The Art By Murder event includes a hands-on painting project that is designed for art newcomers but is equally enjoyable for those who have actual artistic talents.
You don't have to be an artist to create a masterpiece of fun with Art By Murder, the new event in Downtown Bryan that is equal parts tour, murder mystery, scavenger hunt and actual hands-on art creation that leaves everyone feeling a tiny bit like da Vinci.
Art By Murder is the brainchild of Barbara German and Cynthie Hanks, who invited Insite to join a recent event and sleuth along with a group of 10 art adventurers. After meeting at Square One, we wandered through Downtown Bryan searching out clues to a murder mystery outlined in a series of mysterious phone calls, recordings and letters in manila envelopes. Hint #1 to future scavengers: rugs and shrubs are your friends when on the hunt for clues. Hint #2: the StageCenter actors want you to know the clue is OUTSIDE, not inside where they are rehearsing for a play. Oops.
A stop during the tour at Village Cafe provided cold drinks and a chance to get better acquainted with our fellow art adventurers. It was an easy deduction during the tour that a break at Village Cafe was the perfect place for drinks and conversation as our group got better acquainted. We then headed back at Square One for the beau ideal of any fun night out: drinks, a step-by-step art project that requires neither artist training nor ability, and best of all, no clean up!
More photos from this Art By Murder event in the Art By Murder album on Insite Magazine's Facebook page. Attending the event with my artistically inclined daughter (who graciously posed within the chalk outline clue for one of many requested Facebook postings during the tour) the painting session was punctuated by much laughter, some general bonding and lots of easy-to-follow instructions from art teacher cum murder-mystery leader Barbara German.
The tour started promptly at 6pm and ended just around 8pm when we all left with our very own, one-of-a-kind objet d'art created with careful coaching. The mystery was solved and all revealed including the interesting observation that focus during the art project was probably highest among the least art-inclined. True to Art By Murder's promise, everyone created a personal masterpiece that really did reveal the (recognizable) clue needed to solve the murder mystery.
No spoilers here on "who done it." For more information, event dates and reservations, visit ArtByMurderEvent.com. – Angelique Gammon
