Free online art and craft classes are being offered to people in the region to help feel less isolated and have a bit of fun during the current crisis.
Participants don’t need many IT skills, as the lessons will be emailed to people who sign up, with a video link to a tutorial and a printable handout, that can then be given to friends, family and neighbours who don’t do online. There’s also a Facebook page run by volunteers in Okehampton that participants can join to share their achievements and give each other encouragement.
The courses will be run by experienced art teachers Andy & Gill Cairns of West Devon Art Workshops, as part of their Art for All project that uses art to combat social isolation.
Andy Cairns from West Devon Art Workshops said “We are new to video work so the classes may be a bit DIY (we’ve just bought our first webcam and are learning how to use it!) but we wanted to use the art skills we have to help others suffering from isolation over the coming weeks. We plan to do courses on drawing, painting, mixed media, textiles, printing and sculpture, all using cheap and easy to get materials. You don’t need any experience as we will be doing demonstrations for all levels, from beginner to more advanced.
“We have contacted our funders and the National Lottery, Devon Community Foundation and Tavistock Health Alliance have been delighted to allow us to use their grants in this new way to keep reaching out to people.”
To sign up for the classes, just fill in a contact form on the West Devon Art Workshops site: www.westdevonartworkshops.co.uk