To the Creative Growth Community:
As you may know, public health officials in Alameda County, where Creative Growth's Oakland studio and gallery are located, issued a statement recommending that all gatherings of more than 1,000 people be cancelled or postponed, to help limit transmission of the novel coronavirus. While we all have been looking forward to celebrating the 10th anniversary of Beyond Trend with great excitement, the health and well-being of our community members, especially the artists we serve, is of paramount importance. We have therefore regretfully decided to postpone Beyond Trend (previously scheduled for April 18) until a yet-to-be-determined date. We are deeply grateful to everyone who has been working hard to prepare for the event—especially the artists who have created so many gorgeous looks for the runway—and the generous sponsors who have already signed on to support it. We are looking at several options for future dates, and we will keep you posted.
We are also closely following statements from the California Department of Public Health, the Regional Center of the East Bay, and the CDC, and implementing their recommendations daily at Creative Growth Studio, to do everything we can to keep our community safe:
We request that anyone who is ill with flu symptoms, especially a fever, stay home until they are symptom-free.
If anyone exhibits flu symptoms while at Creative Growth, we send them home to rest and recover until they are symptom free.
We are encouraging everyone to wash their hands immediately after arriving at Creative Growth and frequently throughout the day, especially at lunch time and after using the restroom.
Monday through Saturday, Studio staff sanitize commonly used surfaces before and after program hours.
Sanitizer is available throughout the facility in multiple locations and we encourage everyone to use it.
We also ask everyone who visits Creative Growth to follow the CDC's hygiene recommendations:
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
If soap and water are not available, alcohol-based hand sanitizer can be used
Avoid close contact with other people (we are enjoying the elbow bump as a greeting!)
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, if available,or into your elbow, and throw the tissue immediately into the trash
We will continue to monitor new information about public health in Alameda County, and will modify our policies and practices accordingly.
We are thankful to be part of such a loving and supportive community. We will get through these challenging times together.
Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or concerns.
Wishing good health to all,
Elizabeth Brodersen
Executive Director