If you’re looking for an outlet for you and your family’s creativity, the Essex Art Center is introducing online youth and adult art classes to keep the creative community connected.

Like many of the local businesses across the region, the Essex Art Center (EAC), located on Island street in Lawrence, Mass., has suffered due to the coronavirus shut down. The art center was forced to close its doors, end their winter session early and cancel their spring session. Less than four weeks after this closing, the school has put together an online program for artists of all ages.

If you’re looking for an opportunity to join a creative community and provide an excuse to make something beautiful while stuck at home, the EAC is offering numerous classes that include drawing, painting, digital art and discussion groups, as well as engaging activities specifically for children.

 

If you’re worried about finances note that the EAC is offering five free family courses that touch upon a variety of creative interests:

• Explore Art Inside + Outdoors
• Cardboard Sculptures
• Cartooning and Character Design
• Draw, Paint, Discover
• Art as Encouragement

Each class, offered on the EAC’s YouTube page, is a four-week program consisting of a weekly video lesson.

For those who are more serious about exploring the artist within and tapping into your creative strengths, there are more courses offered this spring for an affordable price. Some of the courses include: Digital Photography, Digital Art with Procreate (where teens ages 12-18 unlock their inner digital artist, learning to draw and animate on an iPad with the Procreate app), Traditional Cartooning (for teens ages 12-18), The Fun Fundamentals of Drawing, and Living + Sustaining a Creative Life, which includes live interviews with professional artists and gallerists.

Those interested can register for these online courses on the EAC’s website. For further questions, email them at info@essexartcenter.org.

You may also consider supporting EAC with a donation to help them overcome the huge obstacles presented by the coronavirus pandemic.