With COVID-19 keeping many people in their homes, some may be inclined to pick up an old hobby or maybe start a new one.

For those with an interest in art, the Art Center of the Bluegrass is offering some online activities to stir the creative juices and hopefully entertain people who may be suffering from cabin fever.

Kate Snyder, communications director for the center, said the goal is to continue providing art education to the public despite the COVID-19 crisis.

“We are working hard to come up with programming to serve the community even while the building is closed,” Snyder said. “When I look at my social media or read the news, I realize that people need art more right now than ever before. Art forgers powerful connections between people – even when they can’t be together.”

Online classes offered will include adult drawing, comics for teens, and kids drawing. The adult and teen classes will consist of four 1-hour live video chats facilitated through Zoom where participants can ask questions of the instructor, Art Center of the Bluegrass Exhibitions Director Brandon Long. He will demonstrate a different core drawing technique in each session and provide drawing exercises to complete during the class.

The kids drawing classes will be set up in four 30-minute sessions. These will also be live video chats facilitated through Zoom.

Supplies for all classes will be a pencil, a good eraser, a ruler or straightedge, and blank white paper. For the comics for teen classes, participants may also want to have markers or colored pencils for “inking” their work.

Snyder said the online classes are among the center’s most popular offerings.

“I know there are a bunch of YouTube videos out there about ‘how to draw,’ but they lack the personal connection. It’s a much better learning environment when you can actually interact with the instructor – ask questions and get feedback. That’s what we’re offering with these online courses. We hope to add more to the lineup in the weeks ahead,” she said.

For those looking for a one-time activity rather than a series of classes, a finger labyrinth mosaic class will take place Thursday, April 16, from 6-8 p.m. This class will feature access to a recorded video tutorial, as well as an invitation to a drop-in Zoom meeting with the instructor. Participants will create their own 12-inch round finger labyrinth, and registration includes a wooden substrate, glass tiles, glue and a grout kit. Participants may request warm colors, earth tones or neutral. Supplies will be made available for “porch pick-up” at a Danville address which will be provided several days before the class.

Other art activities going on in the community include the Easter Egg Challenge. The contest runs through Monday, according to Snyder. She said anyone can post photos of their egg-decorating adventures and share them in the Art Center’s Facebook event named Easter Egg Challenge. Photos can also be posted to Instagram with the hashtag #DanvilleEasterEggs. The Art Center will randomly select one winner on Monday who will receive a special art prize.

Snyder added that during the COVID-19 crisis, take-home art kits continue to be updated and released.

“Right now, we have a super cute fairy house start kit available. It has some basic supplies, like garden figures and moss and materials for a house, then kids can add to it with materials they find in their yard. Spring is the perfect season for fairy houses and they’re a wonderful vehicle for letting kids’ imaginations really run wild,” she said.

For details visit www.artcenterky.org/art-kits. 

For price information, or to register for any of the classes, visit https://artcenterky.org/online-learning/ or contact Snyder at kate@artcenterky.org.

 

Class schedules

Adult drawing

Tuesdays and Thursdays

April 14, 16, 21, 23

6-7 p.m.

 

Comics for Teens

Wednesdays and Fridays

April 15, 17, 22, 24

3-4 p.m.

 

Kids Drawing

Mondays and Wednesdays

April 20, 22, 27, 29

1-3 p.m.