When it’s too hot to play outside and you really don’t want to go bowling again, there are other entertainment options for adults. If you’re ready to try something artistic, or maybe you always wanted to, one or all of these activities are good for you, body and soul.
Creative activities are proven to relieve stress, increase and renew brain function, prevent Alzheimer’s, improve your mood and can even cultivate your social life. (http://bit.ly/2zJxLRj) Here are five places in Simcoe county where you can add to your own happiness and well being and have some artful fun this summer!
1. Pottery Painting
There are two places in Simcoe County set up for you to start painting pottery, as well as participating other cool clever artful activities. Check out The Creative Café in Barrie or Crock A Doodle in Collingwood,
The Creative Café, in Barrie’s Commerce Park, offers you and your family or friends the chance to try pottery painting, glass fusion, painting, mosaics and making clay footprints to commemorate special occasions.
Because there’s an artist in all of us, come and be inspired to create, spend time with your family and friends even your co-workers and have tons of fun. Unleash your creativity at Barrie’s one and only Pottery Painting Studio for all ages.
You choose the piece you want to create, like a mug, plate or frame, paint and decorate it and in seven days your masterpiece is glazed and fired for you.
http://www.creativecafe.ca/
With 31 studios in Canada, mostly across Ontario, Crock A Doodle is where people come together to create, laugh, share and grow! Turn ready-to-paint pottery pieces into amazing works of art. It’s fun art, not “fine art” so anything goes! Painted pieces are glazed and kiln-fired to a brilliant finish to become one-of-a-kind gifts and precious keepsakes. Check it out and have some fun!
https://crockadoodle.com
2. Wine & Paint Night
Artist or not, everyone gets to create their own masterpiece, sip wine and listen to music in a beautiful atmosphere. How relaxing and fun is that! Canvas and Cabernet painting classes are held in the afternoon from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm and evenings from 7 pm to 9 pm. There are six classes per week and the featured paintings are displayed throughout the studio for easy viewing. The classes are vibrant, the sound system is professional and the music is inspiring. Classes are instructed in a step by step format giving plenty of time to visit, sip wine, chair dance and just have fun.
Guests also enjoy wine and charcuterie, with specialty breads, cured meats, salads, panini’s as well as specialty cheese and chocolate. yummy
https://www.canvasandcabernet.ca
3. Local Galleries offering Adult Classes & Workshops
Not all art classes are made for experienced artists. Most, in fact, are designed for the beginner in mind. Don’t be afraid to check out your local gallery to see what kind of interesting classes and workshops they offer for adults.
For instance, Quest Art School & Gallery, Midland, has three art classes for adults this summer. You can try painting Urban Landscapes with Murray Van Halem and Natural Fibre Dyeing with Jane Steeves in July and be introduced to Oil Painting with Deb Grise this August. You don’t need to be an experienced artist. You just need to be ready to have a creative adventure.
http://www.questart.ca/aded
Surf on over to check out these galleries too, all offering adult classes. Unleash all that hidden creativity and have fun doing it with your friends. Something unique this summer!
https://maclarenart.com/educational-programmes/adults – Barrie
https://www.orilliamuseum.org/programs?category=Adults – Orillia
4. AFFA Studio – Art Groups for Adults
AFFA Studio is a collective of local artists who come together on a regular basis to create art and share their talents with non artists who would like to learn a thing or two in a casual and relaxed environment. They offer a number of art workshops led by local artists for adults and children. Artists and non artists who would like to try their hand at a new skill or to bring back an underlying or forgotten talent are encouraged to come.
This summer you can try Encaustic Art on Tuesday nights.
Guided by amazing and talented Patty Chapman at the AFFA Studio, she facilitates “play sessions” where you can free your mind by dripping wax into works of art. No artistic experience necessary for this. She guides beginners to use all those fun tools. No experience necessary! Try it at least once. Patty guarantees you will love it!
On Saturday evenings you can go to a paint night for only $20, which includes all supplies, paint, canvas and brushes. Light snacks are even provided. It’s not your regular paint night!
If you have a painting you’d like to work on, you can bring it. If you want to be taught and learn from scratch, you can do that as well.
http://www.angelafrancisfineart.com
https://www.facebook.com/events/2380997575259930/
5. Stitch up a Storm!
Crafted Spaces, offers a quiet creative workspace and sewing studio ideal for learning and creating.
With only the sound of birds to distract you, just steps from Lake Simcoe, Crafted Spaces studio is equipped with quality sewing machines, specialty machines, sewing supplies, work space and crafting tools. The studio boasts an extensive sewing and craft reference library, with over 350 sewing and craft books.
Explore Your Creativity! You can take beginner sewing machine classes, learn to make dolls, toys, play costumes, knit an infinity scarf and more. You basically get to create your own wearable art.
https://www.craftedspaces.com/classes/studio-classes/
Have a soulful, fun and crafty summer!
By Linda Laforge, Portrait and Caricature Artist and author of “Anyone Can Draw in Ten Sessions” – find it here on Amazon | See her art and event schedule here!
