To Everything There is a Season
DearHeArts,
There are beginnings and there are endings. I suppose this is the story of both.
I’ve started writing this post (mostly in my head) so many times in the past six months...but today feels like a significant moment to finish it. Today is one year since I closed the doors to Unfold Studio—as we felt and saw the shadow of the coming pandemic tidal wave roll towards us—cancelling my in-person classes and switching everything to online.
At first it appeared it might be temporary, with so many unknowns on the horizon. But over time it became clear that we were not going to be meeting in person for quite some time to dip our hands in paint and play together in the magical space that is Unfold Studio. I have missed this so much. My heart hurts to think of it. The studio, bright and cheerful, full of art supplies and creative energy and YOU.
During this time there have been both losses and blessings...I miss so many of you who have not come along to my online space. My heart aches about my longtime, devoted “regulars” who have chosen not to do art journaling online this year. Of course, I completely understand. But know that you are deeply, deeply missed.
At the same time I cannot tell you how meaningful, powerful, and satisfying it has been to gather with wonderful folx from all over the world—many old friends and many new—in my virtual studio for Creative Life Raft, private sessions, retreat days, and private group events. I am filled with gratitude for the opportunity to touch so many lives through the healing work of no rules creativity and the technology of Zoom. Without that Blessing of the Pandemic I don’t know where I’d be.
We all had our own life challenges to face in 2020...AND there was a pandemic! For me, 2020 was also a pivotal personal moment as I continued my “coming out journey,” leaving my marriage of almost 30 years, moving out of the home my “wasband” and I designed and built and raised our family in for 17 years, and moving into my own apartment ... living on my own—and being self-supporting—for the first time in 30 years … starting a new job with Toolbox Project writing curriculum … and building a new life with a new partner at the same time. Phew!
Today, one year into the pandemic, with a new administration in Washington, vaccines rolling out, and new, more contagious and possibly more wiley variants rolling in, we continue to look out at a horizon that is unknown. And, we still have no clear ideas about what we can do safely without herd immunity. And even ... when that day will come.
When I envisioned Unfold Studio into being in 2014 I discovered my life’s work: transforming lives through expressive arts facilitation. Unfold Studio and the work I did there was my passion and purpose. Over the years I know that lives have been forever changed there. Dreams have been realized. Inner artists have been born. Stories have been shared. Secrets have been revealed (mine!).
Unfold was only ever supplementary income during those years and even before the pandemic, as I contemplated my new independent future, I wondered how I could reasonably keep it going. Now, it’s clear to me that the time has come to say goodbye to my sacred art haven.
Endings and beginnings.
Because there still will be no safe way to hold classes inside Unfold Studio in the foreseeable future (and likely not for at least another year) I have come to the hard decision to permanently close its doors. This is one of the hardest losses I’ve ever experienced. It’s not anything I ever envisioned happening. And I haven’t come to the decision lightly. Many have asked if I could hold classes outside in the parking lot, or in the larger room of the building with all doors open, or with fewer students, masked and gloved. The answer is no. We all know that there are too many things in the studio—stamps and pencils and paint brushes and paint tubes and pieces of paper and on and on—to disinfect, to worry me about keeping you safe. Being in an enclosed space with a group is still not safe. And doing healing, emotional work with masks on, unsatisfying and uncomfortable. There just are still too many unknowns with this virus. In addition, the time and cost of disinfecting protocols and holding smaller classes is not supportable in Sonoma county and in the current economy.
As much as we’d like to believe we are “almost done,” I have to say we just aren’t.
And so, from now on I am officially teaching only online. In the next few months (once I am fully vaccinated) I will be clearing out the studio. (Can you say “overwhelming”?) Giving away and selling and tossing all the stuff that filled the space to overflowing and inspired us all to let go of our inner critics and make incredible art. Excited about that??? Stay tuned for announcements about sales (paint, spray inks, art journals, rubber stamps, tables, chairs, etc.) and give away days (bags of magazines!). My goal is to be done by the end of May.
The truth is that even though the studio will be gone, the work can still be done. The work is inside you. You don’t need all the pretty stuff, all the choices of stencils and stamps. (And you can get your own!) You just need some stuff... whatever you have on hand. A clear space on a table. And a desire to get out of your head, into your heart and onto the page.
If you haven’t already, I hope you will consider trying one of my online offerings ... Creative Life Raft on Friday mornings or private sessions with me on Sundays, Mondays and Thursdays. Our online group events (parties, classes, retreats). And my self-paced online courses and e-books. All deeply healing and transformative and fun!
I thank you from the bottom of my heart for being a part of my journey thus far. I hope you will continue along with me. This has been quite the year... but one thing art journaling has taught me and I truly believe: You never know where the mess will take you!
Here’s to heartfelt endings, new beginnings and messy, creative times.
All my love to you on your journey, as well.
Susie
