Summer is practically here, and I have to admit: I’m feeling a bit wistful as the schedules of kids and educators I know begin to ease up. They’ll soon have more time for the restorative getaways, weekend projects and hobbies I’ve been putting off — and daydreaming about — for too long.
While I can’t join a summer day camp (like the “Glee”-esque Chandler Young Actors Group at Chandler Center for the Arts or the steampunky, Victorian technology-focused “Discovery & Invention Summer Camp” at ASU Polytechnic in Mesa), summer is as good a time as any to nurture parts of myself not satisfied by the usual work-sleep-repeat routine.
One outlet I’m eyeing: the BYOB “Bottles ‘n’ Paint” class at SunDust Gallery in Mesa. You bring your own adult beverage and a fun-loving attitude, and the gallery takes care of the rest.
“Spend two hours smearing color and passion into a take-home 16 inch-by-20 inch masterpiece,” reads the class flyer. “Classes are taught by a professional artist in an easy-to-follow, step-by-step format. SunDust Gallery provides all art materials, as well as corkscrews, cups and assorted snacks. After participants are finished painting and partying, they’ll have a handcrafted piece of art suitable for hanging above the fireplace.”
Instructor and gallery owner Ron Floyd says the classes have filled up so far with mostly 28- to 45-year-olds, and they’re popular with girls-night-out groups.
“It’s not an art lesson; it’s a social event. It’s less teaching people how to paint something exactly, and more like facilitating or coaching their creation of the picture,” he says.
Classes are $50 and are scheduled for Friday and Saturday evenings through September. For details, contact SunDust at (480) 464-6077 or www.sundustgallery.com.
• Contact writer: (480) 898-6818 or azajac@evtrib.com
