Artist Askala George adds colour to Tobago tourism with sip-and-paint events

A Tobago artist has set her sights on creating a thriving sip-and-paint business on the island.

Askala George, a visual and performing artist, produces work that includes painting, sculptures, and poetry. She also aims to revolutionise the art tourism experience by offering sip-and-paint sessions to both locals and tourists.

Sip and paint (also referred to as paint and sip), is a popular experience-based event that involves professional artists guiding participants in recreating a selected artwork while enjoying a beverage, typically wine or an alcoholic drink.

George offers sip-and-paint sessions with clay pots or canvases using glow-in-the-dark paint, with prices starting at $175 per person, depending on participants' preferences.

With a vision of creating a new tourist-driven industry centred on sip-and-paint entertainment, George has already begun collaborating with the Blue Waters Inn in Speyside to introduce it to visitors.

Her larger goal goes beyond sip and paint, aiming to establish a space where tourists can engage with local art and artists. By allowing visitors to connect with the artists themselves and create their own sip-and-paint experiences based on their favourite artworks, George hopes to make the island the sip-and-paint hub of the region.

“I did a proposal for THA for art tourism. So I am consciously going for art tourism – not just art tourism in the sense of only sip and paint. But it will evolve from sip and paint.

"The tourist would have a place they can come to where they see local art. and based on the art they love. we would have the artist, owner of the piece, do a sip and paint with the participants.

“I want to include other things like ceramics, and team up with other artists to promote tourism art in Tobago.”

The inspiration came from a friend in New York City, who introduced George to the concept, knowing her passion for art and her regular art exhibitions. Intrigued by the idea, George did some research and recognised its viability as a potential venture in Tobago.

George's journey as an artist began during her time at Scarborough Secondary School, where she had to choose between art and agricultural science. Despite initially choosing the latter, her other love for art endured, and she continued to make art.

Recognising her talents, the president of the Tobago Visual Art Association recruited her just before the covid19 pandemic. George served as the association's assistant secretary, then its public relations officer.

“I still had the love of art. The passion never failed. Over the years I continued to dabble in paint and I always produced art work.”

George works as an assistant art teacher at Bishop's High School and an agriculture teacher at Scarborough Secondary School. Additionally, she has made a name for herself as a a poet, earning a spot in the finals of the First Citizens Poetry Slam 2022. She also designs a kiddies' Carnival band called Rainbow Funatics.

Now, additionally, she said, “Since its inception, the sip-and-paint service has evolved and attracted a diverse audience, transcending gender boundaries. In particular, a successful Father's Day sip-and-paint event drew significant interest from men, resulting in a balanced level of participation between genders.

“When I introduced it, it was really slow, but eventually it got the attention of a female group. So these ladies were having a celebration for one of the members...who had a successful surgery operation, so they were celebrating her.

“They were my first group. The experience was awesome and a learning experience for them, and me as well...just realising how relaxing for them and how much of a journey of itself it was for them, because it holds your concentration, because you don’t know how it’s going to come out. That was (the) genesis of this therapeutic service.”

George offers sip-and-paint services for various occasions, including birthdays, anniversaries, retirements, retreats, bridal showers, dinners and group bonding sessions.

Its popularity in Tobago has exceeded her expectations, especially considering that art activities traditionally appeal mainly to professional artists or art enthusiasts.

“It has blown up in Tobago. I did not expect Tobagonians to react this way, with such interest to this service. Art in itself is not usually a popular activity; you’ll normally see professionally artists or art enthusiasts showing interest in the craft.

"But I think it’s the therapeutic elements that slows their minds down, and help them concentrate on one single task. There are benefits to the body on this as well."

The therapeutic benefits, stress relief, promotion of creativity, and the fun and easy nature of sip and paint have endeared it to locals and tourists. Art itself has been proven to alleviate psychological ailments such as stress, depression, and anxiety.

To maintain the excitement and continually enhance the experience, George consistently develops her offerings, and this keeps her schedule fully booked.

With her dedication and passion, George is painting a bright future for sip-and-paint events in Tobago, in her largest project yet.