2008 Woodie Awards
Not the usual date spot
Emily Williams
Issue date: 2/13/08 Section: Expressions
Instead of taking your significant other on another typical dinner and a movie date, invest in a laid-back evening of creativity and connection.
Simply take your favorite beverage (non-alcoholic if you’re under 21) and get in-touch with your inner DaVinci at Sips n Strokes.
Join owner Wendy LoVoy or one of her instructors as they equip you with the skills and tools necessary to create a beautiful masterpiece.
“I think Sips n Strokes would be a great date because it gives you something different and new to do than just hanging out or going to the movies,” junior family studies major Emily McAbee said.
There are four Sips n Strokes locations around the Birmingham area: Vestavia, Hwy. 280, Southside and Trussville. They offer classes six days a week, fitting into any busy schedule. The class price of $25 to $40 includes paint, brushes, a canvas and two to three hours of fun.
“Sips n Strokes is so much fun because I'm able to paint something really cool while socializing with my friends at the same time,” McAbee said. “If you can listen to instructions, you can paint any painting you want, because the teacher shows you step-by-step how to do it. I have been twice and have enjoyed both times a lot.”
Stacey Morton, a Mountain Brook resident who has attended a Sips n Strokes class, said that she enjoys Sips n Strokes because it is a cheap way to have fun and meet new people.
“Even if I’m not happy with my painting, I don’t care because it’s cheap and I have so much fun painting and socializing,” Morton said.
“There are a lot of people who do drink, and there are a lot of people who don’t drink. We have a wide variety of people who attend the classes. You will see adults, children, church groups and bachelorette parties,” LoVoy said.
While most of the classes are predominately composed of women, LoVoy said that she is starting to see more men.
“I have guys ask me, ‘Are there a lot of single women in the classes?’” LoVoy said. “I tell them that each class can range from 40 to 70 women, so there are bound to be many single women. It’s funny, guys actually take the classes looking for dating opportunities.”
“I had one guy tell me, ‘This is better than a bar. I can drink, paint, have fun and not get into trouble,’” LoVoy said.
In addition to offering open classes, Sips n Strokes offers private parties. Most private parties are scheduled by businesses looking for alternative ways to host business meetings.
Private parties can be hosted at Sips n Strokes or another location. LoVoy said that she has traveled to several places of business including BlueCross BlueShield, Alabama Power and BellSouth to teach classes.
Whether she is teaching an open class at Sips n Strokes or teaching a private party at an off-site location, LoVoy said she loves what she does.
“My favorite thing about what I do is teaching people who can’t paint to paint. I love to see how much fun they have. Most of the time they are amazed by what they are able to create,” LoVoy said.
The paintings at Sips n Strokes are mostly LoVoy originals, but some are inspired by other artists. The LoVoy originals, however, are her originals for Sips n Strokes only.
“Wendy LoVoy the artist is different from LoVoy the Sips n Strokes painter. As an artist, it is important to retain your own style and individuality. The paintings I paint for Sips n Strokes are not the same paintings Wendy the artist would paint,” LoVoy explained.
Recently, Wendy the artist was published in the book “Best of American Artists: Mixed Media,” a category for which she won an award.
Being an artist of exceptional talent, LoVoy understands the importance of using her skills for the greater good.
“I was taught to always give back to my community. Anytime there is a charity auction, I donate one of my paintings,” LoVoy said.
Two years ago LoVoy started her own benefit, “Visions of the Master,” to raise money for the Children’s Hospital of Birmingham.
Each year LoVoy and her students donate some of their paintings to the benefit’s auction; the proceeds go toward the Children’s Hospital’s “Dream Factory,” bringing art to ill and injured children.
In 2006, LoVoy and her students raised $30,000 through the sale. In 2007, they earned $40,000 to benefit the children.
For more information visit www.sipsnstrokes.com or www.wendylovoy.com.
Simply take your favorite beverage (non-alcoholic if you’re under 21) and get in-touch with your inner DaVinci at Sips n Strokes.
Join owner Wendy LoVoy or one of her instructors as they equip you with the skills and tools necessary to create a beautiful masterpiece.
“I think Sips n Strokes would be a great date because it gives you something different and new to do than just hanging out or going to the movies,” junior family studies major Emily McAbee said.
There are four Sips n Strokes locations around the Birmingham area: Vestavia, Hwy. 280, Southside and Trussville. They offer classes six days a week, fitting into any busy schedule. The class price of $25 to $40 includes paint, brushes, a canvas and two to three hours of fun.
“Sips n Strokes is so much fun because I'm able to paint something really cool while socializing with my friends at the same time,” McAbee said. “If you can listen to instructions, you can paint any painting you want, because the teacher shows you step-by-step how to do it. I have been twice and have enjoyed both times a lot.”
Stacey Morton, a Mountain Brook resident who has attended a Sips n Strokes class, said that she enjoys Sips n Strokes because it is a cheap way to have fun and meet new people.
“Even if I’m not happy with my painting, I don’t care because it’s cheap and I have so much fun painting and socializing,” Morton said.
“There are a lot of people who do drink, and there are a lot of people who don’t drink. We have a wide variety of people who attend the classes. You will see adults, children, church groups and bachelorette parties,” LoVoy said.
While most of the classes are predominately composed of women, LoVoy said that she is starting to see more men.
“I have guys ask me, ‘Are there a lot of single women in the classes?’” LoVoy said. “I tell them that each class can range from 40 to 70 women, so there are bound to be many single women. It’s funny, guys actually take the classes looking for dating opportunities.”
“I had one guy tell me, ‘This is better than a bar. I can drink, paint, have fun and not get into trouble,’” LoVoy said.
In addition to offering open classes, Sips n Strokes offers private parties. Most private parties are scheduled by businesses looking for alternative ways to host business meetings.
Private parties can be hosted at Sips n Strokes or another location. LoVoy said that she has traveled to several places of business including BlueCross BlueShield, Alabama Power and BellSouth to teach classes.
Whether she is teaching an open class at Sips n Strokes or teaching a private party at an off-site location, LoVoy said she loves what she does.
“My favorite thing about what I do is teaching people who can’t paint to paint. I love to see how much fun they have. Most of the time they are amazed by what they are able to create,” LoVoy said.
The paintings at Sips n Strokes are mostly LoVoy originals, but some are inspired by other artists. The LoVoy originals, however, are her originals for Sips n Strokes only.
“Wendy LoVoy the artist is different from LoVoy the Sips n Strokes painter. As an artist, it is important to retain your own style and individuality. The paintings I paint for Sips n Strokes are not the same paintings Wendy the artist would paint,” LoVoy explained.
Recently, Wendy the artist was published in the book “Best of American Artists: Mixed Media,” a category for which she won an award.
Being an artist of exceptional talent, LoVoy understands the importance of using her skills for the greater good.
“I was taught to always give back to my community. Anytime there is a charity auction, I donate one of my paintings,” LoVoy said.
Two years ago LoVoy started her own benefit, “Visions of the Master,” to raise money for the Children’s Hospital of Birmingham.
Each year LoVoy and her students donate some of their paintings to the benefit’s auction; the proceeds go toward the Children’s Hospital’s “Dream Factory,” bringing art to ill and injured children.
In 2006, LoVoy and her students raised $30,000 through the sale. In 2007, they earned $40,000 to benefit the children.
For more information visit www.sipsnstrokes.com or www.wendylovoy.com.