903 Main Street | Manchester, CT | 860.647.6029 | WORKSPACEmanchester.com
SOCIALLY DISTANT MEETINGS @ WORK_SPACE
Greetings!
Many things have been put on hold during the pandemic but WORK_SPACE is open for business, even if things are a bit different. Masks are required, social distance is maintained, and the community coffee machine is no longer self-service. However we:
  • have small private office space and dedicated desks available,
  • are hosting meetings of 20 people or less, and
  • have amazing art in all three of our gallery spaces.
We welcome you to come visit!
The front doors are locked, but we will happily open them for you if you call to let us know you are coming (860.647.6029), or you can knock on the door to get our attention on weekdays from 10am - 4pm.

If you'd like to participate in the WORK_SPACE community from the comfort of your own home you can virtually attend:
 7/20 - My presentation on Hospitality for the CT Entrepreneur Awards
7/21 - TEDTalk Tuesday with Ryan Parker (free)
8/6 - BEER & BUSINESS at Urban Lodge and online (free)
8/21-8/22 - Gallery Open House for Veterans Art of All Kind exhibit (free)
9/3 - Gallery Open House as part of Imagine Main Stree t (free)
Every Friday - Watch a CREATIVE SPARK video on our YouTube Channel

Reach out if you have any questions about the variety of programs and resources listed below.
Be well,
Stacey Jill Zackin
 WORK_SPACE Manager
For the 2nd year in a row WORK_SPACE has been recognized by the CT Entrepreneur Awards who are hosting an all-day virtual conference on Mon., July 20th .
For $25 you can get a ticket and gain access to a day's worth of 12-22 minute session on entrepreneurship, innovation, leadership, marketing and community building from 30+ experts from: CT Data Collaborative, Makery Coworking, Keating Agency Insurance, Litchfield Distillery, SphereGen, Elm City Games , Connecticut Film Initiative, LLC, CT Main Street Center, Young-Educated-Determined to Succeed Inc, Remarkable STEAM , Naval & Maritime Consortium , and WORK_SPACE .
***In a 16-min session starting at 4:48p, Stacey Zackin , WORK_SPACE Manager will present highlights from her doctoral dissertation on: The Psychology of Hospitality: Creating Welcoming & Inclusive Environments .
TED TALK TUESDAY
Recorded in 2014 yet so relevant today, Ryan T. Parker , Poet, Artist, Activist and Educator helps us understand how to turn struggle into strength.
Ryan will join us on Zoom to discuss the content and the making of his TEDx Talk.
Tues., July 21st - 12:15p on Zoom
ART & CULTURE
NEW MAIN GALLERY EXHIBIT: Michelle Thomas
Painting of Red Woman
A frequent contributor to the Galleries @ WORK_SPACE, Michelle Thomas is an artist, educator, and advocate as well as a wife, mother (of twins) and Veteran who served for over 20 years in the CT Air National Guard. Through her home-based business, Artpeace Studio and her community work she teaches individuals and groups, produces and hosts a local TV show, and works with veterans to bring healing through art.
Although our doors are locked, if you call us M-F from 10a-4p we will happily invite you into the Gallery to see the work of Michelle, as well as Kimberly Heil and Ed Hicks. (Masks and Social Distancing mandatory.) Bonus: Artists Jill Friedman and Geofrey Houghton are on view in the Loop Gallery.
CREATIVE SPARK: released Fridays @ 12pm
Every week, the Galleries @ WORK_SPACE release a new video by a local artist showcasing their creativity in the hopes of sparking yours. Please visit and subscribe to our YouTube Channel .
Norm Greenstein , aka: The Parkinson Painter talks about the role of art in his life before and after his diagnosis. Click here for the video that was posted on July 10, 2020 .
A teacher, photographer & musician who started painting in her 40's, Jill Friedman 's work reflects emotions in a colorful way to illustrated how connected we are. Her spark launches at noon on 7/17 via: https://bit.ly/CreativeSparkSeries
CALL TO ARTISTS
Detailed information and art submission forms can be found at: http://workspacemanchester.com/art-culture/
RECORDING STUDIO COMING SOON
Equipment Options
Blue Yeti Mics
Webcams
Green Screen
Variety of photo backdrops
Lighting Kit
Acoustic Paneling
Editing Software
Tech Support
Content Creation
Business Promos
Podcasts
PSAs
Sales Videos
Social Media Campaigns
Video Blogs
Speaker Reels
Pitch Competition Submissions
COMMUNITY PROGRAMS
POETRY ON THE STREETS:
Melanie Pappadis Faranello, one of the artists from last year's PERSPECTIVES: WE ARE ALL DIFFERENT, WE ARE ALL ONE exhibit has created " Poetry on the Streets " where Melanie sets up her vintage Smith-Corona typewriter on a street corner, at a bus stop, or in a park with a jar of words and some watercolors. She never knows what to expect, but every single time, something very human occurs. Some people approach POTS with trepidation; others dive right in...deciding to trust a stranger and take a risk. But every time, people share that they feel better after writing a poem. POTS has evolved from an interactive public poetry writing exhibit to a broader initiative of workshops and offerings to various community groups with the mission of providing spaces for self-expression and connection. She is now focused on documenting essential voices from the Pandemic and welcomes you to read and submit here .
BLOG: ENTREPRENEUR'S ALPHABET
Guest Blogger:
Beth Stafford, CEO of MACC Charities

K is for Kindness
Need vs. Want is a hard balancing act, and one that MACC has done for over 47 years, while providing emergency financial and medical assistance to Manchester and Bolton residents. A wonderful mentor once told me that in the helping industry, like all industries, we would err, and when that happens, err on the side of kindness. 
“The great enemy of truth is very often not the lie--deliberate, contrived and dishonest--but the myth--persistent, persuasive and unrealistic. Too often we hold fast to the cliches of our forebears. We subject all facts to a prefabricated set of interpretations. We enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought."
- John F. Kennedy (Commencement Address, Yale Univ., June 11, 1962)
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Manchester's Spruce Street Market is Back
Please follow and like our Facebook Page. Click Here .
This year our market will feature farms and prepared food vendors only as live music, demonstrations, and food sampling has been temporarily suspended.
Accepting WIC and will match SNAP up to $10 (spend $10, get $20 worth of fresh produce)
37th ANNUAL FOODSHARE WALK AGAINST HUNGER 9/13-9/19
Online registration & fundraising is open (click here) . Participants are encouraged to find their own 1.5 mile course to walk to raise awareness of and resources for the issue of food insecurity in Hartford & Tolland counties. Funds raised from the Walk help support not only Foodshare but the partner programs that help us serve the growing number of people in Greater Hartford who struggle with hunger.
Glastonbury, CT business Next Door Creations , LLC recently launched their new website and mobile app, It’s Local Online! It’s Local Online is the newest solution to keep small businesses in business and you connected to your local community. Use It’s Local Online to find and share local shopping, events, jobs, fitness routes, and so much more! Businesses and organizations can easily and conveniently list services, products, promotions, and events, all for free. Visit itslocalonline.com  and download the app to start unleashing the power of local today!
EQUITY RESOURCES
COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS - FRIDAY NIGHTS @ 7PM
Join community members at Equity CT and from across CT as we listen, learn, laugh, and love. Click for ZOOM Link
Check out this great list of books, movies, podcasts and community conversations compiled by EquityCT . Click here .
BUSINESS RESOURCES
NEW WORLD, NEW MARKETING - FREE WEBINAR Tues., July 21 @ 3pm
This no-cost webinar will provide:
  • Information on industry trends and consumer confidence post-COVID
  • Innovative ways to reach new audiences
  • Tips to implement new strategies
Join experts from Connecticut Small Business Development Center Connecticut Department for Economic and Community Development   and  Rebel Interactive  to discuss the latest trends in digital marketing. With so many unknowns for small businesses, it is critical to examine marketing practices and evaluate new tools which may help your business survive – and perhaps even thrive – during and after COVID-19.

Town of Manchester, CT resource page

CT Small Business Development Center

Latest resources for CT businesses

Financial relief to minority-owned and women-owned small businesses in CT
EIDL Grant and Loan Program accepting applications again. Click here .

Connecticut Investment Corporation's MicroNOW Program
  • Loans from $5,000-$15,000 with repayment deferred for six months.
  • Basic Criteria: FICO Score – minimum 675 | Business in operation – minimum 1 year | No late payments in last 12 months (as reported to credit bureaus)
  • Email Kristen Clark - kclark@ciclending.com for more info.
CBIA - CT Business and Industry Association has many links to updates and resources including signs to post at your workplace about staying safe, healthy, and physically distant. Click here .
The CT Bar Association has created a FREE Legal Clinic offering 45-min phone or video calls for small businesses and entrepreneurs seeking limited-scope legal guidance. Click here .
List of PPE Suppliers in CT. Click here .
Make a $25 purchase from your favorite local restaurant or retailer and collect a
“Go! Explore Manchester” raffle ticket.
Prize: $100 gift card to a local member Restaurant & a $50 gas card.
Winner drawn on June 17th during 119th Annual (virtual) Meeting.

Governor Lamont releases rules for reopening businesses.


MAIN STREET ON TV
#HappyThings exhibit at the Galleries @ WORK_SPACE and Imagine Main Street artists featured in ABC-CT Channel 8's segment: CT CHECK UP.
ISN'T THAT NICE!
"I can't say enough about WORK SPACE! I am a sales professional who works remotely and I recently made the decision to find office space rather than work from home. The staff here is professional, friendly, and super willing to help in all things. The space is beautiful! Not only do I have the freedom to make my spot feel like home, but the artwork around the building is absolutely inspired. Connecting with other members here has been a joy. If you haven't come for a visit, it's your turn!" - Laura Beth Hunley
WORK_SPACE
903 Main Street
Manchester, CT 06040
860.647.6029
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