For those who are not familiar, the past decade has seen major growth in the art industry offering activities for casual painters, or complete beginners, to pair their art with a glass of wine. However, this past year the pandemic has brought that to a halt, at least with in person offerings. Instead, art studios all over the country have pivoted to paint and sip classes online (read: AugustFreePress), offering an array of opportunities for people to participate and stay safe at home.
Luckily for these art studios, they have the option to pivot to an online environment in an easy way. It is a simple process for people to order their own materials to their home, and then hop on a zoom call and get going. So many industries can’t offer their services in a virtual fashion that there is a real need for more things to do at home.
The concept has been around since 2007, but the pandemic has increased exposure and also transformed the business. This likely will change how operations are run in the future. Whether it be online or in person, pairing a nice Cab with a fresh canvas is clearly an activity that draws people in.
Stress Relief
A yearlong pandemic that has kept people cooped up at home, and away from so much of their social lives has taken a mental toll on so many in the world. With increases in things like depression and anxiety especially among younger generations, people are looking for all types of stress relievers (read: WashingtonPost).
Taking a virtual painting class with friends is an excellent way for somebody to get out of the rut that they might be in while stuck at home. It provides social interaction that has been sorely missing, but also in a structured environment that is more than a meandering zoom call that so many have gotten over.
Plus, it allows the flexing of the creative muscles many might not have been able to tap in to in years. Think about how long it’s been since you actually put a paint brush to canvas?
For many, drinking is intended to be a social activity. Covid has eliminated many of the places that we go to drink with friends, so we are all looking how to fill that void. Planning a night with friends where you get a bottle of wine and participate in paint and sip classes online is a great alternative to what might normally be a happy hour at a bar after work.
No Experience Needed
Doing something creative like this can be scary for a lot of people and cause apprehension because they do not consider themselves artists. So they might be intimidated that they aren’t good enough to take part.
Fear not if you are somebody that might be in that situation. One of the major appeals of taking a paint and sip class online is that there is no experience required. Instructors are not there to judge the quality of the work. Rather, it’s intended as a fun way for people to tap into an activity they might otherwise avoid.
Art can be a stuffy industry in some minds. For lots of local studios around the country, sessions like this are a perfect opportunity to reach out and show that painting can just be for fun and done in the comfort of your own home.
Lots of paint and sip classes online are following along with the instructor as they direct everybody on what to do, so no need to be scared off because you think you’d have to create a completely unique piece. Now, this does limit your ability to go out and make a work that is entirely your own. But, with the practice you get following along, it only serves to sharpen your skills so you can go out and make something entirely unique. And above that, there are also many cognitive benefits to painting.
