I would like to highlight a local business that has excelled tremendously over the last couple of years here at Deep Creek Lake and surrounding counties. Nationwide “Paint Nights” have become a very popular way for novice art enthusiasts to spend time with their friends and family, have a few beverages and attempt to create a masterpiece under the direction of an instructor. Unfortunately, I see photos from other paint nights across the country that border on mediocre to kids finger-painting. I guess I have been spoiled by our amazing local paint gathering here at Deep Creek Lake.
Garrett Counties own “A Thirst For Art”, created by Jenny Vitez Wampler, soars above the ordinary paint classes across the country. It has the local reputation as the most amazing art experience for beginners and experienced alike. These classes have all its students coming home with masterpieces. Repeat painters, including myself, have filled entire houses with many amazing pieces of art. After all, Jenny has her Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Art. She attended Accademia Italiana in Florence, Italy where she took an Intensive Fashion Design/Illustration Course in which she earned a Certificate of Completion, and then went back to earn her Masters Degree in Art Education. Jenny has 11 years of teaching behind her and has taught children at many different ages the fundamentals of great art. She has bartended at Black Bear Tavern and Ken’s Irish Pub for over a decade (11 years), as well as taught Continuing Ed art classes at Garrett College, did Photography presentations for Ruth Enlow Libraries, and stood in as a Lighting Assistant for Karlo Photography (Karlo Gesner). You can feel the art flowing through the veins of the master jedi art guru. In all, you will meet a sweet, well-grounded, even keeled wonderful human being.
She stands apart from the other classes with her pre-sketched canvases that give you the solid foundation to get your work of art started. Jenny takes as much time as needed to show each student with clarity every step towards your personal best painting. After all, this lady has taught hundreds, maybe thousands of kids and adults to paint! You learn a crash course in the color wheel and how to mix primary and secondary colors to best compliment your project. The subject matter is always very colorful and balanced with a focus on our very own Deep Creek Lake and Garrett County. Classes run three hours and Jenny has been known to stay late when necessary to help her students finish something they can be proud of. She started doing a couple classes a month but her business has escalated enormously due to its success/demand. Your senses will be inspired as you find an inner art ambiance that will propel you through life looking through more creative glasses. You will see twenty people paint the same painting and come up with completely different stroke styles and color variations. The end result is always twenty different and unique masterpieces.
I asked Jenny what inspired her to come up with such a wonderful and successful class and here was her response, “I came up with the idea for A Thirst For Art by seeing photos on Facebook of my college friends attending ‘paint and sip’ parties/classes in the DC and Baltimore areas. I knew that Garrett County didn’t have anything like this and thought it would be something fun and exciting to host. I was pregnant at the time (when I thought of the idea of starting the business) and kept the idea to myself until Jase was 8 months old. Then, in August of 2014, I launched the company via Facebook and hosted my first paint party on September 24th, 2014. From there I expanded to doing not only public paint parties, but also private events and fundraisers.”
So you don’t think you can paint? Yes, you can!!! Follow Jenny’s, A Thirst For Art on Facebook and message her with any questions about upcoming classes. This is something very close to me that I recommend whole hearted to your friends and family! Get online and review upcoming events and set aside time to get started on your first quality work of art.
