CultureMap's "Painting in the Park" adventure brings out young professionals' colorfully wild side

Who knew that so many would-be Manets, Monets and Grandma Moseses lurked beneath the somber suits of the city's young professionals? Well, they turned out in sell-out numbers at Discovery Green Tuesday night for a rollicking early evening of painting, imbibing and socializing.

CultureMap joined forces with Pinot's Palette to present the casual evening during which guests stationed themselves Piccaso-style at palettes to work their painterly magic on 8x8-inch canvases. The step-by-step, self-guided painting opportunity drew a cross section of talents, many of whom had never picked up a paint brush.

Kimberly Attard, who owns Wax Lab, encouraged a group of friends to try the experience that she had enjoyed previously at several birthday parties. Apartment manager Wanda Dominguez and her mom Roseann Martinez were among those who thought that "Painting in the Park" would be a good way to ease into the week.

Tyrone Tanner quipped that this was an opportunity to "take up our natural gift and abilities to become the next great artist." We're not sure that the Pixie Petals subject that the "artists" were focusing on was the road to Robert Rauschenberg fame, but, hey, everyone seemed to be having a blast.

And as Tanner's painting partner Chrysaundra Simmons explained, "It was a really good value. I've never done Pinot's before and I wanted to try it out." And they were all into the adult beverages.

Guests sipped Messina Hof wines and Stella Artois beer while nibbling on hors d'oeuvres from The Grove, just a stone's throw from the painting lawn.

With 75 palettes and spaces at painting tables available, those in the overflow crowd of 150 were able to try their talents at the community painting of the park and the downtown skyline. That project and the overall painting were overseen by local artists Carmen Talbert and Ashley Gardner. 

A second "Painting in the Park" event will be held on Nov. 8. Details here.