The Healing Power of Artistic Expression

Whether literary, musical or visual, the Mardigian Library is looking for members of the UM-Dearborn community who have found — or are still finding — comfort in creating art to escape the disruptions and uncertainty of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Mardigian Library Associate Director Holly Sorscher says many across campus have shared their experiences through art and oral history, which will shape the UM-Dearborn COVID-19 Archive and future digital exhibit. UM-Dearborn librarians and historians have documented early responses to the pandemic and continue to seek out poems, essays, artwork and more. Sorscher says the library will continue to capture the evolving perspectives as the pandemic continues and the vaccine becomes widely available.

“Personal expression in response to this moment in time will provide future generations with unique perspectives on how the challenges and opportunities of the pandemic shaped the identity and culture of the UM-Dearborn community,” Sorscher says. “It’s important to understand both the struggles, the achievements and the ways the campus came together as a community to accomplish day-to-day tasks during an unimaginable challenge.”

If there’s artwork you’d like to submit, please share via this form.