Dear Aerial Horizon Community,
Thank you so much for your patience, support, and love over the last few months, and for embracing Aerial Horizon over the last 11 years. In 2009, I arrived in San Antonio to perform as the aerialist at SeaWorld and quickly discovered that I was one of the only aerialists in this city. Since those early days, we have worked diligently to build a supportive community for the aerial arts where one did not exist before. Aerial Horizon organically grew out of the passion to share my craft, create awareness for the aerial arts, and make it accessible to anyone who desired to fly. My company members and I performed all over the world, taught thousands of people locally and across the globe, and changed lives for the better.
As you all know, I care deeply about the health and safety of our community. Most people are surprised by the daunting amount of requirements that circus educators have identified in order to reopen an aerial space. I have done extensive research into mitigating the spread of COVID-19 at our custom built studio through risk management charts, phased reopening plans, limiting/eliminating spotting during classes, using PPE, spacing each aerial point at least 10’ apart, clear entry/exit pathways, installing sanitizing stations, upgrading to hospital grade cleaners, researching the best ways to safely and effectively clean our diverse aerial equipment, updating policies and waivers, contact tracing, developing COVID-specifc injury care, creating new schedules to allow time for thorough cleaning, adding health survey check ins, air purification/circulation, and so much more.
Due to the difficulty of implementing the above measures with our significantly reduced staff, zero income, and now with the staggering rise of cases in San Antonio, we are unable to safely reopen. When I recently told our landlord that Aerial Horizon would not be able to reopen anytime soon, he gave me 1 week to move out of our building, without warning. Because of these unfortunate circumstances, we have been forced to abruptly close the doors of our beautiful aerial studio.
I am stunned and heartbroken by this recent turn of events, as I know many of you will be as well. This sudden closure has resulted in the most painful, challenging, and difficult time of my life. I am grieving an incredible loss, and I’m sure the community we’ve built together will feel this loss, too. I have given my life and soul to Aerial Horizon for the last 11 years and I promise that I did everything I could to keep this business alive.
As I cope with the unexpected shock of losing everything I’ve worked for, it will take me a while to reply to your emails. Please be patient and compassionate with me, as I have lost my entire livelihood and passion, and I simply don’t have all of the answers right now.
Seeing all of you grow, create, explore, laugh, perform, stretch and soar in the studio that became our loving home for the aerial arts was an indescribable joy that I will truly miss and cherish. I want to thank each of you for being a part of the Aerial Horizon community and contributing to the growth of aerial arts in San Antonio.
Thank you for everything,
Julia Langenberg
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FUTURE TRAINING
If you decide to seek training elsewhere, here are a few COVID-related questions to be sure to ask the new facility, so you can make informed decisions about your safety:
– What cleaning procedures are in place? What kind of cleaner is used on the apparatuses and has it been tested on the Coronavirus? How often is everything (mats, apparatuses, high touch surfaces, etc) cleaned?
– Is sharing apparatuses allowed? If so, how will the apparatus be sanitized between uses?
– What kind of intake procedures are you requiring – health surveys, new waivers disclosing risks, sanitizing areas, hand washing, etc?
– How are you circulating outdoor air inside and how often does this happen?
– Masks are now required in Texas and should be worn during aerial work inside: https://open.texas.gov/uploads/files/organization/opentexas/EO-GA-29-use-of-face-coverings-during-COVID-19-IMAGE-07-02-2020.pdf
– Will my instructor be spotting me and how does that impact social distancing? Will my instructor be wearing PPE?
– How far apart are the aerial points? Will class size be limited to allow for social distancing?
– How will you notify me if someone in the facility becomes infected?
Best wishes and aerial love to all of you!
❤️