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Local Artist Draws Outdoor Audience For Classes
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Alise Frosceno, far left, proprietor of Stuff and Things, an art studio in downtown Riverbank, finds a way to continue classes for her students. She has converted part of her parking lot to a covered patio, enclosed with a fence. She said she had checked with county health officials, who told her she couldn’t continue operating indoors, but an outdoor arrangement would provide sufficient distancing to keep her students apart, and safer. Ric McGinnis/The News
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At Stuff and Things art studio in Riverbank, proprietor Alise Frosceno is able to continue individual and group sessions after converting part of her parking lot into a covered patio area. Adding tables and benches, safely distanced, allows her to continue her lessons for both students and adults. Ric McGinnis/The News

Where most downtown Riverbank businesses have been affected by the recent COVID closures ordered by Governor Gavin Newsom, the proprietor of an art studio here has found a way to stay in operation safely.

Alise Frosceno owns and operates Stuff and Things, an instructional art studio located at 3220 Santa Fe St., Suite C, on the alley between Second and Third streets. The sometimes hard to find location offered the perfect solution to the recent closures.

Frosceno said she had inquired of county health officials about her indoor space, and was told she’d have to close that to the public. However, when she asked about moving outside and using part of the parking lot as a patio, she got the go-ahead.

So she added a covering and a fence to part of it and re-opened recently with the safety protocols in place. It’s structured to allow for “distancing” for both her child and adult students.

On Thursday, July 16, when classes first resumed, Frosceno pointed out that it was just one year and two weeks ago that they opened their downtown studio.

Stuff and Things offers birthday and other party rentals, drawing classes, painting instruction and more, currently via the outside set up. And they host weekly events for customers of all ages, with hopes of getting back inside soon for Ladies nights, group events, and even Date Night.