FEATURED
This curated page features some of the submissions that really stood out to us. We’ll be updating this section regularly, so keep checking back!
Yabsira Desalegne
Addis Ababa, ETHIOPIA - Yabsira Desalegne is an artist and student in Ethiopia whose work is poignant, sharp, and eye-catching. The focus of this work is photography and manipulation. In this series, Yabsira was hoping to capture the ways in which social distancing has impacted the low income parts of his community.
Don’t Avoid What is Easy
Tallinn, ESTONIA - When Anastasia Lemberg-Lvova sent us this collection of work, we knew we HAD to share it. In the submission, Anastasia explains that the exhibition ‘Don’t Avoid What is Easy’ is the result of over one year of research, but due to social distancing, the Freedom Gallery in Tallinn has closed it’s doors. The story behind the creation of this exhibit is incredible. Give it a read below!
Artists for Social Justice 2020
USA - Last year, artist Virginia Mallon began organizing a nationwide tour of shows for a collaboration of artists entitled ‘Artists for Social Justice 2020’. This collaborative and expansive show was set to launch this past March at Queen’s College of the City University of New York. Unfortunately it is now postponed due to social distancing, but let me tell you, we are OBSESSED with this collection. Beautiful art mixed with timely issues of social justice? What more do you need?!
“Being human”
Pforzheim, Germany - At once a solo and an ensemble piece, both moving and uplifting, this digital reenactment of the ballet, “The Four Seasons“ by Guido Markowitz is breathtaking dance performance. From the submission: “Tthe dance film “Being human” tells us the story of a single human being, a man remembering and experiencing different moments and levels in life: We see him, always saved by a devine guide. He and all others feel alone, threatened. But in spring, they develop other qualities: Desire makes them feel happy and hopefull and loving each other. Summertime brings us further: It represents times in life when we are older, living in matured relationships that are full of both misunderstandings and passion. Winter times let us reflect on ourselves. Our ‘human being’ meets his greatest love that he is not able to keep alive.”
24th Annual ART OFF THE FENCE SHOW on Pender Island: THE BEE PROJECT
South Pender Island, BC, Canada - The incredible artists of Pender Island are back, back, back again with some STUNNING work! A few months ago, visual artist and organizer Susan Taylor sent us a gorgeous collection of work after their annual Easter Art Walk (see that post HERE!) was cancelled due to social distancing, and now we are so happy to be able to share some more art from this community of artists and artisans.
A Toronto Symphony
Cambridge, USA - This submission is just extraordinary. The MIT Orchestra in Cambridge, Massachusetts plays “A Toronto Symphony,” a piece of music that is at once accessible, jarring, but above all, a tone poem to a great Canadian city. The visuals of Toronto only add to the experience.
“Breathing Zone”
Los Angeles, USA - While most of the submissions on this site have introduced artists whose work was cancelled or postponed because of the pandemic, there are also a few, like this one, whose creator found inspiration from the pandemic. From the submission: Initially started from a curiosity into the way in which my partner and I occupied our one bedroom apartment, this body of work explores the idea of social distancing amidst the Covid 19 epidemic.
Mild Dissociation 47
Dundee, Scotland, UNITED KINGDOM - Dive in and immerse yourself with this socially distanced short film by the dancers of Scottish Dance Theatre and settle into a state of curiosity and daydreaming.
Duo di Pianoforte
Grahamstown, SOUTH AFRICA - Need some music to warm you during these tumultuous times? Listening to Tamsyn Hanslo and Garreth Robertson do double duty on one piano just might be what you’re looking for. Take a listen to their Melodies by the Fire.
Traveling Books Project
Toronto, CANADA - Who said letter writing was a lost art? This submission allows you to dive into the art of handwriting and letter-writing while fostering just the sort of connectedness we need these days. Wherever you are in the world join the Traveling Books Project. Get the instructions at www.travelingbooks.co
“Love Travels Far”
Vancouver, CANADA - File this inspiring art video under “silver linings.” Videographer Steve Hawkins wanted to spread hope. The streets of Vancouver were becoming bleaker and bleaker. People were few and store windows were boarded up. His idea was to use these boarded up storefronts as canvasses to bring “optimism for the future through art.”
Saco do Mamanguá
BRAZIL - Watching this video for Saco do Mamanguá, by Bê e os Botos, is like taking the vacation that we all need right now. Shot in Rio de Janero, the video had to be released early after the music group’s plans to travel had to be cancelled.
Marla Faith’s Pandemic Gallery
Nashville, USA - Artist Marla Faith has created 24 works as a response to the pandemic. They can be seen at https://marlafaith.com. Click “Current Exhibit.” Ms Faith believes in the power of beauty and love to transform us and our world. Her aim is to be a conduit of divine light through her art. Art has been her spiritual path as well as her psychological mirror. She strives for authenticity in each work, and sees herself as a narrative colorist.
“Yalta”
New York, USA - Sometimes it’s best to let artists speak for themselves. It’s impossible not to be both moved and inspired by Hans Rieger’s art and words:“I was born before the second war in Lower Silesia and experienced social distancing early in my life. At the age of 80 I started painting/illustrating events affecting our life's, historic happenings interpreted in abstract or semi representational form. Recently the pandemic prevented a possibility to have an exhibition of my artwork at the local museum. As an octogenarian my creative lifespan is limited and diminishes the opportunities for a show so important for an artist. Since 1970ties I live in Orient, New York USA.” Take a look at the stunning work below, then go to http://riegerart.com/ for more.
Artists Reading Art
Seattle, WA, USA - Think your book club’s got game? You have no idea. This unbelievable collection of work features work from women involved in the Art Book Club, with each piece inspired by a different literary work. Check it out. This is the kind of work that moves and inspires.
Newcomer Week: Virtual Edition May 18-22
Toronto, Ontario, CANADA - After the cancellation of Toronto’s annual Newcomer Day celebration, which celebrates newcomers’ contributions to the city and introduces them different city-wide services, the Toronto Arts Foundation and the Neighbourhood Arts Network decided to put together this incredible, virtual week-long celebration of art around the city. You get everything from visual art to music to discussions about creativity and culture, and it looks AMAZING. Everyday from May 18-22, you can experience a different event over Zoom!
Sketches of Emotion
Liège, BELGIUM - This is the kind of interdisciplinary collaboration that we like to see! Visual artist Karen Hendrickx paired up with dance company JC Choreography to create a piece that integrates their work together. Since quarantine, they have had to be creative in seeing this project through, and I think the results are pretty exciting!
Coro Los Peñascales Sings “The Lamb” by John Travener
Madrid, SPAIN - This gorgeous piece begins with a reading in Spanish of Willian Blake’s poem, “The Lamb,” followed by a choral rendition of the poem by British composer John Travener, who died in 2013. The piece was recorded individually by the choir members of Coro Los Peñascales from home and sent to conductor Marcelo Gándaras to create this video. Initially, the videos were made to send support to a colleague who was hospitalized due to COVID-19, now recovered. Then they continued recording the pieces, including the most difficult of all, "The Lamb" by John Travener.
Sing Along Tim’s Homemade House Concerts
Toronto, Ontario, CANADA - LIVE STREAM MON/WED/FRI 10-10:30am EDT- We don’t do a ton of content for children, but Sing Along Tim is stand-out exception that we HAVE to make. He is a much beloved artist in Toronto that you have got to check out with the young folks in your home. He is offering half-hour live streamed concerts on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 10am EDT that you should can see at this link here.
National Dance Company of Wales
Cardiff, WALES - Like so many others, the National Dance Company of Wales has seen its share of cancelled productions. I was so excited to connect with them, and can’t wait to share several videos of their great work!