Park Slope business launches virtual arts-and-crafts classes for kids

A Park Slope business is hoping to brighten the day and provide some fun for kids by hosting online arts-and-crafts classes.
Private Picassos is bringing art into people's homes to help people get through these tough times. The online group classes cost $10 and anyone can join. There are also private lessons for anyone interested. A list of supplies is provided and most items are things that people would already have in their homes.
"We're trying to keep it as basic as possible and also as plug-and-play friendly as possible for the parents' sake," says owner Valeen Baht. "Turn on the Zoom meeting and maybe the parent can walk away for a second and have a cup of coffee and just chill out for a minute while the kids are engaged in learning something new."
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Art teacher Ally Cirruzzo taught kids on Monday to make a small book out of one sheet of paper with markers and colored pencils. The students came up with their own stories and made their drawings come to life.
"A lot of kids are doing a lot of homeschooling and all these really intense things, and I think our art classes whether it's online or eventually when they'll be in person again we provide a little bit of relief for kids," says Cirruzzo. 'I know when I was a kid I wouldn't be able to go through a school day without art."
Cirruzzo hopes the classes allow parents a bit of a break as they take on more responsibilities to educate and entertain their kids.
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