Mother’s Day is getting crafty at Chronicle Wines (2885 Peconic Lane, Peconic, 631-488-0046).
Melissa Hyatt, watercolorist and surface pattern designer, will bring her brushes, brilliance and full-fledged art kits to Chronicle for a Mother’s Day celebration on May 9, where she’ll walk individuals through a pink peony painting workshop.
For $75, registrants will get personalized instruction from Hyatt; one of her recently released watercolor art kits with a brush, paint and written instructions; a QR code with an instructional video and a glass of Chronicle’s wine.
“We like to highlight wines that are reflective of the season,” says Robin Epperson-McCarthy, co-founder and winemaker at Chronicle. “With spring starting to pop off, we will be offering our Saltbird Cellars Rosette Rosé and 2019 Red Skies because we all know that April showers bring May flowers and bud break in the vineyards.”
For over half a decade Hyatt’s been leading classes at Chronicle, dating back to when the tasting room was just steps from her Peconic home. In February, she taught a lobster painting class where she debuted the watercolor kit.
“Nothing says love like lobster,” joked McCarthy.
Each November Hyatt leads a Christmas card-making workshop at the winery, showcasing her expertise from running her own wholesale line of greeting cards, wrapping paper and art prints that are sold to retailers across the country.
Despite much of her career in the surface pattern design business at Waverly Fabrics, a watercolor class at Southold Free Library was what reignited her love for the painting practice.
“It’s a great way to relax, get away from the screens and connect with others and find a little peace,” says Hyatt. “It’s a mission of mine to spread that joy. When I found watercolor again it changed my life. It made such a difference for me and I want others to be able to experience that too.”
Now a Connecticut resident after 25 years on the North Fork, Hyatt loves to come across the Sound to share her passion — especially to honor the upcoming holiday.
“My mom was one of my biggest supporters when she was alive,” says Hyatt. “She passed away four years ago but she was always rooting for me. I got to this point where I was like, ‘Where do I really want to be for Mother’s Day?’ and the North Fork is a big part of my heart.”
If you’re an Epperson-McCarthy-made wine lover, Hyatt’s style may look familiar.
She painted the Osprey’s Dominion bottle labels in collaboration with Epperson-Mcarthy’s input for the revived Artist’s Series in early March; her work from her own brand has been featured on Martha Stewart bedding and dinnerware among other acclaimed design companies.
To learn from Hyatt this Mother’s Day, register here.
