Nearly 150 visitors gathered at the Deptford Township municipal building to attend a reception for the “Creating During COVID” art exhibition on March 20.
The reception was the first event hosted by the building’s Galleria since the pandemic’s start. That fitting theme inspired local residents in various ways, showcasing different mediums.
“As you take a walk through the Galleria, you will find so many disciplines in the art field as well as unique ways to create with our artists tools and materials,” said Maureen Peters, facilitator at the Art Studio of Deptford. She noted that the type of art featured ranged from sepia ink to Canadian club whiskey to monoprint with a watercolor overlay.
Even with only a week’s notice for the art collection, the exhibit featured more than 60 pieces from 20 local artists.
Peters felt the COVID theme was necessary, as it highlighted the creative outlet many artists resorted to during pandemic isolation.
“While making art is a coping tool, it provides an escape from sometimes a harsh reality,” she explained. “It influences our state of mind, gives us a joyful emotional stability, and helps us take responsibility for how we feel.
“Creating art is about reaching a state of consciousness and breaking free from the constant debilitating chatter of the mind,” Peters added. “Art helped us get through COVID.”
Artists from South Jersey and the Philadelphia area presented their work, many for the first time, at the reception, which also was an opportunity to network. And while the pandemic limited many lives, some of the artists maintained virtual connections remotely.
“Artwork has been a great comfort, lift to the spirits and stress reliever during COVID distancing, and the Zoom classes and YouTube videos offered by local artists have been a great inspiration,” said Cathy Matos, whose watercolor paintings were featured in the gallery.
“It is so much fun to get together, even if it is sometimes virtual,” the Sicklerville resident added. “I never thought I could have an art teacher in Scotland or Australia. Art makes everything feel better.”
The exhibit can be viewed at the Galleria Deptford, inside the municipal building at 1011 Cooper St. Hours are Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
