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The Lion's Roar

The Official Student News Media of Southeastern Louisiana University

The Lion's Roar

The Official Student News Media of Southeastern Louisiana University

The Lion's Roar

    Business offers twist on fine art of painting

    painting course

    LaVon Samuels, a native of Loranger, concentrates on the body of her rooster
    as she finishes her session of Painting with a Twist. 

    The Lion’s Roar / Tamara Alexander

    Starting out as Corks ‘n Canvas in Mandeville, Painting with a Twist is now a national franchise with over 190 locations. Today, the Painting with a Twist Hammond location offers community members the opportunity to sit back, sip a glass of wine and create their own masterpiece.

    “Painting gives me peace of mind in the chaos of life,” said Trevor J. Nixon, currently an instructor at the Hammond location. “I’m able to let go, yet still be in control, and that’s an amazing feeling to have when doing something you’re passionate about. Even if you’re not a great painter, the act of painting is what makes it truly an enjoyable experience, not just the end result.”

    The Hammond location has been open since Sept. 2009. According to the Hammond Painting with a Twist owner Elizabeth Stokes of Covington, the experience is “fun art, not just fine art.” 

    Painting with a Twist offers two and three hour classes for adults, families and kids, as well as the option of hosting a private party. 

    In addition to offering community members something fun to do, Painting with a Twist also gives young artists the opportunity to gain experience in the craft while still in college. The Hammond location currently employs three Southeastern students: senior communication major Nixon, senior art major Hannah Dean and senior Regina Caulking a health and physical education kinesiology major.

    “It’s certainly an entertaining learning experience,” said Dean. “I’m learning a range of different things, from people skills to teaching, more little hints about acrylic painting to what wines are popular nowadays. As an artist it’s nice to work with art both in and outside of classes.” 

    Occasionally, the business offers a holiday-themed course, but Stokes said that due to the lack of attendance at past themed events, the business has scaled back on holiday classes. This year the only themed day for Mardi Gras is a gator-themed family day Sunday, Feb. 8 from 2-4 p.m.

    In honor of the upcoming Valentine’s Day, a class entitled “To the Moon and Back” will talk artists through painting a heart around the moon. This class is being offered Tuesday, Feb. 10 from 7-9 p.m. 

    Stokes said more faculty than students attend Painting with a Twist classes, but she and her staff think painting is something fun that college students should take the time to experience at least once. Although some students might argue it is too expensive, the student instructors even stated that the experience is well worth the investment. 

    “It’s nice for any student who’s interested in painting without wanting to take an entire class on it,” said Dean. “It’s a very relaxing atmosphere and only takes two or three hours, depending on which class you take, and you get to keep the painting.” 

    Recently Stokes has decided to offer a $5 discount at the Hammond location to Southeastern students who contact her and show their university ID. 

    “It’s spending money, but it’s spending money on something that’s different than what [college students] normally do,” said Stokes. “It’s a fun experience, and they get to take a finished masterpiece home and hang it on the wall.” 

    Courses include the canvas, paint, paint brushes, aprons and wine glasses. Adults ages 21 and up need only pay the registration fee and show up with whatever they wish to drink during the class. 

    To see a calendar of events, view locations and register for upcoming Painting with a Twist courses, visit www.paintingwithatwist.com or call 985-345-3747.

     
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