A Story of Art & Friendship During Stay-at-Home
Happy New Year! As we enter 2021, I’ve reflected on my silver linings of 2020.
Three of those silver linings were fellow artists and co-hosts (Nichole McDaniel, Sherly Benjy and Joan Marie) of the weekly Saturday Night Live Art Shows, a project to have art exhibits from home during the stay-at-home time.
Our shared mission to brighten social media feeds at a time when many people dealt with difficult times brought us together. Most weeks we had a collage from the videos we made for our followers.
For 40 weeks, from March 28, 2020 until December 26, 2020, we posted videos every Saturday that shared art (completed, in process, studio tours, demonstrations and more). Artists around the world joined us on Facebook and Instagram, including creators in Canada, Mexico, Spain, Italy, Israel, the U.K., Ireland, Western Australia and all over the United States.
We even collaborated further on group videos including one with studio pets around the world. Click here to see our group collaborations!
Most of our videos weren’t technically award winning, however we made them with heart and a desire to connect with people. We hoped that by coming out from behind our paintings, something that is scary for many artists, we would encourage others to celebrate their own imperfections and share the joy of making things with one’s hands in a time when many people had time on their hands.
There is a therapy in creating and choosing to see the world with possibilities regardless of the circumstances.
Some artists really resonated with this project and continued to join us every week. Others participated occasionally or made fabulous cameo appearances.
Artist participants ranged from age 4 to over 80.
We received feedback from many people in challenging circumstances who shared ways that the videos touched their hearts and inspired them.
There is always a way to imagine things better. Our videos could be better; the world could be better, and yet there are always silver linings to any situation. I’m so grateful to these ladies and the artists around the world who’ve showed up and made 2020 better.
Have you reflected on your silver linings?
Click here to see any of my 40 imperfect videos from 2020.
If you want to follow along in 2021 or know someone who might like this project, find us on social media:
Brooke Harker Paintings: Facebook, Instagram or Youtube.
Saturday Night Live Art Shows: Facebook, or Instagram
Brooke Harker
