Dinner with friends is always a sure source of entertainment, but a recent social trend suggests that eating in is getting a lot more artistic. Group crafts are circulating the internet and landing right on the dinner table. What better way to make memories with old friends, and perhaps strengthen bonds with new ones, than to create your greatest — or maybe just sort of decent — masterpieces together?

Imagine a candle-lit dinner amongst friends, laughter spritzing the savory-scented air. It’s been an enjoyable evening, but the conversation is beginning to die down. As if noticing the quiet, the host of the night gets up from their chair and disappears around the corner. A few moments later, they return with a paintbrush in one hand, canvas in the other. Things just got interesting. So, what’s spurring this creative coalescence and how can a friend group capitalize on it?

In lieu of your typical get-together, gossip and a good meal, nights are becoming centered around arts and crafts. Beaded bracelets, wine glass painting and build-your-own body scrubs are all the rage. A multitude of creative possibilities are being paired with excellent eats, from light bites to gourmet meals. 

Crafty Canes

The University of Miami’s United Wesley caught on to this trend for a successful Friday night at Shalala Student Center on Aug. 23; their executive board carefully composed a “Canvas and Charcuterie” night for students to enjoy. With fresh rose petals scattered across tabletops and a buffet of meats, cheeses and some impeccable artichoke dip, the event couldn’t have looked more inviting.

It didn’t take long for the meeting room to fill with color, both the energy and the canvases. 

Senior and Vice President of United Wesley’s executive board Kayla Goodman says, “Canvas painting is fun for all skill-levels. People are free to express themselves and then they get to take that painting home with them.”

Some students even brought extra canvases to the event, just for the chance to paint as much as possible. From crystalline waterfalls to adorable rubber duckies, the paintings revealed a spectrum of brilliant ideas.

John Yudt, junior and the President of the United Wesley Executive Board, remarked on what makes for a successful craft night amongst friends. 

“Making the space look inviting makes for great crafting. That’s what we tried to do with the rose petals. I brought the speaker and put on some laid back music. It’s really about making the room the kind of place that people want to come into and join,” he says. 

It’s safe to say United Wesley nailed the ambience for their “Canvas and Charcuterie” night. While peering at the crowded suite of students, Kayla nodded at the night’s success. 

“We’re going to need a bigger room next time.”

Attendees of the event all seemed to come to an agreement: art with friends leads to fresh conversation and keeps the night going. 

Erika Dunion, junior majoring in creative writing, said reminiscing, 

“I think it’s fun because you always have that one person in the group who’s painting something amazing in like ten minutes, but then you have the people who are doing something really goofy, and you can laugh about it together. Everyone’s personality comes out.”

Dunion also serves as the Co-President for Art for Kids, an organization working to fundraise for Saint Nicholas. Although the organization is currently in the process of being revamped at the University of Miami, Dunion remains very passionate about its prospects and potential on the UM campus.

“The idea is that you can paint something fun in about thirty minutes, and it doesn’t matter if it’s good or not because it’s going towards a good cause. It’s chill, it’s relaxing, and you don’t have to worry about painting a masterpiece. Everything gets bought because people want to donate to charity,” she explained.

Dunion’s passion for arts and crafts transcends extracurriculars, though. She believes creativity is a crucial part of her friendships.

“For me, creativity brings your genuine self to the forefront. That’s what makes it such a good social event. You’re doing something vulnerable and it automatically makes the conversation more vulnerable,” she says.

Anyone Can Do It

Getting creative with friends doesn’t have to be difficult. You can do many popular crafts in a dorm room on a college student’s budget. 

Jewelry making only requires elastic string and some glamorous beads. Collages come together nicely with Pinterest inspo and access to a printer. Making your own body scrub is as easy as mixing sugar, olive oil, and a scented essential oil of choice. 

Many are partial to painting, whether on glass, rocks or canvases. Remember to purchase the appropriate paint for the surface you’d like to coat, and keep in mind that a tablecloth will help contain messes. 

Dunion says, “A great way to collab with friends while keeping things casual is to trade canvas paintings around in a circle every five minutes. That’s always fun, seeing everyone’s visions get mushed together.”

As for food pairings, a charcuterie board is an excellent meal to couple with these arts and crafts. However, there are plenty of other optimal eats to spice up the evening as well. After all, cooking itself is an art.

Take a break from collaging in favor of rolling out some fresh dough, layering on your favorite toppings, and baking your own pizza. A build-your-own taco bar is another exciting, inventive meal to incorporate into your artsy get-together. If you’re painting wine glasses, consider letting them dry, then putting them to use with some Italian-themed cuisine. 

For dessert, don’t be afraid to get even more colorful with a candy salad. This TikTok trend is finding its way into all sorts of get-togethers, and would be a hit at a crafts and dinner night. Each friend can bring their own sugary treat to add to one sticky-sweet bowl: think Sour Patch Kids, Skittles and Starbursts. 

The addition of a craft to something as simple as pizza night can make moments with friends even more memorable. Regardless of the activity chosen, dinner and a craft with friends is an unforgettable, cherishable experience that never fails to unlock one’s inner creativity. 

words&photo_kelsey conrad.

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