A new business in Auburn is painting the perfect picture for a night out on the town.
Sips N Strokes, located on University Drive, allows customers to get creative by participating in a painting lesson and going home with their completed work.
As the name implies, customers are invited to bring in a beverage of their choice to enjoy while they paint.
Brad Baggett, owner and manager of the Auburn branch of Sips N Strokes, said the painting classes are offered Monday through Saturday.
"Monday through Wed-nesday the classes are two hours long and cost $25 and from Thursday through Saturday, Sips N Strokes offers three hour classes for $35," Baggett said.
The paintings offered during the three-hour classes are slightly more difficult. However, artists of any level can participate at Sips N Strokes.
"I was inexperienced when I started coming to classes but after attending a few, my painting has definitely improved," said Traci Stevens, a Sips N Strokes customer. "The instruction is so helpful and the teachers are encouraging. I have taken Sips N Strokes classes in locations before the Auburn store was opened and I'm so glad they finally have one here."
The prices include everything customers will need to start and finish a painting in one night.
"All they need to do is bring in a beverage and they will walk out of the class with a completely finished painting," Baggett said.
Wendy LoVoy, an artist from Birmingham, started Sips N Strokes in 2003 and recently began franchising. Today, there are Sips N Strokes in Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee, according to the Sips N Strokes official Web site.
"Wendy is known for her paintings of angels and crosses," Baggett said. "Not all of the pictures are ones Wendy has done, and we both have input when we make the calendar for the Auburn store."
Baggett said the Sips N Strokes teachers are from an array of professional backgrounds.
"We have people with nursing, teaching and art degrees," Baggett said. "We look for people with a certain personality and someone that has the ability to tell people how to paint in a fun way."
Attendance has varied so far, said Baggett.
"There are nights with more than 60 participants and nights with only 15," Baggett said.
Classes are open to anyone age 12 and older. Baggett said that participant's ages have been between 20 and 60.
Sips N Strokes is offering classes for children ages 5-12 from 10 to 12 p.m. Saturdays during the summer. There will also be a kid's camp later next month.
"We are in the third week right now, we opened June 10, and we are happy with the way things are going," Baggett said. "It's just fun. It's exciting too. The community seems to like us; they have been strongly supportive. We think Auburn is an ideal place for a Sips N Strokes."
Sips N Strokes is available for private parties, bachelorette parties, birthday parties and sorority functions.
"It's the perfect place for a sisterhood event," said Lauren Nunez, an Auburn alumni who majored in English. "I remember we were always trying to find fun things to do together, as a large group and it was difficult to find something everyone could enjoy, especially locally."
Baggett said he is excited about the future of the business and what it can do for the Auburn area.
"We just want it to grow as much as it can," Baggett said.
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