How the pandemic disrupted the creative industries forever
Here, five professionals from the hospitality, music, retail, art and theatre sectors share their experiences
Tuesday 29 March 2022 By Jacquelyn Lumley Illustrations by Adrianne McDonald
As we catch our breath and simultaneously tread back into normalcy, we should stop and discuss the current concept of ‘normal’. Are we back to business as usual? The pandemic closed so many doors, both physically and metaphorically, forcing business owners to get creative quickly to survive.
Now, with the doors open again, business is booming for some, but lost forever for others. We can meet for drinks, travel to new cities, even attend concerts, and visit art galleries. But things are different, and it’s important to recognise how and why. To gain a better understanding, we spoke to five professionals about how their industry and business have been permanently changed by the pandemic.
Brian Merritt, director of retail, VP for Manifest DC and Sir & Madame, DC
‘My partner and I bought a building in Washington D.C. with the intention of opening a barbershop, coffee bar and retail space in 2020. The pandemic changed all of that. With retail, I homed in on the buying aspect, making sure our offering was expertly curated with no fillers. People are savvy and they know when you’re throwing spaghetti at a wall to see what sticks. So, I brought in top-notch essential items, hard-to-find fragrances, high-end labels, and emerging streetwear brands. Our retail offering has become a reflection of our customer: someone who wants the best grooming experience with the best coffee, and the best apparel. Post-pandemic, our consumers come out to discover, not just buy something they saw online or on a celebrity. It’s been cool to see people fall in love with what they truly like and not what they’ve been told to like.’
D'Llisha Davis, head of operations, 2L’s On A Cloud, Nashville
‘As a leading source for hip-hop and urban culture in Nashville and beyond, 2L’s On A Cloud has thrived in past years by booking and promoting high-powered concerts, events, and tours. We faced a great roadblock when it came to the world shutting down. Many contracts ended due to venues closing, shows were rerouted due to the worry of too many fans being in one space, and we had to navigate our way through the hardships of staffing. Overall, the music and entertainment industries have changed a lot. While some artists, promoters and event curators have become more creative, many have fallen short along the way. We pride ourselves in continuing to advocate for artist development and continuing to push for the support of local venues through times of uncertainty.’
https://www.instagram.com/2lsonacloud/?hl=en
Vincent Uribe, founding director of LVL3 gallery, Chicago
‘In-person art shows are no longer taken for granted. Opening receptions, gallery talks and studio visits are organised with much more consideration and intent. It’s forced us to stop, think and reevaluate operations – creating change in how and why things are done. This has worked to strengthen some relationships. Virtual studio visits have taken precedence for how quickly a meeting can be scheduled and get the planning for a show finalised. Even though virtual events have increased accessibility for participation and engagement, we’ve also realised the importance of seeing work IRL and being around others. I hope the virtual-only art fair doesn’t make a comeback.’
Jayson Seidman, hotelier of the Columns Hotel, Hotel Saint Vincent, Thunderbird Marfa, Hotel Ranch Motel, Boro Hotel, East Austin Hotel, The Basic Marfa and Kokoro Springs, New Orleans
‘As a hotelier with numerous boutique hotel properties throughout the country, my businesses took an immediate hit from the pandemic, no surprise. Thankfully, we were able to pivot by creatively responding to the constantly changing rules and regulations. With the rise in remote living, both professionally and academically, people are now able to travel more and stay longer. Rather than the typical one or two-day booking, it’s more like eight to 10. Travellers are preferring to stay in more residential and less touristy parts of town. My guests have truly appreciated our ability to offer more intimate environments that are surrounded by nature (or at least a lot of plants). I see my industry continuing to evolve and blur the lines between home and hotel.’
https://thecolumns.com/
https://saintvincentnola.com/
https://www.thunderbirdmarfa.com/
Teale Dvornik, dresser on Broadway, New York
‘The 41 Broadway theatres are New York City landmarks. So much history is wrapped up in them, not only for New York, but for the entire United States. Broadway is a billion-dollar industry that employs thousands of people. It’s not just the people on stage or directing, or those building sets and making costumes… it’s the stands selling hot dogs to patrons coming out of shows, the maids who clean every single hotel room in the theatre district. It affects everyone. A few years ago, there were no theatres available for new shows to move into. Now, they’re sitting vacant. That’s something Broadway hasn’t seen since the 1980s or 1990s. Broadway is American couture; the highest form of live theatre that remains today. The economy of New York City will not be back until Broadway is fully back. The show must go on.’
Link: https://thebackstageblonde.co
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