ARTSHINE in a Box – Specialty Box Review: Somebody To Love
*This box was sent to SubscriptionBoxes.ca for review purposes and is our honest opinion.
ARTSHINE in a Box is a Canadian visual arts subscription box for kids aged 4-100 years old. When you subscribe to the monthly subscription box, each month your child will receive an exciting art kit that explores a different theme and art medium. Some of the lessons and techniques your child may learn are drawing, pastels, painting, 3D pens, and more. Artshine in a Box also has many one-time boxes available: Specialty Boxes (Seasonal), Premium Boxes, Artshine Reads Boxes, and Classroom Kits.
The Artshine company has been around for several years making a difference in many communities in Ontario and Montreal. They provide mobile art programs to schools, churches, youth programs, community centres, retirement homes, and more. The sister company ART4ALL is a non-profit program providing art programs for all people, many of who are disadvantaged by life circumstances, income, and ability.
“GET ONE, GIVE ONE. For every ‘Artshine in a Box’ kit/lesson ordered, [they] donate one to a child in need.
[Their] Mission: Creating a community where participation in the arts is not limited by income, ability, or life circumstances.”
This Review is of the ARTSHINE in a Box – Specialty Box
What’s in an ARTSHINE in a Box:
- Subscription Box – All the art supplies needed for the project, printed step-by-step instructions, and an online video link tutorial from an Artshine Instructor.
- Specialty Box – A one-time seasonally-themed box with all the materials needed for 1 project, and printed step-by-step instructions. Some boxes include access to an online video tutorial.
- Premium Box – A one-time box with one theme, 3 projects, 3 printed step-by-step guides, and 3 online video tutorials.
- ARTSHINE Reads – A book, a video link, an art project inspired by the book, and all the art supplies needed (Available in English or French)
Recommended Ages:
- Subscription Box – 4-6 years old (Kinder) & 7-12 years old (Elementary)
- Specialty Box – ages 7-100
- Premium Box – ages 7-100
- ARTSHINE Reads – ages 5-8
Frequency: The Subscription Box option is delivered monthly for your choice of length: 1, 3, 6, or 12 months. All other boxes are one-time purchases.
*Please note in any 3-month or more subscriptions you will receive a combination of Artshine box and envelope packages.
Cost:
- Subscription Box – $34.95 CAD monthly or less for longer subscriptions
- Specialty Box – $19.95-$24.95 CAD one-time box
- Premium Box – $49.95-$69.95 CAD one-time box
- ARTSHINE Reads – $34.95 CAD one-time box
Shipping: Calculated at Checkout
ARTSHINE in a Box – Specialty Box Review: Somebody To Love
Each ARTSHINE in a Box – Specialty Box comes with all the supplies you will need to create a beautiful seasonal-themed art project of your choosing. The structure of an online video tutorial from an Artshine Instructor ensures a wonderful masterpiece will be created and your child will be so proud to show off their artwork!
The ‘Somebody to Love’ Specialty box is the perfect art project for Valentine’s Day and it will make a wonderful gift for someone you love or to keep for yourself.
Each box comes with a guidebook with a few very helpful tips and simple step-by-step instructions that allow you to complete your artwork even without access to a computer and the online tutorial. This guidebook is where you will also find the link and password to access the video tutorial for this project.
Let the artwork begin…
First, you complete some sketches of who you want in your painting. These figures can be customized for each family member or loved one you choose to include in your painting. Adult male or female, young or old child and chosen hairstyles. Plus, add a dog or cat if you like.
Then the sunset painting and blending begins.
The ability to pause and rewind makes sure your child doesn’t miss a step and can go at their own pace without being rushed.
Bonus Projects: A bookmark to colour
Verdict: My kids love Artshine in a Box! This is the second box we have been fortunate enough to receive and it was so much fun! As a mom, I love how my kids can craft and create without me having to plan and gather all the little things, like a paint plate, water cup, paper towel, etc. Then at the end, everything can be popped in the garbage or recycled and clean-up is done. My ten-year-old setup and did the whole painting independently while following along with the online tutorial. She loved sketching and creating her family characters as seen through her eyes. In the end, the painting turned out perfect with Dad, Mom, two cats, and two sisters! The whole process was very straightforward and took just over an hour from start to finish, with only a few minor hiccups along the way, as would be expected from a perfectionist.
With many extracurricular classes being canceled, due to Covid and the world the way it is, Artshine boxes allow kids to have fun and create art in a safe way. The video tutorials are like a private instructor teaching you, with the ability to pause and replay as often as needed. Your kids will love a subscription where they learn about new art mediums each month or they can choose their favorite one-time box to purchase with no commitment of a subscription. Artshine in a Box allows your child to have the freedom to create their own masterpieces, that they will happily display and share with everyone.
Have you tried ARTSHINE in a Box? Which art projects has your child created?
