TRAVELING WITH THE
ART PUB
THE
Enjoying a night out with the Traveling Art Pub: Back row left to right, Erika Windels, Lois Fisher, Kari Roberts, Tessa Schultz, and Mandi Ylliniemi. Front row, left to right, TAP originators, daughter Sarah Stawarski and mother Lisa Stawarski with participant Kallie Berry.
PHOTOS BY JOEY HALVORSON
reception hall at Manhattan’s in Crosslake hums with conversation and laughter. Fifty women and a few men sit at tables while waitstaff circulate, serving beverages and taking food orders.
By KAREN OGDAHL
It could be any group of friends gathered for a social night out, except these guests sit in front of easels, canvases and paintbrushes. It’s a night out with The Traveling Art Pub and these folks are having a wonderful time. The Traveling Art Pub (TAP) was conceived two years ago as the brainchild of mother and daughter Lisa and Sarah Stawarski. Sarah, an artist, had moved back to
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Brainerd from Colorado and was looking for a creative outlet. The two took a jewelry class together and discussed how much more fun it would be to have some wine and snacks while they worked. That conversation led to the idea of sponsoring events where people of all ages and experience levels could meet in a relaxed, pressure-free atmosphere and have fun with art.
They were nervous about launching such a venture, but a chance encounter solidified their decision. Lisa explained, “We walked into a book store, and the first thing we saw was a book cover that said ‘Do something every day that scares you.’ We looked at each other and said, ‘We’re going for it!’ Now our favorite saying is, ‘Why not? You’re only going to lose if you don’t try.’”