COVID-19 Temporary Closure
It has been two weeks since we said goodbye to Marielle MacLeman, Kasia Kaminska, Vincent Gregan, and Sarah Stolar, the final group of artists from our most recent open residency. Due to the global pandemic, this will be the last group of any sort we host for some time. Currently, we have postponed all programming through the end of May and will reassess this plan as news develops over the coming months. We feel fortunate to have shared our last week with a group of artists that, in many ways, reflect how the Cow House community has grown over the years, comprised of old friends, returning artists, and new acquaintances.
Above all else, the health and safety of our guests and the local community are our paramount concerns. Clearly, a temporary closure to help stem the spread of this virus is the most effective action we can take. We will follow the recommendations of the HSE, WHO and other governmental bodies to inform our own decision on when to re-open Cow House. The next few months will represent a challenging time for many, as we collectively do our best to distance ourselves from one another physically. Alone with everybody else, we will face our own challenges but are determined to see this through and look forward to a busy studio once again.
Like everyone, we have the greatest respect for the dedicated nurses and doctors caring for the sick, the brilliant scientists working to find life-saving treatments and vaccinations, and our politicians who can provide critical support to their citizens in this time of need. We also believe the arts can play a role in navigating this uncertain time. Notably, our 2020 residency Leeward, one of the many programs we are working to re-schedule due to closure, might provide a point of reference. Many of the themes touched upon in curator Karla Sánchez’s statement seem to carry extra weight in the shadow of this pandemic. At Cow House, we can see no better time to critically reflect on the precarious nature of our connected cultures and economies. If nothing else, this global event has illustrated how thinly we are all insulated from one another.
