Marin Art Show Captures Artists' Response To Coronavirus Pandemic

SAN RAFAEL, CA — A new art show in Marin County showcases work inspired by the coronavirus pandemic.

The annual "INSPIRE" show at Youth in Arts, a San Rafael-based arts education nonprofit organization, features the work of the teaching artists. The show includes drawings, mixed media, paintings and photography, and explores the connections between North Bay teaching artists' professional work and ideas they share with their students.

All of the work in this year's show was created in response to the question: How did you stay inspired while sheltering in place?

"Finding inspiration in a pandemic is a challenge, to say the least," said Morgan Schauffler, Youth in Arts' development and gallery manager. "I was so impressed by the work our local teaching artists created in quarantine, and am excited to share it with our community."

The Youth in Arts Gallery at 917 C St. in San Rafael is devoted to showcasing children's art. "INSPIRE" is the only annual exhibition that features work by adults.

The artists in the show are part of a creative community that is working to find the best way
to reach students online during the pandemic. When COVID-19 prompted shelter-in-place restrictions, the nonprofit was one of the first in the Bay Area to explore distance learning.

"I'm in awe of how our teaching artists have pivoted to continue to bring arts education to
students virtually," said Schauffler, who curated the show.

The "INSPIRE" show is on view in the Youth in Arts' gallery windows and online through Nov. 27.