We decided on 19 Mar to close and not run the remaining workshops scheduled before Easter. Very sadly, just one week later, we have to do the same for all workshops planned to run before the summer break on 07 June. It is clear this is going to last longer than everyone hoped.
We have already emailed directly those with bookings before the summer break. Emails will go to the booking contact details, so, if you were booked by someone else, they will be the one notified.
This crisis presents all of us with great challenges and much sadness, not least the reduction in opportunities to make and create, meet like minded people and feel connected with others like us. Although we’re deprived of much of that for now, hopefully, we’ll come out the other side with even more ideas and a greater appreciation of the importance of connecting and creating together. We have already heard from some of you about the ways in which you’re continuing to keep in touch and support each other through the mountain of unfinished projects! Please tell us about anything you’re getting up to.
This is a nightmare for so many people, our tutors in particular. They are largely self-employed artists and makers, often without another income or a ready means of reaching an audience for their work now that galleries and shows are cancelled and closed. Please keep an eye out for them as they seek customers online. We’ll do our best to help them reach people.
THE FUTURE
Our current aim is to reschedule workshops. We don’t want you to have to set your alarms at 7:00AM to bag your places all over again! So we are working through the financial implications of rescheduling. The Government announcements about help for small businesses are certainly very helpful. But the scale of the task of rescheduling is quite daunting and as yet there is nothing we can actually do until there is more clarity around how the crisis will unfold.
So, at the moment we are asking that you please bear with us for the next few months until we can see what might be possible as a way forward.
We may not be as available on the phone and email responses may be slower than usual. We are quite heavily committed helping Masham Community Office in the short term as well as trying to sort out our own lives. But we are certainly still here so get in touch if you need us! You can follow our Facebook Page for further news and some light relief…regular photos of ArtisOn workshops and lunches past!
We are so sorry we won’t be seeing you. We know this will be a dreadful disappointment to some. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but the main thing now is to do as we’re told …tricky times indeed!!
Please take care and look after yourselves.
Best wishes, Gaynor & Sue
P.S. THE AUTOMATED REMINDER EMAILS MAY CONTINUE AS WE HAVEN’T WORKED OUT HOW TO STOP THEM!! PLEASE IGNORE THEM…
