Right now it is pretty easy to get bogged down in the negative news. The daily barrage of COVID-19 reports, including an ever-rising death toll, is enough to dampen anyone’s spirits. For those families who have a loved one in Intensive Care or for people who have lost their jobs, there may be no easy ways to cheer up. Fortunately, we do have many people out there doing their best to bring a smile to our faces or to highlight the heroic contributions of those among us working hard to help care for the sick or bring an end to this virus.

 

First of all, the arts are stepping up in a major way. Across the world musicians have been performing on Zoom, writers are reading their work (or others’) online, and there are spontaneous acts of creation across the world. Musicians are noted in this article:

 

Visual artists are also doing their part, as noted in this interesting Architectural Digest article:

 

I’m also getting weekly posts from the Newman Center, which produces an incredible performing arts series every year at the University of Denver. The Newman Center is highlighting local artists of all kinds and linking to various virtual and streaming performances nationwide.

 

Certainly, if you are into this sort of thing, the meme business has never been stronger. We have posts hitting social media by the thousands on a daily basis, and average people are stepping up their creativity as well. Here’s a collection from one particular website:  https://www.wearethemighty.com/MIGHTY-SURVIVAL/coronavirus-memes-april-13?rebelltitem=42#rebelltitem42

 

Meanwhile, there have been amazing news stories emerging every day, noting the positive things that average people are doing to maintain their equilibrium or to inspire others. Here is one of my favorites from this week:
https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2020/04/15/834831575/99-year-old-british-veteran-raises-9-million-for-health-service-by-walking-laps

 

John Krasinski, star of The Office and Jack Ryan, has also taken to producing a weekly program called Some Good News, and it’s fun and uplifting. Episode 3 is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eg08rJGKjtA&feature=youtu.be&app=desktop

 

Even more exciting to me, I am thrilled to see that our very own CA artists are putting out great work to both inspire and entertain us. If you missed this incredible virtuoso performance by Senior Aidan Klingbeil, please click here: https://news.coloradoacademy.org/no-stage-no-audience-no-problem/.

 

I am loving these virtual Senior Portfolio Shows as well. Obviously, we would prefer to see these works up close and in person, but this technology provides the next best thing: https://www.artsteps.com/view/5e7918214c9e511851ba6f25

 

The entire CA arts faculty has been working overtime to create interesting at-home projects and assignments for their students. Many of them have already been featured in our daily posting called The CA Check-in. There will be many more virtual exhibitions and performances to come. My gratitude to Visual and Performing Arts Director Katy Hills for helping all the arts faculty to keep the spirit alive and to guide their students to find their muses, even in hard times.

 

As we endure this pandemic, I feel like Creativity will be a savior for all of us. As one of the school’s 6 Cs, we put a lot of time and emphasis on developing this quality in everyone. I’d like to think there is plenty more where all this came from, and I look forward to seeing what our young artists come up with next!