betterArts Presents: Vino and Van Gogh

betterArts presents an art and wine event at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 14, at Better Farm in Redwood.

Attendees 21 and older will receive guided instruction to create a painting from start to finish while enjoying bottomless glasses of wine. Easels, paints, brushes, canvases, finger foods and wine will be provided by betterArts. Students are also welcome to bring any of their own art supplies.

This class, "Learn, Grow and Van Gogh" will the first of a series of sip and paint events. Instructor Maria VanPelt will offer step-by-step, guided instruction in a laid-back setting. Class begins with a brief bio and study of the impressionist artist Vincent VanGogh, followed by guidance through a Van Gogh-inspired painting of wintry, stormy skies,snow banks and birch bark trees. Students will explore textures created with everyday items such as cardboard salt and rubbing alcohol. All skill levels are welcomed!

Registration is $35. Register by emailing info@betterarts.org. 

BetterArts is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to increasing access to the arts in the North Country and beyond. Click here for more information on the work this group is doing. The organization is located on the Better Farm property at 31060 Cottage Hill Road, Redwood NY.

Artist and educator Maria VanPelt has degrees from the Fashion Institute of Technology, SUNY New Paltz and SUNY Potsdam. Maria has taught a K-12 art program at LaFargeville Central School for the last decade; and for several years ran an outdoor art camp for children and young adults called Creative Pastures. Maria, her husband David and their 2-year-old son Oliver live in LaFargeville on an organic dairy farm called Homestead Fields. They launched a cheese business in 2013 with their family called Homestead Heritage Cheese. When Maria is not busy finger-painting popsicle sticks or designing cheese labels, she can be found on Pinterest with her hot glue gun.