UPPER BURRELL, Pa. — Penn State New Kensington alumni and friends can wet their palettes while whetting their palates at the second “Paint ‘n Sip” creative art social from 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 11, in the campus Conference Center.
The latest national trend makes art fun and accessible to amateur artists. The event is designed to inspire friends and family to let loose their inner Edvard Munch in a communal setting where participants are encouraged to paint, eat, drink and socialize. No previous art experience is required.
Budding artists can experience what Rembrandt experienced. He painted on canvas. You will paint on canvas. He used various brushes and a color palette. You will use various brushes and a color palette. He was incredibly creative and extremely gifted. You are …okay, we will give him that one. But if you took away Rembrandt’s talent and creativity, he would be sitting in the Conference Center, sipping Merlot and mixing yellow and red to make a harvest moon over Miami.
An art instructor will guide participants through the step-by-step process, while encouraging individuality. All paintings will reflect their owner's creativity.
At the end of the evening, the nouveau riche painters will take home a 16-by-20 acrylic masterpiece, which can find a home on the living room wall or the attic floor. If a painting doesn’t meet the artist’s expectations, then it can be painted all white and called an albino lion chasing a Samoyed dog through a Penn State whiteout game during a Happy Valley blizzard. Who could argue with that?
The cost is $45 and includes all art supplies and instruction. In addition, the amateur artists can enjoy wine and light fare that are a part of the Paint ‘n Sip package deal.
Proceeds are earmarked for the Cultural Arts Fund, which was established by Chancellor Kevin Snider to enhance student learning and improve campus aesthetics through visual arts. The initial $10,000 startup money was funded by the sale of a 17th century Brussels tapestry. A gift to the campus in 1968, the tapestry, called “The Story of Joseph and Potiphar's Wife,” was a part of the Roy A. Hunt collection. It was discovered a year ago under the Forum Theatre stage, where it laid rolled-up for more than 12 years. Sotheby’s auctioned the piece in October and it was purchased by an unknown bidder.
Seating is limited. The registration deadline is Feb. 8.
To RSVP, contact Tina Sluss at 724-334-6056 or tms57@psu.edu.