SOUTH JERSEY

Head of Glasstown Arts District takes painting class to Millville bar

Chris Torres
The Daily Journal;
  • The next Art Bar will be held April 24. To participate, contact the Millville Development Corp. at (800) 887-4957. The cost is $30 per person.

Once a month, a side room in the Old Oar House Irish Pub on High Street in Millville doubles as the perfect backdrop for casual artists to create their next masterpiece.

They’re not necessarily inspired by the beer, wine or spirits flowing from the next room, but it helps.

Much of the credit goes to the two women leading the way. On a recent spring night, they were smiling about what was happening around them.

Marianne Lods, executive director of the Glasstown Arts District, and Maryann Cannon, owner of La Bottega of Art gallery on North High Street, headed up the first “Art Bar” at the pub, where adults are encouraged to paint and share drinks and food.

The purpose is to attract more casual visitors to the district.

The first event, with 24 people, sold out when it was held late last month. Those who missed out on a reservation can get into the next Art Bar onApril 24, Lods said.

Lods, executive director of the Millville Development Corp., was inspired to hold the event after seeing successful art bars in Boston and other cities in the Northeast.

“I’m thrilled we have a full house,” she said. “Some who have painted before, some who never attempted to before. And they’re having a great time.

“Since a lot of cities are doing this we thought, why not here in here in the Arts District? We should be the leaders in this in a more rural setting. We hope it becomes a monthly event.”

Participants in the Art Bar paid $30, and all art supplies, snacks, and a glass of wine or beer are offered. Participants take their paintings home at the event’s conclusion.

Russell Miller of Buena Vista occasionally visits the arts district, but recently painting his own concept of Vincent van Gogh’s purple irises was a first.

“The experience is unique,” he noted. “I don’t consider myself an artist. I did take a drawing class a few years ago and let it slide, but I think I might be interested in this.”

Lauren Ziegler found the event is a nice break from her day job as an optician.

“It’s very relaxing,” she said while painting alongside her mother, sister and a group of friends.

“I work about 45 to 50 hours a week, so to be able to do something like this after work is nice.”

Organizers said there’s optimism similar activities could be in the arts district’s future.

“I think it shows that there’s room to do more of these art bars and also other arts-oriented programs,” Lods said. “Because that’s our purpose.

“We started this program (the arts district) back in 2000, and it was all about the art. We’re refocusing on that and making sure that it’s all about the art again.”