With the pandemic, lots of students have had more time to practice art and some have turned to creative outlets as a coping mechanism for the effects of COVID-19.
Sophomore Alex Wilson said, "I started art because I wanted to create my own art after seeing how happy art made so many people." Wilson continued, "Recently art has become more therapy than a job. I’s been a way for me to reach out to more people and to share stories of all kinds of people."
Senior Evalynn Hurley said she started painting her face just out of curiosity.
Hurley said,"[It was a] journey going from smaller pieces on my arms or my neck or on my legs, just somewhere where I could cover it completely if needed. Then I slowly added more and more overtime just to see what I was comfortable with showing and presenting."
"When COVID hit I had already been diagnosed with severe depression and I resorted to my face painting as a coping mechanism. It turned from just being me wearing paint, to me presenting this character with their own personalities and lives. It was a mask of sorts that gave me the option to escape my current state or what happened in the day."
Art is a very common coping mechanism. Similar to journaling, it can be used to relax and destress, and it’s also used in therapy.
According to Psychology Today “Art therapy involves the use of creative techniques such as drawing, painting, collage, coloring or sculpting to help people express themselves artistically and examine the psychological and emotional undertones in their art.”
Art is extremely helpful for many students, it can be used as an outlet for emotions and can be used as a distraction from stress.