Wine and Canvas

There comes a time in every woman’s life when she attends a wine and canvas class.
Throughout the years, she’s scrolled through Facebook photos of her accomplished friends proudly posing with their completed paintings, usually of three purple flowers or a tree with a bird sitting on it. She’s questioned whether she’s ready to take the step of inviting one of her girlfriends to pick up a paint brush and attempt such artistry, mainly because she can’t draw a straight line, let alone an entire landscape… but then she remembers that liquid courage will be served by the glass, so maybe it won’t be so bad.
***
I promise you, it’s not.
The «classroom» can have around 90 painters at a time, but there are TV monitors on the wall so you can see the mic-​ed instructor lead up close. The instructor does a nice job guiding the «students» step-​by-​step and walks around for one-​on-​one instruction for those who shout «SOS». With a lot of paint and a little bit of patience, you’ll have something «wall-​worthy» within three hours. It’s also pretty neat to see others’ interpretations of the paintings. Funny how we’re all doing the same thing, yet everyone has his/​her own variation.
As for the «liquid courage», there are lots of options for boozing, including Sun King beer, sangria, margaritas, wine, and peach bellinis. Food can also be purchased, such as meat/​cheese plates, potato chips from Broad Ripple Chip, and candy from Abbott’s. I’m a big, big fan of how Wine & Canvas has included some local options on their menu!
Please be brave, Artistically-​Challenged Unilocaler, and give Wine & Canvas a shot. Who knows: maybe your inner Picasso just needs to be inspired with a little bit of booze.

If you haven’t tried it yet, it’s time.
You don’t have to possess artistic talent — just a willingness to try and the ability to follow the step-​by-​step directions of the featured artist. And, the less «perfection you demand of yourself, the more fun you’ll have.» Remember… it’s art. Anything goes!
In four visits over three years, we’ve had four great evenings with friends and family. The atmosphere is joyful and the music is peppy. (Sometimes people even sing along!)
All of your art materials are included in the entrance fee but be prepared to spend extra for the wine (or any beverages) and snacks. When we took my mom for her 77^th birthday, we brought in cupcakes and everyone sang to her.
If you’re planning to amass a large group, send someone about a half hour ahead of start time to secure your seats together. Otherwise, you might all end up sitting separately in a large room that’s set up «cafeteria style.»
Definitely show up on time. They start the class promptly and you don’t want to get steps behind.
If you join their newsletter, around the holidays you’ll get an offer for future classes at a reduced price. Stock up!
As you peruse their calendar of future classes, if you find an evening when they’re doing a painting you like, book quickly. They do sell out.
I prefer the classes at the W&C home location rather than the ones at restaurants. If the restaurant’s staff isn’t attentive and quick, you can end up getting your food in the middle of the class which makes it difficult to keep up.
Go express yourself!

Such a great date night, something new night, or adventure time activity! Here’s how it works:
Check online for either the picture you would like to paint or the date that works for your friends and sign up! Space is kind of limited but if it’s a week night you are probably OK. Once you’re signed up you just show up and they take everything from there!
You open the door and are greeted with a friendly face asking for your name to check in. If you have a group, you can check everyone in and grab their canvases. Then you pick your seat by placing the canvas on an open easel, grab a smock, and head to the bar! The room is very open with about 5 – 6 long tables full of easels and chairs and a little snack/​bar in the corner. Wine and bottled beer alike, as well as a couple of cocktails, cheese and cracker plates, and even some sweets.
Now begins the painting! All the paint colors are already at your station with 4 different brushes and a cup of water. You look at the painting and think «How the hell do I even begin this?» and then your beautiful artist breaks it down in the most simple way possible. But buckle up, because this is a three hour process and you need to follow along intently to end up with a similar finished product that the rest of your peers!
The bartender walks around refilling drinks and replenishing your paper towels for brush dabbing. There is one intermission to crack your neck and down your wine but be careful, it’s easy to get cocky in the second half and you don’t want to go rogue… like I did :) Enjoy!

I did a cookies and canvas withy niece, sister-​in-​law and mother-​in-​law. I really enjoyed the ambiance and super friendly staff. Overall, enjoyed the teacher and support staff (although she went a little quick at the end). Did not feel rushed out but the last instructions were a little quick for novices. The canvas outcomes were fun and the process was great. Was a little bummed that the cookies were store bought and nothing special and nothing complimentary to drink. Also, while there were two TV/​videos of the activities, the quality wasn’t great and it would have been easier to follow if more TV/​video options. Overall, a lovely way to spend the morning with fun and great discussions about «personal artistic style»… Just a bit underwhelmed on the «cookie» aspect and some viewing considerations.

This was a fun experience for myself and 2 friends who had never painted anything before. The artist and her instructions were easy to follow and she was able to give a full room the attention we needed individually. Will definitely go again!

This is such a fun way to feel like an artist even if you’re not! I am not the creative type at all, but the instruction you’re given makes painting feel easy! Wine & Canvas holds events at restaurants around town, but most often you can take a class at their studio on E. 82^nd St. You can sign up online and get a preview of the painting they will be doing that night which I love!
I took my sister here over the summer, and we had a fun time painting while enjoying snacks and drinks! You have to go up to their bar to order drinks, but there are a few breaks during the session so you have time to do that. My sister is the meticulous sort so she was still painting after everyone was done. Most of the paintings they do are somewhat on the abstract side so they don’t have to be done perfectly to turn out great! Occasionally, they have «date nights» where a couple can come in and paint two sides of a masterpiece together!
Just show up with yourself, and they provide the supplies!

Recently visited for a friend’s surprise birthday party and had such a great time!
Painting: Paint, brushes, and the canvas are provided. If you need more paint or a different brush, just ask. Someone is always walking around, ready to help. I had to request a second brush because one of mine was frayed. It was no problem. They also provide rinse water and paper towels for blotting, as well as the easel and an apron.
Location: Great! Facility was large and clean (except for the paint everywhere!) and bright. Plenty of room for a large crowd!
Food: I wasn’t sure if they offered food, but was really glad to see that they did. We ordered a cheese plate with crackers, grapes, and salami for $ 8 and there was PLENTY to share. They also offered chips and salsa, chocolates, potato chips, muffins, and candy bars. Just nibblers, but that was fine.
Drink: Their wine selection was limited, but they were really accomodating. I ended up ordering an Irish coffee and asked for some ice to make it an iced coffee and they were super cool about it. The bartender was helpful and had a nice sense of humor. They also had tap water and a variety of other drinks like coffee and wine coolers.
It was a little pricey, but it was super fun, so I’ll go back!

Great company! Had a medical emergency and they let met reschedule last minute. I love the paintings I’ve done. The artists are very good at teaching

Prepare to be amazed. I was. I never thought I would paint something remotely similar to what the subject was. They do a great job of providing step by step instructions but also slowing you to change it up if you wish. Great service by the bartender as well!

I went here with a friend and we has a great time! They provide the canvas, paint, brushes, aprons, and, of course, the instructor who walks the group through everything!
Neither of us are artists, so we weren’t sure how our pictures would turn out. We did select a night that featured a nature picture since we figured that would be more forgiving than something that had a definite «reality» like the one of the Indianapolis skyline… my trees are my trees, but the buildings downtown aren’t exactly open to much interpretation!
Believe it or not, our pictures came out sort of looking like the sample! We’re not exactly ready to quit our day jobs, but we are planning to hang them somewhere in our homes. The instructor was great, but did speed up a lot at the end because we were running short on time, so we all got a little lost at the very end.
The paints are acrylic, so they wash out of clothing and off hands easily (yes, I tested this theory and it is true!). The paint also dries fast so you don’t head home with a wet canvas.
The food options were good; I had a cheese, salami, grapes and crackers plate and my friend opted for chips and salsa. The portions are huge and so definitely shareable! They had some packaged chocolate items that looked pretty tasty too. The wines are good and fairly priced at $ 4 for house and $ 6 for specialty. They also have beer, cocktails, coffee and soft drinks. The one downside is that there is nowhere to put your food and wine without invading the space of others since they do pack people in pretty tightly.
This is a great spot for a girls night out! We’ll likely be back and will bring along some of the rest of the crew!

I took my two young sons here this morning for their «Cookies & Canvas» and they both had a great time and are eager to come back and paint again!
I get emphasize how awesome this place is! It is a super «date night» as well as a great saturday mooring place to take the kids!
The prices are very reasonable and they tale care of all set up and clean up!
The staff is awesome and this is a memorable experience for singles or couple or entire families!

I am not a painter. I am terrible at all types of art and my hands are never steady. I created two paintings at wine and canvas that I love!
The first time i was there, the instructor was really patient and took lots of time explaining the positioning of stuff and giving us time to mix up colors. The second time i was there, it was a little more fast-​paced, but the instructor was more helpful about painting techniques, such as how to make a skinny line (which i happen to be terrible at), and how to undo mistakes (which i made plenty of).
I am never going to go out and buy art again. For $ 35 dollars a session, I will just keep attending wine and canvas nights.