FM's first-ever Brews & Brushes set for Oct. 21

What is it? Think pub crawl with paint. Our events committee has been wanting to bring a fun and completely different activity to Fort Madison for people to do.”

Lori Illner-Greene, FMAAA Director

FORT MADISON - Fort Madison Area Arts Association is hosting a new paint by number event in downtown.
The event called Brews and Brushes is set for Saturday, October 21, 2023 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at five locations in the 700 and 800 blocks of downtown Fort Madison.
Reservations are limited to the first 60 people who sign up.
What is it? “Think pub crawl with paint,” says Lori Illner Greene, the FMAAA Art Center Director.
“Our events committee has been wanting to bring a fun and completely different activity to Fort Madison for people to do. The Art Center of Burlington has been doing their Pint by Number for the last few years and it sells out each time they do it. It is a great way to support the local Art Center while having fun. Everyone has a great time connecting with others while socializing, laughing it up while painting by number. It’s an easy activity and a win/win for the downtown establishments because you can order food and beverages along the way if you want.”
The Elks Club will be holding a fiesta night with enchiladas available, the Lost Duck has many menu options, and Boozy Rae’s offers charcuterie boards.
The painting to be used for the October Brews and Brushes is based on an original artwork created by local artist and longtime FMAAA Member, Carlene Atwater. Atwater was inspired by all the nostalgia surrounding the Fort this year to develop an image of soldiers firing a cannon towards the river at sunset. As the staff designer at the FMAAA Art Center, Atwater simplified her painting to create a paint by number. 
People who participate check in at the FMAAA Art Center located at 825 Ave G by 4 p.m. on the 21st to get their painting board and color key. Participants are then directed to a starting location and will visit each of The Lost Duck, the Elks Club (back bar room), River Rocks (the Kingsley Inn), and Boozy Rae’s porch along their assigned route to complete their painting with specific colors at each location.
Alternatively, the Art Center will have all paint colors on hand for those who overlook a color along the way. The four locations are easily walkable as they are adjacent to each other on Avenue H, just east of the City parking lot, with Boozy Rae’s right around the corner at 7th Street and Avenue G.
Participants end back at the Art Center to get their pictures taken with their finished paintings, receive some fun participation awards, and to turn in the paint boards their painting is taped to so it can be reused for the next time. Registration is $20 per person and can be done in person at the FMAAA Art Center or online at fortmadisonart.com.