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Date: 12/27/2021
HOLYOKE – While the pandemic continues to limit businesses and their services, the eclectic art and unique experiences of Gateway City Arts are still enduring trials and tribulations.
Owners and Co-Directors Lori Divine and Vitek Kruta spoke to Reminder Publishing about Gateway’s status after a grueling two years. “We are operating under the assumption that we will be able to stay open and not have to close again, but we are also trying to be very cautious. We’re not taking any chances here,” said Divine. With music promoter DSP Shows running operations for concerts, Divine said the center is focusing their sights on private gatherings, the center’s dinning space Judd’s Restaurant and Bar and a blend of distinct cultural events.
The pandemic has even opened new opportunities for Gateway. Kruta detailed the recent inclusion of the Divine Theater, a remodeled black box theater space that includes a fully renovated bar. “When we knew we would be able to re-open, we decided to remodel one of our spaces … it’s just a beautiful space, it’s magic,” said Kruta. The theater has already been utilized for a variety of events, including private parties, an NPR storytelling event and as the set for the choir Young@Heart’s promotional tour videos.
Even as the business evolves, Gateway faces the same uphill battle challenging most businesses. Kruta explained that the business is relying upon a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan to keep operations afloat as profits are impacted by the pandemic.
“It allowed us to deploy a skeleton crew, but the biggest challenge will be replacing the PPP loan with enough income. Once we run out of the money, we are not going to be able to continue the way we would like to,” said Kruta. Divine described the situation as a “race against time,” stating that the business is taking it week-by-week as their payroll reduces from 40 people to 7.
Despite the challenges, Gateway is still looking forward to the multitude of events that 2022 will bring. Kruta revealed that DSP Shows has scheduled 300 concerts for 2022, with the music promoter helping to lighten the responsibilities on Gateway’s truncated staff. “The concerts are very exciting. That is something that keeps us going too, because the responsibility and pressure just isn’t on us. They are taking a big chunk of that pressure way from us,” said Kruta.
Divine discussed Gateway’s plans for 2022, with the center offering a diversified range of repeating events like Experimental Music Night, Nerd Night, Drag Bingo and Vinyl Night. “We’re trying to do regularly scheduled events so people can look on their calendars, plan for it and know what is coming up,” said Divine. She also said the business will continue to incorporate a variety of cultural events, with the center stressing the importance of representing different interests.
“One of our goals in this endeavor is to be able to expose people to things they haven’t been exposed to normally. People may not know they love classical music or experimental music, but people can experience these things right in downtown Holyoke. We want to have a space that is interesting and exciting,” said Divine.
Readers can learn more about Gateway City Arts and their range of events at https://www.gatewaycityarts.com/. Kruta expressed that residents interested in supporting the business can also purchase gift cards for the holiday season.