Blog & Press

Dear Friends and Supporters of Gateway City Arts,
In the last post Lori sent out her personal message to all of you and I share every word she said. I also want to express my deep appreciation and thanks for your support, for joining us on one of the most incredible journeys of my life and for being a huge inspiration and motivation to keep us moving forward as much as possible in these times.

This isn’t our usual Directors Update from GCA – it is a personal message from me. Because of Covid-19, today, July 3, is our last day open to the public for the foreseeable future. This pandemic has shaken our world and we have no choice but to go into hibernation until it is safe for everyone to congregate again.

GATEWAY CITY ARTS IS FORCED TO GO IN TO HIBERNATION

After 9 years of creating and developing GCA, we have no choice but to close our doors for now.

A big thank you to all who have been buying our food and supplies!

We are NOT closing our doors permanently, BUT without being able to congregate safely, we have no choice but to go into hibernation until that changes.

These times are challenging for all of us and the uncertainty is getting harder and harder.  GCA is continuing to provide food offerings in a very safe environment and limited staff.  Through the food take away program we have learned a lot over the last couple of months about what you want and don’t want.  Inspired again, we are adjusting our menu and hours to better serve you.

“We are now entering the next phase at Gateway City Arts,” Kruta said. “We can never say the vision is complete. It’s evolving. But the physical work is complete. We have all the space developed.”

Vitek Kruta, a professional painter, sculptor, and conservator, originally went looking more than a decade ago for a larger studio space in Holyoke. Instead, he and his life partner, Lori Divine-Hudson, stumbled into something very different.

It started as a search for a new studio — some place of modest size and space where Vitek Kruta could do his painting, set design and art-restoration work.