Art pulls a community together... Art makes you feel differently. That's what artists are doing all the time, shifting and changing the way you see life. -Lister Sinclair

Inspired by the COVID 19 diary created by local artist Barbara Randall, in July the Council For The Arts put out an open call for artists to submit works produced during the shutdown period as a way to explore how our creative community had been using the sudden abundance of time and the ways on which art has been an emotional outlet.

The response from our arts community was overwhelming yet very mixed. Some had found the shutdown an ideal time to create, using art to work through the emotional upheaval created by the crisis. Many took advantage of being able to be outdoors, experimenting with plein air painting or found ways to move regular art classes and meetups to an online format, keeping familiar routines and the support available through connecting with creative groups. Other artists found the shutdown and its various stresses hindered their creative energy and found themselves unable to work on their art at all.

As this year has been one of extraordinary challenges, our community exhibit is a celebration of the tenacity of our artists and the power of art to heal and support us through life's experiences.

Representing 23 different artists, the exhibit has an variety of styles and mediums all showcasing the exceptional talent of our local artistic community.