One of the biggest trends right now are group painting parties, and it is a great opportunity to get your residents involved!  Essentially, it is a social event where a group gets together to paint their own work of art at a local art studio.  There are places popping up all over the country, and here is an explanation of the program from Pinot's Palette:

Join us for an unforgettable evening of fun, friends, and fine art where you bring the Cocktails and we provide the Canvases! All you need to do is bring your friends, open your favorite bottle of wine and get ready to be inspired by our local artists who will guide you step-by-step through a featured painting. At the end of the night...leave with your own masterpiece.

Every place will have its own rules, but most allow attendees to bring wine and cocktails, as they challenge their inner creative self.  Often, the group picks one picture to bring to life, and there are often great choices for kids, as well.

One of the great aspects to this event is that residents then have something memorable to take home, and potentially hang on the wall.  It will always serve as a visual reminder of the event and the experience.  Also, it gives the community some potential options for sharing the pictures on Facebook, or even creating a mini-art gallery in the community clubhouse!

The event can get a bit pricey, so talk with the provider about group discounts, and from there, you can either pay for each attendee, pass it along to the residents, or split the cost.

Have you seen paint parties spring up in your area?

Update:  We found a similar event created by Augusta Houston, but instead of a traditional canvas, they painted on wine glasses!  Love this idea, so residents can use their art whenever they want!