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The Red Plate vino and pasta restaurant’s brush with art is a stroke of success as people from across the kingdom are flocking to the Italian eatery to enjoy its fine food and creative course.
The colourful concept, called Brushes, Beats & Bottles, was coined by the restaurant’s graphic designer and marketing director Elara Aitken who wanted to offer diners something new and artistic to do during the week. It is staged once-a-month in the cosy Sicilian-style venue located in The Best Western Plus The Olive Hotel, Juffair and has been drawing in crowds of 50 or more.
“I find that there is nothing to do in Bahrain besides the same old thing every single week,” Elara said. “So I wanted to create something new for people to do and this is not your average sip and paint night. Basically, if you had a really bad week and just want to unwind and forget about the stress, you show up, grab a seat, enjoy some food and paint you worries away.”
Elara believes that teaching art at the restaurant is therapeutic and is her way of giving back after all these years of studying art. She spent five years training in art in high school and then completed a foundation diploma in fine art. She followed it up with a degree in graphics and communications as well as fine art.
“My whole life has been creative and I wanted to craft an event that would be interesting, fun and allows people to socialise in a different environment,” she added. “If we have big groups, then we put them together. Otherwise, smaller groups, solos or couples will be seated together because I want people to network and to talk. Also, you can go around and see how other people are painting; get inspired and share ideas. This event helps people let their creativity out and they get to keep the paintings they make in the end.
“I was surprised to see so many people interested in this class. Our first class, which was before Ramadan, attracted 15 people, the second drew in 60 and our third session featured 50.”
The evening, which is priced at BD18net from 7:30pm to 10:30pm, features an all you can eat buffet of signature favourites including pasta and pizza as well as an array of sweet and savoury bites, an extensive beverage list and a blank white canvas to paint the mid-week blues away. Paint, brushes and other artsy materials are also included within the package.
After people are seated, Elara provides a quick intro to the class which is different every time. “I have instruction boards that show basic colour theory because not everyone will remember what colours mix well together,” she said. “I also show them the different tones and shades that can work together. Then I introduce the purpose of the class, although people can generally paint what they would like as this is all about letting your creativity go. For our third night, it was more interactive as people had to create their own canvas. I provided different stencils that they could arrange on their canvas and then they painted it however they wanted.
“I also don’t want people to end up having the same picture as everyone else does or to go home with something they don’t like. This is about creating something you will cherish.”
After the brief introduction, the painters are off on their multi-coloured journeys with people sketching designs to later paint in primary or neon shades. The third event focused on cactus and while many painted their colourful interpretations of it, others chose to create their own designs.
GulfWeekly’s Mai Al-Khatib-Camille followed the beat of her own drum and chose to paint a pretty pink-hued flamingo with bright neon colours while her husband Sam went down the abstract road with darker primary shades.
South African Natasha Prince, who has attended all three of the painting events, can’t get enough of it. The executive assistant living in Juffair, said: “I think it’s a great concept. We have run out of new things to do in Bahrain so this is definitely something different and a great way to meet new people and relax.”
Shannon Crockett, an Australian key account manager, from Juffair, added: “The best thing about it is that it’s social, interactive, fun and a great way to take the stress out of the day. You concentrate and work on something and then take it back home as a reminder or you can pass it on as a gift. I think everyone needs a different outlet and it’s nice to have something original in Bahrain.”
This is one of many exciting events held at The Red Plate, a sister restaurant of the popular Big Texas Barbeque & Waffle House owned by restaurateur Milly and logistics businessman Radford Cox.
The next three-hour painting experience will be staged on August 20. To find out more, contact them on 17360061 or follow them @theredplate_bahrain on Instagram or on Facebook at The Red Plate.
