Hi everyone. The Mass Cultural Council wants to know how COVID-19 has impacted you economically. We launched a survey this past spring and now need to update our economic data which is shared broadly throughout Massachusetts. This new survey effort will directly inform continued advocacy efforts on behalf of the cultural sector for public COVID-19 relief and mitigation assistance. Whether you are an artist, a teaching artist or humanist, or a representative of a cultural nonprofit organization, please make sure to respond to this survey by Friday, October 30, 2020. Thank you! Your friends at ArtSake.
Image credit: Photograph of yellow maple leaves by Petr Kratochvil.
Wendi Smith says
I am a fine artist (oils and pastels) and a Certified MnemeTherapist, member of the Art Without Boundaries Assoc. As a MnemeTherapist (pronounced Nemma) I paint one-on-one with brain impaired elders. Most of my clients reside in nursing homes and have been closed to visitors and independent contractors since February.
Some positive events have happened for me directly due to Covid19 restrictions. I was contacted by a national organization who organize in home help and assistance for individuals with brain impairments. Because of Covid this organization started experimenting with virtual meetings and classes with their clients and their families. One class they offered was a Bob Ross style demo through Zoom with clients actually painting along with the artist teacher. They were amazed and encouraged with the positive impact this had on some of their clients especially those with PTSD.
I was contacted to try my hand at virtual MnemeTherapy style painting. After much red tape and tweaking my style of therapy I have been working virtually with a Wounded Worrier in Staten Island, NY. We are seeing remarkable engagement and self confidence with my client and plan to bring virtual one-on-one painting to more people around the U.S. So perhaps because of Covid we were able to discover this new way of reaching and helping folks. I feel honored to be involved and able to stay safe myself.
Also, as many artists may know, most art competitions were either cancelled or decided to have Online Exhibits. I was able to enter National Exhibitions that I may never have entered due to cost of shipping and framing. I have been honored with a number of awards. In fact it’s been my most award winning year yet. Grateful and looking at the glass half full. Stay safe and create!