Locals and visitors alike tend to find inspiration in the Grand Strand’s gorgeous natural surroundings — the stunning, white-sand beaches along the region’s 60 miles of coastline, the blue waters and whitecaps of the Atlantic Ocean, and the charming Southern scenery sprinkled throughout the South Carolina Lowcountry can all evoke a deep appreciation for beauty. And when these surroundings elicit an artistic desire to create some beauty of your own, the Myrtle Beach area also offers plenty of options for nurturing your creative side.
The next time your inner artist comes calling, head for one of these Grand Strand businesses, where you can harness your inspiration to create a personal masterpiece:
A/R Workshop — At this “boutique DIY workshop” in Carolina Forest, guests can make their own home furnishings and decor with guidance and instruction from the pros. Inspired to take its teaching sessions to a more hands-on level after its online tutorials became wildly popular, Anders Ruff guides guests through the process of making their own custom wood signs, wood pallet signs, lazy Susans, centerpiece boxes, canvas pillows and more. Even better, guests can book group sessions to create their works in a party atmosphere, complete with music, wine and beer, friendly conversation, and even dancing if the mood strikes. Check out http://www.arworkshop.com/myrtlebeach for more information and a calendar of upcoming sessions and projects.
Conway Glass — This full-service glass company in Conway offers professionally guided classes throughout the year — glass-blowing classes are held October through April, while stained-glass workshops are offered June through August. Among the colorful glass artworks attendees can make in the 15-minute to 3.5-hour sessions are ornaments, vases, bowls and paperweights, to name a few. To try your hand at something new, check out the list of instructional offerings at http://www.conwayglass.com
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Happy Hour Paint & Wood Studio — This independently owned 38th Avenue North studio in Myrtle Beach offers paint and sip classes led by a veteran art teacher with a master’s degree. The focus is on fun, so guests of any skill level can bring their own beverage of choice and enjoy a good time while they create works of art on canvas, custom wooden signs, wooden decor projects and more. Developed over 20 years of teaching art, the studio’s step-by-step instructional process helps patrons create their very own masterpieces, and the laid-back atmosphere makes for great social gatherings and team-building sessions. Visit http://www.happyhourpaint.com to see the projects on tap and book your session.
Rebecca Zdybel Art Classes — In addition to creating her own adventurous mixed-media, watercolor, acrylic and abstract artworks, as well as leading Eat Paint Cook Tours to cultural hot spots around the globe, award-winning professional artist Rebecca Zdybel directs weekly art classes in her Myrtle Beach studio. The classes, generally focused on watercolor but also venturing into mixed media, allow attendees of all experience levels to get personalized, fun instruction and inspiration from the artist herself. For more information, visit http://www.artmyrtlebeach.com
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Wine & Design — At this studio with locations in Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach, artists lead two-hour painting classes that allow guests to create their own works of art — all while sipping on a (BYOB) glass of wine and sharing conversation with friends old and new. Wine & Design supplies everything you need to create your masterpiece, including the paints, the brushes and the canvas, so all you have to do is sign up, show up, sip up and paint! The sessions are great for groups (think bachelorette parties, birthday parties, girls’ nights out and the like), and the studio even has a dedicated space for children’s parties (without the wine, of course). For more information, visit http://www.wineanddesign.com/locations/northmyrtle or www.wineanddesign.com/locations/myrtle_beach.
At The Cottages at North Beach Plantation, our beautiful oceanfront property is sure to inspire your inner artist. Book your next Grand Strand vacation with us today — and while you’re here, follow your muse to some of these area businesses. You’ll be able to commemorate your vacation with a DIY artistic masterpiece that you can take home and enjoy for years to come.
