5 Local Ways to Flex Your Creative Muscles During Quarantine

If you’re over baking and puzzles, why not make a new art project your next quarantine activity? Luckily, you can do just that while also supporting local Astoria businesses. From painting classes to writing workshops to care packages full of craft materials, we’ve got you covered!

Astoria Bookshop Creative Writing Workshops

If you attended Astoria Bookshop’s Sunday creative writing classes while the store was open, they’re still going on (on Zoom)! Each class presents a different focus from characterization to dialogue to point of view. Email Kelly Jean Fitzsimmons at kjfitzsimmons@gmail.com to sign up/be added to the weekly newsletter with upcoming classes. Cost is $10 or pay what you are able. Also, be sure to support the bookshop by ordering from their Bookshop.org page or  preordering books/buying gift certificates directly at astoriabookshop.com!

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Earlier this month, I set an intention to make my “online writing workshops and private coaching sessions as open and honest as my in-person offerings.” Transitioning my monthly drop-in class at @astoriabookshop into a weekly online offering has added a bright light to my Sundays. I’ve loved reconnecting with regulars and meeting new writers. We even added a second session to honor my goal by keeping class sizes small. If you would like to join us at 3 or 5 pm today (2 spots left in each class!) or be added to my newsletter to receive info on future sessions, contact kjfitzsimmmons@gmail.com SUPPORT The Astoria Bookshop every day by purchasing books through their bookshop.org/shop/astoriabookshop page or preordering titles/buying gift certificates directly at astoriabookshop.com #writerslife #writingtips #amwriting #amteaching #writingprompts #writingcommunity #indiebookstore #creativewriting #workshop #writersofinsta #writingworkshop #writerslife

A post shared by Kelly Jean Fitzsimmons (@kjfitzsimmons) on Apr 19, 2020 at 8:24am PDT

AlterWorks Drink ‘n Draw

AlterWorks, the artist space with studios, classes, residencies and more, has been getting creative with their offerings, virtually. You can check out their newest exhibition, “Alphabet Soup,” online, which is a gallery of collage and mixed media works inspired by “art made under restriction.” It features the work of 22 artists.

And, one of the studio’s own artists, Diana, is hosting Drink ‘n Draw events on IG Live. She hosted the first one this past weekend, but plans to do more, probably weekly! Keep up on her Instagram here or AlterWorks page here.

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Thanks for a fantastic first drink n draw!! There are definitely some lessons to be learned (…60mins time limit, for example…), But it was super fun! Here are my drawings (in reverse order). Please post your drawings and tag me in them, so I can share them!! This will definitely happen again, maybe I'll make this a weekly thing? Stay tuned! This one will be up as a story for 24 hrs if you want to check it out and listen to me talk for an entire hour straight. . . .(Also, EDIT: The second pic should say plants! Not sweaters haha. 'Sweaters' was discarded by executive order….because we already had winter….)

A post shared by Diana (@dian_o_mite) on Apr 26, 2020 at 2:23pm PDT

Local Project LIC Workshops

The Local Project in Long Island City, a non-profit “committed to providing emerging artists with a space and educational forum,” has been hosting loads of amazing online workshops as part of a fundraising effort. Some of the past ones include: a digital writing workshop for artists, a therapeutic zine-making workshop, and a mono-printing class, just to get a taste! They are $10. Follow them on Instagram to hear about the next event; and we’ll update this post once it’s confirmed.

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Next in our workshop fundraising series is Frances @wip_projects This 45 minute digital writing workshop offers artist nuts-and-bolts skills to tackle their next application, including how to refresh their artist statement and dos and don’ts when putting together a project proposal.

A post shared by local project (@local_project) on Apr 22, 2020 at 6:36am PDT

Virtual Painting Classes at The Paint Place

Astoria’s own Paint Place is now doing taking their beloved painting classes digital. Find them online under “Virtual Classes.” There are both LIVE and pre-recorded options. And now you can even have supplies shipped to you! They also have a special Mother’s Day class coming up.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B_FkTr6jtGo/

Lockwood Creativity Set

Lockwood is doing themed care packages, and one of them is called “Let’s Get Creative”! Support a local store while getting craft supplies delivered straight to your apartment; they could include anything from: blank notebooks, paints, post-its, stickers, highlighters, coloring books, sketchbook, pencil pouch, gel pens, pens, markers, colored pencils and more. Choose a box for $50 or $100. Shipping is free, plus they just started limited in-store pick-ups. Check it out here (and/or scroll to the second slide below).

https://www.instagram.com/p/B-zTpVPj4LP/

One Comment

We Heart Astoria | Kelly Jean Fitzsimmons May 4th, 2020

[…] Lovely to have my creative writing class at The Astoria Bookshop (now online!) featured on We Heart Astoria. […]

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