These take-home art kits could help cure your quarantine blues

Have you got the quarantine blues? Even though their doors are closed for the moment, each of these Dayton art studios is providing innovative alternatives to help you brighten things up by indulging your creative side. Virtual and to-go kits allow you to use your home as your workshop, so you can decorate that den or liven up that office view.

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Now and Zen DIY Studio

Now and Zen DIY Studio is offering an array of take-home kits that provide you everything you need to make a terrarium in the comfort of your home. The DIY studio began as a Saturday-only stall at 2nd Street Market operated by the mother-daughter team of Paula Willis and Alleah Cooks in 2014. Last year, they opened their studio in downtown Dayton, giving folks the opportunity to stop in and create their own terrariums from a wide selection of air plants, succulents, and ferns, along with shells, stones, moss, soil, and crystals.

Now and Zen is now making it possible for crafters to create these terrariums at home with stocked DIY take-home kits or enlist the help of Now and Zen through their virtual DIY studio where you select the contents and pick up the terrarium once it’s complete.

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Picture Perfect Paint Parties

Picture Perfect Paint Parties prides itself on giving their customers everything they need to create a work of art they’ll be proud to hang in their home. Even with the limitations we face at the moment, they help their customers make memories by offering “paint parties in a box.” These parties start with a kit sent to your home that includes lightly traced canvases, brushes, paints, aprons, and the directions you’ll need to get started.

You can choose from a virtual party, where the talented Picture Perfect team will guide you through your project online, or decide to go it alone with an at-home kit. No matter which you choose, Picture Perfect has the tools for you to paint your latest masterpiece.

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Raise Your Brush

Raise Your Brush is offering a plethora of take-home DIY options from its location in Centerville. Take a wood pallet, choose from a wide range of stencils, and create wall art with your favorite words of wisdom for all to see. If you’re more in the mood for stylish imagery, stencils are available to help you create a piece commemorating your favorite Disney or Harry Potter moments.

Want to use something you already have around the house? Turn your empty wine bottle into a piece of decorative art. While you’re at it, paint a wine glass to match. Paint pours are also available if you want to try an abstract piece on canvas. And if you’re feeling adventurous, you can use your body as you canvas with Paint Your Brush’s henna DIY kits.

Each kit is sent with all the materials you need, from paints and stencils to canvases and instructions. If you’re trying a project for the first time or need a refresher, you don’t need to worry — Raise Your Brush provides corresponding DIY videos on its website, so you have directions every step of the way as if you were in their studio.

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Mosaic Institute

The Mosaic Institute of Greater Dayton has made it its mission to inspire, empower, and unify our community through art. Even in the face of the current circumstances, they are making good on this promise by offering budding artists and beginners alike the option to order to-go kits, providing them the chance to create their own mosaics at home.

Mosaic To-Go Kits are outfitted with everything you’ll need to begin your new artistic adventure. They come with a wooden-shaped cutout of your choice and the stained glass tesserae (glass mosaic pieces) to affix to it. The Mosaic Institute also provides the nuts and bolts for your project, including glue, grout, a water cup, gloves, and most importantly, directions! Also included is a history of mosaic art lesson. Once ordered, the kits can be delivered to you or you can arrange a pickup in person.

While scouting your personal project, be sure to check out the Mosaic Institute’s Pay It Forward Crafts To-Go Kits program. You’ll be able to pass on the joy of mosaics by purchasing basic craft project kits to be assembled by the institute’s team and delivered to East End Community Services on Xenia Avenue in Dayton, where families will be able to pick up the kits for free.

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Decoy Art

Decoy Art in Beavercreek was founded on the belief that everyone, young or old, big or small, has a creative side within. They have made it their purpose to discover and empower this trait through the many artistic endeavors they offer. From walk-in painting to art and clay courses and study labs, Decoy provides an all-inclusive experience for both newcomers and seasoned artists.

Decoy is offering downloadable activity sheets for free, but zero cost is only the beginning. Each activity sheet is the work of a local artist. It’s a great opportunity to browse the portfolios of amazing local talent and find pieces of art that not only speak to you, but ones that you can style however you like. You may also make a discovery – Decoy gives you directions to the artist’s website, social media, and recommendations on commissioning a piece of work!

Decoy is also working on a kit program featuring contactless pickup so you can get supplies at your convenience and create from the comfort of your home.

See something that inspires you? Give it a try! Beat the boredom and create a work of art that is both unique and personal, while supporting local art studios that continue to spread creativity and joy in this trying time. Pick a project for yourself or for the family to work on. You can let your imagination run wild with each room as a new canvas.

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