Beginning a New Chapter
We have finally put the paintbrushes down, the five artist’s workspaces have been constructed and installed and we have begun to share the two renovated rooms of our new art hub with the outside world!
It seemed incredibly apt to have completed the painting (which seemed to go on forever) as we crossed the threshold of another new month — during Samhain.
The symbolism wasn’t lost on me. Just as we passed through the time of year in which Pagans mark ‘summer's end’, I feel we have honoured the ancestry of this building and its many incarnations with the restoration work we have undertaken.
Similarly for us, that season is now over.
Working in the new art hub
Weary bus journeys home, fingernails wedged with paint after a full day of sanding, scraping, sugar soaping, and painting, are no more! It has been so satisfying to sit at a table and work in the space, whilst waiting for the wood to be delivered, assisting the carpenter with modifications to the build in room one and making plans to transform room two.
Team Thortify are working on developing the second room into a multi-facteted hub of creativity! So for us, a new way of working is on the horizon and the anticipation of how this will manifest itself is pretty darn exciting — let me tell you!
Previously, if we wanted to run creative sessions we would have hired a space. This meant making sure we had at least enough participants to cover the costs, so we could balance the books. In the near future, we plan to apply for further funding so we can offer as many FREE or subsidised workshops as possible and extend what we can offer. This will include collaborating with other groups and organisations.
Community art projects
The revenue from renting out the artist workspaces will help fund the The Place Activity Centre while we work out a way to fund our projects longer term. The added benefit to Thortify is that we will be continuing with the Art of Self Care initiative in the heart of an art hub, instead of remotely from our homes.
Having a base is a valuable resource when you are managing art materials and need space to store and display artwork that is produced. But now we have it!
Not only will room two be used for workshops, but we are also installing exhibition rails to allow the artists to showcase their work. The tables will pack away to make room for arts events and we will be operating a creative exchange, so people in our community can have access to free art and craft materials and community art projects.
Creative swap shop
Due to the amazing community crowdfunding support we received, we were lucky enough to be able to pay professional tradesmen to undertake the plumbing, electrical and construction work (and paint the dizzyingly high ceiling) and we are almost ready to open our doors and invite people in. I can’t tell you how amazing that feels.
And we really can’t wait!
Keep an eye on our socials for updates
Bees & love
Debra Thortify
