Painting a Vibrant, More Inclusive St. Louis
Author:
Starkloff Staff
Reading time:
2 minutes
Date:
March 30, 2026
What happens when you mix paint, good company, and a shared passion for disability inclusion?
A pretty great night.
On Friday, March 6, members of the Starkloff Network gathered at Spark Coworking in Ballpark Village for a Paint and Sip event that was equal parts creative and connective.
The Starkloff Network is a community of disabled and nondisabled leaders under 40 who care deeply about building a more inclusive St. Louis. Since launching in November 2025, the Network has been creating opportunities for people to meet, share ideas, and grow together. This event brought that mission to life in a fun and relaxed way.
With 22 young professionals in the room, the space quickly filled with laughter, conversation, and a whole lot of color.
No Barriers to a Good Time
The evening centered around painting a St. Louis landscape featuring the Gateway Arch, which made for a fitting subject considering the real skyline just outside.
Guided by instructor Mack, attendees followed step-by-step instructions while still having plenty of room to make their paintings their own. Even for those who do not consider themselves artists, the experience felt approachable and enjoyable.
“Mack was amazing at leading the Paint and Sip,” said Hank. “She did a phenomenal job explaining the process and encouraging others.”
“Mack gave awesome positive affirmations and I appreciate her open-mindedness towards the painting process,” said Dominic.
One attendee summed it up simply: “Tonight was just fun!”
Building a Network for Impact
Beyond the canvases, the real impact of the night showed up in the connections being built. Attendees shared that bonds and friendships were both formed and strengthened, which is exactly what the Starkloff Network is all about. Creating space for authentic relationships is a key part of building a more inclusive and connected community.
Mack noticed it too. “I loved getting to see how art brings out the creativity in everyone,” she said. “It was exciting to see just how different everyone’s paintings were even using the same subject. Starkloff put on a great event that really allowed each person’s creativity to shine.”
(And for anyone wondering, yes, the aprons did their job. No paint disasters to report.)
If you are a young professional in the St. Louis area and this sounds like your kind of community, we would love to have you join the Starkloff Network. It is a welcoming space to connect, learn, and be part of a growing movement for disability inclusion.
Join us!
Fill out the form below and we will be in touch!
