PENNINGTON GAP, VA – JULY 25, 2025 – Seeing the joy on the faces of those who come to Painting Outside the Lines Studio, LLC to paint, relax and enjoy time spent with family and friends makes everything worthwhile, according to Stacy Barnette, who recently opened the new business in Pennington Gap, VA.
Painting Outside the Lines Studio, LLC is a recent recipient of a $10,000 Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) Seed Capital Matching Grant. Seed capital grants are funded from regional funds received by VCEDA which are paid by the natural gas industry.
“Painting Outside the Lines caters to both locals and tourists, providing them with a one-of-a-kind activity to do in Lee County,” said Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA executive director/general counsel. “It’s a great example of creative tourism, which is one of the categories we consider in the seed capital matching grant program. The business projects one full-time and two part-time employees within five years.”
In addition to offering paint and sip sessions by appointment, the new business also offers classes and mobile services to bring paints and supplies to support community functions and team building exercises in the business community.
“We’ve also done birthday parties, Girls Night Out events and church praise and paint events, as well as hosted a few fundraisers,” Barnette said. “Our mission is to establish a paint and sip studio that combines the fun and relaxation of a party with the challenge of a class.”
Patrons pay a set fee to create their artwork which includes the supplies needed to create their work or art, as well as a beverage of choice. When the class is over, patrons take their art creation home with them.
The business, located at 140 Main Street in Pennington Gap, maintains an active Facebook page and a website (http://paintingoutsidethelinesstudio.com/) where pricing is listed. Patrons booking a paint and sip session may choose to paint a set design theme, or can customize their group’s paint experience by providing a photo for Barnette to use as the design to be painted by the group. Canvases are then set up with the subject matter drawn on and then the painting by those taking part in the event begins with step-by-step instruction from Barnette.
“Painting is just therapeutic,” she said. “It’s why I love it.”
In addition to painting on canvas, Barnette said some projects involve painting on wood and in the future, plans are to offer a painting pottery option.
Barnette moved to the area several years ago from Pennsylvania where she had seen a painting with a twist event offered, but had always been too busy to check it out. When she moved to Pennington Gap, she left a job as a pharmaceuticals quality control supervisor and decided to pursue the possibilities of opening her own studio, opting to “try to do something I love to do, instead of doing something just to pay the bills.”
She said she has plans to use the VCEDA seed capital grant for paint, painting supplies, designs and marketing and operating costs, including travel to mobile workshops. She hopes to eventually expand the business to other counties.
“The VCEDA grant is amazing,” Barnette said. “Becki at the SBDC was amazing. I wouldn’t be able to do this without the grant. It makes me feel real appreciative.”
Barnette worked with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Mountain Empire Community College (MECC) in developing her application to VCEDA and received a letter of support from the Lee County Economic Development Authority.
“Painting Outside the Lines brings a fresh and creative experience to Pennington Gap — something that’s both personal and giftable,” said Becki O’Quinn, SBDC director at MECC. “Stacy recognized the opportunity to offer the community and visitors an inviting space to relax, create and connect. Whether it’s a family outing, a tourist activity, or a corporate team-building event, this business introduces a unique and joyful way to bring people together through art. The Small Business Development Center enjoyed working with Stacy on the VCEDA Seed Capital application and seeing Painting Outside the Lines come to life.”
“On behalf of the Lee County EDA, we are thrilled to see Painting Outside the Lines Studio receive the VCEDA Seed Capital Grant,” said Lee County Community Development Director Leslie Litton. “Supporting creative small businesses like this not only enriches our community, but also strengthens the local economy.”
Painting Outside the Lines may be reached by calling 276-690-8848.
About Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority and Southwest Virginia’s e-Region: The Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority, created by the Virginia General Assembly in 1988 to enhance and diversify the region’s economy and help create jobs, markets Southwest Virginia’s e-Region and its focus on electronic information technology, energy, education, emerging technologies, and entrepreneurship. VCEDA is a unique economic development organization that manages funds for economic development projects from a percentage of the coal and natural gas severance taxes paid by coal and natural gas companies that operate in the region. Located in southwestern Virginia, the region includes Buchanan, Dickenson, Lee, Russell, Scott, Tazewell, and Wise counties and the City of Norton. www.vceda.us or www.e-Region.org.
About the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority Seed Capital Matching Grant Fund: VCEDA region for-profit businesses, within qualifying business categories, one year and under with less than 10 full-time employees are eligible to apply for dollar-for-dollar matching grants up to $10,000 from the VCEDA Seed Capital Matching Fund. Applicants work with the Small Business Development Centers at Mountain Empire and Southwest Virginia community colleges to prepare the applications to VCEDA that include detailed business and financial plans. Businesses must be located in or plan to operate in the VCEDA region in southwestern Virginia that includes Buchanan, Dickenson, Lee, Russell, Scott, Tazewell, and Wise counties and the City of Norton.