Inspiring imagination is at the heart of what Hin Bus Depot does, and this month they open their doors wide to anyone to unleash their imaginations by participating in an unusually exciting art offering called “Hin Paint Jam”. As you step into the Hin Bus Depot exhibition space, the first cue that this is no ordinary art show is perhaps the table with paints, brushes, canvases and other painting materials on it. Painting materials that are waiting for you to grab them and do something with them, to bring out that creative side of yours and immerse yourself in the world of art.

For the last couple of years, two or three times a year the exhibition space at Hin Bus Depot is turned into an open studio where you can just walk in, rent an easel and start spilling those creative juices on the canvas. And let’s not forget about the refreshing drinks on the side! Any day throughout the period attendees can walk into the studio, pay the fees and simply pick a spot, choose to work either on the easels or at the working table and get started. Once finished, participants can either take their work home or proudly hang their masterpieces on the walls of Hin Bus Depot and exhibit them.

What makes Hin Paint Jam extra special is that you do not need to be a well-established professional artist to participate, or to have any skills or experience at all! In fact, Hin Bus Depot offers guided sessions by Penang-based artists every weekend to help you learn new skills and techniques. Upcoming ones include Freestyle Painting and Illustrations by Goh Chiu Kuan on Saturday 24th February at 3PM (register at https://goo.gl/KHkEU3), Animal Painting by Vincent Phang on Sunday 25th February at 2.30pm (register at https://goo.gl/Bm48KX), and Self-Portraits “The Inner Witch in You” in Mixed Media by Sasha Nehru on March 10th at 3pm (register at https://goo.gl/j42QwY). For more information on the workshops, check the Hin Bus Depot Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pg/hinbusdepot/events/

Hin Paint Jam started last week on 10th of February and goes on until 18th of March. Hin Bus Depot is located at 31a Jalan Gurdwara, 10300 George Town, Penang. There is a fee of RM49 per session per day. If you  bring a friend it will be RM89 for both of you. And if you feel like you need some help to get started or if you are in the mood for learning something new, it will be RM79 per person per 3-hour guided session. If you would like to continue to work the next day, just bring your receipt and it’ll be only RM29 per person per consequent day. Opening hours are weekdays from 12pm to 8pm and weekends from 11am to 8pm. Make sure you attend this art show and use this opportunity to have fun, be inspired and above all inspire others! Because, how often do we get to do that anymore?!

 By Mojdeh Zarbakhsh