Lincoln Arts may soon be running off of its volunteers and board members, in order to keep the month-long Feats of Clay and the gallery available to the Lincoln community.

That’s because the paid staff may be laid off after this Feats of Clay is over, according to Claudia Renati, executive director of Lincoln Arts. The paid staff is made up of Renati and daughter, Michelle Renati, who is the office manager.

Claudia Renati said she and Lincoln Arts president Paul Apfel made the decision to possibly lose the paid staff after looking over the budget for this year.

“When putting the budget together, we realized in this economy, we had to look at making cuts,” said the executive director. “The largest expense is payroll.”

Apfel stressed that the decision to run Lincoln Arts without a paid staff was a plan that both he and Renati came up with.

“It’s what we felt was a prudent financial decision,” he said. “Our primary goal is the survival and growth of Lincoln Arts.”

The decision about whether to lose the paid staff is dependent on both a vote by the Lincoln Arts board and how successful this year's Feats of Clay is.

Renati said she brought the idea to Apfel because she had been looking at different ways to keep Feats of Clay and the gallery running with volunteers.

“I just want this (Lincoln Arts) to survive, and if it means that Michele and I are laid off, that’s OK,” Renati said. “We’re both at peace with whatever decision is made after Feats of Clay.”

She said the gallery will still be able “to run and stay open” with help from the board and volunteers, which she said has happened before.

Lincoln Arts survival can also be aided by donations from the public, from individuals becoming members, as well as contributions and sponsorship fees, Renati said.

She also said Lincoln Arts can be supported by the community visiting the gallery, enjoying receptions and purchasing art from the gallery.

Renati said she and her daughter will start an events-planning company called A Personal Touch.

“I’m sad but it’s best right now in this economy,” said Michele Renati. “The board thinks it’s good for the organization.”