LETTER TO STUDENTS
Due to the pandemic, Sylvia Megerdichian NMS had no choose but to close her Art Box Studio after 27 years of providing art instruction. SHARING LETTERS records Sylvia good bye letter and her student’s replies.
On Sun, August 8, 2020:
Hello to my dear friends, With great sadness I am announcing that I must close my Art Box Studio LOCATION…but I will still be conducting business.
This weekend was a very tough and stressful one, as I had to make this decision. Waiting every month (for things to get better) and paying rent for a space that was not used, made the decision for me. Ironically September 2020 would have been the commencement of my 27th year at the studio.
When the time comes that we are not affected by this horrible virus, I for sure will have a plan B for all of us.
My heart breaks, as my studio was my happy place and your happy place too!! When I printed my first business card . . . it stated Art Box Studio – A place for Friends to Gather, be Inspired and Create Art.
I’m sorry that I had to do this, but I had no choice.
Sylvia
Art Box Studio; A place for Friends to Gather, be Inspired and Create Art
REPLYS FROM STUDENTS
Sylvia,
Love and support for you during this tough decision. I agree it is the right thing to do at this time. New adventures on the horizon Sylvia. Happy to help with your new vision, and location (virtual or in person) in the future. The world is changing and so must we. Have faith that the Art Box will continue. You are still in your 27th year, which deserves a celebration. The location is just that. You the teacher, and artist, still stand strong. We stand with you.
Una
Oh Sylvia,
Your announcement has made me so sad. I know this wasn’t an easy decision and my heart hurts for you. You and the Art Box have been a part of so many lives for so many years. From art to life, your knowledge, wisdom and humor has got us through many times of change. I will miss our gathering place but look forward to continuing our email lessons and then on to “Plan B.”
If you need any help moving your studio please let me know. I have a big truck and can help bring most if not all of your materials to your house in one swoop. ( I will wear a mask and you can take my temperature!) Also if you need Avocados, figs ( I have some now) or just need to talk and someone to listen, please call me!
I can also help a little with some zoom meetings. I’m far from an expert but I can probably navigate it enough to get you by.
When things slow down for you we will also need to tweak your Facebook page a bit.
I wish I could make sense of all that is going on in the world, but I can’t. I can only choose to have faith that God is in control and while my little mind might not understand what He is doing I know He is a good God and only wants the best for us. Maybe this is how He gets our attention and causes us to rely on Him and not anything or anybody else???
Keeping you in my prayers,
May God give you peace,
Bobbie
Hi Silvia,
I’ve been waiting and waiting to see if inspiration would strike me with wonderful words however that doesn’t seem to be happening. I love Una’s and Nancy’s words. Can’t top that. I agree that it doesn’t matter where we are just that we are. Together doesn’t necessarily mean touching together or seeing together it just means thinking together and knowing that all the art box family is out there somewhere!
Sylvia,
Jenelle and I are so sorry to hear that COVID-19 has forced the closure of your studio. 27 years is a very long time, and Art Box Studio is definitely a fixture of the community. The closure means a great loss to the art community and to the many artists who have benefitted from participating in your classes, from your mentorship and your friendship.
Nancy
Sylvia,
Love and support for you during this tough decision. I agree it is the right thing to do at this time. New adventures on the horizon Sylvia. Happy to help with your new vision, and location (virtual or in person) in the future. The world is changing and so must we. Have faith that the Art Box will continue. You are still in your 27th year, which deserves a celebration. The location is just that. You the teacher, and artist, still stand strong. We stand with you.
Una
Hi Silvia,
I’ve been waiting and waiting to see if inspiration would strike me with wonderful words however that doesn’t seem to be happening. I love Una’s and Nancy’s words. Can’t top that. I agree that it doesn’t matter where we are just that we are. Together doesn’t necessarily mean touching together or seeing together it just means thinking together and knowing that all the art box family is out there somewhere!
Oh Sylvia,
Your announcement has made me so sad. I know this wasn’t an easy decision and my heart hurts for you. You and the Art Box have been a part of so many lives for so many years. From art to life, your knowledge, wisdom and humor has got us through many times of change. I will miss our gathering place but look forward to continuing our email lessons and then on to “Plan B.”
If you need any help moving your studio please let me know. I have a big truck and can help bring most if not all of your materials to your house in one swoop. ( I will wear a mask and you can take my temperature!) Also if you need Avocados, figs ( I have some now) or just need to talk and someone to listen, please call me!
I can also help a little with some zoom meetings. I’m far from an expert but I can probably navigate it enough to get you by.
When things slow down for you we will also need to tweak your Facebook page a bit.
I wish I could make sense of all that is going on in the world, but I can’t. I can only choose to have faith that God is in control and while my little mind might not understand what He is doing I know He is a good God and only wants the best for us. Maybe this is how He gets our attention and causes us to rely on Him and not anything or anybody else???
Keeping you in my prayers,
May God give you peace,
Bobbie
Sylvia,
I can’t tell you what it feels like being without the actual Art Box (or as I have always affectionately refer to it “The Box”), because it really hasn’t sunk in yet. As peculiar as this sounds every time I go south on Monte Vista I just routinely turn my head when I come to our driveway to see if there are cars I recognize there. It was just comforting knowing it was there…that YOU were there. You personally have been such a big player in my life, and I really don’t think you fully understand just HOW important you have been to so many people. I have grown older along side of one of the most influential people in my art life, and I treasure EVERY memory attached to that. If, after this mess has passed I still have a few of my marbles will you let me know if I can in any way help bringing the box to life once more.
I send my love to you and all of your lovely family,
Judy
Sylvia,
My heart breaks with your news also. We will keep painting with you online and pray for the day when we can all paint together again. I drove by the Art Box yesterday and longed for the Mondays we would all meet.
Keep the faith , Sylvia we will be there for you now and in the future. You are our leader, teacher, mentor and most of all dear friend.
Keep safe and know we all love you.
Nancy
Sylvia,
Oh, think of you often but don’t want to bug you. So sorry you have to go through this. I cannot imagine! You have been doing this for many years and have so many devotees. I think we all feel or will feel a great loss that the ARTBOX won’t be there any longer. I was just rediscovering it and am very sorry to loose it, and of course you in person—and all the other artist energy. I wish I could change it. But, I understand. You were very brave to make the decision to close. I wish the Covid didn’t deny me the time of being able to assist you—tears here, due to seeing in my own writing that there is no place to return to with a warm, inspired art community. And that was all because of you. Thank you fir your loving gift of inspiring art.
Your friend,
Marcia