This summer and fall, in order to maintain safe social distancing practices, Fine Arts transitioned our in-person art classes programming to an online format by utilizing Facebook Live videos. Besides the online element, much about these classes has remained the same, including continuing to offer free supplies. Now, we offer them through curbside art kit pickup. These “Bob Ross” style videos allow people to follow along in a low-pressure way that can actually foster creativity without the fear of public failure that can sometimes be present with in-person art activities, although we do work to ease those feelings as much as possible whether face-to-face or online through repeated positive verbal reinforcement.

For these online classes, participants are given the option to pick up a supply kit or use their own through a list we provide beforehand. We also supply NEP approved recipes related to the theme of the painting (winter, spring, and etc). Project supplies are intentionally selected to be affordable and easy to find locally to make participation as accessible as possible. So far, as we experiment with this new class format, we have focused on simple acrylic paintings that many participants already have supplies for at home.

These live video classes begin at a preset time which allows participants to be digitally present together as a group, but because the videos remain on our Facebook page permanently after the class ends, people are also given the opportunity to participate at any later time most convenient for them. This also allows those who were present at the time of the live feed to come back at a later time to reference the video while working on touch-ups, details, or to follow along a second time, etc. Many have appreciated the open scheduling offered through an online class.

The two Facebook Live videos we have released so far have received well over 1000 views and dozens of reactions/comments. We have also received multiple final painting photo submissions, several newsletter sign-ups, and many participants have given positive feedback about the comfort of working at their own pace in their own homes. In the future, even after it is safe to gather again, these digital methods can remain a great way to reach community members who may be homebound or who have scheduling conflicts with class times.