The Lake George Winter Carnival Committee adds something new every year, expanding the roster of activities to engage people with a broad range of interests. The 2023 carnival is no exception with the new Paint & Sip events that are scheduled each weekend this February.
The 2023 Winter Carnival Paint & Sips are led by The Traveling Paints and held each Sunday morning, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., at Blue Thirty-two Restaurant, 2897 Lake Shore Drive. An additional special Paint & Sips is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 24, 6-8 p.m. at the Caldwell-Lake George Library, 336 Canada Street.
A team from the Lake George Examiner joined nearly 60 artists, a sold-out crowd, for the Presidents Day Weekend Paint & Sip on Feb. 19. A moonlit winterscape was the subject, and participants worked under the direction of Michele Niedermeyer and Sandra Dickinson of The Traveling Paints. The Blue Thirty-Two wait staff served the sip portion of the Paint & Sip event, a choice of orange, mango or blueberry mimosas. For an extra charge, participants could order snacks off the brunch menu.
Niedermeyer was an art teacher in the Lake George School District when she and Dickinson launched The Traveling Paints in 2015. At the time, there was a Paint & Sip business in Saratoga and one in Glens Falls. The Traveling Paints was unique in that they brought the canvasses and paints to the venues — private homes, businesses and not-for-profit organizations.
The idea behind Paint & Sip is to bring artists of all skill levels (or those with no artistic skills at all) together to learn techniques and enjoy a glass of wine while applying paint to canvas. The business took off, says Niedermeyer, and many weekends they had booked as many as eight events. Bookings slowed during COVID but business is picking back up.
They have expanded beyond canvas to host events that paint slate, aprons, wine glasses and serving platters. An event they led at an apple orchard had participants painting apple crates. Niedermeyer says Paint & Sips are popular with bachelorette parties, non-profit fundraisers and business team-building workshops.
Tickets are still available for the remaining Lake George Winter Carnival Paint & Sips. They may be purchased online at LGWC.Ticketleap.com.
The Lake George Winter Carnival is held each weekend in February with races, cook-offs, dog shows, polar plunges, bonfires and fireworks. Visit the Winter Carnival Facebook page for an up-to-date schedule of events and activities.
