This isn’t your typical Sip and Paint party with drinks and landscapes.
First of all, this grown-up play date takes place at a children’s museum, where adults are encouraged to behave like kids.
Secondly, the live models for the art project act like animals.
Expect tails to wag as the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire in Dover teams up with Pope Memorial Humane Society — Chocheco Valley for a Sip & Sketch party from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 19.
Collaborations with regional organizations have been a staple at the museum, but things were put on hold during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
But dogged museum officials and a partner in other types of community engagement projects have crafted a new event, according to Neva Cole, communications director at the children’s museum.
And it’s not only informative, it’s extremely cute.
When asked if the models have previous experience posing in art classes, Molly Shanahan, development and communications manager at the humane society, laughs.
She concedes they aren’t professionals, but they all tend to make for terrific photos.
Generally, the organization takes in cats, birds, rats, ferrets, bunnies and recently, a guinea pig that gave birth to five healthy babies.
“We also have a very talkative cockapoo in foster care,” Shanahan said.
It’s hard to say who will come to the Sip & Sketch session and whether there will be one, a couple or several on hand.
The humane society optimistically hopes that the critters now at the shelter — there were 30 there during an interview this past Tuesday — will get adopted before next week’s event.
It’s been a rough year with increases in animals being surrendered or coming in for low-cost medical care, food assistance programs or short-term stays.
Pet owners can find themselves moving to places that don’t allow animals or too financially strapped or unable to care for sick or elderly pets, let alone pay for medications and treatment.
In addition, animals are coming in with behavioral issues caused in part by the shift of people working from their homes to going back to in-person jobs, a situation that can impact pets who aren’t used to being alone for longer periods of time.
Usually the shelter takes in about 1,000 animals a year.
“Honestly that has increased over the past year, and it’s getting progressively worse. There’s a higher intake and much lower adoption rates,” Shanahan said.
Getting out and socializing is good for the animals and the humans. It’s a light-hearted way to get out the message and pull in donations — and perhaps some people who might decide to take home more than a sketch — though that’s pretty fun, too.
Local author, illustrator and sculptor Sean Bixby will guide the group in drawing caricatures of animals and then adding some watercolor hues.
This Sip & Sketch with live critters is a first for Bixby, an experienced teacher of art in classes from middle school through college.
The illustrator is no stranger to crafting eye-catching creatures and characters, from his work in children’s books “The Uncrossable Canyon” and the sequel “The Goblin’s Story,” both written by James Dongweck, to sculptures he created of furry, whiskered faces.
Still, he’s not sure what to expect at the Sip & Sketch.
“I won’t know what will show up until I get there —rabbits, guinea pigs, dogs, cats — who knows?” he said with a laugh.
Bixby’s full-time job is teaching art at Pentucket Regional High School in Newbury, Mass., where he also coaches track.
He conducts workshops and continuing education programs with adults, too.
After the Sip & Sketch, participants are invited to channel their inner child at hands-on exhibits.
Tickets to the Sip & Sketch are $18-$20.
For more details, go to childrens-museum.org or call 603-742-2002.
