Скачать или смотреть Studio that employs artists with special needs reopens

HAMILTON, Ohio (WKRC) – An art studio that employs artists with disabilities reopens after shutting down for Covid-19.

Creativity is flowing again at the InsideOut Studio in Hamilton.

Morgan Gattermeyer has been an artist at the studio for three years. When the pandemic hit, she not only lost a paying job, but her social network.

“How much did you miss it? You can't even put it into words how much. It's kind of like you don't realize how much you miss something until it's gone,” she said.

InsideOut Studio employs more than 50 diverse artists with all types of disabilities. It is a social enterprise of Easterseals serving Greater Cincinnati, supported by the Butler County Board of Developmental Disabilities.

Each one makes 50% commission after their art sells.

Stephen Smith, the art education coordinator, said it was frustrating for the artists to not collect a check, but also be outside a supportive environment.

“For some of the artists, it's hard to explain why they had to stay at home. They didn't quite understand the importance of quarantining and being safe,” he said.

Now that it is safe to reopen, art production is back in session.

“I literally jumped for joy. I was so glad that I was going to be able to come back and have my creative juices flow. See my friends. There were a few concerns I had and I talk to my support coordinator about that,” said Gattermeyer.

Retail and marketing manager Kim Neal Davis said safety is the studio’s priority. Wearing a mask and daily temperature checks make the artists feel at ease.

“Whatever materials they are working on, are their materials for the day. Stephen and the staff disinfect at the end of each day all of those materials,” she said.

Art has become therapy for artists like Gattermeyer. She hopes to never have to go without it again.

“One of the best things I think that's happened to me is this art studio,” she said.