Art In the Time of Covid

Art in the Time of COVID-19 is a panel discussion that explores how we value art and artists during a time of crisis. Even though many artists are increasingly vulnerable to the COVID-19 pandemic, they’re finding new and innovative ways to share their work for our collective well-being.

Join us and our stellar panel of arts innovators as we reflect on the intersectional vulnerabilities presented by COVID-19, and what our engagement with the arts during this time can tell us about the value of arts and culture in our society.

After the COVID-19 restrictions took effect, and OCAD University closed its doors, we quickly switched to online learning to complete the semester. In this unprecedented and unique time, we had no idea how our Drawing and Painting students might respond to the pandemic.

They had very little access to art supplies and no access to studios. They had been physically separated from their classmates and faculty. These restrictions were also compounded by the broader societal pressures of the pandemic that are affecting all areas of our lives.

However, one week after the shutdown, we began to see unbelievable art by our students being posted on Instagram. Shockingly beautiful pieces that directly responded to the new and surreal world that COVID-19 has created. Our students’ resiliency and creativity in the artworks were breathtaking in their scope.

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National Make a Friend Day

I am not very good at making friends or keeping them it seems. I do not go outside much, in fact I hardly leave my home unless it is family related. That makes it hard especially since friends expect you to come to them at least once in a while and I find I can't.

If it were simply a matter of laziness it would be understandable but it isn't. Some days I can't even open the door to let in some fresh air. I do not know where the fear comes from I just know that that is what I feel when I think about going outside most of the time.

Agoraphobia: Triggers for this anxiety may include wide-open spaces, crowds (social anxiety), or traveling (even short distances). Agoraphobia is often, but not always, compounded by a fear of social embarrassment, as the agoraphobic fears the onset of a panic attack and appearing distraught in public.
Causes: Genetic and environmental factors Symptoms: Anxiety in situations perceived to be unsafe, panic attacks Treatment: Cognitive behavioral ther…

My Fair Lady

Eliza Doolittle Day is celebrated by fans of the musical My Fair Lady, a musical based off of George Bernard Shaw's 1912 play Pygmalion. In the musical, Eliza Doolittle is a Cockney flower girl who wants to learn to speak properly. At the time the story takes place, proper speech was a symbol of upward mobility and education. Eliza meets Professor Henry Higgins in Covent Garden and he agrees to give her elocution lessons. Higgins believes he can transform her from someone who uses words like "ain't" to someone who can fit in with London's elite.In the musical, Eliza dreams of meeting the king. She sings a song, "Just You Wait," to share her thoughts. It is in the song that the date for Eliza Doolittle Day comes from:One day I’ll be famous! I’ll be proper and prim; Go to St. James so often I will call it St. Jim! One evening the king will say: 'Oh, Liza, old thing, I want all of England your praises to sing. Next week on the twentieth of May I procla…

Women's Heart Health

February 1st - 7th is Women's Heart Health Awareness Week and I felt it would be remiss of me not to include some conversation about it here given that the professor suffered a heart attack a bit over two years ago and that I am a prime candidate.

Let us start with why I am a prime candidate - Obviously being 100 pounds overweight puts me in the high-risk area immediately. Add in High Chloresterol, physical inactivity, diabetes, post-menopausal and over 55. Since only two of those are needed to put me in the at-risk category that I have six means that I am very high risk. The only way it could be worse is if I still smoked or drank and still lived a high-stress life. Thank goodness for small miracles.

Not sure where you stand? check out this checklist. This checklist and the other pdf's linked here are from the Women's Heart Foundation

Do you know what the prescription is to lower the risk factors? It's simple join the 10,000 steps a day club. That's it! walk 10 th…

Cook, Make, Think

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