By Steve Spatucci – First came the painting parties: groups of adults getting together of their own volition to push acrylics around a canvas. Then adult coloring became popular: grownups adorning detailed line drawings with pencils or markers (crayons don’t seem to cut it nowadays), sometimes working on their own and other times surrounded by like-minded colorists.

Coloring book display at Joanne Fabrics

Both of these trends as well as their offshoots (sketch parties, wine glass painting, pastry decorating) are aimed not at professional artists, crafters, or hobbyists, but instead at adults who haven’t participated in any kind of creative endeavor (aside from helping with their kids’ school projects) since they were students themselves.

So what’s going on? When did art become an activity – something for amateurs to create themselves instead of just observing? And what do professional artists and illustrators think of this trend – do they even consider the works produced to be art?

Painting parties started the movement. Sips and Strokes, one of the earliest social painting events, began in Alabama in 2004. But it didn’t take long for the trend to spread, and by the early 2010s it wasn’t unusual to see painting parties taking place in restaurants and bars, libraries, homes, and the dedicated storefronts that began popping up during that time.

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What could inspire a person who doesn’t work in a creative field or have any artistic hobbies to sudden grab a brush and just go for it?

“I was hesitant to do it,” says Laura Gesin, a technology teacher at Communications High School in Wall, NJ. “I figured, ‘There’s wine and food, so how bad can it be?’ My daughter talked me into it and when it ended she said she’d never heard me be so quiet for such a long period of time. It’s like group meditation.”

Speaking about the social aspect of the events, Gesin says, “It helps those of us who aren’t creatives feel a part of the artistic process. The ‘party’ aspect makes it less intimidating – if your painting is terrible then hey – it was just a party!

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While painting parties invite participants to dive into projects within the security of a group setting, adult coloring book enthusiasts often find themselves working in solitude.

“Coloring books have always been an escape of sorts for me,” says Lisa Cannavo, a retail manager who finds a mental benefit from her creative work. “When the trend started with the adult books, it seemed like a perfect alternative for those who wanted something different from knitting, pottery or other crafts.”

But while many adults enjoy the creative process in the moment, do any of them make an effort to take their creative pursuits to the next level?

“I think the biggest difference between art for fun and doing something seriously is time and commitment,” says Rupa Kale, owner of Bottle and Bottega in Berkeley Heights, New Jersey. When asked if she has any clients who’ve further pursued art after one of her parties, Kale says, “We’re an escape. People want a fun and entertaining night out. They aren’t necessarily looking for a career change or anything more substantial. We might cultivate their love of the arts, but most don’t care to do something long term.”

As for those who make their living from art, there are mixed feelings about these trends. “I think it’s great when people find something that brings them joy as a hobby,” says Christian Horvath, owner of Champ Creative in Redondo Beach, California.  “I believe all people are creative to varying degrees and want to express it,” he says, “but the majority stifle their creativity in order to fit into a box that has been pre-determined for them by societal norms, schools, and parents. So with the rise of new opportunities to explore their creativity, you see more people willing to take part in the trend.”

Whether people continue with their artistic pursuits for their social value, the mental benefits they offer, or just the pleasure of creating, the trend for art-related activities only seems to be growing.