News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
The Tennessee Tech Appalachian Center for Crafts reopening has gone well so far.
Safety precautions including social distancing, requiring everyone to wear masks, and installing sneeze guards have been implemented. Director Debra Ruzinsky said the center has suffered from revenue loss in the sales gallery, but she said it’s good to be back.
“We’ve had a nice number of people coming through,” Ruzinsky said. “At the start of this whole life change from the COVID-19 episode that we’re all living through, we’ve implemented online sales for our retail gallery for the first time. That’s been increasing business.”
Ruzinsky said since the July 1 reopening, there’s been a lot of respectful and positive feedback about the safety precautions.
It is a difficult market right now for artists, Ruzinsky said. She said a number of artists and residents finish their contracts next month and will have to move on.
“Well, it is a real challenge when most artists make their living from the objects that they make and the teaching opportunities that they have,” Ruzinsky said. “Their income can come from a number of different areas, and all of those areas have been affected by this pandemic.”
So far the Craft Center has not had to cut back on staff, and have broke even on purchasing workshop supplies. Ruzinsky said she’s grateful the University has protected crafting programs.
“We’re very proud and happy to be a part of this community, and to see that our family of supporters are there for us, and that we can connect again now that we are back open,” Ruzinsky said.
