PHOTOS COURTESY WOV

From homeschooling and wearing a mask to working from home as the new norm, COVID-19 has affected everyone’s life in some way. Now, that period of time is reflected in a new exhibition by Women of Visions — an organization of female African-American artists— that chronicles the artists’ thoughts, moments and imagination during the pandemic.

Debuting Oct. 3 and taking place through Nov. 14 at the Pittsburgh Center for Arts & Media in Shadyside, “Creatives in COVID-19” features 2D and 3D pieces made of glass, fiber, painting and other mixed media. There is no theme connecting the works other than that they were all thought of, designed and crafted during stay-at-home orders.  

“There were a couple of different things that inspired it,” says WOV president Christine Bethea. “I began to call around and ask what my members were doing during COVID-19 and I sort of did a wellness check on all my artists.” 

The exhibition, which will have both an in-person and online presence, kicks off WOV’s 40th anniversary and sets the tone for the upcoming year. The works for sale range in price from $125 to $1,000.

“Most of our artists are award-winning artists,” Bethea says. “They literally have pieces in the Smithsonian and have gone on to be in some prestigious institutions.”

Admission is free, but attendees must reserve a ticket to prevent overcrowding. Masks are required at all times and a no-sew mask making activity will be available in the waiting room outside the gallery.