Initiative to be celebrated with free event, art lesson Oct. 9 at Deep Run
An event to celebrate the installation of Art Nooks – mounted, decorative cabinets filled with free-to-use art supplies – will be held Sunday, Oct. 9 at Deep Run Park, 9900 Ridgefield Parkway.
The 4 Art 2 Heart Art Nooks have been placed near picnic shelters at Deep Run, Dorey and Echo Lake parks through a partnership between 4 Art 2 Heart, Henrico 4-H and the Henrico County Division of Recreation and Parks. The project was designed and initiated by sisters Rithanya and Nikhita Saravanan, who teach art classes through their nonprofit 4 Art 2 Heart. They will offer a free art lesson at the Oct. 9 event, which will begin at 3 p.m. at the family shelter near the second parking lot on the right side of the park’s entrance road.
The Art Nooks, which function similar to a Little Free Library, are designed to help park visitors relax and spark their creativity by giving them access to stencils and other art supplies as well as art tutorials. Users will receive a code to unlock the cabinet after scanning its QR code and completing a brief survey. They are asked only to return the items and lock the Art Nook when they are done.
“Art therapy is one of the best natural ways to help combat stress in your everyday life,” said Kendra J.K. Young, a senior extension agent with the Henrico office of Virginia Cooperative Extension. “What better place to reduce stress but in a peaceful and beautiful Henrico County park using an Art Nook?”
