A BOURNEMOUTH based artist who has offered free online art lessons for children since the first lockdown has had great online success.

Professional artist Alexander Dakers created the live children's art show Coco and Alex to support learning amid the first lockdown.

Now, nearly a year later, he has over 5000 followers on Facebook and an average of 10,000 views per show.

Alexander said: "I decided to offer art lessons live on Facebook and made it quirky by incorporating Coco the monkey. It's similar to Art Attack but there is an art lesson within each show. Loads of children around the world now tune in and it’s really started to grow.

"Coco and Alex is growing at a very quick pace but I’m happy to do it. I don’t make any money from this at all, and money isn’t what I'm looking for, I just want to help people through the show."

Since Coco and Alex's inception in March 2020, Alexander and all of those who work on the show have helped children in the county and further afield.

Alexander said: "We get a lot of views on Facebook, with many watching from France, Italy and Spain – not just the United Kingdom. Through the show we raised over £1000 for an orphanage we support in Uganda. All the kids who watched the show sent pieces of art to the children in the orphanage, which was fantastic.

"Also, through the show we had art sent from Spain, Poland, Italy, France and the United Kingdom to the Bournemouth and Poole hospitals to show support to the NHS during this time.

"There are lots of schools in Bournemouth and Poole who have been using my shows in their art lessons. I’m not worried about who watches and shares the show, but there is a meaning behind them, which is to help others.

"This includes those we support in Uganda, which we’re very proud of. The art lessons help kids to learn skills they’ll need for future art."

You can watch Coco and Alex live every Wednesday and Friday at 5pm here: https://www.facebook.com/zanderartworklive