Art has been essential during the COVID-19 crisis. Throughout this incredibly stressful time, creating art has offered an outlet, which is especially important for students in District 75 who often face communication challenges. Although I have not assigned projects directly addressing the pandemic, the impact it has had on these young artists is evident in much of their work. In one self-portrait, a student wrote that he was sad and missed going outside to the park, something he had not expressed to his mom. Another student created a still-life using toys that were all emergency response vehicles.

And I was completely "blown away" by James’s photography project (featured), which really captures the personal and emotional complexity of this surreal moment. Wearing only gloves and a mask that reads COVID-19, his work expresses vulnerability and fear, but also projects hope with its rainbow. Teaching remotely has been challenging. I love working alongside my students as they create, and miss supporting this process in the classroom. It has been encouraging, however, to see families sharing in this creative process while together at home, they have become a new part of our expanded art classroom.