The New School
Art Matters is making contingency plans for re-opening - or actually re-inventing - our after school art program - that we would like to share with you. Naturally, safety is our first concern. We don’t know what the pandemic will be like in the fall, and we will proceed with utmost caution. What we believe, after studying the eight page guidance issued by the state for re-opening, is that we cannot keep doing things the same way in the same location.
We believe that COVID protocols, which require sanitizing bathrooms and materials, as well as the many other guidelines- such as face masks or shields- are quite necessary for reopening and for keeping our students safe. In order to ensure that we are able to follow the state guidelines, we are taking the following measures.
First, we are re-locating, so that we no longer have to share bathrooms with other businesses. We will no longer be a community gallery, with visitors walking in to view art. We are downsizing to one art class per day, which means we have cut enrollment. One class per day is much more manageable in terms of COVID precautions.
This is not a decision we have arrived at lightly. When we put together our annual end of year art show, (this year it was virtual), we took delight in each and every photo of every child. There was not a single page in that slideshow (which you can view here on this website) that did not elicit the comment “I love that kid,” from one or both of us.
Re-locating: This daily class will take place at our own home. It has always been a school. We home-schooled our children there from Kindergarten through high school. It has always been Teresa’s studio, where she has produced the bulk of her art over the last two decades, as well as a showcase for her work and that of other local artists. In many ways, it has always been Art Matters, only without the sign.
We think the kids will love it. It is set on a beautiful acre of land on a cul-de-sac in a rural, wooded subdivision just ten minutes from downtown.
We will have classes on a large, screened-in porch, as long as weather permits. It is large enough for social distancing and by virtue of being outdoors, much less likely to spread infectious disease. Indoors there is plenty of room to spread out and make art as well.
Our home features a swing set, a play house, flower gardens (including our traditional sunflowers), and there is a forest in our backyard.
Children will feel right at home when they realize that the familiar amenities that they have come to count on will still be there - things like the hammock, the fish pond, the picnic table, the boat, the blocks, the Starry Night mural and best of all…
Kiwi the talking bird.
Our daily class will last 90 minutes at no additional cost to make up for the inconvenience of driving to our house, which is a ten minute drive from downtown Bowling Green.
Our enrollment is currently full. We hope to add classes, when the current health crisis comes to an end. We will place you on our waiting list, if you complete the form below and press submit. Enrollment will be first come, first serve.
As always, parents are welcome to stay, use our wifi, have a cup of coffee, take a nap, or play with blocks, as long as everyone wears masks and social distance is observed. If you have any questions, we would love to talk with you and we hope to hear from you soon.
Thank you,
Teresa and Michael
