There has been lots of work on in recent months, over 14 months in fact. We have new benching for more inking spaces, a new water bath and new acid cabinet, and now 5 new screen beds replacing some old and tired and quite honestly, quirky, some would say frustrating second hand screen beds we did have.
The ceilings and beams have all now been painted and the floor is on the last sections, which would mean that virtually every bit inside Hot Bed Press has had a revamp. We are hoping that everyone sees a bit of the wow factor when they come back in and start using the new kit and benefit from a brighter and better workshop.
We have even had new fencing and a new gate put on the front car park with the help of X1, who are renting some space in the yard and back carpark… and a new temporary mural now adorns the front. We have been hit by coronavirus, but over coming weeks the virus will gradually disappear as we hopefully start winning and eradicating much of the virus, or at least it’s spread.
We will start The Complete Printmaker courses on 10th May. That’s the first thing back after the latest lockdown, as we needed to fit in 30 weeks, and quite frankly, need the money. A few weeks after that once all has settled we aim to reopen to members. It will still be a gradual reopening. Like last time we will have a booking system and limit numbers to ensure all is safe.
The next thing is to catch up on missing courses; with a number postponed from 2020 we will look to honour all those people who kept their bookings and are in credit. We will plan and deliver those courses first before announcing new weekend and evening courses, and will be in touch with everyone who still has credit with us.
Some sense of normality is on the horizon.
