SAN ANTONIO - Seasons come and seasons go and my least favorite season is here again: football season.
I’ve explored the origins of my distaste for the sport and conclude all blame is on the Aggies. Texas A&M is a fine school, but my 7-year-old self was utterly confused by the Aggies’ behavior. Why won’t they sit down? Why won’t they stop shouting? Why was I taken from grandma’s house on Thanksgiving Day to sit in the freezing cold with these people? Back when UT and A&M played on Thanksgiving, the winter air froze my heart in the very place where most Texans hold a passionate love for football.
So every football season, I look for a retreat from the madness and found just the right place, “Painting with a Twist.”
What’s the twist? Why, it’s the beverage of your choice. “Painting with a Twist” is a BYOB painting class. The canvas, the paint, the brushes, it’s all there for you, and trust me, artistic talent is not necessary. Teachers guide you step by step and the directions are better than filling in paint by numbers. Experienced painters can move ahead of the class, and Type A’s are assured acrylic paint is easily correctable.
I recently put my twisted painting skills to the test with a good friend and a bottle of wine. Classes have themes and we parked in front of a canvas for a “high heeled shoes” theme. I was a little nervous because it’s been a while since my arts and crafts days at summer camp, but the nerves quickly petered out. Groups of friends came in for birthdays and soon enough, a group of strangers were singing to 80s music and sharing “oohs” and “ahs” over our “masterpieces.” The teacher was energetic, yet laid back, setting a nice tone for the evening. The three hour class flew by almost as fast as the wine. Those who don’t finish within the time frame are welcome to come back and continue working at no extra charge.
I write “Off the Chain” to sway San Antonians away from chain restaurants and introduce things to do that are in fact “off the chain.” Now, Painting with a Twist is a chain, but it’s too unique and located in such a treasure that I have to give it props. You’ll find the studio on Bitters inside a bungalow of shops and restaurants called Artisan’s Alley. Shopping-wise, there’s a little bit of everything; home décor, clothing boutiques, antiques, and so on. Shoppers can refuel with lunch at The Pomegranate or grab dinner before a painting session at Bin 555. I planned to go there after my class, but I waited at a table for 15 minutes and a server never came. Granted, it was late but it was not busy, and I checked ahead of time to make sure the kitchen would be open after the class. Tisk, tisk!
You win some, you lose some, and “Painting with a Twist” is certainly a winner. Go team! Go painting… with wine! And, go to a class! Frequent painter cards are available, rewarding regulars with a free class. You can also reserve an entire class if your group is large enough. Register or learn more at
paintingwithatwist.com.
Painting With A Twist555 West Bitters Rd.
San Antonio, TX 78216
paintingwithatwist.comsanantonio@paintingwithatwist.com(210) 495-PWAT (7928)
