Art & Wine, Oh My! offers a simple concept: people getting together to paint and have some drinks.
"It's all about creating community and getting to know one another," says owner Kaie Stoops. The mobile paint-and-sip business opened last year, and hosts both public events (open to the community three to four nights per week) as well as private events for company outings and other group occasions.
Inspired by similar businesses catching on throughout the southern U.S., Stoops felt that the Pacific Northwest, and Bend's community in particular, provided the perfect ingredients for a similar concept. Sort of like a mobile art studio and cocktail cart, the easel, canvas, paints, and other supplies are included, but the location changes week to week, rotating among local venues such as Level 2, Broken Top Bottle Shop, La Rosa Brookswood, and Worthy Brewing. Each event is hosted by a local artist and features a theme, from Van Gogh's Starry Night with a Bend twist to Andy Warhol-style pop art renditions of local beers. Although many participate as a date night or a social outing with friends, companions aren't required.
"Some come in groups, some come by themselves," says Stoops. "It ends up being a wonderful experience for everyone."
In addition to providing regularly scheduled public painting nights and private events, Art & Wine, Oh My! offers a charitable program called "Paint It Forward," where each month a local non-profit charitable organization is selected to receive proceeds from the night's painting event.
For a schedule and to register, check out artandwineohmy.com.
