I have worked hours at the 'well and safe' requirements and thinking of the best welcome to visitors or clients, or the best quality courses in my studio.
It took some time to set it all up.
I had to take into consideration the English Bridge Workshop as a public building where other courses or studios may have their visitors or students.
The Trustees of the English Bridge Workshop gathered all the information necessary writing a risk assessment and a few basic safety rules for the use of the building as hirers or as studios' courses. Until I knew what was in their priority list, I kept going with my artwork and what I knew had to be done in my studio.
I first moved furniture around to make walking areas all with safe distances between all persons in the studio.
Second, I had to assess all the tools and equipment used and handed over at the time of all courses. To teach traditional stained glass painting on glass, I used to invite participants to share one large and two medium light boxes. To adapt to the present circumstances, I chose to purchase 5 LED light pads. Each student will use their own and it will be thoroughly cleaned with a sanitiser spray.
As soon as I received all information needed for me to define how I would manage my own space in accordance to the rules of the English Bridge Workshop, I reviewed the courses Terms and Conditions. We wrote a special paragraph to all commitments of both all parties to respect each other's needs in times of Covid-19.
To complete the new settings, I chose to add a special touch and stamp of our town. Shrewsbury BID has been very supportive since March 2020! Starting with an online shop they invited many to sell their services or products.
The studio was provided with extra hand sanitiser and masks, some special 'keep your distances' or 'this business is safe' or 'hands station' stickers, and some posters to inform about the maximum number of visitors to enter, that ' this shop is doing all it can to keep you safe'.
The government announced the second confinement. The Vouchers Carla and Chris bought will be valid for a later course, as soon as we all are free to gather in my studio. Sadly, because the course is not yet part of a vocational training programme or does not end with a Certificate, it had to be postponed.
It may be worth considering the option of a school sponsoring my course and a Certificate for my students by the end of 2021.
From today and until further notice, Couleurlive will be available to reply to all enquiries about new courses or new commissions, or events.
We sadly won't open our studio to visitors. We have to stay in our creative shell, keeping distances even more for the good of us all. We are still working and we hope to respond to all enquiries the best we can in the current situation we all are in.
Keep supporting local businesses and craft. Christmas presents for your loved one may be a voucher for a stained glass course later in January 2021, a book about a local artwork, a few stained cards to write the Christmas wishes, a bookmark with a local Stained Glass artwork for the book you offer to someone.
It is all on our website shop and we will arrange an Order & Collect with you or send it to you. #buylocal #orderandcollect #supportartisans