Paintvine: After Dark

Overview

The exercise of staying hydrated between brush strokes apparently originated in Alabama in 2004 as a way for art students to tick off both painting and drinking. After noticing the success of similar events internationally, Paintvine founders Alex Hamilton, Denym Bird and Euan Lockie were inspired to put the "culture back in New Zealand's drinking culture".

Now, in addition to the usual Wednesday night event, the Paintvine team is hosting New Zealand's first glow-in-the-dark painting experience. For the experience, Wellington's Leroy's Bar will be kitted out with a UV lighting setup while the paints will cover the full fluro spectrum. The classes are described as being more like a party than your average painting lesson — to top it off there will also be a DJ commanding the decks.

No previous experience or artistic skills are required as guests are guided step-by-step through a famous work. All the appropriate tools are supplied to make your own masterpiece, so you can simply put on an apron, grab a vino (the first one is free) and translate your head trip on paper.

Previous sessions have invited participants to reimagine their own glow-in-the-dark versions of the Rolling Stone's iconic lips image and Keith Haring's famous boogie painting.