Painting with a Twist Sarasota and Bradenton Welcome New Local Owners Sierra Buhler and Jamie Light
A Full-Circle Moment for the Studios
After years of bringing countless memories to the Sarasota and Bradenton communities, Painting with a Twist local founders Sheri Penxa and Hope Kinney are preparing to pass the paintbrush to two people who already have deep roots in the studios.
Sheri and Hope, longtime friends who first discovered Painting with a Twist as customers themselves, fell in love with the experience and brought the concept to Sarasota and Bradenton. Over the years, they transformed their studios into gathering places where friends celebrated birthdays, anniversaries, girls’ nights, date nights, fundraisers, and life’s biggest milestones—all while creating art and making memories. Hope shares, “We couldn’t imagine better people to carry these studios forward. Sierra and Jamie understand what makes Painting with a Twist special because they’ve experienced it from both sides—as an artist and as a customer.”
The Suncoast Post previously covered Painting with a Twist Bradenton’s 10-year milestone, when the studios’ creative and community roots were already well established.
New Owners with Deep Local Roots
Now, as they prepare for their next chapter, they are entrusting the studios to a pair who know them and the business well: Sierra Buhler, a longtime Painting with a Twist artist, and Jamie Light, a longtime customer.
“It’s truly a full-circle moment,” said Jamie. “Our family’s been painting at these studios for more than 10 years, and Sierra has been the artist for many of those events. In June, my mom and I attended one of Sierra’s Chunky Knit Blanket workshops. We started talking, shared our dreams, and realized we both had the same vision for the future of these studios. What started over yarn and conversation quickly turned into an incredible partnership. It felt like kismet.”
Jamie brings more than two decades of leadership experience in healthcare, where she has built teams, improved customer experiences, and led strategic initiatives. Sierra has spent years creating memorable experiences for guests, inspiring creativity, and becoming a familiar face in the community.
Building on a Creative Community
Together, they are committed to preserving the fun, social, and creative culture Sheri and Hope created while bringing fresh energy, new ideas, and even more opportunities for the community to gather.
“Our goal isn’t to change what people love about Painting with a Twist,” said Sierra. “It’s to build on it. We want everyone—from first-time painters to longtime regulars—to feel like this is their creative home—a place to have fun!”
The new owners plan to continue offering the signature Painting with a Twist experience, including paint-and-sip events, family classes, private parties, corporate team-building events, fundraisers, and specialty workshops, while introducing new experiences and community partnerships throughout the year.
“When people think about Painting with a Twist, they think they’re coming to paint,” Jamie added. “But they’re really coming to laugh, connect, celebrate, and make memories. The painting is just the souvenir.”
A New Chapter Begins August 17
The ownership transition reflects the enduring community that Sheri and Hope built—one where customers become friends, artists become family, and sometimes, a customer and an artist become business partners.
Jamie and Sierra will officially become the owners of the Sarasota and Bradenton studios on August 17, 2026. They invite the community to stop by, meet the new ownership team, and celebrate this exciting new chapter together.
About Painting with a Twist – Sarasota & Bradenton
Painting with a Twist offers instructor-led painting experiences where guests of all artistic abilities can create, celebrate, and connect in a fun, relaxed environment. The Sarasota and Bradenton studios host public classes, private parties, candle making, corporate events, fundraisers, kids’ events, and specialty workshops throughout the year.
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Media Contact
Jamie Light
Art of Fun Studios, LLC dba Painting with a Twist
(941) 795-7928
Sarasota@paintingwithatwist.com