On Wednesday night, Paint and Pour hosted one of several entirely free EMU Homecoming events at the EMU Student Center. Students attended for a guided painting session of a predrawn EMU-themed canvas. Drinks and snacks were provided as well.
Michael Patino, the lead artist that day, guided participants step by step through the painting process. He demonstrated the proper techniques using acrylic paints and the proper techniques in which certain paint brushes should be used.
There was a wide range of skill levels and experience in participants. Participants were allowed to add any creative spins they chose to their paintings. As a result, a wide assortment of paintings were created that participants were allowed to take with them free of charge.
“We do this at a very reduced cost,” Patino said. "Eastern does pay us somewhat for doing it. So I wouldn't call it a freebie but I would call it a drastically discounted deal we do for Eastern because we’re here and we want to be apart of the community, and Eastern is a huge part of the Ypsi community.”
Paint and Pour is a “BYOB” painting party operation in Downtown Ypsilanti. It was originally established in 2012 and expanded into six locations. Recently they have scaled back to one location in Ypsilanti. Soon they will change the name to “Typsy Ypsi.” Patino adds that although they are a BYOB studio, they do not allow underage drinking.
“We basically teach people about the world of art in a fun, party environment where they can have a good time and relax and at the same time push their boundaries creatively a little bit,” Patino said.
Paint and Pour (soon to be Typsy Ypsi) hosts events for kids, teens and adults. In Oct., they hold events on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Kid and teen events are on weekend in the early day and adult events take place in the evening for ages 17 and up. To see what paintings are being taught on any particular day, visit paintandpour.com
Private events allows customers to choose the artist, date and time and can be scheduled through their website. Coupons can be found on their Facebook page. They are located at 5 S Washington Street.
“We’ve been doing events here at Eastern for homecoming for four or five years now” said Patino. “We love it every year so we hope we keep coming back.”
