I’ve always envied those who are born with artistic talent. I’m convinced that it must be innate because, well, it’s not that I haven’t tried.
As a child, I was one of the few students who didn’t bolt out of my seat to dash down the hall when the bell rang, excited for art class. Try as I might, I just couldn’t progress beyond the stick-figure stage, let alone master shadows or perspective.
I became especially aware of my artistic shortcomings back in the eighth grade, when I chose what I thought would be an easy assignment—sketching one lone eyeball in pen and ink. I spent weeks on that blasted twinkly lashed orb and, despite my Herculean efforts, I just couldn’t get the “gleam” right.
Of course, my art teacher, observing the picture I was trying to recreate, saw a million shades of grey that were invisible to my naked eye. And then there was the time, in my mid-20s, when I enrolled in a pottery class held in Reservoir Park. Armed with cookie cutters, I was proud of myself as I cleverly stamped out designs for a set of chimes, until I witnessed the showoff beside me carving a Mayan sun god into a platter. I imagine the tween’s parents must have been pretty smug the day he brought that home.
Years have passed, and I haven’t ventured into the art arena since. So, when I heard about aMuse Uncorked Sip and Paint nights, I was intrigued and jumped at the chance—to sit in the audience as an observer, that is.
On the night I attended, several dozen budding artists donned smocks and gathered around tables in a large, brightly lit room at Harrisburg’s Passage to India restaurant. Adie and Bryan Hanisko, who run the business, stood nearby, overseeing operations.
“We launched the idea about a year ago after attending similar events in larger cities,” Bryan said. “We attended one in New York City and, as we began our research, we discovered that they were popular in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Baltimore. So, we decided to start one here.”
The two-hour classes cost $39 and are held at area restaurants, bars and wineries. The Haniskos also bring their paints and palettes to private parties.
Your Inner Artist
One by one, eager participants arrived on a chilly evening and sat side-by-side, facing blank canvases perched on miniature easels. The predominantly female group socialized with their neighbors, ordering appetizers and drinks from Passage to India staff while waiting for the painting party to begin.
All eyes were on Harrisburg resident Lindsey Weaver as she strode to the front of the room then gave step-by-step instructions on how to complete the evening’s project—“The Eiffel Tower at Night.” Weaver, who has a master’s degree in art therapy from Penn State, instructed the class to feel free to “move about the cabin” to observe others and, most importantly, “just have fun.”
Many of the participants socialized as they grabbed paintbrushes and paper-plate palettes and went to town on their canvasses. Alyssa Iddings, who sat with several friends, explained how she learned of aMuse Uncorked painting classes.
“One of my Facebook friends attended one, and I thought it would be a lot of fun. The four of us have kids in preschool together, and it’s a nice night out with the girls,” she said.
Harrisburg resident and area artist Reina Wooden said she enjoyed the atmosphere of the event. “We’re sitting with others who aren’t artists, listening to feedback and learning from each other. The atmosphere removes the barrier from being critiqued,” she said, adding that the wine, music and food add to the comfortable and casual feel of the classes.
Those who feel they lack artistic talent shouldn’t feel intimidated, said Weaver. “We work under the assumption that the participants have no experience whatsoever, so we break every piece into manageable, teachable parts.”
Paint Break
Leena Shenoy, owner of Passage to India, decided to take time out of her busy evening to participate.
“It’s fun. You don’t have to know how to paint; you just go with the flow and it comes out,” she said.
Manager Avelino Furtado joined her. “It’s very relaxing and gets me away from the hustle and stress,” he said, as he placed the finishing touches on the night sky with a flourish by flicking the brush around to add the colorful “confetti stars.”
The Haniskos continue to add classes as more people learn of the events. Each session features a different painting subject, so many attendees return with additional friends. Past painting projects lined the back of the wall at the restaurant, including a “couple’s painting” featuring fish, that, when placed together, formed a heart. The couple explained that they work with their staff as a team to choose subjects.
“We learn what’s trending in home décor and try to determine what people would like to display in their home,” said Adie.
At the end of the evening, everyone gathered together—with their finished artwork—for a group picture, and not one bad painting was evident.
I might have to venture out of my comfort zone, sign up for classes and break that streak.
For more information on times, classes, paintings and places, visit www.amuseuncorked.com.
