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Amid the social distancing and closures caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts is reinventing its arts programming and education for patrons who are staying at home.

“During this ‘Intermission,’ the Suffolk Center’s staff has continued to think outside the box and explore creative ways to bring the ARTS to your home, from virtually everywhere,” the Friday press release states. “The Center is virtually reinventing arts education, arts programming and now offers patrons a dash of artful retail therapy to help them navigate these unprecedented times.”

With assistance from Suffolk Tourism, the Suffolk Center’s new “Walk On the Wild Side” exhibit can now be enjoyed online through a “Virtual Gallery Tour” video. The 19-minute, walking tour video showcases the exhibit’s 18 artists and their 91 unique pieces of artwork that are currently in the BB&T and Norfolk Foundation Galleries at the Suffolk Center.

“Virtual visitors will enjoy a lively gallery talk by Susan Lawrence, SCCA executive director, and Sandy Hart, SCCA gallery manager, who provide an insightful look into the wildlife artists and art techniques,” the press release states.

Search for “SCCA Wild Side Virtual Gallery Tour” on YouTube to find the video. As an added bonus, viewers can also buy art from the ‘Walk on the Wild Side’ exhibition online in the Suffolk Center’s new online gallery store by visiting suffolkcenter.org/online-gallery-store.

The Suffolk Center has also created a new virtual shopping experience to bring the Jester’s Gallery Shop online. The shop is located inside the Suffolk Center building, but shoppers can now go online to peruse 58 pieces of artwork from 17 local artists, with more artists being added daily.

Customers can order jewelry, paintings, scarves, pottery and more online, then email jesters@suffolkcenter.org to arrange for delivery or pickup on a mutually agreeable date, once the stay at home order is lifted. Shoppers can go online now to suffolkcenter.org/online-jesters-store.

Expanding Jester’s Gallery Shop to online sales gives local artists a new revenue stream while also giving customers a chance to buy wonderful items while social distancing, the press release states.

“I think it is so exciting to see Jester’s and the Suffolk Center do so much to support the arts community,” Val Johnson, of Flying Cow Creations, states in the press release. Johnson’s “Blue & Gold Silk Scarf” piece was the first piece that was sold on Jester’s new online platform. “Opening Jester’s to shop online with the beautiful offerings of area artists is a godsend to so many.”

Visit suffolkcenter.org and follow the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for more creative content.