Contributed by David Murrow
Anchorage has a new twist on the paint-and-sip craze.
“Instead of a canvas painting, our guests go home with luxurious silk scarves they painted themselves,” said Gina Murrow of Anchorage, the inventor of Paint a Scarf.
Gina spent the last decade inventing a patented painting process that’s fast, fun and foolproof. “It’s so simple, even kids can make gorgeous scarves. It’s a perfect mother-daughter or girlfriends’ night on the town.”
Paint a Scarf is offering silk scarf painting events at local restaurants and art studios around Anchorage. Murrow’s business is the first in the nation to offer scarf painting as a night-out activity.
“Scarves are popular, beautiful and so useful,” said Gina. “Our guests keep coming back because they have so much fun.”
Painters arrive at the restaurant, watch a 10-minute training video on a tablet computer and choose from four different designs. They then pick up their paints and a “skill card” with instructions. Gina helps them stretch their silk on a painting rack, and they spray the scarf with water and start painting. Gina gives each painter individual coaching along the way.
It usually takes less than an hour to train and paint. While their scarves dry, painters get a “magic hour” to spend with friends. Painters are encouraged to order food and drinks from the host establishment. The whole process, from arrival to painting to snapping fun photos with finished scarves, takes about two hours.
Gina’s husband, David, invented and patented an upright scarf painting rack that helps blend the colors on the scarf.
“We’ve made silk painting very simple,” David Murrow said. “Most of our guests haven’t painted since grade school, and they’re amazed at how beautiful their scarves come out.”
Upcoming Paint a Scarf events include the Mat-Su Valley Fiber Festival, July 18-19; Embassy Suites in Midtown Anchorage, July 22 and 29; The Workshop in South Anchorage, July 23; and The Art Lounge AK on Dimond Boulevard in Anchorage, July 25.
The Murrows launched Paint a Scarf in 2013. They welcomed hundreds of painters to their log cabin home in Chugiak.
“On nice days we painted right next to a rushing creek,” Gina said. “It was a true Alaskan experience.”
Paint a Scarf was two days away from being franchised all over the country when COVID hit.
“We still hope to spread Paint a Scarf all over the Lower 48,” Gina said. “We’ve done events in Texas and Arizona, and the women there loved it.”
To book your space, visit PaintAScarf.com or call Gina at 623-290-4849.
