Arts council launches 'Art to Go'

Normally this time of the year Elyria Arts Council is offering area children an opportunity to visit the Broad Street venue with its popular "Kid's Art" drop-in program. However, there's nothing normal about 2020, which means due to safety protocols related to the pandemic, the twice-a-month art project workshop involving painting, drawing and pottery has been canceled. "While we're not running all of our normal programs right now at the Arts Council because of concern about COVID, we do want to offer a little bit of instruction on art," Children's Program Director Anne Jesse said. What started out as a bit of instruction earlier this year has become an area lifeline to creativity for homebound parents and children in the form of the "Stay at Home Art Project." Three times a week for the last eight months, Jesse has shared how-to videos through Elyria Arts Council's Facebook page. "So far I've created more than 70 videos," Jesse said. "I never imagined I would do that many, but they're fun to do. I look forward to it every week. Depending on the project, we'll have anywhere from 100 to 300 views. "The response has been great. I'm not concerned about running out of ideas. I'm very creative, and I do have other folks giving me ideas." For example, next up for Jesse are the Elyria Arts Council's "Art to Go" packets, which are sponsored by a $3,000 donation from Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems. "This summer we did a drawing project packet for kids," Jesse said. "We distributed probably close to 400 of those. Bendix, which follows us on Facebook, contacted the Elyria Arts Council and said they could help. "So now we're not only extending but also beefing up the drawing packet a little bit with a few more things and additional drawing pages." The plan is to create roughly 250 "Art to Go" packets to be handed out quarterly through the Elyria Salvation Army's food pantry (716 Broad St.), Invest Elyria's Mobile Market and at the Elyria Arts Council. The first packet, which focuses on drawing and will be available during the week of Nov. 16, includes step-by-step how-to-draw worksheets, paper, pencils, an eraser and a pencil sharpener. There's also a drawing packet available for the under-5-year-old group that includes coloring pages, how-to-draw worksheets and crayons. Jesse sees the "Art to Go" packets as a supplement to the "Stay at Home Art Project" initiative. "Absolutely, one of the project packets we're doing I've already done as a video," Jesse said. "Also, I'm putting a little slip in with each packet that directs people to visit our Facebook page and our videos for more ideas. "We still want to encourage the community to create in a safe way. Making artwork is very stress-relieving, therapeutic and calming. That's what we're trying to foster." For more information, visit facebook.com/gallery.336.