Creativity Uncorked at Trade Street's Art and Wine

Art and Wine in Greer is ready to paint this town F-U-N!

On a recent Saturday afternoon at the studio on Trade Street, blank canvases were transformed in a matter of 90 minutes.

The artists: a group of giggling girls celebrating the 12th birthday of Wiley Beth Hice of Travelers Rest.

Each sat in front of an easel, holding a styrofoam plate as a palette in one hand and a brush in the other.

They listened intently to instructor Heather Ludwigsen as she gave them step-by-step instructions for creating their own painting.

"Mine doesn't look right," one girl whispered to another, as they used bright limes, purples and blues to make circles on the canvases.

"Don't worry, if yours doesn't look just like the sample," Ludwigsen reminded the girls. "Everyone's will look a little different, and that's what makes them unique."

At Art & Wine an unskilled artist can look like a professional, according to Donna Gregory, who co-owns the business with Ludwigsen.

"Those are my best students," Gregory said. "They are really surprised by what they can do by the time the class is over."

Painters are provided with the paint supplies, canvases, easels and aprons. Instructors will guide painters through the proper steps and offer encouragement to create a personal work of art inspired by a featured painting.

And for adults who want to sip and paint, the staff at Art and Wine encourage them to bring their own wine or beverage to enjoy during class.

The whir of hair dryers signals that the first steps are completed on the girls' paintings.

It's that same sound that brought Gregory and Ludwigsen together. The two met years ago while Gregory, a former colorist and nail technician, and Ludwigsen, a former hairdresser, worked together at a salon. Add in Michelle Scruggs, Gregory's daughter and also a photographer, and you've got a fun group with lots of energy.

Each has their own area of expertise at the studio, from managing the books to creating the designs to booking events. But it's a shared love in the name of creativity.

"I've always loved art, and when I retired, well, I just couldn't sit at home," Gregory said. "I get to work at something I want to do, not have to do, now. It's so much fun."

Ludwigsen said six months after the studio's opening she would do it all over again.

"After 17 years as a hairdresser, I was burned out," Ludwigsen said. "I love beauty and I love fashion. I visited a studio like this and thought why not? I love what I do, we have so much fun."

Saturdays are usually their busiest days of the week. With a children's class in the morning, birthday parties in the afternoons and then adult classes in the evenings.

While Ludwigsen applies the finishing touches to the paintings, swirls of white puff paint to help bring out the details of each child's work, the girls enjoy pizza and cake.

Wiley Beth's mom, Sherry Mathis, takes a moment to stop and look at each of the girl's work. It's the second birthday party she's hosted at the studio.

"It was a big hit with my 4-year-old," Mathis said. "So I knew the older girls would love it. It's very reasonably-priced, which was important, and the girls have a memory to take home with them."

At the end of class, the girls gather on the stage with their works of art for a group photo.

While those paintings may not hang in a famous art gallery, they're as priceless as a Picasso.

The studio is open for birthday parties, corporate events, private parties, children's birthday parties, bridal parties, paint for a cause events and more. In addition to painting, classes in jewelry-making, cake decorating and photography are available. And, keep an eye out for kids fashion shows at the studio!

For more information, visit the Art and Wine website or call the studio at (864) 469-6425.