The current Coronavirus situation means that most of us are pretty much housebound. Some of us may have free time on our hands as a result. Some of us, finding the anxiety a little too overwhelming, might be looking for a new pass time or skill to learn.
Luckily there are plenty of people who have turned their hand to online classes and activities. So why not try a little creativity during lock down with a virtual art clubs? These are my top 5.
1. Tyce’s Virtual Art Club
Helena decided to start a virtual art club when she had to shut her gift shop back in mid March. Feeling the need to do somthing to help parents provide much needed structure for the kids while the schools were closed she devised a programme of art classes. Every week a new topic is covered, a winner picked and at the end Helena will host an exhibition at her studio and shop to celebrate the end of lockdown. The club have recently created this colourful poster as a joint thank you to NHS Staff and keyworkers and is working wonders for anxiety levels! Open to all ages.
2. Draw with Ed Vere
Ed Vere is the Booktrust’s official illustrator so he knows a thing or two about drawing. He’s also author to several brilliant children’s books so his series focuses around drawing the characters from these, As a bonus he’ll often read from the books too and does a brilliant job of narating and bringing his charachters to life. below is my little boy’s rendering of Ed’s dinosaur. More suited to little ones.
3. Grayson’s Art Club
Grayson Perry, one of Britain’s leading artists, hosts an art club from home in the hope of “unleashing our collective creativity”. The aim here is to document this historic time through art. A six part series and you can upload your creative endevours via the BBC website.
4. Draw from a Distance – Wonderfall
Sarah Beth Morgan is posting a series of promts via Instagram to encourage social distancing and manage anxiety. With prompts such as “benefits of lockdown” and “Quarantine cuisine” Beth’s art club is relaxed and upbeat.
5. Paint with Paak
Ok so this guy has to have a place in the top 5 just for being one of the most brilliant singer, rapper and multi-instrumentalists alive. Not only that he’s set up an art club with downloadable colour-ins. Probably the coolest art club to be in. Fo shiz.
There are lots of safe, online activties and groups to get involved in during lockdown. Let us know what you’ve found in the comments and stay safe.
