I am about to enter ArtBar Barcelona (Roger de Flor Street, 135). For this first time I have chosen the workshop of ' paint your pet ’, and the truth is that I have no idea about painting, what’s more, I have never painted a painting in my life but the sensations as soon as I cross the threshold of the door are very good.
The space is small but it is full of color, with pictures of all styles and music. I am received by people of all nationalities (yes, this is Barcelona) wine glass in hand , with black aprons full of paint, dogs -because they are welcome to the premises-, and a long table ready with canvases, paints and brushes . This gets interesting!
Alice and Bruce , a nice Californian couple, living in Barcelona since 2017, are the architects of these painting and wine encounters . The truth is that before arriving in ** Barcelona ** they launched this same concept in Girona and, like here, it worked.
Bruce explains to me that it is very common in California , wine and paint hangouts are almost as popular as escape room in your city.
Paint and drink, is there anything better?
“Before coming to Barcelona, between 1999 and 2010, we had an art school in Los Angeles, then a fine arts summer camp for teenagers in France, between 2010 and 2017. We wanted to do something different and fun… Teach painting, teach art, drink wine and socialize with people seemed like the perfect idea. Bruce teaches 4 nights a week and they have another instructor who teaches another 2 or 3 nights,” Alisa tells Traveler.es.
Her workshops are held throughout Barcelona, to sign up for them you have to pay attention to their networks and the calendar on their website.
The idea is small meetings with different themes in different parts of the city, and also in Girona, Castelldefels and Sant Cugat . each class lasts three hours and in it a style of painting is carried out, although they recognize that if you do not feel like following the instructions you can do "free style".
Many people come alone, others with friends, colleagues or their children, the truth is that it is really advisable for everyone ; either for those who need to disconnect and put stress aside or for those who want to have a different romantic date.
The favorite pictures of the participants are those of the Costa Brava , the poppies , the Cactus and the mystical trees . The operation is simple: Bruce guides the class and gives advice.
In the pet workshop they make the sketch previously with a photo that you send, but not in the rest, so it is best to let yourself go.
“ Every night we paint a different painting and we teach everyone how to paint their version step by step. We want people to be able to make it theirs Using whatever colors you want.
The groups can reach up to 20 people and the class runs relaxed without any type of demand.
“ 90% are people who live in Barcelona or that they are not born here but live in the city. 10% are tourists. We also do a lot of corporate team building and bonding events, either at our location or at private parties,” says Alisa.
The important thing is to socialize during the evening And what better than with a glass of wine? During the class you can choose the wine that you like the most and enjoy while you paint.
After a few hours of painting comes a break with a snack and… more wine! Meanwhile you can relax with the sound of music and distract yourself watching how your classmates paint. And finally: you take your work of art home.