INNISFAIL – The local swimming pool has decided to put much, much more loving into its venue on Valentine’s Day.
Instead of just being a dinnertime venue for parents to drop off their kids while they play lovey-dovey over supper for three hours, the grown-ups can now offer heart to their children over a piece of art.
The Innisfail Aquatic Centre has created Paint Night for Valentine’s Day. From 5 to 8 p.m., it will be a chance for parents and kids to lovingly express themselves with a brush from whatever skill that can be mustered.
“It is a nice cool opportunity for kids, and I opened it up not just for kids,” said Dawn Murray, the centre’s aquatic supervisor. “Basically it’s for kids eight years old and up, and if the grandparents want to bring their grandkids to come paint, they are more than welcome and make it a family affair.”
The idea does not include any notion of a free-for-all splashing of paint here, there and everywhere.
The atmosphere promises to be controlled, disciplined but always fun. The aquatic centre is bringing in noted area artist Letitia Moca Narai to demonstrate how a masterpiece keepsake can be made. Participants will be asked to paint a turtle, a previous artistic subject used by the artist.
“She will go step by step and they will learn how to paint and how everything layers. I have done a couple myself and they make it so you know how to paint,” said Murray.
As for the inspiration behind the event, Murray said in the past the centre set up a “kind of daycare” for parents on Valentine’s Day so they could drop their kids off for three hours while they went out on the town for dinner and romance. But that idea never did catch on.
“This way you get something to leave with. The parents can either drop the children off and they can do the paints or do it with them, so it gives them a couple different options,” said Murray. “And you have a nice piece of art for the kids. It’s great for them. There is more substance to it.”
Participants will not have to worry about bringing paint, bushes or easels. Everything will be supplied.
The cost of the evening is $40 per person. For more information contact Murray at 403-227-2924.
Meanwhile, the Innisfail Seniors Drop-In Centre at the Lundgren Centre is hosting a special cuisine dinner on Valentine’s Day.
Lucille Paquette-Lohmann, the program coordinator for the Innisfail Seniors Drop-In Society, said the event is centred on a Valentine’s Day celebration that includes plenty of decorations and freebies throughout the drop-in centre, as well as a full course meal. The cost is $20. Doors are open at 4:30 p.m. with dinner starting at 5 p.m.
