Online Art Classes for Creative Wellbeing
Having recently moved to the new Blue Apple Art Studios in its peaceful bush setting in Terrey Hills, Blue Apple’s art clients were disappointed that they could no longer attend art classes due to the COVID-19 restrictions. And while families and support staff have made every effort to make time spent at home as enjoyable as possible, the loss of their art classes and the regular connection with their art facilitators has been missed.
These art classes provide opportunities for creative expression, learning and developing techniques and making friends. All Blue Apple clients experience the joy of making and creating and for non-verbal clients, art can provide a unique way to communicate their thoughts and feelings and deepen their connections with others. Some clients discover hidden artistic talents. For some people, access to their art classes and art materials, along with opportunities to exhibit their artworks, is extremely important.
But then a bright idea emerged.
To continue to support client wellbeing, Blue Apple Art Studios staff have been assembling and delivering art kits to client’s homes. Working with Unisson’s IT department, art lessons have gone online.
The art kits contain 8 weeks of materials to use during the online classes where clients connect one-to-one with their arts facilitator in real time.
Artists Frances Scott from Eastwood and Damien Egan from Ryde were the first to try Blue Apple’s art classes online.
“The focus of each class is different for different people,” says Blue Apple Art Facilitator Beth Smith. “Art facilitating is about facilitating the creative space. Sessions are tailored to each individual person and how they want to express themselves artistically, whether that’s honing their skills or as a form of art therapy.”
“For some clients, we’re just picking up from where we left off before COVID19. I know how they like to work artistically, so it’s about trying to bring back a sense of normality and connection while meeting their needs for creative expression. For the clients I haven’t worked with before, the sessions are about getting to know and understand each other while experimenting with the ways they want to explore art”.
Damien and Frances are enjoying the online sessions. They are “excellent ‘till we can go back to normal,” says Frances who is happy to be able to get back to her passion for drawing and painting animals.
Want to know more about Blue Apple Art Studios classes?
For more information about art classes at the Blue Apple (or online during COVID -19 restrictions) please call 1300 266 222 or email hello@unisson.org.au
Online art classes run for up to 2 hours, Monday – Thursday and are billed to your NDIS plan. Once you’ve registered your interest, we’ll send you an art kit and details about how to set up your art space and access the Teams App.
Blue Apple Art Studios provides classes for all abilities in painting, drawing and mixed media, ceramics and creating artworks using the paper pulp medium. It will reopen for one-to-one and then small group classes as the COVID -19 restrictions ease and it is safe to do so.
Download our Blue Apple Art Studios brochure by clicking on the link below.
