Zoom Room
The pandemic threw us into a uniquely surreal and voyeuristic world, presenting many challenges, yet an opportunity for everyone to be their “unmasked” selves through a new form of connection.
Zoom changed how we interacted and gave us a new perspective—weirdly intimate, authentic and contrived at the same time. With every interaction and screenshot captured, I found a different story of humanity. A new perspective, and a recognizable silver lining, illuminated the humor, boredom, pathos, and beauty that kept us all connected.
Many, if not most of the subjects are artists, educators, and people that I shared space with in my role as Executive Director of Delaware Institute for the Arts in Education. Zoom Room transformed those endless Zoom meetings into works of art. I am thankful to my colleagues, friends, and students who took part in allowing me to capture this moment in our world’s history.
(Please click on each image below to unlock their Zoom Room story.)
Artist in Residence, 2020, Acrylic on synthetic non-woven paper mounted on cradled birch panel, 14”x24”, $1800.00.
Artist and educator extraordinaire Yolanda Chetwynd and I have found ourselves together in the Zoom Room numerous times throughout the Pandemic. It is always a visual feast to see what’s on her studio walls– or her bookshelves.
Blues Brothers Reimagined, 2020, Acrylic on synthetic non-woven paper mounted on cradled birch panel, 14”x24”, $1800.00.
We could count on a different virtual background throughout the pandemic with Greg Shelnutt, artist and chairperson of the Art Dept. at University of Delaware. This one with the Blues Brothers was by far my favorite choice of Greg’s as he is looking somewhere off screen and into the distance with Belushi and Akroyd striking a pose and looking into the camera.
Crown, 2021, Acrylic on synthetic non-woven paper mounted on cradled birch panel, 14”x24”, $1800.00.
Dana Edell (she/her) is an activist-scholar-artist-educator and co-director of SPARK Movement, an intergenerational, anti-racist, arts-driven girls' activist organization where she trains and supports girls to design and run social justice campaigns, create activist theater, and take action in their communities. Loved meeting her in the Zoom Room with her infectious energy and big red glasses and she demonstrated a paper crown for a collaborative project she was working on.
DETV, 2021, Acrylic on synthetic non-woven paper mounted on cradled birch panel, 14”x24”, $1800.00.
DETV Execs Leslie and Ivan have this big vision for this Delaware cable news network. Each meeting, Ivan has another new idea and Leslie thoughtfully takes it all in.
Equity Sings, 2021, Acrylic on synthetic non-woven paper mounted on cradled birch panel, 14”x24”, $1800.00.
Composer, conductor, equity coach and nonprofit strategist as Director of Music and Operations of Choir School of Delaware and founder of Equity Sings, Arreon Harley-Emerson walks the walk, and talks the talk through his work committed to the principles of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB).
Happiness Corner, 2021, Acrylic on synthetic non-woven paper mounted on cradled birch panel, 14”x24”, $1800.00.
Teri Hoggard and I reconnected via social media during the pandemic after many miles and years. When we were finally face-to-face on Zoom and she showed me her Happiness Corner, I knew the moment captured the Teri I know and love.
Morning Practice, 2020, Acrylic on synthetic non-woven paper mounted on cradled birch panel, 14”x24”, $1800.00.
Waiting for a virtual yoga class to begin showed a tender moment of a beloved pet visiting a fellow yogi on her mat. Namaste.
Ms. Dee, 2020, Acrylic on synthetic non-woven paper mounted on cradled birch panel, 14”x24”, $1800.00.
While Dietrich “Dee” Faison may be a dance Teaching Artist, she makes a color statement from head to toe wherever she brings her magic. I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised to notice that in the Zoom Room her outfit matched the couch.
Post-it Note, 2020, Acrylic on synthetic non-woven paper mounted on cradled birch panel, 14”x24”, $1800.00.
As much as I zoomed in I couldn’t see what was on the single post-it note on the door behind Dianna. A reminder, an affirmation – remains a mystery. I loved the perspective as she gazes down at the screen without any clues to what she might be thinking.
Puppets, 2021, Acrylic on synthetic non-woven paper mounted on cradled birch panel, 14”x24”, $1800.00.
After being in the Zoom Room with Wolf Trap Teaching Artist Penny the Puppeteer, I began envisioning the next chapter of my life… Maybe not, but she introduced us to so many of her “friends” that it looked like the most fun thing to be doing every day!
Senator McBride, 2021, Acrylic on cradled birch panel, 14”x24”, $1800.00.
DE State Senator Sarah McBride met DiAE co-director Ashley SK Davis and me on Zoom to discuss an upcoming event. Always authentic, warm, and thoughtful, it was also impressive to see her framed by the American and Delaware State Flags.
Thoughtful Hot Seat, 2021, Acrylic on cradled birch panel, 14”x24”, $1800.00.
The ring lights reflected in Vinod’s eyeglasses are a tell-tale sign from the Zoom Room. Sharing virtual space with people from all over the world made for fun and fascinating conversations about everything and anything!
Truth to Power, 2020, Acrylic on synthetic non-woven paper mounted on cradled birch panel, 14”x24”, $1800.00.
Being in the Zoom Room with Dr. Christopher Emdin as the Keynote Speaker during Lincoln Center Activate July 2020 was electrifying and inspiring!
Truth to Power 2, 2020, Acrylic on synthetic non-woven paper mounted on cradled birch panel, 14”x24”, $1800.00.
ASL Interpreter Jo Linda Greenfield shared the Zoom Room screen at Lincoln Center Activate with Dr. Chris Emdin. Ms. Greenfield face and hands were a fully alive, beautiful dance interpreting the passion and energy of Dr. Emdin’s speech.
Twin Poets, 2021, Acrylic on synthetic non-woven paper mounted on cradled birch panel, 14”x24”, $1800.00.
Delaware State Representative Nnamdi Chukwuocha and his twin brother Al Mills are social justice warriors and Delaware’s 15th Poets Laureate. Their deep love for the students and communities that they work with– and for each other, is always apparent whether they are sharing a stage, in the classroom, or here, on Zoom.