Wining and designing on Caroline Street

Why only wine and dine when you can wine and design? That’s the question Michelle Flynn asked and answered when she opened her paint studio, Wine & Design, at 709 Caroline St. in September.

Offering “sip-and-paint” parties, Michelle discovered the idea for Wine & Design when a close friend attended a paint party a few years ago in Charlottesville. It was a brilliant business concept that Fredericksburg, at the time, was lacking.

For adults, the studio provides a glass of wine, canvases, paintbrushes, and a local artist to guide the painting lesson. Regular classes are two hours – perfect for date night or a group of friends – but private group lessons are also available for bachelorette parties, girls’ night out, team building for businesses, and birthday parties, among other things. Groups can also bring coolers with beverages and snacks. Not to be left out, there are also parties for children, in addition to family painting, where all ages are welcome and no alcohol is provided.

Originally opening her studio in Falmouth shortly after her friend’s Charlottesville experience, Michelle said that the exposure at that location was a bit challenging because not many people knew the studio was there and foot traffic was nonexistent due to the fact that it was only accessible by car. Very gregarious and personable, she explained that she missed being able to interact and socialize with passersby, therefore, when the opportunity to move to downtown Fredericksburg materialized – particularly at such a prime spot on Caroline Street – she immediately sprang into action.

Since opening, people have been drawn into the studio due to all the colorful canvases – a number of which are available for purchase – hanging on the walls and in the windows, so Michelle is very pleased with the interaction and interest that has come with the move. She is also focused on community workshops that develop “painting with intention,” whereby it’s not only painting to have a good time, but rather, painting with a purpose.

For more information on Wine & Design, you can visit their website at wineanddesign.com or use their handle @wndfredericksburgVA to follow them on Facebook and @wndfxbg to follow them on Instagram.