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A sip and paint can be a great time for you and your friends! They offer drinks and fun while encouraging you to express yourself creatively. We have come up with a list of what you should know about a sip and paint night. Read it before you go and you are sure to be a pro! more Are They All They're Made Out to Be? Absolutely! Everything you have seen on social media or the internet about sip and paint parties is shared for a reason. They are entertaining, informative, and a fun time with friends, what more could you ask for? Plus, when you are finished you get to take home a masterpiece of your very own. How Long Do They Last? On average a sip and paint class will last around two hours. This allows you to settle in and get comfortable, have some drinks, maybe even enjoy some food, and then paint your picture! This time frame is perfect for a date night, part of a bachelorette party, birthday, or a night out with your friends. Do I Need to Bring Anything? Nothing! All of your art supplies will be provided for you with the cost of the class you are attending. You will be able to use their brushes, paints, and your own canvas to take home. You will want to find out if the alcohol is available for purchase on-site or if you are expected to bring your own. If you are unsure whether the alcohol is available for purchase at the venue, you can always bring a bottle of wine along and leave it in the car, just in case. What Will I be Painting? Usually, it is a preselected photograph of a landscape or nature scene specific to the class you sign up for. Either the instructor will walk you through the steps on their canvas, or you will get a photo of what the final product should look like to view while painting. Some classes also allow you to select and paint your own picture. In those instances, they may provide multiple images for you to pick from or encourage you to come up with your own idea. There really is no right or wrong way to do it. Just have fun with it. Are there Events Near Me? Yes! Right now, there is actually a Taco Tuesday Takeover Sip and Paint available at The Fire Station 1 Restaurant and Bar. It is located at 8131 Georgia Avenue. They will provide you with step by step instruction for your painting. These classes will last through the month of October and are held from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. They are taught by local, Tychelle. All of the materials will be provided at this class. In addition to this class, there are other local classes around at The Art Lounge. Whether this is your first or sixth sip and paint, there is always something to learn to make your evening perfect. We hope that your paint night is great and you get to take home a beautiful piece of art you will treasure forever. Enjoy your evening! image via pixabay

Silver Spring, Maryland is home to over 50 pieces of street art. Street art refers to visual art that has been created in a public space outside of your typical art venues.  Here is a brief list of where to find some of the most interesting street art in Silver Spring. more A Brushstroke of Discovery When artist Narcissus Quagliata was hired to create the 170-foot outside mural on the Discovery Communications Headquarters Building, he was given the opportunity to live on in Silver Spring history forever. The vibrant painting was done on enamel overlaying steel. This piece includes a variety of art forms and focuses on our planet's history. You can find this unique street art at 8500 Colesville Road. The Hand The Hand is a sculpture with a story. It was created by artist Ray Kaskey with help from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. It's a take on the story of Noah and the Ark from the Bible and was created based on the part in the story where Noah releases the doves from the arc. The giant bronze hand can be found at 1325 East-West Highway. Botero Ballerinas This beautiful kinetic sculpture, created for The Premier Apartment complex, is moved by wind. It was made to celebrate life and the sense of community. The sculptures are made of steel and move with any breeze. They show off beautiful lights and evoke the delicate feeling of the feminine form. Symbolizing the beauty of a ballerina and human interaction, the Botero Ballerinas can be found at 8711 Georgia Avenue. East/West Beacon This towering 35-foot high sculpture was designed and created by the artist Ray King to greet the busy travelers on the East/West Highway. The illuminated, freestanding piece is constructed of stainless steel and holographic glass. It's laminated with a light-refracting film that glows a beautiful iridescent color. This brilliantly designed beacon can be found driving down the highway or in person at 1200 East/West Highway. Acorn Park All that's left of Francis Preston Blair's estate is the lovely Acorn Park. It's nestled up against the Silver Spring Discovery Building. There's a small park, a gazebo, and a collection of murals. The murals consist of five different panels created by the artist Mame Cohalon. The Caldor Company restored the park and gazebo and these can be found at 1190 East-West Highway. Coastline Coastline, also known as the Wave Pool, is not only a piece of street art but also an educational tool. This work was commissioned by Foulger Pratt Companies and created by Jim Sanborn. The water environment replicates a 65-foot coastline with waves so you can envision the workings of a coastline. You can find this piece at 1301 East-West Highway. There are so many different works of art in the area that allow you to glimpse into the mind of an artist. We hope that if given the chance, you choose to check out some of the lovely pieces of interesting street art in Silver Spring. Some rights reserved by Elvert Barnes