Outlaw Arts and Six Senses Covid Relief Fund

We are one of countless art centers throughout the world that temporarily had to shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the past seven years, our member artists and students have turned Outlaw Arts (formally Six Senses Collaborative Clay Studio) into more than just a building where artists develop our craft.  Watch testimonials from some of the people in our community: 

WHAT WE DO: 

We show up at community fairs and celebrations, and work to be a valuable presence in Mount Airy and surrounding neighborhoods.  Our ongoing Clay Bunny Project has raised thousands for a local shelter that helps at-risk girls and women.  The studio has partnered with schools, day care centers and other institutions serving children and those with disabilities to bring hands-on artmaking to people of all ages and abilities.  Every year we host a day of service in celebration of MLK Jr. Day where members of our community are invited to create handmade ceramic bowls and plates that we donate to the Empty Bowl Dinner fundraiser organized by the Philadelphia Interfaith Hospitality Network. Every summer we offer two different camps for children: a studio art camp at Six Senses for younger children, and Camp Outlaw, an outdoor adventure camp for older children. These have always offered need-based scholarships to promote accessibility. Both campers and instructors love our camps and many return year after year. 

We’ve created a place that is a beloved neighborhood resource, where people feel they belong, and can celebrate each other through creative expression. We hope to continue this work for years to come. 

WHAT WE NEED: 

Typically we're able to cover all our expenses with revenue from classes and summer camps. With the help of volunteers and donations, we've managed to keep the studio in use, but in an extremely limited capacity for safety. Unfortunately, because of COVID, we've lost most of our revenue for 2020. With this campaign, we are hoping to recoup what we need to continue covering basic expenses like rent, insurance, supplies, and maintenance of kilns and other equipment. 

To be transparent, the margins on our business are very slim, and the expenses we pay to keep the studio running are high. Our savings has run out and we are now very nearly depleted.  We have applied for grants for small businesses, but the amounts available are not enough. We've carefully considered a fundraising amount which reflects what we need to make it through this year. 

We hope you will consider contributing to our relief fund. If you can’t, please share this campaign with anyone who might be interested. Thank you so much!