By Mary O’KEEFE

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed many aspects of life, including that of business, and although many businesses suffered and had to close there have been some community members who have used this time to focus on how they can share their individual talents.

James and Bo Kim moved to their Crescenta Valley home and were preparing to expand an art program just before the pandemic hit. Art has always been a part of their lives; both are graduates of Art Center College of Design where they met. But for Bo, art is not just an object or an experience – it is a way of life.

Art should be incorporated into daily life, James said of his wife’s philosophy.

Bo curtailed her work in the art field when their daughter, Daisy, was born.

“When our daughter got older, her friends’ [parents] asked for private art tutoring,” James said. “My wife was teaching small groups; she was tutoring my daughter and her friends. [She was] doing this out of our house.”

Prior to moving into their Crescenta Valley home, Bo tutored children in art for about two years. The family then moved to their new home in 2019 with the idea of expanding their art classes. They had begun the process of getting the proper permits to expand the art classes – and then COVID-19 hit.

“Due to COVID, everything shut down,” James said. “That dream [of new art classes] disintegrated in March 2020.”

Safer-At-Home restrictions gave Bo, James and Daisy time to examine their art and realize how much joy it brought them and others. Daisy’s friends and their parents continued to request art classes from Bo. The need grew as kids were learning virtually and parents wanted to find projects for their children.

James said his wife’s classes taught kids to create pieces of art they could be proud of and were something they would want to display in their homes. The Kims began thinking about how they could share their love of art and continue with Bo’s art lessons for Daisy’s friends despite COVID restrictions.

“We were looking for different types of art kits that kids can engage with at home,” he said. “We found little craft projects but [those] didn’t turn into artwork.”

They decided to come up with their own art kits.

“We thought, ‘Why don’t we just come up with some projects?’” James said.

Their inspiration for bojagi came from their Korean culture.

Bojagi is a traditional Korean folk art consisting of patchwork cloths made from scraps of fabric, like cotton and silk, according to the Association for Asian Studies. These pieces of art can be used in a variety of ways, including as giftwrap or scarves, or placed decoratively on tables.

The kits that Bo created used bojagi woodblock printing. The kids learned about Korean culture and about woodblock printing while creating their own designs.

Daisy was part of the creation of the kits. She shared her ideas, like new names for colors that would be included. She also helped with packing all of the kits. Her input in the creation of the kits proved to be invaluable.

They created 25 kits and test marketed with Daisy’s friends and Bo’s art students.

“We began to get requests from parents for a second kit they wanted to buy,” James said.

The 25 test kits turned into a 125-kit project, which sold out.

“They became very popular with the parents and kids,” James said.

They called their business Studio Sparro and designed a website where people can purchase kits. Each kit comes with a QR code that links to the video instructions on how to use the materials in the kits. This give Bo a way to still teach art virtually.

“We were kind of surprised at how much the kids enjoyed the kits. One of the reasons [they like it] is because my wife likes teaching and loves sharing her creativity, and can show [the kids] how they can use art in their daily lives,” James said.

That art can be used even when doing simple tasks, like setting the table. The kits come with one type of cloth but James added the art can expand to make backpacks, shirts or any number of objects. The family has watched as students began applying the art to other areas.

He added that because of COVID parents have spent a lot of time with their kids during at-home learning. As a parent he understands why so many parents are looking for projects for their children.

“It’s not just spending time [with your child]. As a parent, you are always trying to get your kids engaged in a project,” James said. “We are trying to get them a project where they can grow.”

James, Bo and Daisy are enjoying this project that has turned into a business. It is not only a way for their family to use their artistic creativity but also helps kids expand their own creative talent.

For more information or to purchase kits, go to studiosparro.com.