A non-profit art school is pairing with a city wine retailer to inspire Winnipeggers’ tastes.

The St. Boniface-based Forum Art Centre will present A Taste of Art along with Kenaston Wine Market on Mon., April 16.

The event will involve the pairing of fine wines, hors d’oeuvres and locally-produced artwork created by the instructors at the non-profit Forum Art Centre.

The artists and wine experts will also be in attendance to add an educational element to the evening.

Daryl Dumanski, executive director of Forum Art said the event was inspired by conversations with her daughter, Kyla Dumanski, who co-ordinates events at the wine market.

The senior Dumanski, who lives in East Kildonan, said the two realized the similarities between art and wine.

"One person’s taste is totally not going to be another person’s taste," she said. "That’s what they have in common."

That recognition sparked the idea of an event where people can explore their tastes for wine and art together.

"I think people who like wine (also) like art," she said. "You’re appreciating the finer things in life."

And while many people have the confidence to taste a wine and declare whether they like it and why, Dumanski said she hopes the event will encourage people to think the same way about art.

Many people defer their taste in art to what’s already well-known, like Picasso or Van Gogh, and buy prints of those artists instead of exploring local, original artwork.

Dumanski said that’s disappointing, considering what local artists have to offer.

"There’s such a wealth of art in Manitoba," she said.

Marlies Tibbs, general manager of Kenaston Wine Market, said the retailer has always been a huge supporter of the arts.

And while the store has held events pairing wine and food before, hosting an art show is new territory, she said.

"(We’re) pairing wine with something new," Tibbs said. "This was a way to bring food and wine to something visual."

A Taste of Art will be held Mon., April 16 from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. at Kenaston Wine Market, 1855-A Grant Ave.

Tickets are $40 and can be purchased by calling Kenaston Wine Market at 488-9463.

A percentage of any art sold at the event will go to the Forum Art Centre.

arielle.godbout@canstarnews.com