Photo courtesy of Wine and Design Weehawken.
Wine and Design Weehawken has been providing a space for locals to unwind and have fun since 2018.
But over the years, Wine and Design Weehawken has become much more than a paint and sip studio. First time business owner, Josué Lucero, co-owner of Wine and Design Weehawken, has made it his mission to create a space where locals, especially the Hispanic community can showcase their art, products and culture.
“Visibility is very important even if it’s Hudson County. Hudson County is primarily a Hispanic/Latino community, but we do like to represent that community in a very positive light and that’s very important to us,” he told Slice of Culture.
The studio alongside Hermanitas Design have been curating mercados (pop-ups), where the locals can buy products from small businesses and artists.
The mercados have showcased a vibrant lineup of entrepreneurs and small businesses like Strawberry & Me, Book Haven Books, Tainable and more.
The events have become successful among the community where many vendors return for more pop-up opportunities like the upcoming Hispanic Heritage Mercado taking place on Oct. 13.
“Our overall energy in the studio is pretty positive and that seems to be a very common feedback that we get in response from the vendors so a lot of them come back,” said Lucero.
Lucero takes great pride in being able to create a space where other entrepreneurs can feel welcomed.
As a Mexican-American first generation entrepreneur, he says he owes it to the younger Latino population to showcase that “if you work hard and push yourself,” anything is possible.
Wine and Design Weehawken has a line up of Hispanic Heritage Month inspired painting classes coming up like “La Isla” instructed by Corisha on Sunday, Oct. 6 and Baby Frida instructed by Dani on Saturday, Oct. 12.
Frida Kahlo has been a huge inspiration for Lucero who grew passionate about art after being exposed to her paintings.
“My mom used to take us to Mexico City and would take us to a lot of museums in Mexico City. So being exposed to her paintings and knowing more about her life and her experiences, she became a really big inspiration as an artist and I guess you can say she is one of the main reasons why I became an artist,” explained Lucero.
“Being Mexican and having roots in Mexico, I was still part of this bigger, more vibrant colorful world. I think that she really depicted [that] and I really liked tapping into that in my own personal art.”
Wine and Design Weehawken also provides various theme nights like their upcoming “So Fetch | Mean Girls Day” party and a “Halloween Blacklight Glow” party.
If you want to create your own paint party, bring your creative juices (and of course your wine), and reserve a private party for girls night, date night or team building events. Book online at Wine and Design.
