What started as a quarantine project has turned into a flourishing creative outlet for all levels of artists that keeps friends in touch across the country! With a few easy steps you can also create your own arts pen pal program, whether it's for you or for your children.
Steps on starting your own program
Determine who will participate. I would recommend asking publicly who would like to be involved, such as posting an Instagram story, a status on Facebook, or via Twitter. Don't be shy about reaching out to specific people who might enjoy the program but maybe didn't see the post.
Collect mailing addresses. Keep these in one place like a Google Sheet, or an address book for easier tracking in the future. This will limit the amount of times you have to text them asking "what's your address again?"
Set up a time to create. Don't be too hard on yourself if you don't consider yourself to be an artist. There is a plethora of benefits to doing something creative - and this will give you an outlet to try something new!
Throw deadlines out the window. Let the pen pals decide when they are ready to send their artwork. It will always be a surprise when you check your mail, and pen pals are free to create as their inspiration comes rather than being harassed with a deadline.
Recommendations
Keep it 'judgement free'. This program is meant to keep you in contact the old fashion way and to show our creative sides. Make it clear in the invitation that this is an opportunity to try something new. Be supportive of the medium or content that the pen pals choose to work with. Keeping it judgement free will also loosen you up when it comes time to create your own artwork.
The artwork should fit inside a mailable envelope. The pen pals should be able to create their work, address it into a normal sized envelope, and drop it into their mailbox with the appropriate amount of stamps on it for the destination. If the artwork has to be taken to a Post Office, weighed, and packaged - it's already too much. Unless you and your pen pals decided in advance that larger artwork would be wanted, you should stick with average sized letters.
Have a variety of mediums to choose from. Inspiration comes and goes, so it's a good idea, if possible, to own a couple different art materials. Before COVID-19 Quarantine I purchased: water color paper, water colors, water color pencils, wax crayons (for watercolors), acrylic canvas paper, acrylic paints, and colored pencils. Some general materials around the house that I've been able to use are: sharpies, ballpoint pens, graphite pencils, glitter, etc.
Include a message. Of course your pen pals will enjoy the art, but everyone loves getting a message in the mail, too! Try to include: the title, the materials you used, what inspired you, if this was a new medium/concept to you or if it's a type of medium you prefer, what you struggled with, and what you like about it. Get creative and show your personality - you don't have to write the message like it's a homework assignment.
If you start your own pen pal program I would enjoy hearing about how it goes. I am continuing to accept new pen pals, let me know if you would like to join.
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