Downtown art shop Canvas & Chardonnay begins offering in-person painting classes again Saturday — and they’re hoping students will be comfortable in their new setup.
“I think our business lends to connection with people,” said Eileen Bruns, who leads classes at the art studio and handles the “business side” of the studio. “Online, you can connect to a degree, but there’s no real back-and-forth interaction or engagement. Certainly, getting back in there is a really big draw for us.”
The studio will only offer in-person classes on Saturdays, Bruns said, with at-home art kits and virtual lessons continuing on weekdays.
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Pre-COVID, the studio could squeeze about 50 people in for classes. Now, they have a cap of 16. Students won’t be able to “self-serve” with paint, and the sinks will be cleaned after every use. And of course, masks will be required —with extras on hand for anyone who shows up without one. It might be wise to wear dark colors , as Canvas & Chardonnay won’t be providing aprons for students.
“The physical look is going to be very different because we’re going to have to do social distancing,” Bruns said. “We can pair people up who live together, but otherwise, we need distance.”
Co-owner Leah Bee picked out a colorful, cheery sunflower-and-bumblebee painting for the studio’s return to in-person classes.
“We’re thinking that’ll be pretty appealing right now,” Bruns said.
If you go
What: “Sunny Bee” painting class
When: 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8
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Where: Canvas & Chardonnay, 317 S Broadway, Rochester
Cost: $45, canvasandchardonnay.com
