Wine and paint at Pinot’s Palette

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Wine and painting come together at Pinot's Palette in Olde Ridge Village. Joining the opening night session are, from left, Joanne Fleitz, Donna Long and Debbie Zappala.

A splash of red here, a swirl of blue there and then maybe a sip of some white or even rosé; beer, too, for that matter. It seems Pinot’s Palette also caters to the palate.

Pinot’s Palette is a new business in Chadds Ford’s Shoppes at Olde Ridge Village where people get a chance to bring wine, beer and some favorite munchies while learning to paint.

An instructor demonstrates a  technique in which the artist twirls the brush.
An instructor demonstrates a technique in which the artist twirls the brush.

But as the instructors reminded people, don’t dip the paintbrushes in the wine glass or drink from the water cup after dipping brushes in it.

Jenifer Rolecki is the franchisee at Pinot’s Palette. She said the idea started with two men in Houston, Texas and is moving across the country. There are now 100 locations in 28 states, but the Chadds Ford location is the first in Pennsylvania.

The shop provides the paint, brushes, canvases, instruction and some music while the patrons bring the beverages, food and a desire to be creative.

“And if they want to get up and dance, they can do that, too,” Rolecki said during the opening night on Sept. 19. “We make it a really fun atmosphere. It’s bringing art to the masses in a fun, unique and entertaining way.”

Several dozen people filled the studio, the former location of the Quilters’ Corner, to work on a preselected image during the opening.

It's a full house at the studio with everyone having a good time.
It's a full house at the studio with everyone having a good time.

“It was a lot easier than I thought it would be,” said Concord Township resident Debbie Zappala during a break to let some of the paint dry. “I’m feeling a little more confident that it might actually look how it’s supposed to.”

As with many of the people, Zappala said she had no art background. She also added that her kids were “hysterical” that she would even try it.

One of Zappala’s friends, Donna Long, also of Concord Township, said the painting was easier than she had anticipated and the whole evening was a lot of fun.

That was the general sentiment expressed by all. And there were no faces that weren’t smiling.

Rolecki said that most of the time an image to be painted is preselected and everyone works on his or her own version with the help of instructors. She added that there will be some open studio sessions where people can paint whatever they choose, but instructors will still be around to assist.

All the instructors are working local artists and all have art degrees, Rolecki said.

“Our instructors are well-trained to lead you through a class from first stroke to last stroke. It’s very simple,” she added.

Colleen Modugno is one of the instructors. She has a bachelor’s degree in fine art from West Chester University and a design degree from Art Institute of Philadelphia. She said her primary focus in teaching at Pinot’s Palette is to get people beyond a fear that many have.

“Don’t be afraid of the white canvas,” she said. “Don’t be afraid of that blank stare back at you. Attack the canvas.”

After that, Modugno said, the idea is for the artist to feel something about the subject, and then let the passion come out. Part of her job as a teacher is to help the student find and nurture that passion.

Rolecki also dispelled the self-doubt that many people have, that they don’t have any creative talent.

It's OK to take a sip of inspiration.
It's OK to take a sip of inspiration.

“The whole purpose of this is to show people that they can be inspired to create art. Anybody can create art,” she said, then smiled when adding, “There can be some connection between the inspiration and the wine. Even if you don’t think you’re a great painter, by the end you’re going to think you’re a Van Gogh.”

Rolecki has an art degree herself. She lives in Glen Mills and spent 13 years as a stay-at-home mom before getting into business.

“I love Chadds Ford. I want to bring art and inspire people in my community,” she said.

Pinot’s Palette charges $35 for a two-hour session and $45 for a three-hour session. They also do private parties for a minimum of 10 people, 16 maximum, Rolecki said.

They also have a program called Paint it Forward in which a local charity becomes the beneficiary of the proceeds from a given session. The first charity event for the Chadds Ford franchise will be Nov. 7 for a national charity involving all 100 studios in the country, but Rolecki said she’s already working with several local organizations, such as Hotties-4-Humanity and the Sunshine Foundation, for future local charity events.

“I love the idea that this franchise promotes community and giving back,” she added.

Pinot’s Palette will be open any time anyone wants to have a private party as long as the party room is available, Rolecki said. Beyond that, normal public class hours will be Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, plus Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Thursday classes are scheduled to be 7 to 9 p.m. or 7 to 10, but the calendar will fluctuate, she said.

The studio will be open for phone calls and to take reservations from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

To contact the studio, phone 484-451-8166 or visit www.pinotspalette.com/glenmills. The e-mail address is glenmills@pinotspalette.com.

About Rich Schwartzman

Rich Schwartzman has been reporting on events in the greater Chadds Ford area since September 2001 when he became the founding editor of The Chadds Ford Post. In April 2009 he became managing editor of ChaddsFordLive. He is also an award-winning photographer.

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