STUDIO FLOOD REPAIR

At about 4pm on Sunday, January 8th, I brought Kelly to our newly renovated commerical space, so she could finally lay eyes her new office...and this is what we saw.

I had been working hard to prepare her office, and had been showing the progress---and my pride in every step!--via Facebook. Many of you know that we have undertaken a new commercial space, with separate entrances, where Kelly will have her practice, and I will have my art studio. 

But, on this past Sunday, when we arrived for the big reveal, we were in for a viewing  of a different sort. A water pipe had burst somewhere overhead and it was flooding parts of the studio! Over a dozen framed artworks were ruined, countless prints destroyed, display exhibits and furnishings were damaged, and we had to scramble to save (hopefully) our brand new flooring. As soon as we moved the most delicate art and shut the water shut, I took this short video to capture the heartbreaking mess, as the water continued to pour down through heat ducts and light fixtures. 

SOME of the work to replace the damaged ceiling will HOPEFULLY be paid for by the building's insurance policy. We are meeting with the inspector on Friday. However, we were just days away from procuring our artwork-specific, liability insurance, which would have covered my damaged art and all other inventory. We are asking friends and family in our supportive communities to consider donating to our conservation cause. In the immediacy of the event, much equipment was rented and utilized to clean and dry the space and the artwork. Many of these costs cannot be recovered or reimbursed, and there are still many additional expenses which lie ahead. To date, we have sunk a good deal of our savings into this project, and in some ways, we are now back to "square one."

Pain and loss are relative and this agony will pass with every step we take to rebuild. We thank you, in advance, for your emotional and financial support. The greater Syracuse area will benefit greatly from your pledge. Our vision for this space is one that will serve to provide wellness to individuals and groups via traditional and modern practices, inclusive of the arts and therapy. 

Every dollar counts. We aren't looking to profit from this campaign, merely looking to reclaim a portion of what has been lost. All donors will have their names painted into the next interior wall mural at The Painting Poet. Donors of $25-$100 will recieve an email voucher for a 20% discount of any purchase at The Painting Poet. Donors of $100+ will receive a 30% discount voucher.

With all repair efforts smoothly sailing, The Painting Poet will open in the Spring of 2017, as planned.