Hillsborough Art Studio Adapts To Try And Survive Pandemic

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — The coronavirus pandemic hit locally-run Scrap U & Artistry Too "really hard", but owner Tina Rear is not ready to go down without a fight.

"It's been very rough, honestly," said Rear, a Hillsborough native and mother. "Things are very slow. Knock on wood, we are trying to hang on."

Rear opened her studio at 856 Route 206 in the Mountain View Plaza in Hillsborough in 2015. She was forced to close in March due to the pandemic and recently reopened in August. However, her summer camp was cut short as a result.

She resumed drawing and painting lessons in the late afternoons and evenings and sewing as well but the response has been slow.

Now she has set up a remote learning facility for families at her studio which offers both full-day (which includes afternoon art included in the program), as well as half-day remote learning or half-day art in the afternoon.

"We started the remote learning to keep afloat," Rear said. "We had regulars who sent their kids to the studio in small groups during the summer. The kids bonded and made new friends and parents were able to get work done. So we wanted kids to keep coming back."

There are roughly 10 kids per room and the program offers a safe and creative environment for kids in grades 3 to 6 where they can accomplish their school work in the morning and then be free to engage in creative art projects for the remainder of the day. Desks are positioned 6 feet apart and doors are open to allow space for kids to go outside for fresh air or just to get a mask break.

"I have a pretty good reputation in the community. I love working with kids, I have kids of my own, I run a charity for kids with special needs, I give back a lot," Rear said. "My only goal is to stay in this community, be apart of it, give back when I can, and stay afloat."

For more information on Scrap U & Artistry Too or the Remote Learning call 732-239-5003 or visit scrapunj.com.

• Read more: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know
• See more stories about New Jersey's coronavirus recovery.

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