Even with Ohio Governor Mike DeWine’s directive for social distancing in place since early March, Project Jericho - a nationally acclaimed outreach program based at Clark State Community College – has continued to provide positive, in-depth art experiences for their participants and the community.

The Project Jericho team has been able to take their services online through the use of social media outlets, allowing participants to remain engaged with the program.

“This is the beauty of art,” said Lo Houser, director of Project Jericho. “We are proactive and creative. This quarantine is not daunting but has been a challenge. It has invited us to think of new ways to be creative.”

Project Jericho serves at-risk youth and their families by providing a variety of performing arts workshops, artist residencies and family performances, while encouraging the development of an individual’s talents through music, poetry, painting, dance and theater.

Each Project Jericho team member is sharing one video a week – from the safety of their own homes - on social media outlets. The videos encourage viewers to complete a project using their resources available at home.

“It’s important for them to see our faces,” said Houser. “They worry about us as much as we worry about them.”

In addition to three new videos each week, Project Jericho has launched a 30-day April Art from Apart initiative using a new word each day. The words were selected by local artists who teach with Project Jericho.

“We want participants to think of that word when creating a piece of art from any medium they choose,” said Houser. “We want them to keep that art and use it to reflect on these days.”

Houser said Project Jericho will continue to work on rescheduling events canceled due to the physical distancing requirements in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Those who complete a project demonstrated in the videos or suggested on Project Jericho social media outlets are encouraged to share them online using the hashtag: #PJartfromapart.

“We are hoping to host a celebration of all the art created by our PJ family throughout this quarantine,” Houser said. “Something to look forward to, for sure!”

Project Jericho is a collaborative initiative of the Clark State Community College and Job & Family Services of Clark County with support from The Turner Foundation and the Ohio Arts Council.

Project Jericho social media outlets include Facebook and Instagram.