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DOWAGIAC — Like other aspects of life during COVID-19, art is continuing to evolve, but for one local artist, the transition is seamless.

Nestled in her treetop studio level with the trees and natural light, Dowagiac artist Sharron Ott is continuing to offer live art classes to the community through video amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

For the past two weeks, Ott has been streaming hour-long art classes on her Facebook page, Sharron Ott Art, via Facebook Live three times a week. However, her transition to virtual art instruction really started two years ago, when she began uploading art tutorials to a YouTube channel.

“I have a bit of a history working with video and editing,” she said. “When the lockdown came about, it was easy for me to go right to using video because I was already making them.”

Before the COVID-19 situation, Ott had just started teaching a drawing class at the Cass County Council On Aging’s Front Street Crossing location at 11 a.m. Tuesdays. Ott said the course was well received and had about 10 usual enthusiastic participants. She also was teaching a painting class at 1 p.m. at Eagle’s Wood and Trace Apartments.  She transitioned both classes online and has kept the same times as a continuation for her students.

Also, she received requests about offering a children’s art class for students who are out of school.

“Some of the comments were saying it was a nice addition to parents homeschool curriculum,” Ott said.

So far, Ott said people seem to be happy to participate in the live art classes.

“We have people in Barcelona doing the class and some of my students,” Ott said. “A lot of my friends from college have been joining in. A lot of them are professional artists, so it’s a nice way for us to get together and think about art.”

The couple from Barcelona, Spain has a summer home in Cassopolis and a winter residence in Barcelona. The couple, currently quarantined in Barcelona, has kept in touch with Ott online and is now tuning into her live art classes.

As Michigan enters its second week of a “stay-at-home” executive order issued by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Ott said art could be therapeutic for those struggling with anxiety.

In yesterday’s drawing class, the objective was to study a potato sprout.

“I find that when you do something basic, like study nature and take your time, it’s a great way to focus on something other than the tragedies that are happening,” she said. “Just to work through a nice calm piece seems to be very good for folks.”

Ott said she might experiment with continuing to offer online virtual classes even after the COVID-19 situation has suppressed.

“I like being online. My degree in college was art and technology,” she said. “I always have a bias towards the electronic medium. Even though I paint and teach drawing and painting, I am still always working with video, projections and computer graphics.”

Due to coronavirus, Ott’s art exhibition scheduled for Friday, March 13, at Front Street Crossing, had to be postponed. She hopes to host a tea at the end of the three-month exhibit or extend the date of the exhibition.

Readers interested in following Ott’s live stream can like her business Facebook page “Sharron Ott / Art” to get access to the Facebook Live stream. Past videos are also available.

Here is a schedule of classes:

• 11 a.m. on Tuesdays — Drawing class

• 1 p.m. on Tuesdays — Painting class

• 11 a.m. on Thursdays — Children’s class