Chewstick Finds New Home On Front Street

The Chewstick Foundation has found a new home on 81 Front Street, Hamilton, the former home of Carole Holding Studios. The move follows after they received notice from the landlord at their Elliot Street headquarters late last year.

Chewstick Foundation Executive Director, Gavin Djata Smith, said: “Chewstick has had many homes, from Hilly’s on Front Street, to Champions on Reid Street, to our most recent location in the vibrant North East Hamilton community.

“We put a lot of thought into leaving Bakatown and while we would have loved to stay, there were no suitable available spaces. Chewstick has always been committed to breaking down barriers, and we look forward to offering inclusive and diverse programming for everyone in our new space.”

“There has never been a space like Chewstick on Front Street and we are eager to open up opportunities for our local artists and charitable programmes by being in a more visible location.”

Deidra-Lee Bean, Administrative Officer at The Chewstick Foundation, said: “Chewstick has always been fortunate to have a solid crew of volunteers and we look forward to engaging them in our new home.

“We are seeking individuals to join our Transition Task Forces to help with volunteer recruitment, fundraising, and renovations. We are grateful for community support and volunteers; their efforts ultimately help enrich Bermuda’s cultural landscape.”

Chewstick said that to operate out of the new Front Street location, a “significant amount of renovation and infrastructure will be required.”

“The Chewstick Foundation has already partnered with community and corporate supporters to review opportunities for the new space and plan for a sustainable, cost-effective and accessible new facility. The timeline of the renovation is tied to the ability to fundraise for the venture, but a soft opening is tentatively planned for mid-April,” a spokesperson said.

“The Chewstick Foundation need to raise funds to complete the first phase of renovations and to pay for short-term operations. There are tiered donation options, including memberships, naming opportunities, and in-kind services and goods.

“The organisation’s new location comes with a similar rent but also offers increased square footage in a high-visibility location, offering the charity more of an opportunity to use their venue to sustain operations including charitable programming for arts, youth, community, and culture.

“While the new space is being renovated, Chewstick will be continuing some of its off site programming while it develops the new space to enable it’s core cultural arts programming to recommence, hence there is always the opportunity for active involvement.

“If would like to make a donation or get involved in the renovation project or any of our ongoing programs, feel free to email info@chewstick.org.”

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