Eastern Connecticut State University students in the Graphic Design History class have created digital artwork to spread awareness about how to stay safe during the COVID-19 outbreak. To view the virtual gallery on Eastern's website, visit https://www.easternct.edu/art-gallery/covid-19-poster-response/graphic-design-students-respond-to-covid-19.html.

While addressing the changes in learning during these difficult times, Art Gallery Director and part-time instructor Yulia Tikhonova decided to have her students work on a project about the pandemic. “To combat this sense of isolation and uncertainty my class decided to create a series of posters and textual responses as a gesture of solidarity and hope,” said Tikhonova. Topics for the posters vary from hand washing techniques to promoting social distancing. Students have also provided a written statement regarding their pieces. In both their art and explanations the students express a variety of current hardships. One statement is universal in every piece — “we are all in this together.”

The sense of community promoted by the Eastern students and staff has never been more prevalent than in this time of uncertainty. By providing her students with flexibility yet keeping them on track for the course, Tikhonova hopes this project promotes collaboration. “We will foster intellectual nourishment, social connection and personal accommodation,” she said. “Everybody needs support and understanding in this unprecedented moment.”

Comparing this to other crises such as 9/11, the AIDS epidemic or Hurricanes such as Katrina, Sandy and Marie, Tikhonova says the job of artists is to be the emotional “first boots on the ground.”

“Academic galleries nationwide are sharing the power of art to inspire and console,” she says. “Through this online exhibit, Eastern joins the nation in its efforts to maintain our community ties and cultivate dialog.”

For more information on how Eastern is handling COVID-19, 1please visit https://www.easternct.edu/coronavirus/index.html.