ELKHART — Elkhart residents are flocking to a new trend — Wine and Canvas. People come to paint a particular painting and receive help from an artist instructor.

Wine and Canvas South Bend owner Jeremy Bachman said the event is so popular because people get to have a fun night out with friends — and take something home to remember it.

“They can eat, drink, socialize,” said Jeremy's wife, Deb Bachman. “It really promotes a good time.”

The Wine and Canvas trend began in Indianapolis with Tamara Scott, who is from Constantine, Mich. There are 16 national Wine and Canvas locations, four of them in Indiana. The other three are in Indianapolis, Fort Wayne and Bloomington. Jeremy said that the Michiana area is full of art lovers and the event is tailored toward novices who can follow along with the artist.

Many of their clients return — one woman has been to 10 Wine and Canvas parties. About 90 to 95 percent of their clientele is women, though many men come along during date nights. Jeremy said that the men who do come tend to come back.

They also offer private parties including corporate events, bachelorette parties, birthday parties, team building events and even a children's version called Cookies and Canvas. The event costs $35 and lasts three hours. The best part though, according to Jeremy, is that “you get to leave with something.”

The events are mostly held at locally owned businesses. The ones in Elkhart include McCarthy's on the Riverwalk, Lucchese's and Fat Tomato. Many of their private parties are also in Elkhart. Even one of the waitresses at McCarthy's comes to the Wine and Canvas events on her nights off.

They can average anywhere from 30 to 50 people, and events typically sell out weeks early. The November parties had sold out before Nov. 1 and they're expecting similar results in December. The Bachmans said that their clients come from all over including LaPorte, Plymouth, Warsaw and Chicago.

“They learn something about themselves,” Deb said.

Granger resident Tammy Slott came on Friday evening to her second Wine and Canvas event. She had gone to her first one with a group of coworkers and brought her mom, Peggy Styles, the second time around.

Slott said the artist does a good job of explaining everything step by step and that her picture came out well.

Artist Sarah Linder helps those attending by making sure their paintings come out as well as the original. When they're done, they have a sense of accomplishment.

For more information on the Wine and Canvas South Bend events, call 807-1562 or go to www.wineandcanvas.com/south-bend-in.html.