March 12, 2020
Earlier today we held a meeting with the directors of Kent County’s arts organizations where we had a critical conversation about the Virus, social distancing and organizations responsible for large public gatherings.
At this time, we are cancelling or postponing our public arts events for the next two weeks. We believe that we are being both wise and responsible in this action as there are simply too many unknown’s about the number and location of possible cases of the virus. Our primary concern is the health and safety of our patrons and it is in this spirit that we are acting.
As such, AMERICAN SON, A Play Reading, scheduled for Saturday, March 14, 2020 at the Garfield Center for the Arts will be postponed with a date to be determined. Although this is a free event, tickets were required and all ticket holders will be honored at a future performance.
We thank you for your patience and understanding as we sail these uncharted waters. We hope that you will take your own precautions and be safe in these times. We will collectively re-evaluate on a weekly basis taking all new official State and County information into consideration.
Thank you
John Schratwieser
Director
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Additionally from SSultana Education Foundation
Dear Schools, Parents, and Friends,
The Sultana Education Foundation is closely monitoring the coronavirus outbreak and responding based on direction from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Maryland State Department of Health, and the Kent County Health Department, among other public health officials and government agencies. As always, our chief concern is the health and safety of our staff, program participants, volunteers, and friends.
Using these sources and others for guidance, and out of an abundance of caution, the Sultana Education Foundation is taking the following steps to address the coronavirus:
• Programs Suspended Through March 30: Beginning March 13, all Sultana Education Foundation programs for schools and the public are suspended through March 30, 2020.
• Holt Center Closed to the Public: Until further notice, the Sultana Education
Foundation’s Holt Education Center in Chestertown is closed for public visitation. Ouroffices will remain open for phone calls and email.
These steps will be reevaluated as the situation warrants. While it saddens us to take these measures, we believe them prudent to safeguard the health
of our staff and program participants. We also feel a keen responsibility to do what we can to slow the spread of the coronavirus within the greater community.
Sincerely,
Drew McMullen
President
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Mainstay Rock Hall:
The Mainstay, in consultation with the Kent Cultural Alliance and The Maryland State Arts Council, has decided to take a two-week hiatus, at which point we will re-evaluate. As a result, the High and Wides, Mainstay Monday with Jen Friedman, our Celtic Celebration, and Mainstay Monday with Meredith Davies Hadaway are all cancelled. If you have already purchased a ticket for any of these shows, The Mainstay will issue a refund.
Please know that The Mainstay is closely monitoring the COVID-19 (coronavirus) situation in regard to operations and best practices going forward. The well-being of our audience, artists, partners, and staff is of utmost importance to us.
As you know, this is a rapidly evolving situation Please be assured that The Mainstay is sensitive to the unpredictable circumstances this situation presents. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us with questions or concerns about upcoming Mainstay programs.
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In order to responsibly address the continuing health concerns over the spread of COVID-19, and in coordination with Public Health officials’ recommendations regarding social distancing during this crisis, the Garfield Center has instituted a plan to reduce the risk of exposure for our audiences.
The Garfield Center is temporarily closing to the public, effective immediately, for a period of at least two weeks until March 29. During this period of time, we will continue to monitor the situation and assess any potential for continuing our closure.
As a part of our greater Chestertown and Kent County community, we feel great responsibility toward the health and welfare of our friends, neighbors and visitors. Our decision to temporarily close is not made lightly, but with everyone’s best interest at heart. We look forward to reopening at a time in the near future when we can entertain our patrons once again.
The following programs are immediately affected by the current situation:
– The Kent Cultural Alliance staged reading of “American Son” and discussion, planned for this Saturday, March 7, has been postponed to a date still to be determined.
– Ongoing Chester River Youth Choir rehearsals have been suspended until further notice.
– The film premiere of “She Wins; Beyond the Bruises” and its discussion, scheduled for March 21, has been postponed to a date still to be determined.
– The Garfield Improv Night, scheduled for March 24, is cancelled.
– Open Mic Night, scheduled for March 25, is cancelled.
– No box office hours during the closure.
– If further schedule adjustments become necessary, they will be announced at a later date.
Critical business with the Garfield Center will continue during the temporary closure by appointment only. Our staff is available via email: Nic Carter (ncarter@garfieldcenter.org) for music and theatrical programming issues, Paul Cambardella (pcambardella@garfieldcenter.org) for education programming issues, and Steven Arnold (sarnold@garfieldcenter.org) for all other issues.
The Garfield Center will monitor local and state health authorities and quickly follow any guidance they suggest. Should the Garfield Center’s temporary closure be extended we will announce that information as soon as it is determined.
The best resource for further updates is via our website at www.garfieldcenter.org.