Oakwood Arts

We make art and careers in creative industries accessible to all through community engagement, inspiring programming, and experiential education.

Dear Oakwood Arts Friends and Supporters, 

On behalf of all of us at Oakwood Arts, I hope you and your loved ones are well and finding ways to support each other during this challenging time. Please know that we are here for you, and do not hesitate to reach out if you or someone you know needs our help. 

I am writing with a quick update on how Oakwood Arts has been responding to the COVID-19 crisis in order to continue to serve our community. In the last few weeks, our six-person team has been figuring out the ins and outs of working remotely, using Zoom, Trello, Slack, and many text messages to stay connected and coordinated. Like most of Richmond's arts organizations, Oakwood Arts' regular programs are on hiatus indefinitely. But we know the students with whom we work need us now more than ever, and we have been working hard to modify our programs so our students can remain engaged with their school, peers, and Oakwood Arts communities. We are also working with our colleagues at local arts and culture organizations, as well as Richmond-area funders, to coordinate our efforts in support of local families, students, and artists.

Please take a look at what we have been doing below. We hope these programs and activities will bring fun and comfort to you and your families. In the meantime, please take care of yourself and your loved ones. 

With gratitude, 

Our first project is the Oakwood Arts Activity Kit. In collaboration with the Richmond Public Schools (RPS) Community Engagement team, we are creating art activity kits to give to K-5 and teen students at local RPS food distribution sites.

Sound fun? Check out the prompts below, on our website, or on our Instagram account, where we post new prompts daily Monday-Friday. You'll probably find most of the materials you need in your home, and some prompts do not require anything except the outdoors and your imagination! Whether you are doing remote schooling with your kids or looking for a fun and easy solo activity, we know there is something here for everyone.

We can't wait to see what you create! 

Make sure to share your work by emailing us at info@oakwoodarts.org or using the hashtag #oakwoodartskit on our Instagram @oakwoodarts. 

And if you would like a personal tutorial on creating a zine with Oakwood Arts' Instructor-in-Residence, Sam Page, check out our collaboration with Richmond Night Market this Saturday, April 11 at 5:10 pm. Sam will begin the evening on Instagram Live with @richmondnightmarketva. Following which, at 5:30 pm we will be sharing a demonstration on our account. Our theme is "Isolation Station!" 

In the meantime, stay tuned for more information on how we are moving some of Oakwood Arts' favorite programs like Photo Mondays and City Studio fully online.

Want to help Oakwood Arts during COVID-19?

Oakwood Arts and the community we serve need your help now more than ever. Thank you so much to those who have already donated and sent supplies, including our wonderful local partners: Wythken Printing, VPM, and The Martin Agency. 

• Donate to Oakwood Arts to help us in our efforts to bring new remote-based programs to our students and families. Would you like to sponsor an art activity kit? One kit costs $30--make your donation on our website and include "Oakwood Arts Kit" in the Notes section. 

• Donate supplies for our art activity kits using the list on our website. 

• Follow Oakwood Arts on Instagram.

• Let us know if you would like to volunteer or have other ideas for becoming involved by emailing our Programs Coordinator, Jessica: jessica@oakwoodarts.org.