The discussion will be from 5:30-7 p.m. at https://zoom.us/j/94261516870, and AC art and media students, area high school students, and the general public are encouraged to attend.

“Artists have always used their work to process, respond to and cope with suffering, which makes this the ideal time to look back at creativity through crisis across history and explore how the global pandemic is inspiring art,” said Jill Gibson, chair of the Media, Arts and Communication Department.

Gibson will moderate the discussion. The panel will include Alex Gregory, curator for Amarillo Museum of Art, and three members of the AC faculty: Hilary Hulsey, instructor of film (and director of content for Panhandle PBS); Stephanie Jung, instructor of art; and René West, assistant professor of photography.

After the panelists offer their responses to crises throughout history, and how isolation and the unknown impact creativity and art, they will field questions from the audience through voice or chat.

“I’m excited to hear René West speak about how the quarantine has prompted her to adopt the daily discipline of creating surreal still life photos, and I’m looking forward to learning more about how difficult times have sparked brilliant paintings, sculpture, photography and film,” Gibson said.

“We will also have an enrollment specialist on hand to chat with anyone who wants to learn more about our art and media classes as well as help current students register for the next term.”

NOTE: The photograph was created during quarantine by René West.