Welcome Art Friends, Old & New!
Free, Virtual, and Adaptable
Imagine a safe place, full of support and encouragement, where you can explore your creativity. It doesn’t matter if you are regularly featured in The Museum of Modern Art in New York City, or haven’t picked up an art supply in decades, you are welcome here.
Our artists or “Art Friends” as we have named ourselves, come from every community we serve, and then some. That’s right, It doesn’t matter if you are a patient, survivor, thriver, care-partner, family member, friend, or loved one of ANY condition (cancer, chronic illness, rare disease, etc), our studio is open to you! Yes, we really mean it!
Debuting in 2021, we had our very first art class to celebrate Multiple Sclerosis Awareness month. Since June 2022 we’ve had a class each month, and now we are expanding to art classes for Veterans and their loved ones in 2023.
Our classes are free, virtual, and adaptable. For example, several of our participants have dexterity issues, and we have solutions in our classes. Upon registration, let us know if there is a way we can make the class work for you (low vision, hearing loss, etc).
View the Art Gallery!
Missed one of our classes or want to make another creation?
Would you like some inspiration from our awesome participants?
Check out our Art Gallery for a full list of past classes, recordings, supply lists, and the art created from them by clicking HERE.
Upcoming Art Classes
No upcoming events scheduled.
FAQ
Are these classes really free?
YES, YES, AND YES!!!
Is it cancer only?
No, ANY condition – cancer, rare disease, chronic illness, autoimmune disease, chronic pain, you name it, is welcome.
Do I have to be an AnCan Support Group ‘member’ to attend?
Not at all, even if we have a support group for your condition and you do not attend, you are always welcome!
(but we have awesome support groups too, so definitely to check them out.)
Are these classes only for those in the US?
Short answer – Nope! AnCan is international, we have people attend our groups from everywhere. Our art class is no different.
Longer answer – If we have a class where we send you art supplies, we can only send within the United States due to customs and shipping limitations. However, you can still join the class and we are happy to help you find art supplies in your area, or work with whatever you have!
Who is the ‘average’ Art Friend?
We are thrilled to have built up a community where there really is no average participant. We vary in ages, genders, conditions, art skill levels, locations, and any other label you can think of. There really is a spot for you here, we promise!
Do I have to share my name or have my camera on?
Never, feel free to join with a pseudonym, initials, or something else. And you never have to have your camera on, or show your art. Your reasons for coming are your own, and we respect that. Your comfort is the priority. We’re just glad you’re here!
What supplies do I need?
Any art class, no matter what art medium being taught (acrylic paints, oil pastels, watercolors, etc.), can be adapted to ANYTHING you have on hand – pens, pencils, sharpies, soy sauce, or even coffee! We call this ‘Bring Your Own Art Supplies” or BYOAS.
We will always send you a supply list if you would like to follow along with our project exactly, and can offer you suggestions of supplies you can buy from Amazon or a local dollar store. We can work with any budget, just contact us!
Sometimes classes are fully sponsored, and we are able to ship all the supplies you need right to your door, free of charge. (To the US only; for shipping and customs reasons)
If I am a care-partner or loved one, does the patient/survivor/thriver have to be there for me to participate?
Absolutely not.
When your loved one is diagnosed with any condition, AnCan fully acknowledges that you are diagnosed as well. You deserve support, care, and time for yourself. Feel free to come to art class alone, or with another friend/loved one.
You are truly welcomed with open arms, and know we have lots of peers just like you in our classes.
I’m nervous to come, what is it like?
Well, we would tell you don’t be nervous, but we get it. Joining something new, especially if you have never visited us at AnCan before, it could be a little scary for sure.
We open the class 15 minutes before instruction. We welcome each person by name and our seasoned Art Friends join in our welcomes. You can join us during that time to either hang out or get your supplies ready. It’s very relaxed.
We record each class session, so feel free to watch one or a few before you come. They can be found in our Art Gallery.
If you are a seasoned ‘AnCaner’, our classes still follow our best practices, and our facilitators are fully trained the “AnCan way”.
I am a social worker, nurse navigator, etc. Can I recommend these classes as a resource?
100% Contact us if you’d like flyers or other promotional items.
I have another question not answered here
Awesome, let us know by contacting us. We’re happy to help!
Tax Deductible Donation Info
Our services are free, but if you benefit then please consider a tax deductible donation.
AnCan does not provide medical advice – we do empower you to manage your own care.
Our calls are recorded and posted on this website for later listening; please note we are a peer-to-peer support group and not subject to HIPAA compliance.
