Many community members in the county found it difficult to access arts programs offered by the local Extension Community Art program. This was largely due to barriers such as transportation, time, and money. Without reliable transportation or flexible schedules, families, seniors, and individuals were missing out on meaningful opportunities to engage in creative and cultural activities. In response to these challenges, the Community Arts Agent, along with a dedicated program assistant, collaborated to find a way to bring art directly to the community.

To overcome these barriers, the team developed 120 art packets centered around the theme of Hispanic Heritage Month, with a special focus on Frida Kahlo. These packets included a hands-on Frida Kahlo-inspired art activity, along with informative materials about art history and other community arts resources provided by the Extension office.

Understanding that many people rely on many local mom-and-pop grocery stores, the team strategically placed the art packets in these small stores throughout the county. Each packet contained three activities and was designed for families to take home and enjoy together, as well as adults and seniors. To maximize outreach, packets were also distributed through an outreach organization that works with underserved populations, ensuring a broader reach to families who may not have otherwise accessed the materials. Participants were encouraged to take only one packet per family to allow as many households as possible to benefit.

One partner, Cumberland Mountain Behavioral Health, expressed deep appreciation for the effort. They shared this feedback: "On behalf of Cumberland Mountain Behavioral Health, I wanted to thank you for the 12 free art packets. The packets will be given to 12 separate families across Whitley County. The aim is to provide parents an opportunity to connect socially and emotionally with their children."

This collaboration not only met the initial goal of increasing access to arts programming but also enhanced community connections, offering parents an opportunity to engage more deeply with their children in a creative and culturally significant way. By reducing barriers such as transportation and cost, the art packet distribution proved to be a simple yet powerful tool for promoting cultural education and artistic expression within the community.