By Madison Butkus
Hometown Weekly Reporter
Residents of Dover and the surrounding area were in for an artistic treat as the Dover Town Library (DTL) hosted a Wine Glass Paint Night. Leading this activity was Mandy Roberge from Wicked Good Henna.
Attendees filed into the Community Room of the DTL, eager to paint their very own wine glass that they could then take home. While wine was not included within this fun night, all in attendance were thrilled to have this opportunity to create their own pieces of art.
Roberge provided all of the supplies that participants would need, including paints, paintbrushes, wine glasses, stencils, cups of water, paper towels and a hair dryer to help dry the paint faster. She even had some leftover pint glasses from a previous class if attendees wanted to paint that instead. Also set up on the tables were inspiration photos of other painted wine glasses.
Everyone was welcome to paint whatever they liked onto their glasses and Roberge made sure to let everyone know she was there to lend a hand if needed. Before sending everyone off to start their projects, Roberge addressed the room, “I just want to do a brief introduction because I am anxious to get you guys started. I will not be doing any kind of demonstration. This is not a class. This is just an experience. I am an art concierge so I am always here to help with whatever you need. I truly enjoy doing these types of classes. I have about 20 different crafts shops that I do, several of which will be offered here coming up.”
Roberge further described that they would be using acrylic enamel paints in which they would have to cure their wine glasses once they got home if they wanted their designs to last. The curing process includes placing the glass on a cookie sheet in a cold/off oven, then turning the oven on to 350 degrees. After waiting at least thirty minutes, everyone would turn the oven off and wait until it was completely cool to take the glass out. Roberge stressed how important it was to wait until the oven was fully cooled off before taking the glass out since glass can break when at a high temperature. After going through this curing process, Roberge explained that the glasses would then be top-rack dishwasher safe.
One of Roberge’s favorite parts about these types of activities is that everyone goes on to create something different, and that is exactly what happened this time as well. Some attendees got their inspiration from the photos on the tables, while others looked up some images online. Participants created glasses that had fish, dot designs, mushrooms, flowers, strawberries, and more painted on them.
No experience was necessary for this activity, yet everyone’s glasses came out absolutely stunning. For more information about upcoming events like this happening at the DTL, please visit their website at www.dovertownlibrary.org.
