Scheduling Update: Looking ahead to a brighter future

Dear NCSW Friends,

It is hard to believe that just over a year ago in January 2020 we were gathered in community for a fantastic week of workshops at Bennington College. So much has changed in the world since then, bringing numerous challenges for everyone. Although the pandemic still has no clear end date, there has been positive progress with the vaccine and it is my sincere hope that we will see increased relief from the pandemic throughout 2021 and beyond.

As we look to a brighter future, North Country Studio Workshops remains concerned about how we would safely and confidently plan to gather for a week of in-person workshops in January 2022 - less than a year away. With input from Bennington, we have carefully considered numerous precautions such as requiring testing and/or proof of vaccine, limiting the number of participants, modifying workspaces, and limiting participant interactions by creating pods for each workshop. We have also examined the challenges participants would face when trying to determine if they are comfortable and confident when it was time to register and attend. Through these difficult discussions, the safety, enjoyment, and enrichment of all involved have been paramount.

In response to these concerns, North Country Studio Workshops has made the decision to reschedule our next workshops at Bennington to January 2023. This change will allow us to plan for our next workshops with a better understanding of the course of the pandemic and any precautions still required while enabling participants to register and attend with greater confidence. Through conversation, feedback, and surveys we know that one of the most important aspects of North Country Studio Workshops is the sense of creative community it offers to those who attend. By rescheduling to 2023, our goal is to offer an outstanding program that maintains and enhances that community in a safe and welcoming environment.

Additionally, this rescheduling offers us the opportunity to engage and expand our audience by offering alternative programming on a smaller scale in 2021 and 2022. We will also be using this time to develop a strategic plan; build relationships with other organizations; strengthen our focus on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; and use our social media platforms to connect with more people as we shine a light on the world of art and craft.

We will keep you updated on upcoming programming and January 2023 faculty announcements through our social media, e-newsletter, and website. I encourage you to reach out to us at any time and we look forward to connecting with you soon.

All my very best,

Victoria Su