HARPER WOODS, Mich. (WXYZ) — Like many small businesses, Mini-Picassos in Harper Woods has been struggling to stay afloat.
“Seriously at that make or breakpoint.”
Katy Wereley is facing a fork on a road she doesn’t want to be on.
Can she keep Mini-Picassos open or will her art studio shut down for good?
“I’m holding back tears,” she said. “Makes me speechless that would... it’s soul-crushing.”
During the shutdown, Katy had been selling art kits and hosting virtual classes.
The studio spent much of the year closed and the few weeks it could open, it’s been half capacity.
Because of the pandemic, her after school art program in Grosse Pointe schools were canceled.
“If you think about that, I’m in six schools. Usually have around 25-30 kids. So, that’s a huge chunk.”
Mini-Picassos can return to in-person classes at half capacity.
These classes need to fill up for the next several months.
“Businesses still have to pay rent, we still have to pay our insurance. We still have to pay our people working behind the scenes.”
Katy hopes our viewers can answer her call for help to keep the art studio open.
It’s a business that she’s poured her heart into for six years.
“It’s literally, you guys supporting us that’s going to keep us going.”
To sign up for in-person or virtual classes and to learn more about the art kits, go to: https://www.minipicassosstudio.com/
