At A Glass with Class at Café Wilgress, everyone is an artist

Local artist Aimée Bulloch believes everyone is an artist and plans to prove it with her new series of art classes – A Glass with Class – at Café Wilgress. Participants complete a painting, inspired by one of Bulloch’s own, in two hours while enjoying a glass of wine on the patio.

Of the opening night on August 2, which featured a sunset painting and Pelee Island Winery’s sparkling rosé LOLA, Bulloch says, “It was neat to see them laughing at the notion that their artwork would look like mine and then by the end of it everyone had the confidence that they can be an artist. I want to prove to people that every single person can be an artist, they just have to try and take that chance. I want to get people trying to be creative who never thought of themselves as creative before.”

More than just producing a copy of her paintings, Bulloch tries to impart knowledge that will help participants achieve a desired look if they choose to paint on their own. She draws on her honours degree in Visual Arts and a Bachelor of Education as well as experience as a high school art teacher to share elements and principles of design.

“I want them to leave with the building blocks of how to create an artwork. I give them hints and tricks as I teach them so they understand how to create realism as they paint. And I try to word it in a way they’ll remember – relating it to things they do in real life like ‘scrub your painting as if you’re trying to scrub toothpaste off the sink’.”

Bulloch says she’s pleased with what everyone accomplished during the class. “They were nervous to try something new but I wanted them to be reassured that they were capable of painting just as much as anyone else. The results turned out to be amazing.”

A Glass with Class participants with their finished paintings (Photo: Liz Norris)

A Glass with Class runs every Tuesday night through the summer on the Café Wilgress patio, with plans to continue into the fall and winter. Each of the future classes will feature seasonal paintings of Muskoka scenes paired with libations from Café Wilgress’s wine list. Bulloch would also like to offer the class as a bachelor or bachelorette party or as a birthday party option for adults or kids (minus the wine, of course).

Class information is posted on Facebook at A Glass with Class. Call or stop in at Café Wilgress to book a spot. The class’s $50 fee includes materials and a glass of wine. Gratuities for the server and Bulloch’s helper are not included.

Don’t miss out on Doppler! Sign up for our free, twice-weekly newsletter here.