The perfect date night
East Coast Art Party finds new, permanent location
For more than several years, a couple of Island business partners have been offering the perfect date night.
With Art After Dark, Len Currie and Jeff Kelly were inviting people in to hot spots all over the province for a social painting experience.
Now, the pair has changed the name to East Coast Art Party, has secured a permanent location at 135 Great George St., Charlottetown (next to Brits Fish and Chips) and has launched an expanded program this month.
“It seemed like a really awesome date night idea, so I wondered if they were doing anything like that around here,’’ Currie said when asked where the idea came from originally. “They weren’t, so I said, ‘Maybe I’ll try and set something up’.’’
Kelly acknowledges there are lots of art classes around, but nothing really informal that people can laugh, do trivia, have a drink or two and just have a plain, old good time.
“We pride ourselves in not being an art class because that takes the stress off people,’’ Kelly said. “There’s lots of art classes around, (but) we’re more ‘loosey, goosey’. The paintings are a lot more flowing, and (people) are having a better time. It’s very informal (and) fun.’’
While Currie admits he can’t paint, Kelly is an artist and was quick to agree to jump in and handle the teaching duties.
They kicked off their first class at Belvedere Golf Course in 2015 and haven’t looked back
since. They’ve not only been all over the Island but all over Atlantic Canada doing this.
“Most people don’t think they can draw a stick man but, basically, if you can follow instructions, pick up a brush, dip it in paint . . . it’s very easy. You’re laughing, joking, we’re doing trivia to keep the crowd entertained (and) we’ve got drinks flowing because we’re in licensed establishments, so it’s very much like a fun night out.’’
Currie compares it to a night at the movies except, in this case, you’re not staring at a screen. Painting classes range from $20-$50.
“This is very interactive. You’re talking to who you’re there with the whole time,’’ Currie said.
“And it’s two-and-a-half, three hours of entertainment and you physically leave with something, which I love,’’ added Kelly.
Kelly and Currie will still take their art classes on the road, but the fact they’ve got their own studio means they’ll be able to host private functions now, especially for children, and expand the hours. They’ve also taken part in their share of fundraisers, almost 300 now, raising in excess of $55,000 for various Island causes.
Currie said they’ve got 20 events already slotted for February, usually taking place Tuesday to Sundays with the kids painting sessions going Saturday and Sunday afternoons.
“We can do private events here, and we’re still going to go where people want to paint.’’