FORT MYERS, Fla. — The COVID-19 pandemic has spread across the globe. Students at Florida Southwestern State College remind everyone around the world, we’re all united by something else, too. The sky.
FSW art professor Dr. Wendy Chase said her students came up with the idea to use the sky as a tool to connect people dealing with COVID-19 - whether its the actual illness or the restrictions around it.
“It’s one thing that unites us. Like we all look up into the exact same sky,” she said.
Honor student Lindsey Fischer said the pictures will also commemorate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, as everyone is united by the pandemic.
“Share their own story. Share their own pictures of the sky. Know that we’re not alone, even though it feels like it,” she said.
Professor Dana Roes said it’s good timing for a project like this.
“It was ripe and perfect to include the community, meaning the world at large now, meaning social media and zoom and platforms that we didn’t fully embrace until this moment,” she said.
Students are also using #SharingOurSky to tribute healthcare providers like former student Natasha Singh. She graduated from FSW in 2013. Now she’s working as a Lee Health nurse. She still manages to smile even as she works in the ICU.
“We have to try to take the comforts where we can find them. Art always seems to be a really great way to not only get messages across, but to inspire people,” said Fischer.
Come rain or sunshine, Fischer added it’ll connect everyone who participates.
“Even if it’s raining, we all share the storms, too,” she said.
Share your COVID-19 story and photo of the sky Wednesday at noon. If you use the hashtag sharing our sky FSW students might share your post on their Instagram page.
