Art venue’s a real draw once again
Group back on track after facing ruin
A popular Paisley art group was delighted to finally welcome creative youngsters back through its doors after months of closures due to the covid pandemic.
Made In Paisley, based in the town’s High Street, was finally allowed to start classes up again at the weekend after being forced to close for months.
The group – which is run by Caroline Gormley and her partner Sandy Guy – teaches art to young people and has become a popular fixture in the town since it opened.
The studio offers young people and adults a space to come along and create their own paintings, with Caroline and Sandy teaching techniques and helping kids reach their artistic potential.
Despite fears it would never reopen due to being unable to access lifeline government funding, the talented couple were over the moon to welcome back groups of young budding artists to the classes.
Caroline said: “It was absolutely amazing to have everyone back again.
“We had been keeping in touch with kids and parents while we were closed and they had told us how much their children had been missing coming along, so it was nice to have so many of them return when we reopened.
“It really touched me to hear how much the kids enjoy the classes and many of them were so excited to be back in the studio. They have all been amazing and adapted so well to t the changes we have had to make to f follow covid guidleines.”
S Since reopening, Caroline and Sa Sandy have been blown away by the support from the community an and they currently have a long wa waiting list of people desperate to com come in and get their hands on the pa paintbrushes.
J Just last month, Caroline, 51, tol told the Express how the group’s fin financial situation was so dire they ha had been left with just £168 in the ba bank.
D Due to a loophole in the funding av available from the Scottish Go Government, they were unable to cla claim any of the lifeline cash on offer – leaving them high and dry. . After months of searching, with the e help of Renfrewshire Council and Paisley First, they were able to claim £5,000 from the council’s Discretionary onary Fund.
Caroline added: “We cannot annot believe the waiting list we have – we have had so many people getting in touch with us about the classes. asses.
“After being in lockdown for so long, people are less interested ed in material things and are looking king for experiences and taking part in things.
“Coming to an art class like Made in Paisley allows people ple to try something new and be creative.
“We want to make it as relaxing and enjoyable as s possible for people.”
The adult classes, which are e run by Sandy, will be starting later this week.
For more information on Made in Paisley, visit the group’s Facebook page.