Obsessed with coloring? Check out these events

Credit: Contributed / Lauren Rinehart

Credit: Contributed / Lauren Rinehart

All over the world, adults are pulling coloring books off their shelves and carefully filling designs and patterns with colored pencil, crayon or markers.

The adult coloring trend has been going strong for less than five years, but has already changed the game for publishers around the world -- and reportedly even caused a colored pencil shortage!

But why are people spending their time and money practicing a hobby typically reserved for children?

Many people find coloring to be relaxing or even meditative. Focusing on a manual task like coloring is a low-stress pastime because the only decision the hobbyist has is, "Which color for this part of the design?"

Plus, people are benefiting from the chance to be a little creative without having to dedicate a large portion of their free time (not to mention hundreds of dollars in art supplies) learning an art form.

Dayton is in on the trend. There are several places around town to color with other enthusiasts, and we even have some artists designing coloring books right here in the region.

>> You could end up as a gremlin in this 'naughty' Dayton coloring book

So grab your colored pencils, and get ready to color at some of these events!

Dayton Society of Painters and Sculptors
48 High St., Dayton, OH | www.daytonsps.org | Facebook
DSPS offers a free, recurring weeknight Coloring Books & Wine Night event for Daytonians to come out, drink some wine and color.  Bring your own books and supplies, beverages and snacks.  Keep an eye on their facebook page for upcoming coloring events.

Day Yoga Studio - Vandalia
519 S. Dixie Drive, Vandalia | dayyogastudio.com | Facebook  
From 1-3 p.m. on May 21, Day Yoga Studio in Vandalia will be hosting a Yoga and Mandala Coloring Workshop focusing on mindfulness and creativity. Coloring materials will be provided. Cost is $25.

Fifth Street Brewpub
1600 E 5th St., Dayton | fifthstreetbrewpub.coop | Facebook
FSB has a weekly Adult Beverage & Coloring event from 6-9 p.m. each Wednesday. There is no fee for this event, but all donations go to Crayons for Classrooms, a free supply store for K-12 teachers in underserved areas in the Dayton region.

Dayton Metro Library - Wilmington-Stroop Branch
3980 Wilmington Pike, Dayton | daytonmetrolibrary.org | Facebook
The library offers coloring events like the Coloring and Cookies for Grown-Ups event Saturday, May 21 from 3-5 p.m. Coloring sheets, colored pencils and cookies are provided for the event.

And speaking of local coloring books...

One Dayton duo is hard at work creating an adult coloring book with an engaging story throughout called "That Naughty Pipe." You can support their work by donating to their Kickstarter campaign. There's still time to be featured as a gremlin!

In nearby Springfield, a coloring book called "Historic Houses of Springfield" will be celebrating its launch Sunday, May 22. It will be for sale at the Westcott House gift shop. For more information, visit the Facebook event page.

Have any local coloring events or news to add? Let us know! Leave a comment, tell us on Facebook or send us an email: contact@dayton.com.

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