Arts and Entertainment

Chugiak entrepreneur bets scarves will be the next paint-and-drink craze

Last December we wrote about the Paint Nite phenomenon in Anchorage, in which mostly novice painters show up at a saloon and sip libations while an instructor takes them through the steps of making a painting.

Now a local businesswoman has given the idea a fresh twist. Gina Murrow, founder of Paint a Scarf Pub, says the Chugiak-based enterprise is the first in the nation to offer scarf painting as a night-out activity in restaurants and bars.

Murrow has previously offered three-hour painting sessions at her home, but says the scarves are "quicker, easier and less expensive."

[Related: Where art and alcohol mix: Paint Nite craze gets an enthusiastic welcome from Alaskans]

"Scarves are popular, beautiful and so useful," she says. We might add that for many people an amateur scarf can be a more welcome gift than even a very well-executed canvas, if only for the storage concerns.

The events take about an hour and begin with a short training video. For the rest of the process, one stretches the silk on a special upright scarf-painting rack invented and patented by Murrow's husband, David. It's designed to help blend the colors. Once the silk is in place, you spray it with water and start painting. Food and beverages vary by venue.

The soft opening of the new business took place last month and sold out. The next one will be at 3:30 p.m. Sunday at Williwaw. Another will take place Tuesday at 49th State Brewing Co. Valley sessions will take place on alternate Wednesdays at Evangelo's in Wasilla and Turkey Red in Palmer.

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For information and reservations, go to paintascarf.com/pub.

Ah yes, the Murrows have plans to franchise their idea.

 
 
 

Mike Dunham

Mike Dunham was a longtime ADN reporter, mainly writing about culture, arts and Alaska history. He worked in radio for 20 years before switching to print. He retired from the ADN in 2017.

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