VisArts in the Community

Our mission at VisArts is to transform individuals and communities through the visual arts. When we wrote that statement nearly six years ago, we didn’t know that transformation would include building resilience, restoring hope, and providing healing during a pandemic. But now, during this time of Covid-19, we believe that the arts are especially essential as they offer solace, help reduce anxiety, help maintain connection with community, and enable us to move forward and emerge better and stronger.

In good times, our dynamic community of artists (teaching, exhibiting, and studio), students, volunteers, and staff create, exchange ideas, and collaborate. In these difficult times, this same community provides comfort, emotional support, and practical assistance. Studies show people with the greatest number of formal and informal connections fare better than those who are isolated. When those connections include artists, we discover the best in ourselves.

VisArts staff, most of whom are working remotely, are busy rescheduling classes, exhibitions, and events, and are developing new ways to connect with you through online platforms and our website. Soon you’ll be able to tour our galleries and listen to artist talks online and view educational videos. We’re also developing ways to connect you to online art resources to help address the new normal with schools closed and social distancing. Our education staff will soon start posting drawing prompts for use or create artwork and post on our Facebook and Instagram pages. All you’ll need are paper, colored pencils, crayons, and other items found at home. For those without these supplies, we are working on ways to get them to you.

In the coming days and weeks, we want you to remain safe, healthy, and secure. Stay connected, be there for others, reach out to family and friends, and use this time to unlock the creativity within you. We all need to feel supported, valued, and loved during these trying times. Please keep in touch with us.