Oak Cliff Cultural Center Hosts A Virtual PaintOWT For Kids, With Guests From Dallas Police Dept.

two black teenage girls painting at a desk. Both girls are looking at the cam. The girl closest to the camera is wearing a multi-colored sundress and has brains. The girl in the background has natural hair and is wearing a pink vest and a blue headband. era

The Oak Cliff Cultural Center is teaming up with the Dallas Police Department to present a PaintOWT.

PaintOWT With DPD, Saturday, Feb. 27, 11 a.m., Details

The virtual art workshop is hosted by visual artist Tyra Goodley and open to students in middle school and high school. Two to three DPD officers will participate in the class and also take questions from the students submitted through a sign- up form.

Visual Artist poses in front of painting holding a palette.

Tyra Goodley hosts a PaintOWT with DPD on Saturday. Photo: Sylvia Dunnavant Hines

“As they go through the workshop, students will be able to hear the officers responses to their questions, whether they be just general questions or questions pertaining to the protests that went on this summer,” said Monica Luna, Cultural Programs Coordinator. “There’s a lot of curiosity and just wanting to know and have answers, so this is a perfect opportunity for the students to be creative with DPD and also kind of build that bridge and get answers to a lot of the questions that they have in uncertainties.”

Goodley says the event will be an expression of cultural awareness and creativity, and the perfect way to close out Black History Month.

“We’re gathering as a community in celebration of Black History Month and creating an opportunity to make art together and break down barriers with the Dallas Police Department at the same time.”

Art supplies will be provided via signup and are available for pick up the Oak Cliff Cultural Center, but organizers want people to know that if you’re unable to pick up the supplies at the center you can use whatever art materials you have available at home. Goodley notes that the OWT stands for ‘Anything’ and that anything around the house can suddenly become a surface or or place in which we can use to create art.

The PaintOWT Workshop happens Saturday, Feb. 27 at 11 a.m. Space is limited. Sign up here or on the Oak Cliff Culture Center’s Facebook page.

No prior painting experience is necessary. Goodley wants students to know that there is no right way or wrong way to create art.

“Our goal with this workshop is to create a hopeful transition into our new normal and art brings that.”

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