Event Encourages Painters to Explore Their Creativity and Have Fun

‘Canvas & Cocktails’ provides night out with instruction, drinks, and appetizers

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Those who haven’t picked up a paintbrush in a long time or maybe never even had an art lesson will find an opportunity to tap into their latent creativity and have fun in a casual and enjoyable atmosphere at an upcoming event on the New Mexico Tech campus. “Canvas & Cocktails” will be held at Macey Center in Socorro starting at 6 p.m. on Friday, March 31.

Tickets, which include hearty appetizers, are $25 for the general public and $15 for New Mexico Tech students and are available on the Performing Arts Series (PAS) website: nmt.edu/pas. Cocktails will be available for purchase separately.  

Dana Chavez, PAS coordinator, leads the painting session, which welcomes new and experienced painters, NMT students, faculty and staff, community members, couples out on date nights, groups of friends looking for an activity to enjoy together, and anyone interested in learning more about how to get started with a brush and canvas. About 40 painters are expected to participate in the event, which is held on the Macey Center stage both fall and spring.

“We keep it really really simple here,” she said. “And we have a lot of fun.”

Chavez said she selects images for participants to paint, talks about colors and shapes, describes a couple of types of brushstrokes in non-technical terms, and provides ongoing encouragement to painters throughout the evening, walking around and observing.

“I try to find different images anybody can do – whether or not they’ve painted before,” she said. “Something that works for all levels of experience.”

After an evening of finger food, cocktails, and playing with paint, all participants leave with their very own masterpiece.

“I’ve heard so many good things over the past couple of years from folks who have never painted before,” Chavez said. “It’s just amazing.”

The class has even prompted some budding artists to continue their new hobby and even exhibit their paintings. Chavez said at least one participant in a previous “Canvas & Cocktails” event got hooked on painting and is currently showing her art in the WomenFest Artist Showcase featuring Socorro County Women Artist on display on the second floor of Macey Center.

Macey Center, Socorro events, Canvas & Cocktails

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