In person recreational classes may have been shut down this week in BC, but that doesn’t mean you can’t learn a new skill.

The Great Wave off Kanagawa / Public Domain

Have you ever wanted to create gardens like Monet? How about make a splash like Hokusai? Well now you can, virtually, on Zoom.

Since September, the Vancouver Visual Art Foundation has started a new online art class series to encourage people to get creative at home. With the help of Art Vancouver alumni, each week students of all ages and skill levels can learn how to make art like the greats.

VAF was established in 2017 as a way to connect, inspire and educate local, and international visual arts communities. In these difficult times, connection and creativity are all the more important.

For many people, art is something they loved as children but gave up as adults. Sitting in front of a large blank canvas, the smell of paints in the air, brush in hand, can be nerve-wracking. There’s pressure to be perfect and the unknown of what to do. Art classes like this are a low-stakes way to try it out again and have fun in the process.

Studies have shown that participating in creative activities is great for personal well-being. Learning a new skill can also be a great and productive distraction. Visual arts like painting can be very freeing, offering a chance to calm your mind. The action of painting itself and watching others paint is also very relaxing (Bob Ross videos anyone?)

Take an art class from home this month with VAF / Pixabay

Through December, VAF is hosting seven classes, including artist-based classes like paint your own Monet or a watercolour The Great Wave off Kanagawa class, but also more skill-based classes such as painting with palette knives or alcohol inks.

If you have no art experience, haven’t picked up a paintbrush since elementary school, or are an everyday painter, the classes aim to be accessible and educational. Students  have to bring their own supplies, either by using the provided list on the event websites or ordering a kit from VAF.

Tickets are just $25 for students or $29 for adults, and the classes are on various evenings throughout the next few months. Proceeds from the events go to the foundation and the artist-instructors themselves.