Wine and Art

Photo Credit: 123RF.com Copyright: Mykola Nisolovskyi

Why are wine and art classes so popular? I know, I know. A lot of you out there might be thinking, “Um, hello? Wine!”

Seems pretty straight forward, but most people completely shy away from art of any kind because, as we all know, they can’t even draw a stick figure. Why would they go to a wine and art class when they can just open up a bottle at home and not have to do any work? And yet, so many people flock to these classes and drag a friend with them.

All children draw in the early years This tends to stop when children become aware of peer pressure. (Photo Credit: Pixabay – Image by Aline Ponce)

I have a theory on this matter, which stems back to my university courses in child development. Yes, child development. As far away from wine as you can get. Bear with me. What I learned back then was that early on, all children draw. ALL of them. You can track their development through their drawings. They all go through the same developmental styles of drawing and interpreting the world around them. And then suddenly, nearly all of them stop drawing. Why? Two words.

Peer pressure.

As early as nine years old children become increasingly aware of what their peers think, and they begin to fear ridicule. Most will not attempt drawing after that and will go all the way through the rest of their lives saying that they can’t draw, or that they draw like a child. Well, of course their drawings look like child’s work because that’s when they stopped their artistic development…when they were children.

What does this have to do with wine and art?

Photo Credit: Pixabay – Image by Michal Jarmoluk

It’s really very simple. Wine (or alcohol of any sort) lowers inhibition. We all know that. Most of us have probably done things we’re not proud of because of how low our inhibitions were after too much drinking. But in moderation, have a glass of wine and forget about peer pressure.

So, what’s a little painting going to hurt?

Put the class in a non-intimidating environment (everyone’s a newbie) and put a glass of wine on the table. Top that with an instructor who can keep it light-hearted and take you through step by step painting to paint that beach sunset with palm trees and you’ve got yourself a wine and art class. In the end, everyone goes home with a pretty decent first shot attempt at painting since elementary school.

As a marketing gimmick, it works. What I would wish for all who take a wine and art class is that they could see that drawing and painting is not beyond their abilities and continue learning. Unfortunately, I think those classes are a one-off good time for most of them. Just as it was in elementary school, it will only be the rare individual who continues and doesn’t care what their peers have to say.