Happy New Year!

2021 is here and that means... WE'RE MOVING!!

That has only been made possible with the generous support of everyone who has donated to our campaign over the last month.

And now we're into the gritty end of things, packing up our library and collection of art making materials ready for the movers to come this Wednesday. (See the video for an update from Friday last week).

While 2020 has been a tragic and difficult year on many fronts, it's also been a wake up call to evaluating what's important and what is possible when imagining the future.

When I proposed this move to Tom, he was reluctant to make such a big change at a time of such big uncertainty.

But that uncertainty is part of why we decided to make the move: now more than ever we need to be creating safe spaces to come together, to create and uphold personal stories. And all that an affordable price.

In the end the chance to create new opportunities for artists to learn about comics, expand their creative practice and gather in one place with other artists couldn't be passed up.

For Tom this is a chance to rebuilt and continue to build:

"Us online freaks found our communities online. We showed up for each other, told stories, made stuff, shared our beings. Group stuff.

The virus, the last year, and the last 4 years at least have showed us that the systems are inhumane. The virus doesn't care about you. Systems don't care about you.

We can build systems that care. But they need to be monitored. They will be temporary, if they are to be human.

Post-pandemic we will be armed with knowledge of what matters. Friends, community, positivity, creation, support.

It's time to return to our communities, and if we don't have one, to find one fast. Build them."

You can see Tom's full end of year statement here.

For me, this move is a chance to reach out to our Gainesville community and create a space for the community, by the community. I hope you'll come join us and be apart of that work.

In the meantime, keep an eye on your inbox and our social media for updates about the move. There'll be a virtual tour coming your way as soon as we're unpacked.

Once again, thank you for your support. Big and small, virtual and in person. Everything has added up to where we are today. Thank you!