Monday, August 17, 2020

One day, we'll be together!!!



One day, we’ll be together!!!




Tomorrow, August 18th at 3 pm EDT, Seth Apter and I will be sharing the results and our interpretations of the July 2020 Check-in - The Art Community: Where do we go from here? survey via a Livestream on his personal Facebook Page. This is the second survey we have deplyed trying to gauge how workshop attendees, instructors and others vital to our Mixed Media World are making do and making decisions about when, and how, to take workshops. 



I have to say I am delighted by the results of the latest survey. 

Most seem to be weathering the storm and finding ways to stay connected and artistic in unprecedented challenging times! Bravo! Bravo! Bravo!

Here are a few snippets to whet your appetites to tune in tomorrow:

Participants were asked how the Covid-19 Crisis has impacted one’s creative life using the scale of 1 - 10 with 1 being Strongly Disagreeing and 10 being Strongly Agreeing. 

The numbers are the average score for each statement:
  • 7.16 - Has provided time for me to create art
  • 3.77 - Has distracted me to the point where I cannot create 
  • 7.52 - Has opened up new art-education opportunities
  • 6.25 - Has brought me closer to my "Art Community”
  • 3.62 - Has isolated me from my "Art Community" 
Wowza. 

Many, many in our community have embraced this time as an opportunity to learn and make art. You can’t beat Mixed Media lovers down!!! 

96% of the respondents are on the computer every day on arts-related topics - Livestreams, Facebook Art Groups, Zoom Meetings, YouTube, Online Workshops, General Surfing, etc. 
  • 27% - 1-2 hours a day
  • 21% - 2-3 hours a day
  • 15% - 3-4 hours a day
  • 12% - 4-5 hours a day

This surprised me. I guess it should not. But, for instructors, retailers and workshop owners, this is fantastic information for advertising, marketing, making and keeping connections and providing online classes and sales. 

When asked, given the information we have today, which is the earliest time period you would consider attending an in-person workshop:

15.38% - This year

  • 6.4% - August 2020
  • 4.6% - September 2020
  • 3.3% - October 2020
  • 0.8% - November 2020
  • 1% - December 2020

37% - Next year

  • 14% - First quarter 2021
  • 17% - Second quarter 2021
  • 4.2% - Third Quarter 2021
  • 1.8% - Fourth Quarter 2021

41% - Not until a Covid-19 Vaccine is proven effective

2.8% - Never

We changed this question from the original survey based on the comments we received. Back in May 41.3% said “sometime in 2021” would be the soonest they would consider going back to in-person classes. We did not have an option regarding the vaccine or “never.” All the other responses from the May survey chose a month later in 2020. Obviously those opinions have shifted. 

As an in-person workshop teacher, host and retail shop owner, yes, I am sad that we have had to hold off hosting workshops this year. We rescheduled all of 2020 starting June 2021 and many StencilGirl Designers like Seth Apter, Tina Walker and Rae Missigman were on the calendar for 2020 as well as StencilGirl, herself, Mary Beth Shaw! But, most everyone has agreed to move to 2021, and an amazing number of students were totally cool with moving everything forward hoping that time will bring some kind of resolution to our current situation. (Shameless plug, check out next year’s line up by clicking here.)

I really miss the energy and excitement on the faces of those attending workshops as they bust through the doors of Ephemera Paducah. Geared up ready to learn from a rockstar instructor! It is so very, very quiet in the Studio. I know many of you are missing that energy and time together, as well. 

But, that joy is not worth risking someone’s life. So we wait and hope and make art. We “pivot” and because we are artists and cannot live without creating, we do. 

Tune in tomorrow at 3 pm EDT on Seth Apter's personal Facebook Page when he and I will talk about how you have embraced online learning and the surprising unintended consequences from those experiences. We’ll share your concerns and all the things we learned and interpreted from the survey. Thanks again to all who have participated!

Finally, a HUGE HUGE HUGE thank you. 

I remember talking to Mary Beth when I was making the agonizing decision to reschedule all of 2020 into 2021. I burst into tear when I said, “I don’t want to lose my Tribe and the connections I’ve come to cherish.” 

The opposite has happened. 

I’ve received the most thoughtful notes, emails, a handmade journal, handmade cards, Happy Mail, chats with students and customers expressing support for Ephemera Paducah. Messages of support ordering products with notes saying “we need you to stay in business!” The Pandemic has forced me to adapt my business model and so many good things are coming out of it. I can’t tell you how much I am looking forward to when we can be together and so thankful for the support in the meantime. 

Hang in there fellow creatives!! We WILL get through this together. We’ve proven that so far. 

Meantime scroll below for some happy times. You'll see lots of StencilGirl Designers & Friends!

Xoxoxoxo

Kristin 


































6 comments:

  1. Thanks for sharing this interesting information and all the photos. Hoping for a better2121!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Nice to see some pics of happy art times. I miss the classes but have been busy taking online classes from Gwen LaFleur, Tracy Scott, Jo Firth-Young, Sharon Everett, a British store owner, Dina Wakley, and Marjie Kemper. While I've loved these classes and they've been great, I miss the interaction between people and look forward to classes, hopefully next year!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I LOVE that you have enjoyed the online offerings. So many great names in that list. Yes, fingers crossed in 2021!

      Delete
  3. Nice to see some pics of happy art times. I miss the classes but have been busy taking online classes from Gwen LaFleur, Tracy Scott, Jo Firth-Young, Sharon Everett, a British store owner, Dina Wakley, and Marjie Kemper. While I've loved these classes and they've been great, I miss the interaction between people and look forward to classes, hopefully next year!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Nice to see some pics of happy art times. I miss the classes but have been busy taking online classes from Gwen LaFleur, Tracy Scott, Jo Firth-Young, Sharon Everett, a British store owner, Dina Wakley, and Marjie Kemper. While I've loved these classes and they've been great, I miss the interaction between people and look forward to classes, hopefully next year!

    ReplyDelete

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