Dear COVID-19,

Every spring in Northeast Ohio, we joke about the sprouting of orange barrels as road construction starts. We joke about how mother nature truly doesn’t know what she wants with temperature swings of 70 degrees one day dropping to 35 degrees the next. Well COVID-19, this spring you threw a curve ball.

Everything ground to a halt, like a speeding car slamming on the breaks. A giant stop button was pushed. The studio doors were closed, and the lights turned off. “Stay at home” and “self distancing” are the new things to do.

What you do not realize—People will pause. Take a breath of fresh air. Realign their values. Perhaps ask this question: “If I die tomorrow, will I be happy with what I have accomplished in my life?”

That very question was asked to me over ten years ago. My answer was “No.” That “no” righted the ship and steered me into new waters. A seed was planted.

Like a sprouting seed, a new perspective opened. Aspirations were no longer on the back burner. An evolution occurred, from isolation in the studio to shared creative space. An embracing of the creative spirit happened.

Coronavirus, you have created an unpaid “artist in residence” for many. Time to sit still and dig in deep. Self-care will start to happen. Unfinished projects will be completed through a symphony of hand and heart. A meditation in motion has returned to still the mind from this strange reality you have created.

We may have retreated into our homes, into our studios, and even into our minds. However, when we emerge, we will be hungry. Hungry for community. Hungry for sharing. HUNGRY for learning. And hungry to celebrate your departure.

And when you do leave—Funds will be tighter, but there is a silver lining in all of this. The to do list will be shorter. The website will be built up for e-commerce. Accomplishments of our amazing creative community will be celebrated as we support each other on social media. The lights will be on, and the doors open again. There will be a new “normal,” with extra precautions and cleaning of course. Rescheduled classes will run, and the creative spirit will continue. Just you wait and see!

–Kim

 

Flux Metal Arts offers a wide variety of exciting classes and workshops in jewelry making and metalworking for students and artists of all levels. Our comfortable and inviting studio encourages creativity, exploration, and artistic community. We celebrate our artistic community through our storefront gallery featuring over 20 local artists from Northeast Ohio. To learn more, visit our website fluxmetalarts.com.

 

MICROFOLDING & CORRUGATION WITH VISITING ARTIST CYNTHIA EID | JUNE 12-14

ENAMELING: THE DECORATIVE SURFACE WITH VISITING ARTIST BARBARA MINOR | JULY 24-26

CHASING AND REPOUSSÉ: GREAT TECHNIQUES FOR FORM AND TEXTURE WITH VISITING ARTIST NANCY MEGAN CORWIN | AUGUST 7-9

 

FLUX Metal Arts

8827 Mentor Avenue, Suite A

Mentor, Ohio 44060

fluxmetalarts.com

440.205.1770