Michelle said Creative Space Southern Highlands (CSSH) was a safe haven to go and connect with others, and without it, she would not be here.
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Affectionately known as 'Chook', the artist is one of many across the region who are devastated and angry about the closure of the Bowral hub.
Although the service run by the St Vincent de Paul Society NSW (Vinnies) will turn transition to an "outreach model" and travel around the Highlands, for the people who use the space, it is not the same.
A hub for all
"Every walk of life comes here and everyone is welcome," Chook said.
The inclusive hub has been a place where people of all abilities and backgrounds went to learn new skills, access free TAFE training, lead their own creative workshops, and connect with others.
CSSH has partnered with other organisations to deliver services such as Community Circles Wingecarribee (CCW).
CCW community coordinator Rose Shaw said this would be challenging to continue a physical base.
Artists have also exhibited and sold their artworks through the venue, where Chook used funds from her sales to service and maintain her car.
On a pension, this has been a lifeline, she said.
More than 40 people who have used, volunteered at, and supported the hub came together on April 17 for its last day of operation.
They collected their artworks, took art supplies, had morning tea, exchanged stories and spoke about what CSSH meant to them.
When the Southern Highland News spoke with volunteers and people who regularly went to Bowral, many said a key part of its impact was team leader Tania McInnes.
"She has this wonderful ability to treat everyone as an equal, everyone is important, I couldn't think of a better person to run something like this," artist Gail Chapman said.
A lifeline for many
Peter Brazel went to Bowral for more than five years and as a wheelchair user, found the space accessible, and a way to get out of his unit.
"This place has saved me from a very dark and dismal place," the artist said.
Beyond being "bricks and mortar" and a area to make art, it was a safe place to be at to talk about struggles, mental health issues, and feel less alone.
This is something that photographer and abstract artist Sean Guffe agrees with.
"Life gets hard and it's really nice to have somewhere to come and be safe," he said.
For painter Natalie Murray, it has been a place that has helped with her anxiety, and a haven where she made friends.
CSSH volunteer Sally Waterford has been a part of the space from the beginning, when the community came and proposed a venue in the Highlands to "break down isolation".
A sudden closure and being kept in the dark
Volunteer Catherine Dengate said it was a "cruel" decision by Vinnies and that they were only given one day of notice of the closure.
"I'm just dismayed that there wasn't [a] consultation about it," Ms Waterford said.
Vinnies manager, community access and participation Naia Armitage said a "careful review and consideration" was made for the "difficult decision" to not renew the Bowral property lease.
"We have been working to determine solutions that will continue to provide support to our community and have decided to move forward with an outreach model of support," she said.
The Southern Highland News was told that consultations and advice were sought from internal property and safety partners.
The aim to reach more and the next steps
The new model would reach more people in the region in accessible locations and "potentially" partner with other organisations, Ms Armitage said.
Creative Space programs will be delivered in different locations from May 8, and consultation meetings would be held with the community in May and June.
"We acknowledge the sadness and frustration this transition has caused in the community," Ms Armitage said.
"We will be working hard to ensure that the transition honours the important work of this service and the dedication and commitment of our volunteers and community members."
While there was support for Creative Space services continuing, Ms Waterford said an interim space would have been ideal while it was being planned, and they would look to see what future options were available.