Abaigeal D.
Yelp
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS NOT A REVIEW OF THE STORE BUT OF A SPECIAL EVENT AT THE STORE.
When I stopped in at Whole Foods on October 2 to pick up a few things, I noticed a sign advertising a painting class with a featured guest from Pioneer Beers for the following evening. Unfortunately, the cost was $25, and I felt like this was not in my current budget.
Later, I mentioned it to my father, and he encouraged me to go, anyway. By the next day, he was convinced that he should attend, too! I looked online, but it wasn't listed as an event for the Hadley store. I called, and I learned that they do not list most of their events online, nor do they allow people to book online, nor even over the phone. I had to drive back out to the store to grab and pay for two of the few remaining slots, and then drive back again in the evening.
Was this all worth it? Why is it so difficult to attend a Whole Foods event?
I did secure of the 2 spots for the class, and I have to say that both my father (who turns 85 in a couple of weeks) and I enjoyed ourselves very much. There was a welcome plate of hard and soft cheeses with grapes and (oddly) Ritz-style butter crackers. There were stations set up for each person with a canvas, table-top easel, a few brushes, a water bowl, and both a mixing plate and a palette already stocked with acrylic paint. We each had the same color copy of a lovely sunset scene that radiated colors of autumn.
The entire event was very well organized, and we were encouraged to refresh our brush-cleaning bowl, take more paint, or return to the cheese plate as needed.
The best part of the evening, truly, was due to the people. First, attendees need some kudos. What a delightful mix of supportive, generous individuals! Everyone was quite focused on the painting at hand (after all, 2 hours is a very "concise" amount of time to try to complete a painting - especially for people like me who are absolute beginners!).
Jill, our instructor, is one of the artists on staff at the Hadley Whole Foods Store. I believe she said that there are three at this location, and that most stores have 2-3 people dedicated to the constantly changing signage and related design work that gives Whole Foods its distinctive look and feel. Clearly she is accustomed to working under pressure; she knew how to accomplish our goal in the time allotted. She painted along with us, demonstrating each step. If I might make a critique, it would to be that she might walk around the tables once or twice (I realize there was quite a lot going on) to comment/help before the end, when she did come around to see what was done. I thought her demeanor was just right for the class. She talked about how much she loves burnt umber and why, and about how she prefers to hold a brush to achieve certain effects. I learned a great deal from Jill in one evening.
What rounded out the evening, though, was the beer tasting offered by Todd from the Pioneer Brewing Company. I don't think of myself as a "beer" person (and I've been living in Dublin!), but the beers he presented were very different from what I think of as beer. Todd described for us the beers' "story" based on Manifest Destiny. I most liked "Into the Woods," a double-Vienna style lager that brought the unlikely word "gentle" to my mind when I tasted it. My father preferred the bolder "New Frontier," which coincidentally also boasts the highest alcohol content at 11%. Today, I cooked salmon and spinach for lunch, and I served a glass of "Into the Woods" with it, in honor of a pleasant night before. I wouldn't hesitate to serve Pioneer Beer with a meal. It really is lovely.
Our presenter, Todd, was a graphic design student in college, where he also learned to brew beer (not, of course, as part of the curriculum). The design of the Pioneer labels are also elegant and different from traditional beers.
Todd was a generous, knowledgeable, and surprisingly discreet addition to the event. Knowing that he was there to educate us about his beer label and to encourage us to buy his product, I was both surprised and charmed by the fact that he took part in the painted lesson, too, and that he was quite diligent about it. He was a member of our group, albeit one who was providing alcohol to the mix. His personality and the way he handled offering beer samples throughout the evening was low-key, but very informative, easy, and warm-hearted.
When I look at the entire combination of elements, I am really surprised at what a packed, fun, laid-back and lovely evening I experienced. I'm sure I'm not alone. It's easy to feel when a room of people are happy, and that was how it seemed. I know that my father, too, felt very accepted and interested in that atmosphere, and I am very grateful for that.
Thanks, Whole Foods, but thanks to everyone in that room who created a great event.
