The holidays have been a busy time for us at CAFE! The month of December was jam-packed with many exciting events, all buzzing with festive vibes. The first event to start things off was our Puff & Paint night – with a special Grinch theme to get everyone into the Christmas spirit!
As always, this event was fully sold out in advance, with guests eager to experience the magic of cannabis and art. Our Puff & Paint nights are always highly anticipated, as guests get the opportunity to create their own work of art in a guided session, while also puffing away on their favourite strains of cannabis. Many people report that art and cannabis are an excellent pairing, as they feel less inhibited when high and more able to express themselves freely. Not only are these events a lot of fun, but they also give people a chance to showcase their creativity while enjoying something that they love.
CAFE is home to more than just cannabis – we are Toronto’s first and only spot for regular, cannabis-focused entertainment in many different forms! From monthly comedy shows to paint nights, fine dining events and seasonal cannabis markets, we’ve got a full roster of exciting events for everyone to enjoy.
Ashante is a Toronto-based mixed media artist who routinely hosts our Puff and Paint nights. She is a regular at paint nights across the city, and we always love the talent and professionalism she brings to our events! Ashante provides all guests with an easel, canvas and all the supplies needed to create their own masterpiece. She then guides them through a detailed painting session, coaching all participants through every step.
Our Paint Night began at 7pm in Toronto’s St. Clair West neighbourhood, just steps away from our 1321 CAFE Dispensary. Event attendees were shown their seats and set up with their paint supplies – and of course, a CAFE house roll to kick the night off! Our Puff & Paint nights are a weed-friendly event, and guests are free to consume cannabis throughout the evening as they work on their paintings. The night may begin with a CAFE house roll, but can include other cannabis joints or edibles as guests are allowed to bring their own.
The theme for our December Puff & Paint was, of course, holiday focused – it was Mr. Grinch! Guests arrived and were seated at their stations, which were complete with individual easels, canvases and paint supplies. Each canvas already featured the outline of the Grinch, to make things easier and get each guest painting.
In order to let each person have their own unique experience, we allow guests to bring their own cannabis to our event. We do provide each person with their own CAFE house roll, but many guests do like to bring blunts or roll their own even at the event. We’re cool with it – as long as anything being consumed is strictly cannabis.
The session began with a few opening remarks by Ashante, who welcomed guests and provided instructions on how to get started. She then came around the room, checking in with each guest and pouring a fresh selection of paint onto their palettes. With some ideas on what to do, guests began to get started on their artwork.
Ashante is an excellent art teacher, and is very patient and helpful with guests attending the session. She always takes the time to check out each person’s artwork, and help out by suggesting specific techniques or colour blends that would accentuate their efforts.
We love the opportunity to put on events that combine weed with creativity. From research, and also from the experiences of many, many users – we do know that cannabis tends to amplify creative tendencies, and help bring on inspiration. Throughout the evening, all of our guests enjoyed their CAFE pre-roll, and many even had a second smoke with their own joints and blunts that they had brought along.
As the night went on, the Grinch began to come to life in various forms. While guests all painted the same theme, they had a lot of creative freedom when it came to colours, and their choice of background. As a result, each piece looked totally unique.
Music played softly and guests enjoyed their prerolls, puffing away while working on their paintings. Here at CAFE, we believe that cannabis can greatly inspire the creative process, and help people open their minds and think outside the box. We are truly happy to be able to create such a unique experience where art and cannabis intersect, and guests can be free to express themselves without inhibition.
The night featured many first-time attendees, who were delighted at getting to experience such a unique, fun event that also let them enjoy cannabis. Many said they would not hesitate to return again!
We are so happy to have hosted yet another successful Puff & Paint event! Thank you to all who attended and made the night excellent. We loved helping you all express your creativity, and can’t wait to see everyone again at the next one!
