Curating Standing, Still: Empathy, Storytelling, and COVID-19

Abstract

The purpose of this project was to create a contemporary art exhibition that used storytelling to elicit empathy around the subject of COVID-19. The exhibition entitled Standing, Still had a dual theme, capturing both the societal “standstill” caused by the pandemic and the resiliency of communities who emerged “still standing” after this crisis. Standing, Still was on display from July 3rd to October 10th, 2021 at the Museum of Northwest Art (MoNA) in La Conner, WA. In light of the empathy deficit Americans have experienced over the last four decades and the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic, this exhibition used storytelling to promote mutual understanding and compassion during this critical time. Eleven artists contributed their work and pandemic reflections to this exhibition. Visitors were able to read a powerful quote from each artist next to their work on the wall, adding context to the pieces, fostering empathy for others, and creating a united narrative of individual stories. In addition to the exhibition itself, this project included an exhibition portfolio, podcast series, collage-making workshop, and interactive exhibit pamphlet. By fostering empathy through storytelling, Standing, Still exemplified the role museums can play in promoting social causes and served as a platform for community voices.