For the first stop on my new series, Makers of Mississippi, I headed to Oxford, Mississippi, for a night at Studio Whimzy. From the outside, you can already tell this isn't your typical paint and sip. It's bright and playful, and clearly made with kids in mind first. Studio Whimzy has built its name over the past fourteen years on birthday parties, camps, and kids' classes, but every once in a while the studio opens its doors to us grown ups too, with beginner friendly adult paint nights called Z Events.
Walking inside, the walls do all the talking. Every inch is covered in canvases, mostly holiday themed, all painted in that same bright, whimsical style people like me can't help but be drawn to. Christmas trees, pumpkins, hearts, snowmen. It's cheerful, a little nostalgic, and honestly makes you want to pick up a brush even if it's been years.
All of it comes from one person, Kathryn, the owner, who's been running Studio Whimzy. She was warm and easy to talk to from the moment I walked in, exactly the kind of energy you want when you're nervous about painting in front of strangers.
I happened to visit on Dolly Parton Day, September 25th, and Studio Whimzy leaned right into it with three Dolly inspired designs to choose from, each pre-drawn onto our canvases before we even picked up a brush. I went with a butterfly with a guitar in the center, and my friend chose a teacup, a little nod to "Pour Me a Cup of Ambition." It was a come and go event rather than a step by step class, so there was no "everybody pick up your brush now" moment. You just showed up, sat down, and worked at your own pace, and I really liked that. There's something relaxing about not being on anyone's timeline.
In the spirit of keeping this real, the canvas is on the smaller side, closer to an 8x12. I'm used to working bigger, but for a night like this, the smaller size actually worked in my favor since it meant less pressure and more just enjoying myself. The whole night ran $35, which covered the predrawn canvas and all the paint, no hidden extras. The paint itself was your basic primary colors, so if you have a specific shade in mind, you'll be doing some mixing to get there. I asked Kathryn for help landing on the right color for my butterfly's lower wings, and even with her guidance, I didn't quite land on the exact shade I pictured. The paint also ran thin, so it took several layers to get real coverage, and the brushes were the basic craft store kind, a little worn and a little bent, which took some adjusting for someone used to higher quality supplies.
None of that is a dealbreaker though. This isn't a class where you walk away with a masterclass in technique. It's about the experience: the relaxed pace, the company, and leaving with something you made with your own two hands. One small detail that stuck with me is that instead of paper towels, you wipe your brush off on the tablecloth before switching colors. Not something I was used to, but it does cut down on waste.
Since painting is something I already do regularly on my own, a sip and paint class isn't usually something I'd seek out. But every so often one comes along that feels genuinely worth it, and this was one of those nights, tablecloth brush wiping and all. Honestly, my favorite part had nothing to do with the paint. It was doing this with a friend, sitting side by side, comparing our very different canvases, laughing our way through the evening. If you're on the fence about trying something like this, my recommendation is simple: bring someone. It turns a paint night into a memory.
Kathryn told me she doesn't do much marketing for the studio beyond an occasional raffle, which honestly makes it feel like even more of a hidden gem. If you're in Oxford, or anywhere nearby, consider this your sign to stop in. This is stop number one for Makers of Mississippi, and if this first visit is any hint of what's out there, I have a feeling this state has a lot more whimsy hiding in it than I realized. Stick around, because Studio Whimzy won't be the last stop.
