ARTISTS in Stirling are coming up with innovative ways to connect with audiences online during the coronavirus lockdown.

A wide variety of virtual experiences are available while arts and culture venues are closed to the public.

For instance, local charity Artlink Central has designed an uplifting programme of live workshops and one-to-one experiences.

This includes an innovative dial-an-artist service for anyone in hospital.

The service will also be made available to those living at home with dementia.

Kevin Harrison, director at Artlink Central, said: “We’re beaming an artist into hospitals and homes across Forth Valley, offering any child or adult in hospital or anyone living at home with dementia the chance of having a one to one creative session via their phone, tablet or computer.

“Whether they are into music or sculpting, dancing or painting, or anything in between, we’ll match them with an artist who shares their passion and get them creating.”

The charity is also taking its Open Artspace service, aimed at supporting wellbeing, online during the crisis.

Elsewhere the Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum is running its first online art exhibition entitled The Rainbow Connection: Rainbows in Stirlingshire and beyond.

This showcase has been inspired by the rainbow artwork displayed in windows across the region and people are welcome to submit their own by emailing heather@thesmith.scot with the artist’s name.

Meanwhile, Kippen Artist Judy Reed, known to many as JudyJamJar, has created a special mosaic piece, called Rainbow of Hope.

She said: “It’s inspired by the beautiful rainbows made by local children which bring me joy as I walk around the village.

“I’m hoping to share the love as they walk past my wee cottage.”

While the Made in Stirling store is currently closed to customers, the hub is opening its doors every evening, with Sara MacMillan’s Kitchen at 44 operating a local distribution point for food items donated by supermarkets.

The creative team has also been hard at work behind the scenes to create an online shop, visit madeinstirlingstore.com during the pandemic.

The Macrobert Arts Centre is also providing online art experiences on its website.

And there is an ultra-short film competition called 60 seconds in Lockdown.

Julie Ellen, artistic director, said: “The outpouring of creative activity and the generosity of people from all walks of life during lockdown has been inspirational.

“We’re looking forward to sharing all of this with our friends and audience members old and new throughout the weeks ahead, throwing a spotlight on some of the fabulous online cultural offering and celebrating everyone’s creativity.”

And the Tolbooth has been beaming its Saturday Shindig straight into living rooms.

Every Saturday from 7.30pm, the venue is livestreaming a variety of artists on its Facebook page.

There is much more with Historic Environment Scotland also making a variety of learning resources and materials available online, the University of Stirling sharing its art collections online, and The Raploch-based Big Noise music project offering one-to-one lessons via video call.

Find Artlink Central on Facebook for creative experiences.