WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS W.Va. (WVDN) – Brooke Kelley and Stephanie Braden, mother-daughter co-owners of Splatter & Sprout, 729 Main Street, East, White Sulphur Springs, W.Va., will hold the grand opening of their small business – a creative play and art studio for children – at 10 a.m. on August 5. Light refreshments will be provided, and the first 25 paying customers will receive a special goodie bag as a thank you for celebrating with them.
Kelley describes Splatter & Sprout as a creative play and art studio where children explore their environment through hands-on, open-ended experiences. “Our space is thoughtfully designed to inspire curiosity through art, sensory play, and joyful exploration. We provide materials that engage the senses—sight, sound, smell, and touch—inviting children to create, experiment, and express themselves freely. Whether through messy process art, collaborative projects, or immersive sensory play, we offer a wide variety of experiences that nurture creativity, imagination, and a love of learning,” she said.
Braden said their enterprise is special because it places process over product. “At Splatter & Sprout, we value the creative journey more than the finished masterpiece,” she said. “Children are free to experiment, make mistakes, and explore without the pressure of perfection.”
She added that they endeavor to help youth have sensory-rich experiences. “Our space is designed to engage the whole child — through sight, sound, touch, and smell — creating opportunities for meaningful, hands-on learning and discovery,” said Braden. “We also blend art-making with sensory play and imagination, offering children the freedom to create in ways that feel joyful, messy, and authentic.”
Kelley said it is okay to make a mess at Splatter & Sprout. “We offer a welcoming mess-friendly space because creativity is rarely tidy,” she noted. “We’ve created an environment where big ideas, messy play, and creative risks are celebrated. Splatter & Sprout is more than a studio—it’s a creative community where friendships blossom, imaginations grow, and children feel safe to be themselves.”
Kelley emphasized that while Splatter & Sprout began as a mother-daughter dream, the true inspiration came from a little artist in their own family. “Watching her explore the world through paint, texture, and play reminded us how powerful creativity is for a child’s growth and development,” she said. “That’s why I wanted a space where my daughter — and all children — could play freely, express themselves, and have their sensory needs met in a safe, welcoming environment. I envisioned more than just a program — a community where kids could be confident, messy, and fully themselves.”
Kelley’s mother, Stephanie Braden, has a long-time passion for creating joyful, imaginative experiences for children—from planning creative parties to dreaming up activities that bring childhood magic to life. Together, they combined their skills and love for childhood to build Splatter & Sprout.
Devon Fitzgerald, Regional Business Advisor at the West Virginia Hive, has been coaching the co-owners. “Watching Splatter & Sprout come to life has been an inspiring journey,” she said. “Brooke and Stephanie have poured their hearts into creating a space where kids can be themselves, get creative, and have fun. It’s more than just a business — it’s a place where creativity, connection, and childhood joy take center stage. I’m proud to have supported them and can’t wait to see the positive impact they’ll have on the community.”
Braden and Kelley believe the WV Hive’s small business assistance is worthwhile. “We’re truly thankful to Devon and the WV Hive for being such a bright light throughout our journey,” said Braden. “They have offered us the resources and guidance we needed and always been ready to answer our questions. Their support helped us connect with the right people, and their encouragement has inspired us more than we can say.”
Splatter & Sprout is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. More at https://www.facebook.com/people/Splatter-Sprout/61575860574065/?_rdr
WV Hive is the entrepreneurship program of the New River Gorge Regional Development Authority, serving Raleigh, Fayette, Summers, Nicholas, Webster, Greenbrier, Pocahontas, Monroe, Mercer, McDowell, Wyoming, Logan, and Mingo counties.
To learn more about the WV Hive, become a client, or book a tour of the new Business Hub, visit https://wvhive.com.
