In-Studio Class Guidelines and COVID-19 Protocol

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have provided an expanded guideline to help class participants understand adjusted procedures and protocols required in order to attend Paperhouse in-studio classes.

  • General class policies still apply, please refer to that here. 

  • For virtual classes, we have a separate guideline, please refer to that here. 

  • Our current max capacity for classes is 6 participants, 1 instructor.

Preparations For The Workshop

  1. Once the class is confirmed—typically 3-5 days prior to the first class, we will be sending you a reminder email and to provide general information including a waiver form to sign, health and safety details, including COVID protocols, and a set of class notes, if applicable.

  2. Please ensure you have a comfortable face mask available to wear for all of the duration of the class, and while you are in our studio. If you are unable to wear a mask due to pre-existing health conditions, please contact us prior to the first day of the workshop at education@paperhousestudio.com to discuss with us. 

  3. With exceptions to access needs, we will not permit participants to enter the studio without a face mask. The studio will not have a box of disposable masks available. However, there is a Shoppers Drug Mart nearby that will have an available supply for you to purchase (located at Queen W & Ossington).

  4. You will be admitted into the studio a maximum of 10 minutes earlier than the class start time — please do not arrive earlier than this.

  5. Eating is now permitted inside the studio under these conditions: each participant will be asked to sit in designated areas that are 6ft apart from each other, windows will be open, and the air purifier on. You can also choose to eat in Artscape’s hallway and mezzanine area. Drinking water or other beverages to stay hydrated is allowed throughout the session(s),provided that you create a safe distance (at least 6ft apart) before removing your mask and drinking. Please ensure your beverage has a lid. We ask that participants do not rinse or clean their food containers and/or utensils in our sink, please wash all items at home.

  6. Communal aprons are now available. Other PPEs (personal protective equipment), e.g. respirators, dust masks, ear plugs, gloves, etc. will not be available, please bring your own if it is required.

During The Workshop

Timing and Pacing

Demonstrations: We understand that many papermaking and paper arts techniques require close viewing, hands-on help, and tactile learning. In order to try and maintain a high quality of teaching and accessibility while keeping instructors and participants safe, we will ensure demos are repeated multiple times and, if necessary, we will rotate participants to view at a closer distance. At this time, we will prefer to refrain from all direct, hands-on, contact with participants. Our priority will be to talk you through making the adjustments yourself, using our own body to indicate. We will also utilize tools to help, and only if absolutely necessary and with consent we will do hands-on, contact adjustments.

Please be patient with the instructor and your class participant peers as we adjust the way we teach and learn together. Demonstrations may take longer than usual and we will strive to communicate as clearly as possible when we expect to pause or pace a step slower. 

Shared Items

Tools / Materials: Please be aware that we will be sharing tools and materials. We encourage all participants to sanitize and/or wash their hands prior to eating and/or touching your face.

After The Workshop

Pick Up

If pick up of work is required (primarily for papermaking classes) you will need to book a time with us at education@paperhousestudio.com. As our staff are working from home as much as possible, we ask that you be respectful of the time booked and please do not change the date/time last minute unless an emergency arises. 

Please also remember that papers made in papermaking classes will require about 36-48 hours of dry time. Standard mask-wearing and health screening, as listed above, is applicable when picking up class work.  

Additional Information

Studio Sanitization Plan

  • Members and staff will work together to sanitize the studio.

  • Members are encouraged to sanitize high usage areas* if they are the last person to leave. 

  • Staff will increase deep cleaning to once a week.

*High usage areas: door handles, sink taps, press handles, switches, handles on appliances, and chairs.