Sunshine City Paint has leased 909 Central Avenue in the EDGE District for a paint-and-sip lounge | St PEte Rising

A new, family-friendly art experience is headed to the EDGE District of downtown St. Pete.

Sunshine City Paint, a paint-and-sip lounge and art studio, will open this summer at 909 Central Avenue in the former Expedia Cruises space, between the now-closed Buya ramen bar and new pasta to-go concept Fusillo.

Owner Julie Gioscio tells St. Pete Rising that the business is targeting a soft opening in early June.

The studio will offer paint-and-sip sessions where customers can create artwork while enjoying beer or wine, along with instructor-guided painting classes and other art-focused events.

“I’ve been really passionate about art since I was young, and this opportunity feels full circle because the first career I ever wanted, even at five years old, was to be an artist,” Gioscio says. “The studio will provide easy and affordable indoor activities that will help build community.”

“It’s definitely about the fun of it. We’re not making fine art here,” she adds.

Owner of Sunshine City Paint Julie Gioscio with one of the 4” canvases | St. pete Rising

After high school, Gioscio joined the Marine Corps and worked as an aircraft mechanic, though her love of art never faded. Originally from California, she eventually made her way back to St. Pete and is now opening her first business on Central Avenue.

For paint-and-sip sessions, customers can choose from a wide variety of pre-stenciled canvas designs, including nature scenes, florals, animals, characters, and food-themed artwork.

Instructor-led classes will also be available for guests who want to paint on a blank canvas instead of using a template.

Sunshine City Paint plans to offer a variety of St. Pete-themed miniature 4-inch canvases that can double as souvenirs for tourists visiting the city.

“I wanted to focus on accessibility and affordability while still providing that art experience, so that’s where the smaller canvases come in because they take less time to complete,” Gioscio says.

The main classroom will seat 16 people, while a smaller lounge area can accommodate 6 to 8 guests. | St. pete Rising

A guided two-hour paint-and-sip class will cost $35, while the studio’s kid-friendly “open canvas” sessions will cost $10 for three hours.

Gioscio says she intentionally set aside mornings for children to help create an “environment where kids could be kids and have the freedom to be creative.”

Sunshine City Paint will feature two separate studio spaces.

The main classroom will seat 16 people, while a smaller lounge area can accommodate 6 to 8 guests.

Both spaces will also be available to rent for birthday parties and private paint parties.

The business will also include a small four-person bar serving beer, wine, and seltzers, along with snacks like chips, pretzels, nuts, and cookies.

Sunshine City Paint plans to offer a variety of St. Pete-themed miniature 4-inch canvases that can double as souvenirs for tourists visiting the city | St. Pete Rising

Ahead of its opening, Gioscio is making cosmetic upgrades to the space, turning it into a bright, colorful studio that’s “meant to represent sunshine.”

When searching for a location, downtown St. Pete was always her top choice.

“I did put my faith in the location because I am a startup and this is my first business, so I just wanted to do it right the first time around,” Gioscio explains. “I am really excited for people to find their community here, because when I moved to St. Pete, I didn’t really have that.”

“I’m glad I’ll be able to provide an environment for connection in that way,” she continues.

Follow Sunshine City Paint on Facebook and Instagram for updates on its opening timeline.

After opening, the studio plans to operate from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday and will be closed on Mondays.