonizing, providing a rhythm track, etc. It only needs a meetup (and I'm there!)
Also, the crafting/painting get togethers I've seen aren't really presented as serious art classes, but social activities. It just seems like a form of art therapy.
posted by GospelofWesleyWillis at 10:58 AM on January 1, 2016
isn't that what a lot of laptop noodling is? Maybe it hasn't been turned into a Meetup, but this guy's youtube seems pretty close. There's a lot of software that performs skilled musical functions, such as harmonizing, providing a rhythm track, etc. It only needs a meetup (and I'm there!)
Also, the crafting/painting get togethers I've seen aren't really presented as serious art classes, but social activities. It just seems like a form of art therapy.
posted by GospelofWesleyWillis at 10:58 AM on January 1, 2016
Imagine a 'songwriting' course where you select from a subset of chords, a series of progressions are recommended, and then your choices are fed through a synthesizer, and you leave with an MP3 and sheet music for your composition.
Except for the fancy mp3 synthesizer part, that exactly describes quite a few of the assignments in the intro to music theory classes I took in college. Art isn't this magic thing that springs fully formed from a genius mind. At its heart is a set of skills that you can break down discretely and practice.
posted by Zalzidrax at 11:01 AM on January 1, 2016 [13 favorites]
Except for the fancy mp3 synthesizer part, that exactly describes quite a few of the assignments in the intro to music theory classes I took in college. Art isn't this magic thing that springs fully formed from a genius mind. At its heart is a set of skills that you can break down discretely and practice.
posted by Zalzidrax at 11:01 AM on January 1, 2016 [13 favorites]
Imagine a 'songwriting' course where you select from a subset of chords, a series of progressions are recommended, and then your choices are fed through a synthesizer, and you leave with an MP3 and sheet music for your composition.
HOW WOULD SOMEONE DARE to make something that way and call it art? The way that other people spend their time is beholden to my arbitrary standards!
posted by shakespeherian at 11:02 AM on January 1, 2016 [12 favorites]
HOW WOULD SOMEONE DARE to make something that way and call it art? The way that other people spend their time is beholden to my arbitrary standards!
posted by shakespeherian at 11:02 AM on January 1, 2016 [12 favorites]
i've been wanting to go to one of these types of classes and now i want to find the one where you paint your pet!
posted by nadawi at 11:04 AM on January 1, 2016 [15 favorites]
posted by nadawi at 11:04 AM on January 1, 2016 [15 favorites]
Imagine a 'songwriting' course where you select from a subset of chords, a series of progressions are recommended, and then your choices are fed through a synthesizer, and you leave with an MP3 and sheet music for your composition.
So basically Microsoft Songsmith then?
posted by zachlipton at 11:07 AM on January 1, 2016 [2 favorites]
So basically Microsoft Songsmith then?
posted by zachlipton at 11:07 AM on January 1, 2016 [2 favorites]
I mean seriously I would take that songwriting course, that sounds awesome and fun.
posted by shakespeherian at 11:13 AM on January 1, 2016 [14 favorites]
posted by shakespeherian at 11:13 AM on January 1, 2016 [14 favorites]
I was thinking yeah, this sounds fine but not really my thing - until I got to the comment and link about making a painting of your pet (and one of our cats is also a tuxedo!) and HELL YEAH this is awesome!
posted by rtha at 11:25 AM on January 1, 2016 [8 favorites]
posted by rtha at 11:25 AM on January 1, 2016 [8 favorites]
people do very sophisticated stuff with GarageBand, but it's entry point is basically plug-and-play loops rearranged by the user, yes
posted by thelonius at 11:29 AM on January 1, 2016
posted by thelonius at 11:29 AM on January 1, 2016
HOW WOULD SOMEONE DARE to make something that way and call it art? The way that other people spend their time is beholden to my arbitrary standards!
You're projecting an interpretation on my comment that isn't intended. My comment wasn't a criticism; I'm just imagining variations on the paint and drink courses.
posted by leotrotsky at 11:31 AM on January 1, 2016 [4 favorites]
You're projecting an interpretation on my comment that isn't intended. My comment wasn't a criticism; I'm just imagining variations on the paint and drink courses.
posted by leotrotsky at 11:31 AM on January 1, 2016 [4 favorites]
Mom and I did something like this years ago called Monet in a Day (I know, I know!) but it was super fun and the little 8x10" water lily is still on both of our living room walls :)
posted by Calzephyr at 11:35 AM on January 1, 2016 [3 favorites]
posted by Calzephyr at 11:35 AM on January 1, 2016 [3 favorites]
leesh, I love that picture of your cat. That is all.
posted by djinn dandy at 11:42 AM on January 1, 2016 [5 favorites]
posted by djinn dandy at 11:42 AM on January 1, 2016 [5 favorites]
I would like to try this - it would have to be a huge improvement over going to a painting class sober with all the competitiveness, jealousy and stress involved.
I tried two of regular beginning painting classes and I was hyperventilating after a few minutes.
posted by Tullyogallaghan at 11:46 AM on January 1, 2016 [4 favorites]
I tried two of regular beginning painting classes and I was hyperventilating after a few minutes.
posted by Tullyogallaghan at 11:46 AM on January 1, 2016 [4 favorites]
Not my type of thing at all, but like, who cares what other people find fun? If there's a market for something, it'll do well.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 11:46 AM on January 1, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 11:46 AM on January 1, 2016 [2 favorites]
I did this with friends and it was a lot of fun. It reminded me of art class in elementary, but with less painting the table and more drinking. We "painted" a setting sun over a lake, but by the time we were at the end of the class I had enough bourbon that I decided to add improvements.
posted by Anonymous at 11:53 AM on January 1, 2016
posted by Anonymous at 11:53 AM on January 1, 2016
Hmm. Just got done telling my mom about this, and in her excitement mentioned that it was something she could own just for her.
She was a SAHM who grew up in a very patriarchal society and still plans her schedule around being home to make my dad's lunch. I could see how an activity which is very low pressure, involves no real investment, and yet produces a tangible product that is all her's, not anybody else's nor for anybody else, could be very appealing.
posted by barchan at 11:55 AM on January 1, 2016 [14 favorites]
She was a SAHM who grew up in a very patriarchal society and still plans her schedule around being home to make my dad's lunch. I could see how an activity which is very low pressure, involves no real investment, and yet produces a tangible product that is all her's, not anybody else's nor for anybody else, could be very appealing.
posted by barchan at 11:55 AM on January 1, 2016 [14 favorites]
Whoa I really want to start a "Sip'n'Songwrite" business now. That sounds totally rad!!!!
posted by Doleful Creature at 12:03 PM on January 1, 2016 [11 favorites]
posted by Doleful Creature at 12:03 PM on January 1, 2016 [11 favorites]
GospelofWesleyWillis: No one says, "Oh, who does that silly man think he is, Tiger Woods?". No one says that ever.
... Not sure what to say here. Yes, they do? Having grown up playing sports with boys and men, including having friends who became professional athletes, abuse for not being professional on day one (and often, just abuse) was an absolute constant.
If you don't believe me, check the next biking thread here for metafilter's view on biking clothes and those who wear them.
posted by underflow at 12:11 PM on January 1, 2016 [9 favorites]
... Not sure what to say here. Yes, they do? Having grown up playing sports with boys and men, including having friends who became professional athletes, abuse for not being professional on day one (and often, just abuse) was an absolute constant.
If you don't believe me, check the next biking thread here for metafilter's view on biking clothes and those who wear them.
posted by underflow at 12:11 PM on January 1, 2016 [9 favorites]
i've been wanting to go to one of these types of classes and now i want to find the one where you paint your pet!
Bob Ross could totally teach that. He's got the skills and the fro.
posted by GospelofWesleyWillis at 12:43 PM on January 1, 2016 [1 favorite]
Bob Ross could totally teach that. He's got the skills and the fro.
posted by GospelofWesleyWillis at 12:43 PM on January 1, 2016 [1 favorite]
Yes, they do? Having grown up playing sports with boys and men, including having friends who became professional athletes, abuse for not being professional on day one (and often, just abuse) was an absolute constant.
I can see that in school & college sports, but I don't hear that of Sunday golfers said by others. Youth pursuing anything get pressure to succeed (I had that in dance constantly), I'm talking about adults doing something for leisure being criticized by other non-professionals.
So your point is taken; youth of both genders do get bitched at by overzealous adults who want trophy kids, (figure skating, football, piano, violin etc etc). They should all stop it because it kills the joy of learning and play with their stupid agendas of prestige. (still different than adults's hobbyhorses though-it's pretty much a given that an adult is enjoying a hobbyhorse at the late stage in the game of development)
posted by GospelofWesleyWillis at 12:45 PM on January 1, 2016
I can see that in school & college sports, but I don't hear that of Sunday golfers said by others. Youth pursuing anything get pressure to succeed (I had that in dance constantly), I'm talking about adults doing something for leisure being criticized by other non-professionals.
So your point is taken; youth of both genders do get bitched at by overzealous adults who want trophy kids, (figure skating, football, piano, violin etc etc). They should all stop it because it kills the joy of learning and play with their stupid agendas of prestige. (still different than adults's hobbyhorses though-it's pretty much a given that an adult is enjoying a hobbyhorse at the late stage in the game of development)
posted by GospelofWesleyWillis at 12:45 PM on January 1, 2016
my parents would never chose to do this sort of thing, but were visiting with old friends who insisted everyone (men and women all in their 70's) participate. when I go to art museums with my parents, my father sits to read a book while my mother and I actually look at the art. anyway, they all had a blast and my father's sunset over a lake painting now hangs in the bathroom.
posted by mandymanwasregistered at 12:52 PM on January 1, 2016 [6 favorites]
posted by mandymanwasregistered at 12:52 PM on January 1, 2016 [6 favorites]
A local museum does craft nights once a month with wine, and I love it. I wish my schedule allowed me to do them more often. I've binned my efforts more than once before leaving, because my skills are poor to middling at best on the calligraphy front, but you do see whole families and groups of friends and neighbors coming by and it's just lovely and fun. I prefer trying different kinds of art than painting, but I wouldn't say no to one of these, especially if they were okay with surprise dinosaurs cropping up around the edges...
posted by jetlagaddict at 12:52 PM on January 1, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by jetlagaddict at 12:52 PM on January 1, 2016 [1 favorite]
I did this recently but it was a special class where YOU PAINTED A PICTURE OF YOUR PET
I must do this immediately.
posted by sfkiddo at 12:57 PM on January 1, 2016 [4 favorites]
I must do this immediately.
posted by sfkiddo at 12:57 PM on January 1, 2016 [4 favorites]
My wife's office did one of these paint-and-sip evenings awhile back. Their age ranges from late 20's to early 60's. They had a great time, and that's pretty much all that matters. I'd do it, too, if invited.
I've not investigated adult coloring books because kids' coloring books are pretty damned fun on their own. Those examples of adult books in the links look far too "designery" and "stay inside the lines" for my taste.
posted by Thorzdad at 1:02 PM on January 1, 2016 [1 favorite]
I've not investigated adult coloring books because kids' coloring books are pretty damned fun on their own. Those examples of adult books in the links look far too "designery" and "stay inside the lines" for my taste.
posted by Thorzdad at 1:02 PM on January 1, 2016 [1 favorite]
There's one of these establishments in my town, and when it opened I thought it wouldn't last long because they charge $45 for the experience. But they are still going strong.
Some instructors from my spin class went a few weeks ago and had a great time. I took one of them aside and said "you're the first human being I know who have actually been to one of these things" and he told me the secret was that they ignored the instructor and just got sloshed. Two of them painted the Golden Gate Bridge, one painted a yak, and the other painted a combination cat/orca that was pretty awesome.
posted by potsmokinghippieoverlord at 1:05 PM on January 1, 2016 [4 favorites]
Some instructors from my spin class went a few weeks ago and had a great time. I took one of them aside and said "you're the first human being I know who have actually been to one of these things" and he told me the secret was that they ignored the instructor and just got sloshed. Two of them painted the Golden Gate Bridge, one painted a yak, and the other painted a combination cat/orca that was pretty awesome.
posted by potsmokinghippieoverlord at 1:05 PM on January 1, 2016 [4 favorites]
Ok, that's just awesome, potsmokinghippieoverlord.
posted by sfkiddo at 1:16 PM on January 1, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by sfkiddo at 1:16 PM on January 1, 2016 [1 favorite]
To me this seems like the painting version of Karaoke, and you get a tangible object at the end!
posted by muddgirl at 1:58 PM on January 1, 2016 [4 favorites]
posted by muddgirl at 1:58 PM on January 1, 2016 [4 favorites]
The word "middlebrow" doesn't seem apposite here at all; paint-and-drink is pretty much the opposite of the middlebrow striving for aesthetic "quality" as an aspirational class/educational signifier. "Kitsch" or "camp" would seem like much better fits for this kind of combination of ultra-lowbrow (or maybe just anti-aesthetic?) earnest sincerity and tongue-in-cheek ironic enjoyment.
posted by RogerB at 2:00 PM on January 1, 2016 [5 favorites]
posted by RogerB at 2:00 PM on January 1, 2016 [5 favorites]
the other painted a combination cat/orca
nightmare fuel
posted by cynical pinnacle at 2:34 PM on January 1, 2016 [1 favorite]
nightmare fuel
posted by cynical pinnacle at 2:34 PM on January 1, 2016 [1 favorite]
The word "middlebrow" doesn't seem apposite here at all; paint-and-drink is pretty much the opposite of the middlebrow striving for aesthetic "quality" as an aspirational class/educational signifier. "Kitsch" or "camp" would seem like much better fits for this kind of combination of ultra-lowbrow (or maybe just anti-aesthetic?) earnest sincerity and tongue-in-cheek ironic enjoyment.
It's called middlebrow when it is being done by middle aged women, and highbrow when it's being done ironically by young gentrifiers. (Or, in other words, what Eyebrows McGee said above about the gendering of this, and the self-aware ways in which people choose to participate.)
posted by Dip Flash at 2:42 PM on January 1, 2016 [7 favorites]
It's called middlebrow when it is being done by middle aged women, and highbrow when it's being done ironically by young gentrifiers. (Or, in other words, what Eyebrows McGee said above about the gendering of this, and the self-aware ways in which people choose to participate.)
posted by Dip Flash at 2:42 PM on January 1, 2016 [7 favorites]
I never thought of oil painting (my personal favorite) as compatible with refreshments. Too much mineral spirits (and sometimes heavy metal pigments) around. But maybe if you put the booze in bicycle water bottles.
Yeah, really classy, I know.
posted by mmagin at 2:46 PM on January 1, 2016
Yeah, really classy, I know.
posted by mmagin at 2:46 PM on January 1, 2016
I took one of them aside and said "you're the first human being I know who have actually been to one of these things" and he told me the secret was that they ignored the instructor and just got sloshed.
That's what I realized by the end of my session there. The rest of my group was about the instructions, but it was much more fun when I did my own thing.
posted by Anonymous at 2:50 PM on January 1, 2016
That's what I realized by the end of my session there. The rest of my group was about the instructions, but it was much more fun when I did my own thing.
posted by Anonymous at 2:50 PM on January 1, 2016
There's one of these establishments in my town, and when it opened I thought it wouldn't last long because they charge $45 for the experience. But they are still going strong.
Yeah, there's one of these that just opened up in Park Slope, Brooklyn, and I've been skeptical that it can stay afloat with Brooklyn rents being what they are. Don't think I've ever seen more than a few people in there at once.
posted by ultraviolet catastrophe at 3:39 PM on January 1, 2016
Yeah, there's one of these that just opened up in Park Slope, Brooklyn, and I've been skeptical that it can stay afloat with Brooklyn rents being what they are. Don't think I've ever seen more than a few people in there at once.
posted by ultraviolet catastrophe at 3:39 PM on January 1, 2016
Honestly? Just a few years ago, I probably would have been first in line to hate this. (Even now, in one of my grumpier moods, I still might.)
But as I get older, and my chances of realizing my youthful aspirations to hipsterdom (in artistic endeavors, or anything else) become ever more remote, I just can't find the snark in me. Does this fill a need in someone's life? (Even if they happen to be female and bougie?) That's awesome. Life is hard, and (no matter how privileged we are) our opportunities for finding joy (or even mere escape) are often limited. You could find much worse ways to blow off steam than having a couple glasses of Chardonnay and smooshing paint around on a canvas for an hour or two. Shit, if I had the paint and the Chardonnay, I'd do it right now.
It's true; there's this assumption that the purpose of painting (or, at least, the only true and legitimate purpose) is to create Meaningful Art. So, yeah—if you assume that people go to these things expecting to become Serious Artists, of course you're gonna scoff at them. That's a faulty assumption, though. We forget that you can pick up a paintbrush (or a musical instrument, or anything) for the sake of play, with no aim in mind except one's own pleasure.
It is, I suppose, the distinction between "craft" and "art"—the former is more about the act of creating (a pastime), while the latter is more about the final product. I myself need to be reminded, from time to time, that both are legitimate reasons to pick up a paintbrush/instrument/etc.
(Paint-by-numbers music-making is pretty much how I learned to make music, as a young electronic music nerd. I'd take other people's MOD files apart in SoundTracker on my Amiga 500, and reassemble the samples into my own compositions. Often I would, in fact, be working with a prefabricated set of chords. But it taught me about octaves, sixteenth notes and triplets, how to use accents to elaborate on a basic rhythm, delay effects, phasing, major and minor keys, beatmatching, technical stuff like sample rates and filters, etc. I never became a great musician, or even a good one, and I haven't made any music at all for a number of years. But my years as a musician undoubtedly enriched my life, and any competence I did achieve began with those dumb SoundTracker noodlings. We should encourage naïve beginners, not tear them down.)
posted by escape from the potato planet at 3:40 PM on January 1, 2016 [7 favorites]
But as I get older, and my chances of realizing my youthful aspirations to hipsterdom (in artistic endeavors, or anything else) become ever more remote, I just can't find the snark in me. Does this fill a need in someone's life? (Even if they happen to be female and bougie?) That's awesome. Life is hard, and (no matter how privileged we are) our opportunities for finding joy (or even mere escape) are often limited. You could find much worse ways to blow off steam than having a couple glasses of Chardonnay and smooshing paint around on a canvas for an hour or two. Shit, if I had the paint and the Chardonnay, I'd do it right now.
It's true; there's this assumption that the purpose of painting (or, at least, the only true and legitimate purpose) is to create Meaningful Art. So, yeah—if you assume that people go to these things expecting to become Serious Artists, of course you're gonna scoff at them. That's a faulty assumption, though. We forget that you can pick up a paintbrush (or a musical instrument, or anything) for the sake of play, with no aim in mind except one's own pleasure.
It is, I suppose, the distinction between "craft" and "art"—the former is more about the act of creating (a pastime), while the latter is more about the final product. I myself need to be reminded, from time to time, that both are legitimate reasons to pick up a paintbrush/instrument/etc.
(Paint-by-numbers music-making is pretty much how I learned to make music, as a young electronic music nerd. I'd take other people's MOD files apart in SoundTracker on my Amiga 500, and reassemble the samples into my own compositions. Often I would, in fact, be working with a prefabricated set of chords. But it taught me about octaves, sixteenth notes and triplets, how to use accents to elaborate on a basic rhythm, delay effects, phasing, major and minor keys, beatmatching, technical stuff like sample rates and filters, etc. I never became a great musician, or even a good one, and I haven't made any music at all for a number of years. But my years as a musician undoubtedly enriched my life, and any competence I did achieve began with those dumb SoundTracker noodlings. We should encourage naïve beginners, not tear them down.)
posted by escape from the potato planet at 3:40 PM on January 1, 2016 [7 favorites]
If there has to be a distinction between craft and art that this is more art than craft. Crafts are supposed to be useful or skilled. There's nothing non-artistic about this.
posted by bleep at 4:09 PM on January 1, 2016
posted by bleep at 4:09 PM on January 1, 2016
Well, I'm using "craft" in the sense of "pastime"—melted-Crayon candles and Build-a-Bears—not in the sense of "handicraft", which is more of an economic term.
And, I think a lot of people would argue that providing participants with a pre-chosen subject, style, and even lines to color within does, in fact, remove a lot of the art from it.
To some extent, I suppose it's a matter of semantics. My point is that the relative absence of artistry (i.e., creativity; self-expression; technical virtuosity; aesthetic value that will be appreciated by people who aren't the painter's friends and family) in this activity doesn't invalidate the value that it has for other reasons.
posted by escape from the potato planet at 4:22 PM on January 1, 2016
And, I think a lot of people would argue that providing participants with a pre-chosen subject, style, and even lines to color within does, in fact, remove a lot of the art from it.
To some extent, I suppose it's a matter of semantics. My point is that the relative absence of artistry (i.e., creativity; self-expression; technical virtuosity; aesthetic value that will be appreciated by people who aren't the painter's friends and family) in this activity doesn't invalidate the value that it has for other reasons.
posted by escape from the potato planet at 4:22 PM on January 1, 2016
I'd take other people's MOD files apart in SoundTracker on my Amiga 500, and reassemble the samples into my own compositions.
I did exactly the same thing! And MOD files are literally "music by numbers" since all notes and commands are just hex digits. Doing that got me really into electronic music.
posted by grumpybear69 at 4:44 PM on January 1, 2016
I did exactly the same thing! And MOD files are literally "music by numbers" since all notes and commands are just hex digits. Doing that got me really into electronic music.
posted by grumpybear69 at 4:44 PM on January 1, 2016
I guess you could argue about what defines art for ever but I think the bar for art is really low. If you're standing in front of an easel and painting, even if someone is instructing you, even if you're never going to do it again, you're making art. Good art, bad art, valuable art, etc. is a different story.
posted by bleep at 4:49 PM on January 1, 2016
posted by bleep at 4:49 PM on January 1, 2016
> I can see that in school & college sports, but I don't hear that of Sunday golfers said by others
Or pub trivia nights. "You're no Ken Jennings, why even try?"
posted by The corpse in the library at 4:50 PM on January 1, 2016 [3 favorites]
Or pub trivia nights. "You're no Ken Jennings, why even try?"
posted by The corpse in the library at 4:50 PM on January 1, 2016 [3 favorites]
If this is middlebrow I'm struggling to imagine lowbrow. In fairness I don't think it's really anybrow.
posted by Segundus at 5:05 PM on January 1, 2016 [3 favorites]
posted by Segundus at 5:05 PM on January 1, 2016 [3 favorites]
My ex used to do the pottery version of this that someone mentioned upthread. One variation was to buy a pre-cast figure, paint it in a group class, then the shop would fire the pieces in its kiln for the participants to pick up. Among other things she did a long-haired cat that turned out good enough to startle the hell out of our dog first time he saw it.
posted by Greg_Ace at 5:13 PM on January 1, 2016
posted by Greg_Ace at 5:13 PM on January 1, 2016
I did this once and it stressed me out sooooo much. It felt rushed and like there was pretty much no instruction. I didn't expect to paint anything good but if anyone asked a question, the teacher basically said "don't stress! Drink more wiiiine!!" and there was no way to do the painting in the time allotted in any way other than fast and crappy. I don't really want to take real art classes but I wanted to kind of learn something. Maybe I needed to just drink more or start drinking beforehand. But then I'd have just fallen asleep because of my middle-aged mommy rest-of-my-life. But I probably won't pay money to do something really badly in an unsatisfying way again.
posted by artychoke at 5:17 PM on January 1, 2016 [6 favorites]
posted by artychoke at 5:17 PM on January 1, 2016 [6 favorites]
I have read a couple articles by artists who point out that selling paintings to paint nights and running these classes helps them earn a living to produce the art they actually want to produce. So there's that, too.
posted by Anonymous at 5:52 PM on January 1, 2016
posted by Anonymous at 5:52 PM on January 1, 2016
I've been to glass-fusing events: you sprinkle different colors of crushed glass onto a plate, another plate is put on top, then the thing is melted into a light-catcher or a bowl. The nice thing about it is that it turns out very well no matter what your talent level.
posted by acrasis at 5:59 PM on January 1, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by acrasis at 5:59 PM on January 1, 2016 [1 favorite]
I went to one of these classes as part of a corporate bonding experience. It reminded me of an aerobics class.
posted by pxe2000 at 6:29 PM on January 1, 2016
posted by pxe2000 at 6:29 PM on January 1, 2016
Peak paint and sip? The Boston Licensing Board recently approved plans to convert the Urban Art Bar in South Boston with the next hot thing: A tapas joint (which was actually the next hot thing a couple years ago, but still).
posted by adamg at 7:02 PM on January 1, 2016
posted by adamg at 7:02 PM on January 1, 2016
With the advent of marijuana legalization, I've been waiting for a toke-n-paint version of this to show up. Probably would run afoul of indoor smoking bans, but I think it'd be fun.
Anything which demystifies ~~art~~ is alright with me. As others have said above - art is not magical genius or talent you're born with, it's a practiced skill. More people playing and experimenting and feeling that joy of creation cannot possibly be a bad thing. Art is always more about the process than the results IMO.
posted by Feyala at 7:06 PM on January 1, 2016 [1 favorite]
Anything which demystifies ~~art~~ is alright with me. As others have said above - art is not magical genius or talent you're born with, it's a practiced skill. More people playing and experimenting and feeling that joy of creation cannot possibly be a bad thing. Art is always more about the process than the results IMO.
posted by Feyala at 7:06 PM on January 1, 2016 [1 favorite]
I have done two of these painting parties, both hosted by a dog sports center* so most people were painting their dogs. My first painting turned out unexpectedly great, especially since I literally hadn't touched a paint brush since grade school. My second painting? Well, uh, it isn't finished yet, and that's all I'm saying about it.
* Okay, the dog sports center? It's a climate-controlled rubber-floored building that hosts all kinds of dog activities. My Border Collie mutt does agility and treibball; my hound does Barn Hunt there. It's pretty awesome.
posted by workerant at 7:43 PM on January 1, 2016 [15 favorites]
* Okay, the dog sports center? It's a climate-controlled rubber-floored building that hosts all kinds of dog activities. My Border Collie mutt does agility and treibball; my hound does Barn Hunt there. It's pretty awesome.
posted by workerant at 7:43 PM on January 1, 2016 [15 favorites]
The only time a MeFite has sent me an angry MeMail was over my saying, in an AskMe thread asking for best methods of obtaining art instruction, that these wine and art classes don't actually teach painting and the paintings produced are not anyone's best work.
Yeah, that was me. Sorry about that. You weren't wrong at all, but creative gate-keeping really pushes my buttons. Nobody needs a BFA to "earn" a fun art experience.
I never thought of oil painting (my personal favorite) as compatible with refreshments.
That's why these classes use acrylics.
posted by Squeak Attack at 8:26 PM on January 1, 2016 [1 favorite]
Yeah, that was me. Sorry about that. You weren't wrong at all, but creative gate-keeping really pushes my buttons. Nobody needs a BFA to "earn" a fun art experience.
I never thought of oil painting (my personal favorite) as compatible with refreshments.
That's why these classes use acrylics.
posted by Squeak Attack at 8:26 PM on January 1, 2016 [1 favorite]
I think I'm going to start this sort of class in my downtown LA neighborhood alley only with spray paint and boxed wine--there's a lot of blank walls around.
posted by Ideefixe at 9:13 PM on January 1, 2016 [3 favorites]
posted by Ideefixe at 9:13 PM on January 1, 2016 [3 favorites]
highbrow when it's being done ironically by young gentrifiers
Did this actually happen? Ironic paint-and-sip treated as high culture?
To be clear I'm not taking a shot at the activity which seems kind of neat and fun and probably does teach you a little about painting - more than I know about painting. It just seems to me that you may be conflating some things.
posted by atoxyl at 9:39 PM on January 1, 2016 [1 favorite]
Did this actually happen? Ironic paint-and-sip treated as high culture?
To be clear I'm not taking a shot at the activity which seems kind of neat and fun and probably does teach you a little about painting - more than I know about painting. It just seems to me that you may be conflating some things.
posted by atoxyl at 9:39 PM on January 1, 2016 [1 favorite]
Metafilter: I went and had a really good time once I unclenched.
posted by storybored at 10:12 PM on January 1, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by storybored at 10:12 PM on January 1, 2016 [1 favorite]
When I was a kid paint-by-numbers were about this appealing to about the same people. I wonder what two 1970s hobbies could be combined into another new next thing.
posted by clew at 10:19 PM on January 1, 2016
posted by clew at 10:19 PM on January 1, 2016
Pot 'n pottery?
posted by Greg_Ace at 11:12 PM on January 1, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by Greg_Ace at 11:12 PM on January 1, 2016 [1 favorite]
Mescaline macrame!
posted by Greg_Ace at 11:16 PM on January 1, 2016 [4 favorites]
posted by Greg_Ace at 11:16 PM on January 1, 2016 [4 favorites]
Jacuzzis and fondue.
posted by box at 5:07 AM on January 2, 2016 [3 favorites]
posted by box at 5:07 AM on January 2, 2016 [3 favorites]
We went to one of these classes a few years ago and I hated it. I painted a version of what we were supposed to paint but did it in a very different manner from what was instructed. I was very clearly not appreciated and as she went around the class thanking people for coming and inviting them back she skipped me. I was heartbroken but I got over it rapidly.
posted by damnitkage at 5:44 AM on January 2, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by damnitkage at 5:44 AM on January 2, 2016 [2 favorites]
Many people are intimidated by capital-A Art. If making a painting with some coaching loosens up their creativity, that's terrific. If they have fun with art, drink and friends, why do assholes need to criticize?
Pot and Bad Poetry. Booze and Bad Poetry. Pretty much everything and Bad Poetry. I'd far rather admire your Bad Painting than have to read or listen to your Bad Poetry.
posted by theora55 at 8:00 AM on January 2, 2016 [4 favorites]
Pot and Bad Poetry. Booze and Bad Poetry. Pretty much everything and Bad Poetry. I'd far rather admire your Bad Painting than have to read or listen to your Bad Poetry.
posted by theora55 at 8:00 AM on January 2, 2016 [4 favorites]
Mescaline macrame!
I always thought macrame was one of the negative consequences of pot.
posted by sebastienbailard at 10:54 AM on January 2, 2016 [2 favorites]
I always thought macrame was one of the negative consequences of pot.
posted by sebastienbailard at 10:54 AM on January 2, 2016 [2 favorites]
Metafilter: macrame owls fuckyeah!
posted by benito.strauss at 11:34 AM on January 2, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by benito.strauss at 11:34 AM on January 2, 2016 [1 favorite]
I never thought of oil painting (my personal favorite) as compatible with refreshments. Too much mineral spirits (and sometimes heavy metal pigments) around. But maybe if you put the booze in bicycle water bottles.
The place my wife went to used acrylics, I believe. No stink and faster drying.
posted by Thorzdad at 11:56 AM on January 2, 2016 [1 favorite]
The place my wife went to used acrylics, I believe. No stink and faster drying.
posted by Thorzdad at 11:56 AM on January 2, 2016 [1 favorite]
“It was supposed to be a recreation of Georgia O’Keefe’s “Poppy,” 28-year-old Jenn Corcoran of Albany told me [...] “My flower ended up looking suspiciously like a vagina.
So what she means is... it was a pretty faithful reproduction of a Georgia O'Keefe painting.
posted by Gordafarin at 4:17 PM on January 2, 2016 [6 favorites]
So what she means is... it was a pretty faithful reproduction of a Georgia O'Keefe painting.
posted by Gordafarin at 4:17 PM on January 2, 2016 [6 favorites]
Basically I think there should be more activities where you pair summer-school activities with social drinking. I am One Hundred Percent Not Being Ironic about this.
posted by Doleful Creature at 12:20 AM on January 3, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by Doleful Creature at 12:20 AM on January 3, 2016 [2 favorites]
My sister-in-law opened a variation on this -- a franchise that does faux-antique looking signs on wood. It's a very step-by-step process, with plenty of downtime for people to catch up, or if they're struggling with sanding or positioning their stencil, everyone else can stand around and drink or eat pizza, and it's a three-hour event. Over Christmas she opened it up for us family members to make a free one, and wifey and I went in skeptical -- but we were amazed at what a good idea it is.
What they're selling isn't signs, or art, or anything -- it's three hours to hang out, structured so nobody needs to figure out what comes next or what to do or how to include everyone. It's easy to do, and requires a bit, but minimal, level of talent, which is plenty because it's not about the art. So, if you're worried about the artistic quality being below standard, it's absolutely not what they're selling. The event is what the money's about.
And, they have sooooo much business they can barely keep up. My SIL and the other owners all have full-time jobs and thought they'd do a couple classes a week for fun and a side income, but they can't schedule enough courses for the demand. It's crazy just how much people need this service.
posted by AzraelBrown at 3:28 PM on January 3, 2016 [11 favorites]
What they're selling isn't signs, or art, or anything -- it's three hours to hang out, structured so nobody needs to figure out what comes next or what to do or how to include everyone. It's easy to do, and requires a bit, but minimal, level of talent, which is plenty because it's not about the art. So, if you're worried about the artistic quality being below standard, it's absolutely not what they're selling. The event is what the money's about.
And, they have sooooo much business they can barely keep up. My SIL and the other owners all have full-time jobs and thought they'd do a couple classes a week for fun and a side income, but they can't schedule enough courses for the demand. It's crazy just how much people need this service.
posted by AzraelBrown at 3:28 PM on January 3, 2016 [11 favorites]
Basically I think there should be more activities where you pair summer-school activities with social drinking
Health Class & Hurricanes. OMG, especially if it involves a reel-to-reel projector on a steel cart. I WANT THIS.
posted by psoas at 12:25 PM on January 5, 2016 [4 favorites]
Health Class & Hurricanes. OMG, especially if it involves a reel-to-reel projector on a steel cart. I WANT THIS.
posted by psoas at 12:25 PM on January 5, 2016 [4 favorites]
Sentence Diagramming & Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
posted by moonmilk at 5:48 PM on January 5, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by moonmilk at 5:48 PM on January 5, 2016 [2 favorites]
Pinch Pottery and Pot Pinchery.
posted by box at 6:12 PM on January 6, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by box at 6:12 PM on January 6, 2016 [1 favorite]
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