
The Durham arts community will lose an invaluable nerve center when The Mothership permanently closes its doors at the end of June. The Mothership made the announcement late last weeek.
From the beginning of this crisis, we’ve been dedicated to letting the new conditions (stay-at-home orders, physical distancing, a reshuffled economy) conjure the greatest amount of imagination and possibility for us and our business. As the COVID-19 narrative unfolds and intersects with other timelines and challenges we face as a business, the story that emerges is one of a razor thin path–if we hold on to our building. And although we have walked many tightropes in our history, this one is just too narrow.
Six years ago, The Mothership opened its garage doors as a co-working space in the heart of downtown Durham, just steps from restaurants, bars, hiking trails, and more. The Mothership coworking offered freelancers, business owners, and remote workers a space for their good ideas.
Collaboration blossomed in many exciting and unexpected ways as artisans sold goods through The Mothership Shop and writers read from their works-in-progress at free monthly readings.
The monthly Durham Writers’ Salon offered writers an evening of writing time followed by reflection and encouragement. The good vibes will be missed.
Originally, a farewell event was planned to open tonight through June 7. This event has been postponed; check Facebook for details.
The North Carolina Writers’ Network would like to with The Mothershp godspeed: see you in your next incarnation.