UMaine spreads information about COVID-19 vaccines through creative art exhibit
Author -Hannah Yechivi
(NEWS CENTER Maine)
The University of Maine in Orono is the first host for this traveling exhibit, where students have added their own creations, but also contributions from 18 other countries.
The "Covid vs. Creativity" display, focuses on the COVID-19 vaccines and facts about its distribution.
"By using images that are move approachable, instead of statistics," said Susan Smith, the UMaine Intermedia program director.
Smith said as an educator, she was her students to learn the impact and responsibility they have as artists.
"They are not just making work necessarily in the studio that goes into a gallery space, they have a responsibility that they can bring things like these images to people in a way they can relate," Smith said.
Smith brought the work that was already happening and brought her students on board at a time of hesitancy and distrust by many.
"It's something that has really shown the power of artists getting together with scientists, philosophers, and just every day people that just want to do something, and that often is the way I feel to get through this...the way to feel better about it is to feel like you are contributing to something," said Susan Smith.
Smith said the exhibit's goal is to promote awareness, she looks at it with two primary purposes in mind.
"We want us to be protected here at the university so that we can get back to regular classes and safe interactions, but also to acknowledge our state and our privilege here in Maine, we've done a great job of getting people vaccinated and so we also need to recognize all of those people who are still waiting," said Smith.
Students and other art contributors have one mission, to use art to fight the fear and hesitancy people might have about getting the vaccine.
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https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/education/umaine-spreads-information-about-covid-19-vaccines-through-creative-art-exhibit/97-6e14c302-2f33-4a10-87d6-bc7796773ecd
This article made me think about how important art is to persuade others to make a change. I do have my own thoughts about this but it is interesting to see how others combines there work and knowledge into art. Better yet to inform and create a positive chain toward this statement. Everyone has their thoughts upon the covid shot. But many do not choose to inform their self upon it and sometimes the media makes it worse by just stating the bad instead of sharing the good. Science is up for a question to the public and it is hard to believe it.