Photographs by students in JELMA’s Youth Art Institute
Curated by Robin Howard

When the COVID-19 pandemic changed all our lives overnight, it also wreaked havoc on the lives of our youth.  For millions of young people, this pandemic has created situations and arrangements that don’t “fit” with their developmental needs. Students from JELMA’s Youth Art Institute were guided in a project using photography and writing that tells their stories documenting this pivotal moment in history for the purpose of actively finding ways to foster human connection and minimize anxiety for a “new normal”.

Students examined how they navigate social distancing, stay at home orders, canceled birthday gatherings, postponed weddings, canceled sports and long-awaited family vacations. 

Students expressed feeling confused, unseen and having difficulty concentrating.  

To help the students focus on their artistry, creative abilities and pull a creative spark from their surroundings we took two field trips, first in January to the Cylburn Arboretum and the other in August to the Baltimore Museum of Art.  Notably, the enthusiasm suggested an urgency to venture out even in a difficult time when the world felt like it was holding its breath. We turned our eyes toward helping students to be able to stay happy, to assert feelings and provoke thought.

Not having the extracurriculars plays an important role in discovering interests and talents, and ultimately an emerging sense of Identity.