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GUALALA ARTS CENTER SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

The following is an update of our current situation as of today, May 31, 2020. The doors are still closed to the public until June 12 (at the very earliest and perhaps into the late…

The following is an update of our current situation as of today, May 31, 2020. The doors are still closed to the public until June 12 (at the very earliest and perhaps into the late summer) to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 as mandated by our county and state. We have cancelled dozens of our events, workshops, fundraisers & exhibits starting March 16 through the summer and some events in December already.

Some of the things that we at Gualala Arts Center are currently planning and doing to further our mission to promote the arts include:

• We are using our creativity to reimagine our future to continue our mission “to promote public interest and participation in the arts.”

• Thankfully, we have signed a lease in a prime location in Cypress Village with some very generous landlords Richard & Kristine Thomure. We are currently working on a rehabilitation plan of the space to meet our needs with current COVID regulations for a safe environment for our volunteers, artists and customers.

Art in the Redwoods is being reimagined! We have a committee working to bring an online version of our 59th annual Art in the Redwoods to a device near you. At the center of the event will be our members’ visual art exhibit with 15 categories including a new “video” category. Sponsors are being secured with hopes we can continue to award $5K in cash awards to winning artists. We will also feature the performing arts offered by our community with new videos and “classic” performances from previous art in the redwoods. Culinary offerings will range from a curbside “Boxed Hat” fundraiser dinner, complete with optional zoom tables, entertainment, and the first right to purchase art as usual, and lovingly homemade pies & pizza for curbside pick up throughout the weekend from your favorite sweetshop and FOPO bakers.

• We are excited to report that we have received 2 government loans and grants to assist with some of our payroll costs this spring. Even though this is very welcomed and received. It only covers a very small fraction of our program and fundraising revenue losses, which is well over $100K at this time.

• THANK YOU! Your membership renewals and donations continue making a difference. It helps to keep our staff employed, bills paid, organization strong, and planning and adapting to our future. Each dollar raised makes a difference! Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!!!!

• Now meeting weekly – Gualala Arts Board of Directors has created a board subcommittee to research and implement new virtual art experiences to continue our mission. If you have ideas or would like to get involved, please contact joan@sharkwerks.com

• We continue to host a virtual exhibit titled, “Inferno: One Man’s Journey of the Camp Fire Through Art” by Artist Brian Holderman. Works of Arts are for sale through our office by emailing Kendra info@gualalaarts.org.

• Planning a new exhibit entitled Shelter from the Storm: Art in the Time of Covid-19. We encourage artists & non-artists alike to create art while sheltering in their homes. We are looking forward to seeing what everyone has been working on to keep themselves busy while sheltering in their homes. Artists are posting using the hash tags #shelterfromthestormart & #gualalaarts

• As always, our Sketches newsletter is available online, but we have not mailed Sketches since March and may not into the future as warranted to save resources. gualalaarts.org

These are uncertain time for all of us to say the least. The board and finance committees are making prudent decisions with our Gualala Arts assets. If you find that you are in a position to help with the loss of our revenue stream, it would be greatly appreciated. We are looking to continue our mission – to promote public interest & participation in the arts since 1961 – well into the future.

WE make a difference with our choices. Thank you for considering making kind ones!

David “Sus” Susalla
Executive Director, Gualala Arts