The Full Story
About
Hi, I’m Emily Prahl, the owner and instructor behind Evolve Paint & Sip. I started this paint party business in 2019 with a simple goal in mind: to help people feel creative in a fun and relaxed setting. Whether you’re picking up a paintbrush for the first time or you’ve been painting for years, my classes are welcoming, easygoing, and pressure free.
My art journey began in 2013 when I tagged along with a couple friends to a paint and sip class in Oklahoma City, not quite knowing what to expect. That one evening sparked something in me. I was instantly hooked! I started painting at home, working through online tutorials, and attending just about every paint and sip class I could find. Eventually, I applied to Paint and Cheers, a popular paint and sip studio in OKC’s creative district, and was thrilled to join their team as an instructor. Turning a hobby I loved into something I could share with others was incredibly meaningful.
After moving from Oklahoma to Colorado in 2017, I launched Evolve Paint & Sip in 2019. I began teaching classes throughout Fremont County at a variety of venues, including Florence Brewing Company and the Fremont Center for the Arts. In 2020, I relocated to Westcliffe, where I continued teaching at different local spots, always hauling supplies, setting up, breaking down, and doing it all over again.
Today, Evolve has reached a milestone I’m incredibly proud of: my very own teaching space in downtown Westcliffe. The Garage Door Studio, located at 103 S 2nd Street, is now home to my public classes. Having a dedicated space where I can teach without packing up before and after every class has been a game changer, and I’m hopeful to call it home for a long time to come!
By day, I work in digital marketing, and Evolve Paint & Sip is my creative side hustle, one that brings me a great deal of joy and gratitude. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Organizational Leadership, and while I sometimes wish that I wish I had an art degree, that background has been helpful in building and sustaining this small business.
I chose the name Evolve because it reflects what art has taught me: growth happens in small steps and it's good to push yourself outside your comfort zone. My goal is to offer one thoughtfully planned public class each month, along with private parties, where people can relax, enjoy the process, and leave with something they’re proud of.
